Principal - Ormiston Bridge Academy

Principal - Ormiston Bridge Academy, London Borough of Hammersmith & Fulham

At OAT, we believe in the power of our people and their potential to make a positive impact on the lives of our pupils. Join us in shaping a brighter future for education, where everyone is valued and empowered to succeed. We are looking for an exceptional leader who shares our vision and is fully committed to excellence in all aspects of curriculum, teaching and learning and pastoral care for the benefit of all our pupils and their families.

We have a vacancy for an experienced and high-calibre leader to join us as principal at Ormiston Bridge Academy.

Ormiston Bridge Academy is an alternative provision academy in The London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham. It is commissioned to provide education for pupils that are at risk of exclusion or are excluded from school with the aim to achieve reintegration back into school, further education or employment. The newly-redeveloped site in Fulham hosts Bridge Academy’s primary and secondary provision as well as its Managed Intervention Centre – a satellite of Ormiston Bridge Academy. The principal will also oversee Bridge’s outreach programme for the borough, another vital part of the wider offer to schools across the local authority.

The academy is rated Good by Ofsted (September 2021) and has ambitious plans for further development and improvement. It is well supported by the trust’s central resources and functions and has a very strong relationship with the commissioning schools and the local authority.

The staff team is well-established and motivated to keep developing, learning and moving the academy forwards. The curriculum is as broad and balanced as possible and one that provides an element of choice underpinned by a strong core. This enables staff to prepare pupils for a return to mainstream without compromising on potential outcomes for those who complete their examinations at the academy. Pupils are proud of the academy and articulate well what they like about it. They see their relationships with staff as a real strength of the academy, along with the enrichment opportunities, and can also clearly articulate what they would like to see improve. They are honest and friendly and really want to do well.

Ormiston Academies Trust (OAT) is one of the largest not-for-profit multi-academy trusts in England. Our aim as a charity, alongside our schools, is to help provide local children with a great education. We educate over 35,000 pupils across five OAT regions, in over 40 schools – currently 32 secondary schools, six primary schools, three alternative provision schools and one special school. We are one of the longest-established trusts and have been sponsoring academies since 2009. Our sole purpose is to provide OAT pupils with excellent learning opportunities inside and outside the classroom.

When you join us, you’ll discover that OAT is a trust which cares about its people and has developed a range of opportunities and additional programmes from which you will benefit. One of the key advantages of being part of our family is the extensive support system we provide. We believe in investing in our leaders, and as such, you can expect robust support from our experienced teams.

We also value the need for refreshment and re-energisation and offer a range of services that are designed to support your health and wellbeing. From private health insurance for you and your family, a counselling service and legal helplines, car benefit and cycle to work salary sacrifice schemes, fitness and wellbeing support, to gym and retail discounts and more, we strive to ensure your happiness and health in your role. Additionally, our academies have the freedom to offer support tailored to their local preferences, which may vary slightly from one location to another.

We recognise the importance of OAT being a flexible workplace and are determined to be creative and to develop our approach further – as a senior leader, you will have a role in helping us achieve this.

It is important to us that our new principal is a caring individual who is approachable and kind and takes an interest in every pupil but also someone who has high expectations of what we can achieve and is proud to serve our community. We would like to meet you if you are someone who would be dedicated to our school and making it the best for us.

More information about this post and the role of senior leaders with the trust is available in the accompanying information pack. We would also encourage you to contact Daniel Cundy, Senior Principal for an informal discussion about the role. Please contact Daniel directly by emailing daniel.cundy@ormistonacademies.co.uk 

Closing date for applications is Monday 7th October at 9am with initial interviews expected to be held on Friday 11th October. Successfully shortlisted candidates from Day 1 interviews will be invited to Day 2 interviews on Monday 14th October.

Please apply via our trust vacancies page; https://ormistonacademiestrust.co.uk/work-for-us/vacancies/

Ormiston Academies Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share in this commitment. Ormiston Academies Trust embraces diversity and promotes equality of opportunity. 

All successful appointments will be subject to suitability checks in accordance with KCSIE, including identity, Right to Work, qualifications, online searches, prohibition check, two references and enhanced DBS check including Children’s Barred List.

The post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (ROA) 1974. Guidance on the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the Exceptions Order 1975, which provides information about which convictions must be declared during job applications and related exceptions, can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/new-guidance-on-the-rehabilitation-of-offenders-act-1974