Principal

Main Areas of Responsibility

As Principal, you will need to provide the leadership and management necessary to secure high quality teaching and learning to raise standards of achievement.

The Principal’s effective leadership will result in an academy where:

There is a positive ethos that reflects the Academy’s commitment to high achievement, effective teaching and learning, and good relationships

Staff, governors and parents have confidence in the leadership and management of the Academy

Staff and governors recognise their accountability for their tasks and contribute fully to the development and successful implementation of policies and practices

The life of the Academy and the curriculum effectively promote students’ spiritual, moral, social and cultural development and prepare them for adult life

Effectiveness is kept under rigorous review, and links with the wider community contribute to students’ attainment and personal development

Efficient and effective use is made of staff, accommodation and resources

Delegated responsibilities to ensuring that finance and administration are effective, and the carefully costed development plan is focused on improving educational outcomes

Qualifications & Experience

The successful applicant must have a proven track record of school improvement, and have gained successful previous experience in leading, or as part of, an SLT to transform a school and raise outcomes. We are looking for a strong communicator who can demonstrate strengths in engaging with and inspiring not just staff, but also students and parents of the local community. You will provide the leadership and management necessary to secure high quality teaching and learning to further raise standards of achievement.

We are looking for an experienced senior leader who ideally has:

Qualified Teacher Status, Degree, Further relevant professional studies

Relevant Further Degree or NPQH

Thorough knowledge and understanding of current curriculum developments and how pupils learn

Leadership in curriculum development and in monitoring and evaluation strategies

Proven track record of raising attainment in an urban, multi-ethnic environment

Track record of raising standards in English and Mathematics and good knowledge of raising standards in Literacy and Numeracy

Rewards & Benefits

Our people are at the heart of our success. We have developed a strong culture of collaboration and best practice, with professional development and career planning at its centre. We invest in our staff with support, coaching, mentoring, and a wide range of top-quality training programmes delivered at every level.

You will be joining a network of likeminded leaders in education and have opportunities to learn from colleagues who are some of the best school leaders in the country. We highly value and encourage all our staff to develop and reach their full potential, and you will have endless opportunities to and progress your career with us.

Being a leader at Harris, you will be given the autonomy to evolve your academy’s vision, values, performance, and culture, but you will never be alone, everything you do will be wrapped in support and encouragement from the wider Federation.

You will also have full access to our which includes a performance bonus, private medical cover and lots more benefits available via our schemes.

 

Safeguarding Notice

The Harris Federation and all our academies are committed to ensuring the highest levels of safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people, and we expect all our staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All offers of employment are subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, references, and where applicable, a prohibition from teaching check will be completed. 

Equal Opportunities

The Harris Federation is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from all suitably qualified candidates.

We value the diversity of our staff and students, and everyone at the Harris Federation is equally valued and respected. We aim to be an inclusive employer that reflects the communities we serve. We are committed to providing a fair, equitable and mutually supportive learning and working environment.

About Us

Harris Academy Beckenham is an oversubscribed, inclusive 11–18 secondary academy serving a richly diverse local community. The academy is characterised by high expectations, strong relationships, and a firm belief that every child can succeed, regardless of background or starting point.

Staff at Harris Academy Beckenham are united by a shared commitment to academic excellence, character development, and social mobility. The curriculum is ambitious and carefully designed to support pupils of all abilities to thrive, while a strong pastoral system ensures that wellbeing, behaviour and personal development remain central to academy life.

As part of the Harris Federation, the academy benefits from proven systems, evidence‑led approaches to school improvement, and a culture of collaboration that enables leaders and teachers to learn from best practice across a large and high‑performing network of schools.

Alongside academic excellence, we champion core values that develop the whole person: ambition, perseverance, legacy, kindness and scholarship. These are the principles that shape our community and guide our students as they prepare to become future leaders, thinkers, and changemakers.

Our Location

Harris Academy Beckenham is in the London Borough of Bromley, an area that combines strong community identity with excellent transport links into central London and across the Southeast. The academy is well connected by rail, tram and bus routes, making it easily accessible for staff travelling from across Greater London and beyond.

Beckenham itself offers a mix of urban convenience and green spaces, providing an attractive setting for both work and life outside school.

Why work for us?

Leading Harris Academy Beckenham means joining an organisation that invests deeply in its leaders. Principals within the Harris Federation are empowered to lead with autonomy while benefiting from exceptional central support, including expertise in education, finance, HR, estates, and governance.

You will have access to high‑quality leadership development through the Harris Institute of Teaching and Leadership, including opportunities to complete the NPQEL and to progress towards Executive Principalship for those with longer‑term ambitions. Collaboration is a defining feature of the Federation, allowing Principals to work alongside experienced peers and contribute to system‑wide improvement.

Above all, this role offers the opportunity to make a lasting difference leading a school where ambition is encouraged, success is celebrated, and education is a powerful driver of life chances