Salary: £95,000 - £130,000 (L26 – 39)
Contract: Permanent, Full-Time
Start Date: January 2027 (or by negotiation)
Responsible to: Director of Education, Eastern Multi Academy Trust
School Type: Secondary Academy, Years 7–11
NOR: 952 (growing – expansion approved to 8FE)
Closing Date: Sunday 14th June @ midnight
Interviews: Monday 22nd June
Our Story
King's Lynn Academy (KLA) stands at an exciting inflection point. Following the promotion of our long-serving and transformational Principal, Eastern Multi Academy Trust (EMAT) is seeking an inspirational and ambitious leader to build on an extraordinary journey of improvement and take the school to the next level of excellence.
KLA was placed in special measures in 2016. By joining EMAT and through courageous, collaborative leadership, the school earned a 'Good' judgement from Ofsted and has since become one of the most oversubscribed secondary schools in Norfolk – growing from approximately 600 to nearly 1,000 pupils. This is a story of community trust rebuilt, standards raised, and ambition restored.
We now seek a principal who is ready to sustain and accelerate that momentum: an educational leader with the vision to achieve outstanding outcomes, the relational skills to inspire staff, pupils and community alike, and the strategic acumen to manage a school now entering an exciting phase of physical expansion from 6 to 8 forms of entry.
About King’s Lynn Academy
Situated on Queen Mary Road in the heart of King's Lynn, KLA serves a diverse and proud community in West Norfolk. Our 978 pupils – across Years 7 to 11 – benefit from an ambitious, knowledge-rich curriculum, a strong culture of personal development, and a staff team deeply committed to the belief that every child deserves excellence.
KLA is an inclusive school, whose Forward Step referral programme has radically reduced the need for suspension and permanent exclusions. Through forward step, these measures are eliminated through the delivery of an outstanding educational provision combining intensive support and a broad and balanced curriculum which meets the needs of each individual student. The academic and therapeutic are linked through a wholly holistic approach. Learning is rich and rewarding across a range of opportunities which enable all students to fulfil their individual potential and inspire future aspirations.
For a small number who start secondary school needing significant support to overcome more significant barriers to learning and to help close the gap between them and their peers, KLA have created a specialist, intensive provision (called the Catch-Up Base – or CUB for short) which supports these students for a significant proportion of their timetable in years 7 and 8, reducing for supported reintegration in Year 9.
Key facts about our school:
- Ofsted-rated Good, across all areas
- One of the most oversubscribed secondary schools in Norfolk – heavily oversubscribed across most year groups
- Approved expansion from 6FE to 8FE, adding 300 pupil places from 2027 onwards
- An ambitious curriculum with a two-year KS4 model and a focus on retention and recall
- A whole-school Personal Development Plan entitlement – at least three face-to-face developmental meetings per pupil per year
- Strong commitment to SEND provision, pupil mental health and therapeutic support
- Award of Duke of Edinburgh, enriched extra-curricular programme and strong community links
- Investment in staff professional development through a comprehensive EMAT CPD offer and ECT/ECF provision
About Eastern Multi Academy Trust
EMAT is a growing, values-driven Trust of 12 primary and secondary academies across West Norfolk, Breckland and Brandon (Suffolk). Founded in 2017, our Trust mission rests on four pillars:
Empower, Motivate, Achieve, Transform
Our vision is captured in our motto: Transforming Lives, Transforming Communities. We believe schools must be at the heart of the communities they serve, and our track record demonstrates this – every school that has joined our Trust has improved its Ofsted outcome. KLA is our flagship secondary and central to our Trust's identity and long-term strategy.
EMAT's strategic priorities include:
- Raising attainment of all students and accelerating progress, particularly for disadvantaged pupils and those with SEND
- Strengthening curriculum quality and consistency across all phases
- Developing exceptional leaders at all levels, investing in a structured CPD and Expert Practitioners framework
- Embedding safeguarding, mental health and personal development as cornerstones of school culture
- Sustainable growth – managing estate investment and expansion with financial discipline
- Environmental responsibility through a published environmental strategy
The Role
As Principal of King's Lynn Academy you will provide outstanding educational and operational leadership, working closely with the EMAT CEO and central team to sustain and deepen the school's improvement journey. You will be accountable for the quality of education, the wellbeing of every pupil and staff member, and the school's position at the heart of the King's Lynn community.
Safeguarding & Equal Opportunities
We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expect all staff to share this commitment. All appointments are subject to an enhanced DBS check (including the Children’s Barred List where applicable), medical checks, and satisfactory references.
We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all suitably qualified individuals. We particularly encourage applications from underrepresented groups, and welcome part-time and flexible working applications.
How to Apply
Please review the candidate pack and contact our Executive Search Consultant, Alpha Parish (at Academicis) to arrange a confidential initial discussion about the role.
Contact Alpha Parish (details below) for a copy of the Principal candidate pack for a detailed job description and person specification. To express your interest in the role, please attach a CV and Alpha will be in touch.
Visits can be arranged following a discussion with Alpha Parish, who is overseeing bookings.
Alpha can be contacted via email: aparish@academicis.co.uk or phone: 07436 971517 | 01223 907979.