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Interim Principal

Job details
Posting date: 16 December 2025
Salary: £60,000 to £70,000 per year
Additional salary information: PAYE, Referral Bonus
Hours: Full time
Closing date: 23 December 2025
Location: Bristol, Bristol, BS14 9BU
Company: Randstad Education
Job type: Contract
Job reference: PR-1474857B_1765902592

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Summary

Interim Principal Opportunity: Lead a Start-Up Academy in Bristol

We are seeking an exceptionally dynamic and experienced educational leader to assume the role of Interim Principal for a new start-up academy in Bristol. This is a high-impact, full-time position available for an immediate start, continuing through to July 2026.

This pivotal role requires an individual who can provide decisive leadership, internal organisation, effective management, and overall control of the Academy during its foundational phase.

The Role: Strategic Leadership of a New Academy

The successful candidate will possess a demonstrable track record of leading challenging schools and exhibiting robust leadership and behaviour management skills. We are looking for a highly resilient professional who can successfully establish the academy's operational and cultural framework.

Key Responsibilities & Expectations:

  • Visionary Leadership: Lead and inspire all staff, setting a personal example that promotes the highest professional and personal standards.

  • Culture & Ethos: Ensure the ethos and Habits are deeply embedded and permeate all aspects of the Academy's operational and cultural life.

  • High Standards of Conduct: Drive high standards of student behaviour and attendance, developing and implementing a constructive policy framework, including thoughtful consideration of exclusion.

  • Team Empowerment: Effectively manage and empower colleagues to uphold high standards of student discipline, fostering a consistently positive and productive climate for learning.

  • Accountability & Progress: Implement a rigorous assessment strategy within the Oasis Accountability Framework to systematically monitor and report student learning and progress.

  • Resilience: Demonstrate emotional resilience, patience, and perseverance when addressing challenging student behaviours and attitudes.

  • Proven Track Record: Possess a successful history of headship or senior leadership in an urban primary or secondary setting, ideally within an Ofsted-graded 'Good' or 'Outstanding' school.

Candidate Specification Qualifications & Professional Experience:

The ideal candidate will meet the following criteria:

  • Qualified to degree level, with evidence of specialist leadership qualifications.

  • PGCE (or equivalent) - Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) in England.

  • Broad experience across school leadership domains, encompassing both pastoral and academic oversight.

  • Proven expertise in leading and managing individuals and multi-disciplinary teams to achieve high performance.

  • Comprehensive knowledge of current and proposed education policy, including the legal framework governing academies, with a particular focus on safeguarding legislation.

  • Evidence of recent and relevant professional development in school leadership.

Personal Attributes:

  • Commitment to Safeguarding: A passionate commitment to the welfare and wellbeing of children and young people.

  • Integrity: Act with absolute authenticity and integrity in all professional dealings.

  • Drive & Enthusiasm: Exhibit a positive, passionate, and enthusiastic approach, capable of inspiring the same in others.

  • Interpersonal Skills: Demonstrate strong interpersonal and diplomatic skills, committed to fostering healthy, inclusive professional relationships.

Employment Details
Detail Specification
Post Principal (Interim)
Location Bristol
Working Pattern Full Time
Disclosure Level Enhanced DBS Check Required
Salary Equivalent to L29-L35 (Negotiable for Interim Contracts)
Commitment to Safeguarding

We are resolutely committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. The appointed candidate will be required to undergo appropriate pre-employment checks, including an Enhanced DBS check and mandatory safeguarding training. Senior staff are also required to complete Safer Recruitment in Education training.

Application Process

For a confidential discussion or to express your interest in this significant interim appointment, please contact:

Paul Hirchfield at Randstad Education

  • Telephone: 01293 527416

  • Email: paul.hirchfield@randstadeducation.co.uk

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