Principal
| Posting date: | 14 February 2026 |
|---|---|
| Hours: | Full time |
| Closing date: | 08 March 2026 |
| Location: | Wellingborough, Northamptonshire, NN8 3JH |
| Company: | Teaching Vacancies |
| Job type: | Permanent |
| Job reference: | 5a83fd24-eb4c-4d10-93ec-4dc04a594ffa |
Summary
What skills and experience we're looking for
About You:
You are an ambitious, values‑driven leader with a clear vision for what an exceptional, inclusive education can achieve. You bring a strong track record of school improvement and the ability to inspire others through high expectations, strategic clarity and a deep belief in the potential of every young person.
As Principal, you will champion a culture where opportunity is expanded, equity is embedded and every student is supported to thrive academically, personally and socially. You lead with integrity, purpose and compassion, modelling the professionalism and commitment you expect from others.
Our Ideal candidate will have:
• Substantial experience in school leadership, as a Vice Principal or Deputy Headteacher, with a proven record of raising standards and securing sustained improvement.
• A strong commitment to inclusive education, ensuring high aspiration and equitable access to opportunity for every student, including those with SEND.
• Commitment to your own professional development, holding NPQSL or equivalent, and a reflective approach to leadership.
• A deep understanding of school improvement strategies, with the ability to lead confidently through change and maintain a relentless focus on high‑quality teaching and learning.
• Proven ability to inspire, lead and motivate staffwithin a performance management framework, including developing talent, supporting professional growth and addressing underperformance fairly and effectively.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to build trust, foster positive relationships and engage confidently with students, staff, families and the wider community.
What the school offers its staff
About Weavers Academy:
Weavers Academy is a thriving 11–18 non-selective academy located in Wellingborough, and proud to be part of the Creative Education Trust. We offer a dynamic and inclusive learning environment where every student is supported to achieve their full potential.
Our academy is large enough to provide a broad and innovative curriculum, yet small enough to ensure that every student feels safe, valued, and happy. At Weavers, we place the quality of teaching and learning at the heart of everything we do, because we know it is the single most important factor in shaping student success.
We foster an ethos where it is ‘cool’ to learn, and we actively listen to feedback from families and students to continually improve our provision. To find out more please visit our website.
About Creative Education Trust:
Creative Education Trust is a growing network of 17 schools, educating over 13,500 children and young people across England. Since 2010, we’ve worked in partnership with communities to deliver an education that inspires ambition, promotes equity, and unlocks opportunity for every learner.
We believe every child has talent, every community has strength, and every school can be a place where excellence thrives. Our curriculum is rich, broad, and inclusive - designed to build knowledge, nurture creativity, and prepare students for the future.
We are united by a shared purpose: to transform lives through education. Our schools are places where students feel safe, supported, and empowered to lead their own lives with confidence. Through collaboration, high expectations, and purposeful leadership, we ensure that success is both expected and achieved - together.
Visit our Trust website to explore how we support our staff and discover more about our mission, values, and opportunities.
Ready to Join Us?
Submit your application directly through our website. We warmly welcome visits to our school, and if you'd like to arrange a visit or confidential conversation with the Line Manager, our friendly HR/Recruitment team is here to help. Reach out to our Head of Recruitment Siân Gladman at sian.gladman@creativeeducationtrust.org.uk or 07706 359649, and she’ll be delighted to assist you. Want to stay connected? Join our Talent Pool here and be the first to hear about future opportunities.
Essential Information:
Creative Education Trust (CET) is committed to Safeguarding and promoting the welfare of our children and young people by keeping them safe, we expect all our colleagues to share in this responsibility.
All shortlisted candidates are subject to online checks prior to interview.
The CET Recruitment Policy follows the guidance set out by Keeping Children Safe in Education, where all offers of employment are subject to an Enhanced DBS Check, separate Barred List Check, References and where appropriate a Prohibition from teaching search.
This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (ROA) 1974.
CET is committed to developing, maintaining, and supporting an inclusive culture and environment for the benefit of its employees and the communities it serves.
Commitment to safeguarding
Our organisation is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. We expect all staff, volunteers and trustees to share this commitment. Our recruitment process follows the keeping children safe in education guidance. Offers of employment may be subject to the following checks (where relevant): childcare disqualification Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) medical online and social media prohibition from teaching right to work satisfactory references suitability to work with children You must tell us about any unspent conviction, cautions, reprimands or warnings under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975.
About You:
You are an ambitious, values‑driven leader with a clear vision for what an exceptional, inclusive education can achieve. You bring a strong track record of school improvement and the ability to inspire others through high expectations, strategic clarity and a deep belief in the potential of every young person.
As Principal, you will champion a culture where opportunity is expanded, equity is embedded and every student is supported to thrive academically, personally and socially. You lead with integrity, purpose and compassion, modelling the professionalism and commitment you expect from others.
Our Ideal candidate will have:
• Substantial experience in school leadership, as a Vice Principal or Deputy Headteacher, with a proven record of raising standards and securing sustained improvement.
• A strong commitment to inclusive education, ensuring high aspiration and equitable access to opportunity for every student, including those with SEND.
• Commitment to your own professional development, holding NPQSL or equivalent, and a reflective approach to leadership.
• A deep understanding of school improvement strategies, with the ability to lead confidently through change and maintain a relentless focus on high‑quality teaching and learning.
• Proven ability to inspire, lead and motivate staffwithin a performance management framework, including developing talent, supporting professional growth and addressing underperformance fairly and effectively.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to build trust, foster positive relationships and engage confidently with students, staff, families and the wider community.
What the school offers its staff
About Weavers Academy:
Weavers Academy is a thriving 11–18 non-selective academy located in Wellingborough, and proud to be part of the Creative Education Trust. We offer a dynamic and inclusive learning environment where every student is supported to achieve their full potential.
Our academy is large enough to provide a broad and innovative curriculum, yet small enough to ensure that every student feels safe, valued, and happy. At Weavers, we place the quality of teaching and learning at the heart of everything we do, because we know it is the single most important factor in shaping student success.
We foster an ethos where it is ‘cool’ to learn, and we actively listen to feedback from families and students to continually improve our provision. To find out more please visit our website.
About Creative Education Trust:
Creative Education Trust is a growing network of 17 schools, educating over 13,500 children and young people across England. Since 2010, we’ve worked in partnership with communities to deliver an education that inspires ambition, promotes equity, and unlocks opportunity for every learner.
We believe every child has talent, every community has strength, and every school can be a place where excellence thrives. Our curriculum is rich, broad, and inclusive - designed to build knowledge, nurture creativity, and prepare students for the future.
We are united by a shared purpose: to transform lives through education. Our schools are places where students feel safe, supported, and empowered to lead their own lives with confidence. Through collaboration, high expectations, and purposeful leadership, we ensure that success is both expected and achieved - together.
Visit our Trust website to explore how we support our staff and discover more about our mission, values, and opportunities.
Ready to Join Us?
Submit your application directly through our website. We warmly welcome visits to our school, and if you'd like to arrange a visit or confidential conversation with the Line Manager, our friendly HR/Recruitment team is here to help. Reach out to our Head of Recruitment Siân Gladman at sian.gladman@creativeeducationtrust.org.uk or 07706 359649, and she’ll be delighted to assist you. Want to stay connected? Join our Talent Pool here and be the first to hear about future opportunities.
Essential Information:
Creative Education Trust (CET) is committed to Safeguarding and promoting the welfare of our children and young people by keeping them safe, we expect all our colleagues to share in this responsibility.
All shortlisted candidates are subject to online checks prior to interview.
The CET Recruitment Policy follows the guidance set out by Keeping Children Safe in Education, where all offers of employment are subject to an Enhanced DBS Check, separate Barred List Check, References and where appropriate a Prohibition from teaching search.
This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (ROA) 1974.
CET is committed to developing, maintaining, and supporting an inclusive culture and environment for the benefit of its employees and the communities it serves.
Commitment to safeguarding
Our organisation is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. We expect all staff, volunteers and trustees to share this commitment. Our recruitment process follows the keeping children safe in education guidance. Offers of employment may be subject to the following checks (where relevant): childcare disqualification Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) medical online and social media prohibition from teaching right to work satisfactory references suitability to work with children You must tell us about any unspent conviction, cautions, reprimands or warnings under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975.