Join our Senior Leadership Talent Pool

job description

Shape the Future of Leadership with Ark

Ark is a high-performing network of 39 schools across Birmingham, Hastings, London, and Portsmouth, dedicated to ensuring every child has access to a great education. We are building a Senior Leadership Talent Pool for existing and aspiring Assistant and Vice Principals who want to make a tangible impact in some of the UK’s most diverse communities. At Ark, we believe our schools are only as good as their leaders, which is why we invest heavily in your growth. Joining this pool is your gateway to a network where 78% of Year 6 pupils and 69% of Year 11s consistently outperform national averages, and where leadership diversity is treated as a core strength.

Why Join the Ark Leadership Network?

• Competitive Compensation: Leadership salaries at Ark are consistently 2.5% higher than the national main pay scale.

• Professional Mastery: Access double the standard training time within working hours, plus support for nationally recognised qualifications like NPQSL and NPQH.

• Financial Security: Benefit from a generous “defined benefit” pension scheme and interest-free loans up to £5,000 for season tickets or bicycles.

• Holistic Support: Full access to an Employee Assistance Programme (counselling, legal, and financial advice) and gym discounts of up to 40%.

• Ark Rewards: A bespoke scheme offering significant savings at over 3,000 major retailers.

What We Are Looking For

We are seeking ambitious leaders who are passionate about closing the attainment gap. Whether you are currently a Vice Principal or an aspiring Assistant Principal, we want to hear from you if you are:

• Committed to high expectations and delivering “Great Teaching” (informed by Ark’s Great Teacher Rubric).

• Eager to lead in a fully comprehensive environment where 45% of students are eligible for Free School Meals.

• A champion of diversity and inclusion, helping our leadership teams reflect the perspectives of the 30,000 students we serve.

• Ready to collaborate with some of the best Principals and educational experts in the country.

How to Join

To express interest, simply upload your up-to-date CV, a career summary, or a personal statement. Suitable candidates will be contacted for an initial informal call to discuss career aspirations and upcoming opportunities across the London, Birmingham, Portsmouth, and Hastings hubs.