Summary
Harris Science Academy East London are looking to appoint a Head of Academy for the new academic year. We are seeking an exceptional, experienced leader with a passion for transforming lives and driving educational excellence. This is a unique opportunity to lead a school where collaboration, challenge, and the pursuit of excellence are at the heart of everything we do
As Head of Academy, you will be at the forefront of leading and shaping the vision for the academy, ensuring every student has the opportunity to reach their full potential. This role demands a leader who is not only driven by the desire to deliver academic success, but who also understands the importance of personal growth, wellbeing, and social mobility.
This position could suit either a current Head of Academy or an experienced Deputy looking to progress into their first principalship. For first time Heads of Academy, we will provide support, coaching and individual mentoring from a highly experienced Harris Executive Principal to help you succeed in post.
We also offer a variety of CPD programmes to assist you in achieving your vision and future goals. For those thinking ahead to Executive Principalship, we can also offer you the chance to complete your NPQEL via our Harris Institute of Teaching & Leadership.
For an informal call with Rebecca Hickey, Secondary Education Director, to discuss this opportunity or to request a visit, please contact Kassy O'Keefe, Talent Acquisition Coordinator via email on [email protected].
About Us
Harris Science Academy East London is an ambitious, high performing and inclusive secondary academy serving a richly diverse community in East London. With a specialist focus on science and a clear commitment to academic excellence, the academy is driven by the belief that every student can succeed and go on to lead in their chosen field.
The academy combines a rigorous, knowledge rich curriculum with a strong emphasis on character development. Learning is academically focused and underpinned by a carefully sequenced curriculum that enables all pupils to build deep understanding over time. Alongside this, students benefit from a culture of high expectations, exemplary behaviour and a strong sense of belonging, ensuring they are well prepared for the next stage of their education and beyond.
Staff at Harris Science Academy East London are united by a shared mission: for every student to leave with the qualifications, confidence and character to make a positive difference in the world. The academy’s ethos is rooted in its ‘GRACE’ values of growth, responsibility, ambition, compassion and excellence, which underpin daily practice and shape a community where every individual is supported to thrive.
As part of the Harris Federation, the academy benefits from a well-established framework for school improvement, access to subject expertise and a strong culture of collaboration across a high performing network of schools. This ensures staff and leaders are continually developing and refining their practice to deliver exceptional outcomes for students.
Our Location
Harris Science Academy East London is located on Three Mill Lane in Stratford, within a unique and historic setting close to the Three Mills studios and East London’s canal network. The academy is well connected, with excellent transport links across London, making it easily accessible for staff.
The local area is vibrant and diverse, offering a dynamic environment in which to lead and make a meaningful impact in the community.
Why work for us?
Leading Harris Science Academy East London means joining an organisation that invests deeply in its leaders. Heads of Academies 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 Heads of Academies 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.
Main Areas of Responsibility
As Head of Academy, you will need to provide the leadership and management necessary to secure high quality teaching and learning to raise standards of achievement.
The Head of Academy’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 transition into secondary school and subsequent 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 ensuring 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
Next Steps
For an informal call with Rebecca Hickey, Secondary Education Director, to discuss this opportunity or to request a visit, please contact Kassy O'Keefe, Talent Acquisition Coordinator via email [email protected]
Before applying, please download the Job Pack for full details on the job responsibilities and person specification. You will need this when completing your application.
NOTE, you can start a quick apply using a LinkedIn profile or CV to populate the application form. Look for these options at the top of the application page.
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 develop 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 rewards package 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.
Job Reference: HF CEO00131
