Assistant Principal

📅 Start date: April or September 2026
🗓️ Closing date: Monday 2^nd February 2026
📍 Location: Kettering Science Academy
💰 Salary: L11–L15
⏰ Hours: Full time, permanent

This probably isn’t the job for everyone. And that’s intentional.

At Kettering Science Academy, we are comfortable being a bit different. We question practices that don’t make sense. We avoid doing things just because they are familiar. And we care deeply about whether our systems genuinely work for children and staff, not just how they look on paper.

We believe that kids do well if they can. When they don’t, we assume there is a reason and we take responsibility for understanding it. Unconditional positive regard is not an initiative here. It shapes how we lead, especially when things are complex or uncomfortable.

Following our Ofsted Good judgement in July 2023, KSA has moved decisively into its next phase. This is no longer a school in recovery or reset. It is a school focused on embedding, coherence, and sustainable improvement, with a clear moral purpose and a principled, thoughtful, and quietly ambitious leadership culture.

🧭 The role

This is a substantive SLT role for an experienced and values-driven leader who understands that improvement happens through people, not pressure.

You will contribute to whole-school leadership while holding a defined strategic remit aligned to your strengths and the needs of the academy. We expect strong interest and there is potential to appoint more than one Assistant Principal if the right candidates come forward.

Portfolios are negotiable. We are particularly interested in colleagues who want to develop or deepen leadership in:

• Safeguarding and child protection
• Curriculum leadership and quality of education
• Pastoral systems, behaviour, and attendance

We would especially welcome applicants with backgrounds in MFL, Mathematics, or Business Studies.

What matters most is not the label of the remit, but the ability to lead thoughtfully, finish well, and improve systems so others can succeed.

🤝 Leadership at KSA

You will be joining a Senior Leadership Team that values shared responsibility, professional trust, and clear accountability. Leadership at KSA is collective, reflective, and grounded in real classrooms and real children.

🌱 This role is for someone who:

• Does the right thing even when no one is watching.
• Understands that leadership is about responsibility, not recognition.
• Is comfortable being thoughtful rather than performative.
• Can challenge with care and support with clarity.
• Believes schools should work for children, not the other way around.

This is not a role for someone chasing status or shortcuts. It is for someone who wants to build something that lasts, alongside others who care just as much.

📞 We warmly encourage interested candidates to contact the Principal, Jennie Giovanelli, for an informal conversation about the role and the direction of travel. We are committed to appointing the right people, not just filling posts.

About Kettering Science Academy

Kettering Science Academy was delighted to receive a Good Ofsted rating in July 2023.  This report recognised the work which has been done over many years in relentlessly focussing on providing stimulating learning experience for all our students. We actively encourage students to participate in all areas of academy life, motivating and inspiring them to unlock their potential and realise their ambitions. We believe education is about more than achieving success in exams; it is about preparing students for the challenges and demands of life beyond education. Staff have an uncompromising commitment to this and work closely with one another to support and develop students as well as one another. 

Our students come from all walks of life, and we want our staffing body to be reflective of the communities we work within. Brooke Weston Trust does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, nationality, culture, age, disability, marital status or socio-economic backgrounds. We encourage and welcome applications from minority groups and foster a work environment that is inclusive as well as diverse, where people can be themselves.

We are a thriving community of equals dedicated to creating a great place to work and learn; students and staff are happy and proud to be part of Kettering Science Academy's journey to being the best that we can be and we would like to offer you the opportunity to jump aboard and join us for this journey! 

If you think you can contribute to our organisation we welcome your application. Applicants are required to complete an application form as CVs will not be accepted. 

About Brooke Weston Trust

Our Trust was formed more than 25 years ago with a simple and clear mission – to transform educational performance in all of our communities. Working in some of the most challenging contexts, we improve our students’ achievements by making long term commitments to the community and championing new approaches to improve the life chances for young people.

Our members of staff are essential to realising this vision, and a happy, motivated and supported team will deliver the best possible experiences for our young people.

We place great emphasis on creating a supportive and collaborative working environment in all our schools, where all staff can share best practice through our colleague networks. Brooke Weston staff get access to first class professional development through our Ambition Hub, which is also home to the Northamptonshire Teaching School.

To find out more about working for our Trust and the benefits available to staff please check out the BWT Join Us Guide.

The Benefits at Brooke Weston Trust we can offer you:

We offer a wide range of benefits to our employees, these include:

• One wellbeing day a year, in addition to your annual leave

• Employee discounts with local and national retailers, covering high street supermarkets, days out and holidays, health and beauty, dining out plus lots more.

• A freshly prepared breakfast and hot or cold lunch each day when you work in one of our Trust schools

• Payment of professional subscription / membership - If your role requires you to be a member of a professional body, BWT will pay for your professional subscription or membership fees.

• Employee Assistance Programme - We have an employee support programme run by Your Care, an independent, external organisation. Your Care is available for you, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year and includes telephone counselling, both face to face and online.

• Additional health benefits including a Health Care cash plan and access to an online GP

• Car Lease scheme via Tusker.

• Cycle to Work scheme.

• Ongoing opportunities for training and development and access to the BWT Centre for Professional Development.

• Collaborative and Ambitious colleagues with the support of a committed team who work to maintain high standards and expectations.

• Be the difference – At Brooke Weston Trust we believe every child deserves the best possible start, giving them a "ticket for life." If you want to use your skills with an organisation committed to making a difference and improving lives, this is the place for you.

How to Apply

If you think you can contribute to this role and to our organisation, we welcome your application.

Completed application forms will be passed to the recruitment panel for shortlisting and will be reviewed against the person specification detailed in the advert.

Applications will be assessed upon receipt, and we reserve the right to interview and appoint prior to the closing date. An early application is therefore strongly advised.

 Further details about the Academy and the above position can be found on our website ketteringscienceacademy.org or by telephoning 01536 532700 and asking for Khloé Hughes, HR Administrator. 

Safer Recruitment

Care and respect for others are the values that lie at the heart of our Trust. The Trust is an Equal Opportunities employer and is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of young people. It expects all staff to share this commitment. All posts require proof of identity and as the role is working with children and young people this will also be subject to an enhanced disclosures barring service check. In line with safer recruitment requirements, individuals shortlisted for a role in school will have online checks conducted on their name across social media platforms and google.  

A copy of the Trust Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy can be found here - Safeguarding and Child Protection

The Trusts position on the recruitment of Ex-Offenders can be found under section 7 of the Trust SCR, Safer Recruitment and Staff Files Policy - Safer Recruitment and Staff Files Policy

Closing date: Monday 2^nd February 2026

Interview date: w/c 7th February 2026

The post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the amendments to the Exceptions Order 1975, 2013 and 2020.