Ainthorpe Primary School is now recruiting for a Principal to join us in the Summer or Autumn Term 2026.

At Ainthorpe Primary School, we are committed to creating an inclusive culture where all children will be challenged in their thinking to achieve the best of their abilities and are enthusiastic to become lifelong learners.

We strive to provide all our children with a world class education. Our curriculum is carefully sequenced and knowledge-rich which inspires our children and promotes excellent outcomes for all.

We believe that each pupil brings their own strengths, interests and personality to school life. Our role is to nurture these qualities, helping children grow in confidence and independence. From the earliest stages of their education, we support pupils in developing strong social and personal skills that prepare them for a bright future.

We are committed to continually improving, strengthening our practice, and upholding the values that make our community so special. Every child and every member of staff is valued, and we work hard to make sure that opportunities are accessible, inclusive and positive for all.

Staff here are all encouraged to be ambitious, develop their careers and we aim to provide personalised, professional development to suit the needs of the individual.

As part of the David Ross Education Trust, we offer a wide range of enrichment opportunities, including a wealth of nationally renowned music, art and sporting experiences. These experiences encourage our children to be confident, well-rounded and motivated.

Our new Principal will bring a compelling blend of professional ability, focus and ambition to our school. You will have an inclusive, visible leadership style, and a determination to deliver a world-class education.  You’ll engage teachers, children, parents and carers alike in your vision for their learning; whilst engaging positively with Trust colleagues.              

We’re particularly interested in your approach to raising and extending overall achievement for pupils and building a culture of sustained and focused collaboration that produces exceptional outcomes.

About the role 

•    Being accountable for ensuring the educational success of the Academy on its continued trajectory towards excellence. 

•    Ensuring that a high quality, inclusive educational experience is available for all children that attend the academy.

•    Monitoring, evaluating and reviewing classroom practice, celebrating and promoting excellence, challenging under-performance at all levels and ensuring appropriate action as a result.

•    Ensuring that systems are in place to promote the personal and continuous professional development of all staff.

•    Keeping abreast of educational development and best management practice in order to introduce appropriate innovation, building on the Trust's ethos and vision and its strong, proven approaches to curriculum and pedagogy. 

About you 

This is an excellent opportunity for a highly experienced current Headteacher/Principal who is looking for their next challenge or a senior school leader who may be seeking a first Principal role - as you will be professionally supported by DRET to develop and craft your skills to become an outstanding Principal.

You will see yourself as a teacher at heart, able to inspire others to learn and promoting a broad and balanced curriculum that meets all children’s needs. You will also need to have excellent communication skills, be approachable and a good listener; and able to deal with the everyday challenges that being the Principal of a school brings. 

You will be able to show us your success story within a programme of rapid school improvement and/or by sustaining significantly high academic standards and outcomes, involving the local community.  If you can demonstrate outstanding effectiveness as a leading classroom practitioner and can also bring impressive skills in strategic and resource management, development planning and personnel and financial management, we would like to hear from you.

As an innovative, motivational leader, you will have a commitment to your own professional development as well as those who work in your team and will contribute to the wider life both at the school and within the Trust. You will have an in-depth knowledge and understanding of current educational priorities and be able to demonstrate how these will influence your vision for the school moving forwards.

It is essential that you have experience of promoting equality and diversity and are fully up to date with the policies and procedures relating to safeguarding and promoting children’s welfare. You must be committed to inclusion with an up-to-date knowledge of appropriate strategies and the type of support needed for children with special educational needs.

Salary & Benefits

·        Leadership 11-17

·        Access to Teachers’ Pension Scheme

·        CPD including Senior Leader and Knowledge Development Courses

·        Regional networks of Trust colleagues and access to key leaders in education

·        Commitment to employee Health and Wellbeing including dedicated Employee Assistance Programme

·        Awards and Recognition Scheme

·        Flexible working patterns

·        Benefits Platform

About The David Ross Education Trust

The David Ross Education Trust’s mission is to give every child attending one of our schools a world-class education.

We are a network of unique and diverse academies across the country, committed to delivering a world-class, knowledge-rich education that empowers pupils to reach their fullest potential.  Spanning North Yorkshire, the East Riding of Yorkshire, North-East Lincolnshire, the East Midlands and London, our network of 36 academies serves over 14,600 pupils and employs 2,300 dedicated staff.

Our family of schools includes 24 primaries, 10 secondaries, an all-through school in London’s Olympic Park, and a special school in Lincolnshire supporting pupils aged 2–19 with a broad range of special educational needs.  As one of only 11 system leaders nationwide, we are recognised for our unwavering commitment to educational excellence, our innovative curriculum, and ability to drive sustained school improvement at scale.  At the heart of our Mission is a deep belief in the transformative power of education.  We are committed to ensuring that every child – regardless of their background – has access to an exceptional academic experience enriched by extensive co-curricular opportunities.  From small rural primaries to large urban secondaries, our academies benefit from the strength of a collaborative, values-driven community, in which expertise is shared, best practices are embedded, and each school retains its distinctive character.

We broaden the horizons of young people by inspiring students to become their confident, academic best via an education that creates academically gifted, confident, well-rounded young people in the classroom, in the workplace and in their communities. 

We are driven to provide our young people with access to a world-class education and enrichment experiences. Our students benefit from a wealth of opportunities to develop, learn and lead.  From the classroom to cultural visits, sports, music and arts and engaging with our local communities, the rich and varied experiences we create help fuel ambition and unlock potential. The education and experiences we offer equips our young people with the leadership skills, team spirit, resilience and confidence to become outstanding citizens.

Whatever your role you will contribute towards creating a rich and exciting learning environment that also offers our students an unrivalled package of sporting and cultural enrichment.

We are incredibly lucky to be able to work alongside outstanding organisations and individuals who are happy to share their expertise and skills in supporting the David Ross Foundation's vision to give children better life chances through access to the best education and support we can give them.

Apply now

If you would like to hear more and have an informal discussion with one of our Regional Directors – please contact recruitment@dret.co.uk.

To complete our on-line application form, please use the ‘apply now’ tab.

We look forward to hearing from you. 

Early applications are advised. We receive high numbers of applications for our roles and therefore have to close the vacancy prior to the closing date in order to review candidates' details against our job criteria before shortlisting or re-opening the vacancy.

The David Ross Education Trust is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to providing a fair, equitable and mutually supportive learning and working environment for our students and staff.

It is our objective to ensure that job applicants and staff are treated solely on the basis of their merits, abilities and potential. We do not discriminate against any applicants on the basis of any protected characteristics.

The David Ross Education Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and applicants must be willing to undergo vetting appropriate to the post, including a social media presence check and Enhanced DBS check. The successful applicant will be expected to adhere to all safeguarding, welfare and health and safety policies and procedures of the Trust.

All pre-employment checks are in line with "Keeping Children Safe in Education" statutory guidance.