Newnham Primary School and Welton CE Academy work in partnership and, as our current Executive Principal takes semi-retirement, are seeking an Executive Principal to oversee both sites from a September 2026 starting date.

Newnham Primary School is in Newnham village and Welton CE Academy is in the village of Welton – both based in rural Northamptonshire, close to Daventry.  Both schools are warm, welcoming and at the heart of the community.

We are looking for a leader who shares our passion to make a positive change to children’s lives by providing children with outstanding learning experiences.  We are looking for someone who shares our belief that all children learn best while having fun, and who is committed to working as part of a team in this dynamic learning environment.

Through dedicated teaching, a broad and balanced curriculum and outstanding enrichment opportunities, we are committed to ensuring every child reaches their full academic, athletic, artistic and social potential.  We make no excuses about being ambitious on our children’s behalf.

We are dedicated to inspiring and motivating our pupils through a rich and engaging curriculum. As a cornerstone of our community, the schools always remain ambitious for their next stage of development.  We are seeking an experienced and dynamic Executive Principal to lead us forward - someone who can strengthen community connections while driving high standards of achievement for all. 

As a Church of England Academy within the Diocese of Peterborough, Welton CE Academy has a strong Christian ethos and values which promote our excellent spiritual, moral and cultural development of our pupils. 

Our dedicated staff work tirelessly to provide a curriculum that is engaging, challenging and diverse, offering a wealth of learning opportunities and experiences. This is underpinned by a strong emphasis on the social, emotional, spiritual and moral development of our pupils. 

As part of the David Ross Education Trust, we offer exceptional enrichment opportunities, including nationally renowned music, art, and sporting experiences. These initiatives help foster confident, well-rounded and motivated learners. 

Our new Executive Principal will bring a compelling blend of professional leadership, vision and ambition to our school and community. You will be an inclusive and visible leader, committed to delivering a world-class education. Your ability to engage and inspire teachers, pupils, parents and carers will be essential in driving our shared vision forward.  Additionally, you will effectively collaborate with colleagues across the Trust to achieve outstanding outcomes. 

We are particularly interested in leaders who can:

 ·                  Raise and extend pupil achievement, ensuring exceptional academic progress for all. 

·                  Foster a culture of collaboration, enabling staff to excel and innovate in their teaching. 

·                  Inspire and engage the school community, strengthening relationships with all stakeholders. 

·                  Champion an inclusive learning environment, where every child is challenged and supported to reach their full potential. 

We are committed to providing a carefully sequenced, knowledge-rich curriculum that inspires and empowers our pupils to achieve excellence. We believe in challenging minds, nurturing character and fostering a lifelong love of learning. 

More about the role  

As Executive Principal, you will be responsible for: 

 Driving educational excellence and ensuring the academies continue their trajectory towards achieving the very highest standards.

•     Providing an inclusive, high quality educational experience for all pupils. 

•     Monitoring, evaluating and reviewing classroom practice, celebrating excellence, while addressing under-performance at all levels through effective actions.

•     Promoting professional development, ensuring robust systems are in place to support the growth and progression of all staff. 

•     Keeping abreast of educational development and best management practice in order to introduce appropriate innovation that aligns with the Trust’s ethos and proven approaches to curriculum and pedagogy. 

About you  

This is an excellent opportunity for a highly experienced current Headteacher/Principal, Deputy Headteacher or Senior Leader, who is looking for their next challenge. 

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 Executive Principal of two schools 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 (£66,368-£76,772)

·           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 : holiday discounts : cinema tickets : restaurant booking discounts 

·           Cycle to Work Scheme 

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

Broadening the horizons of young people by inspiring pupils 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, is our mission. 

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

Our aim is to be the country’s top-performing Multi-Academy Trust (MAT).  Already recognised as a nationwide system leader, the Trust runs 36 schools between London and Yorkshire, ranging from small rural primaries to much larger secondary schools in urban areas.

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 – please contact Janey Cooksley (Regional Director) on jcooksley@briarhillprimary.co.uk.

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

We look forward to hearing from you. 

 Closing date:   23:59 on 29^th January 2026

 Provisional date for interviews:  5^th and 6^th February 2026

(Successful candidates from Day 1 will be invited to Day 2).

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.