Thank you for your interest in the role of Assistant Principal: Raising Standards at Cliff Park Ormiston Academy. This is an exciting opportunity to join a rapidly improving academy at a pivotal point in our journey towards excellence.

Cliff Park is a school with a clear and compelling moral purpose. We are relentless in our mission to secure the very best outcomes for every student, every day. Located in Great Yarmouth, our academy serves a richly diverse community with significant challenges—but also remarkable potential. Our students need leaders who are passionate, committed, and ambitious on their behalf.

Since my appointment as Principal in April 2022, the academy has undergone a period of rapid transformation. We have stabilised leadership, restructured our curriculum and support systems, and revitalised our culture and expectations. Standards are improving at pace, but we are not complacent. We are looking for an exceptional school leader to drive forward our raising attainment strategy and help us deliver excellence at scale.

This is more than a leadership role—it’s a chance to make a lasting difference in a community where strong leadership changes lives.

We are seeking a dynamic, driven individual with a proven track record of impact in raising student achievement. You will work closely with me, the wider senior leadership team, and our talented staff to embed a culture of high performance and unwavering aspiration. You’ll have the freedom to innovate, the support to lead, and the opportunity to shape something truly special.

If you would like to find out more about this role or the academy, I would be delighted to welcome you for an informal visit or to arrange a conversation by phone or Teams. Please don’t hesitate to get in touch via jspurgeon@cliffparkoa.co.uk or 01493 660212—we’d love to show you what makes Cliff Park Ormiston Academy such an inspiring place to work and lead.

Warm regards,
Harry French
Principal, Cliff Park Ormiston Academy

Why work for Ormiston Academies Trust?  Work where it matters most, achieve what matters more

Our vision is to create a school system where every child thrives, regardless of background. Our people are at the heart of our approach – they are our greatest asset.  

We exist to provide the best learning opportunities every day, in every school for every child. It is the people and teams in our Trust who make this a reality and ensure we have the greatest impact. If you join us at Ormiston, whatever your role, you can be sure of a role with purpose and meaning. 

Ormiston, where every member of staff enjoys… 

The opportunity to build on the legacy of those who came before – being part of one of the longest standing Trusts, created with the sole purpose of enabling children and young people to thrive 

Working for a Trust nationally recognised for its impact on disadvantaged children – a rewarding, stimulating career where staff are challenged to be the best they can be, for the pupils we are proud to serve 

Being part of a team and community where you belong – receiving bespoke and holistic support from a well-resourced and ambitious network of experts and professionals that work at the heart of communities

A supportive environment to grow your career – an extensive professional development programme, alongside flexible working arrangements and generous benefits 

The Benefits of Working and Living in Gorleston

Cliff Park Ormiston Academy is proud to call Gorleston-on-Sea its home—a friendly, vibrant coastal town with a strong sense of community and an enviable quality of life.

Located on Norfolk’s stunning east coast, Gorleston offers the perfect balance between work and wellbeing. With its expansive sandy beach, charming promenade, and picturesque cliffs, it’s a place where staff regularly enjoy sea air strolls on their lunch break or unwind with coastal walks after work. The beach was voted one of the best in the UK by TripAdvisor—and it’s right on our doorstep.

The town itself has a strong local identity, with independent cafes, restaurants, and shops, as well as excellent leisure facilities including a marina, golf courses, and local theatres. Gorleston is just minutes from the Norfolk Broads National Park, offering weekend adventures on the water, and only a short drive from Norwich—a thriving, historic city with all the cultural, retail, and transport connections you’d expect from a regional hub.

The cost of living is significantly lower than in many parts of the UK, and housing is affordable, with a wide range of property options whether you’re buying your first home or relocating with a family. Local schools and healthcare are well regarded, and the area offers an ideal environment for families and young professionals alike.

At Cliff Park Ormiston Academy, we offer:

• A supportive, values-driven culture with a strong sense of purpose
• Opportunities for rapid career development and leadership growth
• Access to national professional development programmes through Ormiston Academies Trust
• A collaborative and welcoming staff team
• The chance to make a genuine impact in a community where great teaching and leadership can change lives

Gorleston is more than just a place to live—it’s a place to thrive. Whether you’re looking to take the next step in your career or to build a life in a beautiful coastal setting, you’ll find opportunity, inspiration, and community here.

Thinking of Relocating?

We understand that applying for a new role—especially one that may involve moving to a new area—is a big decision. At Cliff Park Ormiston Academy, we are committed to making this transition as smooth and supportive as possible.

As part of Ormiston Academies Trust (OAT), we are proud to be part of a national network of schools that shares a clear commitment to attracting and retaining the very best talent. OAT recognises that relocating for a role can bring both opportunities and challenges, and the Trust’s recruitment and retention policy includes provisions to support candidates who are moving to take up a post.

Where appropriate, and in line with OAT policy, we are able to consider relocation support packages to help successful candidates with the costs of moving. These are discussed on a case-by-case basis and reflect both the needs of the individual and the strategic importance of the role. We welcome open conversations about this during the recruitment process.

In addition, new colleagues joining from outside the local area will receive personalised support and guidance, including:

• Advice on housing and local amenities
• Introductions to staff who have relocated previously
• Support in finding school places for children (if applicable)
• Flexible start dates where needed to accommodate relocation timelines

Many of our current team members have moved to the area to join Cliff Park and have found not only a rewarding professional role but also a warm, welcoming community in Gorleston and the wider Norfolk coast.

If you're considering relocating to take up this exciting opportunity, please don’t hesitate to get in touch. The Principal would be happy to arrange an informal conversation or visit to help you explore whether Cliff Park—and Gorleston—could be your next chapter, please contact Joanne Spurgeon at the academy via email at jspurgeon@cliffparkoa.co.uk 

The closing date for applications is 2 May 2025.  Early applications are encouraged as we reserve the right to interview before the closing date and close the vacancy early should a suitable candidate be found.

Cliff Park Ormiston Academy is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share in this commitment. Ormiston Academies Trust embraces diversity and promotes equality of opportunity.  Flexible working opportunities will be considered.

All successful appointments will be subject to suitability checks in accordance with KCSIE, including identity, Right to Work, qualifications, online searches, prohibition check, two references and enhanced DBS check including Children’s Barred List.

The post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (ROA) 1974. Guidance on the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the Exceptions Order 1975, which provides information about which convictions must be declared during job applications and related exceptions, can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/new-guidance-on-the-rehabilitation-of-offenders-act-1974