Fairfield Primary Academy is now recruiting for a Principal to join us in September 2026.

At Fairfield Academy we are continually striving to excite and motivate our pupils through a rich and inspiring curriculum, which supports each child to reach their full academic potential. 

Our staff work tirelessly to provide a curriculum that is not only engaging and challenging but offers a diverse range of learning opportunities and experiences. This is underpinned by a strong emphasis on the development of our pupils’ social, emotional, spiritual and moral values.

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.

The successful candidate will work in close partnership with the Local Authority and the Trust to lead a newly established Resource Specialist Provision within the Academy. This innovative provision is dedicated to supporting children with communication and interaction needs, and you will take a pivotal role in shaping its vision, driving its development, and ensuring its long-term success. Your leadership will influence not only the quality of provision but also the lives of the children and families it serves, making this a truly rewarding and career-defining role.

What the role entails 

•    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 : Health and Wellbeing Programme : Cycle to Work Scheme

The David Ross Education Trust 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 have an all through school in London based on the Olympic Park as well as a special school in Lincolnshire which caters for pupils aged 2-19 who have a diverse range of special educational needs.

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.