We have exciting new roles for leaders who want to make a difference.

Heartwood Learning Trust has fourteen academies located within York, Hull and North Yorkshire. Our Trust comprises six secondary, six primary and two alternative provision academies.

We are seeking to appoint three Trust Vice Principals  who are aligned with our mission to provide environments where children and young people can thrive and our values Respect, Teamwork and Kindness. We are very excited to offer the opportunity to play a key role in ensuring that we support our pupils, colleagues and school communities to be given opportunities so that they can live life in all its fullness, now and in the future.

We particularly welcome applications from colleagues with:

• a successful track record in pastoral leadership and/or improving outcomes 

• experience of SEND/inclusion leadership

• experience of leading teaching through deliberate practice

The job holder will be appointed to one or more of our schools to enhance the existing senior leadership team and will work on projects across the Trust.  The duration of placements will be based on the school/academy needs.  Job holders will work in accordance with the requirements of the placement assigned by the Executive Director of Education and will provide strategic and operational support to the Principal of the assigned school by providing strong leadership and management, promoting the vision for the Trust and helping to develop and communicate a clear strategic vision.

You will be given the opportunity to develop your leadership experience over a variety of schools and within the central school improvement team to prepare you for future headship opportunities.

Part-time working will be considered

We would strongly recommend, prior to application, an informal chat about this role with our Chief Executive Officer, Helen Winn.  Visits to the schools can be arranged.  To schedule a call and/or a visit, please email your request to recruitment@hlt.academy to arrange this.

We are seeking to appoint experienced senior leaders with:

• A proven track record of securing school improvement;

• A proven track record of positively impacting disadvantaged pupils

• Experience of using relevant data to drive school improvement and leading school initiatives or staff teams

• Experience of working and bringing about positive change in a challenging context.

• High expectations when managing, developing, inspiring, challenging and motivating staff.

• Exceptional people skills with a positive “can do” attitude

• Evidence of applying safe recruitment practices and developing a safe culture in school

• An understanding, awareness and empathy for the needs of the pupils

• Evidence of continuing professional development and/or personal development.

• Ability to travel freely across all schools within the Trust

Successful candidates  when not assigned to one school/academy will be required to  travel across our schools, to work in key areas.  This agility and the breadth of our Trust Vice Principal  role enables us to place the successful candidate into a school/academy based on emerging needs and combine this with the skill set of the candidate to drive rapid improvement. 

We can offer:

• Experienced and supportive leadership with a collaborative approach and an appreciative culture

• An established, experienced and strong central team that works closely with stakeholders across our schools/academies.

• A commitment to continuing professional development 

• Structured support to unlock talent, backed by a collaborative approach and an appreciative culture, 

• Teachers Pension Scheme

• Employee Assistance Programme

• Cycle to Work scheme

Job Details

Hours of Work: 1.0 FTE

Position Type: Permanent Post

Line Manager: Executive Director of Education or Designated Principal 

Travel Required: Yes 

The salary is dependent on current qualifications and experience, please see the attached job description for more information.

Application Process

Please complete the online application form to apply for this role. All candidates are advised to refer to the job description and person specification before making an application.  You should use the information supplied with in the Job Description & Person Specification to make the best of your application by identifying some specific pieces of work you may have undertaken in any of these areas. Your application may be viewed in regard to some or all of the skill specific areas over the course of the selection process.  Applications via agencies will not be considered.

Interviews will take place on 30th April & 1st May 2026 

We are committed to safeguarding and protecting our children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.  All posts are subject to a safer recruitment process which includes enhanced criminal records and barring checks, scrutiny of employment history, robust referencing and other vetting checks.

Our safeguarding system is underpinned by a range of policies and procedures which encourage and promote safe working practice across the Trust. On joining you will be required to undergo continuous professional development to maintain safe working practice and to safeguard our children and young people.