Job Introduction
Thomas Middlecott Academy is seeking an exceptional Principal to lead the next stage of its transformation and to play a key role in the continued growth of the David Ross Education Trust across Lincolnshire. This is wider than headship; it is an opportunity to shape the life chances of young people and families in a community where education has the power to transform futures, raise aspiration and strengthen social mobility.
As the Trust expands its footprint across Lincolnshire, we are committed to building on our family of schools rooted in high expectations, strong values and a shared moral purpose: ensuring every child, regardless of background or circumstance, receives the education they deserve. Thomas Middlecott Academy is ready for its next chapter, and we are looking for a strong, principled and ambitious systems-leader to lead the way.
You will join a Trust that values evidence-informed practice, believes deeply in the power of knowledge-rich education, and invests in developing leaders who can influence beyond their own school. Alongside leading Thomas Middlecott Academy, you will have the opportunity to contribute to wider system leadership across the Trust, helping to shape education across the region. Your professional expertise, strategic clarity and your commitment to serving children, families and communities with integrity, will be the true North of your compass. We strongly recommend reaching out to talk to us about this crucial role.
About our Academy
At Thomas Middlecott Academy we believe that all students are entitled to a rigorous curriculum with knowledge at its core. Our teachers are highly qualified subject experts who deliver lessons via our own version of fully guided instruction. We are research informed, and as such, we ensure that every lesson of everyday counts.
We have unashamedly high expectations of our students. We will not let them down by offering them any less than the best schools in the country offer. Our students will leave us with the knowledge, skill and experiences they need to thrive in their next destinations.
At Thomas Middlecott Academy we operate a warm/strict philosophy. We are unapologetically strict when it comes to expectations; we are very clear about how things are done here - there are no grey areas at TMA. We value our relationships between staff and students, ensuring that barriers to learning are removed and that students feel safe and a sense of belonging. Thomas Middlecott Academy is a family - we want students to feel loved by an academy that knows that they can achieve great things and will accept nothing less than their best efforts to get there.
Salary & Benefits
· L28-L32 : £100,540-£110,892 per annum
· Access to Teachers’ Pension Scheme
· 31 days annual leave plus statutory holidays
. Relocation package may be available (to be discussed at interview)
· 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 & Wellbeing Programme : Cycle to Work Scheme
Who we are looking for
You will bring a visible, whole-school leadership profile and have the ability to maximise the effectiveness of a high-performing and motivated staff group in order to continually raise standards at our Academy.
You will have experience as a successful Head Teacher within a similar school and you will be fully abreast of the latest thinking around curriculum.
Having a clear educational philosophy and strong ethos you promote equality and diversity, inclusion and appropriate strategies for children with special educational needs.
Come and lead our team! Your professionalism and clarity of thought will set you apart from your peers, and you’ll also bring the intellectual and creative capacity to take a system-leadership role across 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
Please contact recruitment@dret.co.uk to arrange a call to hear more.
To complete our on-line application form, please use the ‘apply now’ tab.
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.
Fluency Duty
In accordance with Part 7 of the Immigration Act 2016 (Fluency Duty), the ability to converse at ease with customers and provide advice in accurate spoken English is essential for the post.
The school advertising the vacancy will contact you directly regarding the outcome of your application and any interviews. When interviews are taking place schools will follow all Government and Public Health England Guidelines.
All shortlisted candidates will need to verify their eligibility to work in the UK at interview.
