Principal

Start date: September 2025

Hamford Primary Academy is seeking an inspiring and dedicated Principal to lead our vibrant school community towards excellence.

Our two-form entry primary school is located in a scenic coastal area of Walton-on-the-Naze.  We are a school dedicated to nurturing every child’s potential and fostering a love for learning.

We’re excited to have been granted funding to open a brand new 40-place nursery for 2–4 year olds in January 2026, marking an exciting new chapter for Hamford.

Our facilities include a new building completed in 2020 for Year 5 and 6, extensive outdoor grounds, a wellbeing hub, and an Autism Support Centre funded by Essex County Council, all contributing to a nurturing environment for academic and personal growth. With a supportive team of 15 teachers, dedicated teaching assistants in every year group, and a committed leadership team, we prioritise the needs of our students in everything we do.

This role is perfect for you if:

• You are passionate about transforming the lives of students in a community with diverse backgrounds and low aspirations.
• You possess a clear vision for the future of the school and are excited to work collaboratively with a hardworking and ambitious team.
• You champion academic rigor while embracing a compassionate, inclusive, and therapeutic approach to education.
• You are a community-minded leader who thrives in a dynamic environment and is dedicated to driving meaningful change.

As our Principal, you will:

• Provide visionary leadership for the development and successful opening of our new nursery.
• Lead the implementation of innovative teaching strategies that align with our commitment to academic excellence and consistency in learning outcomes.
• Empower students and staff to achieve their fullest potential by fostering a culture of collaboration, support, and high expectations.
• Strengthen partnerships with parents and the local community, leveraging our good relationships to enhance student experiences and outcomes.
• Have high expectations and lead school improvement.

Hamford Primary Academy is not just a school; it is a hub of learning, creativity, and community spirit. Our supportive Parent-Teacher Association and active Academy Council work tirelessly to promote the school’s role in the community, while our students take pride in their school and actively contribute to its culture.

With new housing developments nearby, we have exciting opportunities for growth, and we are eager to welcome a leader who understands the importance of our school in the local area.

The ideal candidate will possess:

• Compassion and empathy for all students and families.
• A deep understanding of educational best practices.
• The confidence to embrace challenges and drive positive change.

If you are ready to make a significant impact on the lives of our students and the community, we invite you to apply for this exciting leadership opportunity at Hamford Primary Academy.

Join us in shaping the future of our students!

About Lift Schools

We are Lift Schools, a diverse and inclusive network of schools with a clear ​mission to provide an excellent education to every child in every ​classroom, every day. And we do this across each of our 57 schools.

We believe every child deserves the best education possible, regardless of background, geography or ability. We want to see them fulfil their potential – at school and beyond. To do this, we need exceptional leaders.

How you’ll be supported

We believe that talent drives performance. As a leader at Lift Schools, you’ll have the backing of a national network, work closely with the schools in your region, and benefit from a tailored programme designed to help you grow and succeed.

We will give you the space and agency to champion your own development, underpinned by a dedicated package for learning and development. If successful, you will receive:

• An individual development account of up to £100,000 over five years.
• Experiential learning, including study tours.
• High support and high challenge from a regional education director.
• One-to-one ‘anytime’, unlimited frequency executive coaching.
• Evidence-informed practice.
• A year-long induction programme.
• The option of a professional sabbatical after five years.

We will also offer a relocation package to support you if you’re looking to relocate for your next role

We’re looking for candidates for Hamford Primary Academy who are:

• Self aware: Those who thrive in a high challenge and high support environment, who want the space and agency to develop their leadership skills.
• Network-minded: Those who believe that the job is not done unless all schools in our network and beyond are serving their communities well.
• Intellectually curious: Those who have the confidence to work with an evidence-informed approach, with an unrelenting drive to be the best leader they can be.

Whether you’re an existing or aspiring principal, if you are driven to serve young people, determined to be the best leader, and dedicated to creating lasting change for our community then we would love to hear from you.

For an informal (and confidential) conversation please contact Tanya Bentham via recruitment@liftschools.org.

Closing date: 6 May 2025, 9am

Interview dates: 9 May 2025 (Hamford Primary Academy) and 13 May 2025 (EdCity, London)

Lift Schools is committed to ensuring the highest levels of safeguarding and promoting the welfare of our pupils, and we expect all our colleagues and volunteers to share this commitment. We adopt a fair and consistent recruitment process which is inline with Keeping Children Safe in Education guidance. This includes online checks for shortlisted candidates. All offers of employment are subject to an Enhanced DBS check, references, and where applicable, a prohibition from teaching check.

We are a Disability Confident Employer and there is a guaranteed interview scheme for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.