Assistant Principal (Primary Phase)

Are you an experienced leader, dedicated to making a positive impact on young people's lives? 

We have an exciting opportunity to join TEAL as an Assistant Principal (Primary) who will work as part of TEAL’s central team, supporting school improvement work across our schools. 

The successful candidate will work closely with the Director of Primary Education, other colleagues within the school improvement team and senior leaders across the trust to provide strategic support to our primary schools with the aim of raising standards of learning and achievement for all students. 

The role will be based at our Trust Development Centre as part of our TEAL Senior Leadership Team, as well as sitting on the Senior Leadership Teams of one of our primary schools (where you will be based for at least one day per week).  

The role is up to Full Time and will be paid on TEAL’s Leadership pay scale, points L3 to L9 (£54,394 to £63,070 FTE). 

If you are interested in working on a part time basis, we are open to applicants looking for a minimum 0.6 FTE.

Why choose us?

Our core purpose is to make great schools and happier, stronger communities so that people have better lives.

We do this by advancing high-quality inclusive education that values all young people equally, through:

• Ensuring all schools in the TEAL family are successful and all our young people thrive.
• Developing the next generation of great teachers and leaders.
• Connecting with civic leaders and influencing the system so that it becomes fairer and more inclusive, sustainable and ethical.

We will always

• Do what is right.
• Stand shoulder to shoulder.
• Focus on quality in everything we do

To support this, we:

• Demand ethical behaviours built on professional trust                                                                                   
• Reject fads and ensure our CPD is evidence-informed and predominantly subject specific
• Have reduced data collections to three times yearly                                                                                                         
• Do not expect staff to respond to emails outside normal working hours           

We have removed the following:

• Performance management objectives and performance-related pay
• Lesson observations and high stakes, toxic accountability                      
• Onerous marking policies                                                                   
• Requirements for submitting daily or weekly lesson plans           

Above all, we recognise that seeking to remove the number of tasks staff undertake will have little effect on improving work/home balance if this happens within a toxic culture.  To support this, we offer training for our leaders to ensure they are able to translate our values into behaviours which are built on the principles of dignity, respect, professionalism and integrity.

What can we offer you? 

• Support from a dedicated primary team that includes 7 headteachers, a Director of Primary Education and a range of Primary Subject Leads to support school improvement.
• Regular, supportive meetings with members of our central team at the TDC and in school, as well as bi-weekly one to one meetings with the Director of Primary education in your setting
• External School Improvement Partner support from an external CEO of a local trust, focussed on helping us unpick the aspects of our school’s that you are developing, as well as offering support and advice
• Family friendly policies, including sector leading maternity, adoption and neonatal care pay offers
• Well-being support (including discounted gym membership; free annual flu vaccinations; refund of the cost of the annual NHS prescription prepayment certificate; access to a free employee assistance scheme 24/7, with advice on a wide range of practical issues ranging from legal information and consumer issues to specialist counselling)
• Membership of the Teacher’s Pension Scheme
• Access to our staff benefits platform, which includes big brand discounts and other financial incentives (including a cycle to work scheme offering discounted bike purchase)

What does the role involve?

• The successful candidate will work strategically, actively supporting the visions and values of TEAL, providing support to our primary schools with the aim of raising standards of learning and achievement for all students.
• The successful candidate will collaborate with senior and middle leaders across the Trust to drive strategic priorities, strengthen consistency, maximise shared expertise, and reduce duplication of effort.

Your knowledge, skills and experience:

• Experience of delivering CPD including coaching and mentoring colleagues.
• Experience of quality assurance, school improvement planning, and a thorough understanding of change leadership and effective implementation.
• Experience of driving whole school or multi-school improvement initiatives that focus on narrowing gaps and improving outcomes.
• Extensive working knowledge of pedagogy, curriculum design and assessment practices across the whole primary phase.

Applicant Information

Further information about the role, TEAL and our schools can be found in the applicant information pack. 

Our digital application form is accessed via the “Apply now” button at the bottom of the advert. If you would like an application form in an alternative format or would like to arrange an informal chat about the role please contact recruitment@theeducationalliance.org.uk or alternatively, you can contact a member of our HR team on 01482 631208 ext 2353.

Tours of our Teacher Development Centre are available on Wednesday 7th January 2026 at 11am, please email the recruitment team if you would like to look around.

INTERNAL APPLICANTS (already working at a TEAL School) should use the following link to apply: https://candidate.theeducationalliancecareers.org.uk/298219INT 

All applications must be received prior to the deadline of 9:00am on Friday 9th January 2026.

We envisage that successful candidates will be invited to first stage interviews during week commencing 19th January 2026 with Second stage interviews to be arranged subsequently. Interviews will involve a variety of tasks with key stakeholders from TEAL and the Diocese of York.

We look forward to receiving your application and we will contact you once your application has been reviewed. 

The Education Alliance is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. Clearance from the Disclosure and Barring Service prior to appointment and we undertake an online check, in line with the Keeping Children Safe in Education 2025 guidance.

The Education Alliance’s Child Protection Policy can be accessed at: https://theeducationalliance.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/Child-Protection-Policy.pdf