Assistant Head of College (Assistant Principal) (Maternity Cover)

Leigh Academy Tonbridge · TN9, South East

Closing date: 23 November 2026 at 11:59pm24 days left
Role: Assistant headteacher
Posted: 27 October 2026

Brook Street

Tonbridge

Kent

TN9 2PH

Read the full advert and apply⁠

You apply on the DfE Teaching Vacancies service advert, not here.

Job description

Leadership Scale + Teacher Pension Scheme + 24/7 access to a free virtual GP Service + collaborative MAT network + additional LAT benefits. We are now recruiting for the role of Assistant Head of College (Assistant Principal) for Leigh Academy Tonbridge, a truly rare leadership opportunity within a very successful and financially sound, mature and geographically local multi-academy trust that combines management freedom for effective leaders with secure central support that encourages collaboration for success. This role is situated within the secondary phase of the academy. The successful candidate will play a huge part in accelerating the development of the school into an outstanding provider of education. We will expect the Assistant Principal to support the further development of a positive culture and ethos where every child is expected to do well and their progress is supported every step of the way. Our successful candidate will be a talented and highly motivated leader with drive and commitment to excellence as well as strong interpersonal skills, and the ability to communicate to a range of stakeholders. You will be joining a supportive, committed and passionate team who work hard to ensure that all of our students achieve their potential. We are looking for an experienced professional who can demonstrate strategic leadership and excellent management, and a proven track record of success in raising standards. As a vital requirement for this role, you will be an English subject specialist who will take on line management responsibility for the English department. You will be expected to play a key role in developing the strategic vision for Leigh Academy Tonbridge even further, whilst ensuring that our students develop their potential, achieve academic excellence and develop our core values. The successful applicant will be a key member of the senior leadership team, with a specific area of whole school responsibility that will both develop and complement your existing skills and interests and will model our human scale approach to education by driving our small schools philosophy. The successful candidate will work closely with the Vice Principal and will have management responsibilities for key subject areas. This post provides an outstanding career opportunity to be part of driving our academy forward and to play a critical role in the next phase of the academy’s development. We wish to hear from you if you are committed to changing our education world and are: an enthusiastic, energetic and ambitious school leader with a track record of success at secondary level; a motivational and inspirational leader with high expectations of staff; confident and able to communicate a clear vision for the school; able to develop children to reach their full potential regardless of background or circumstance; approachable and keen to work with staff across the Trust to ensure wide success; able to establish and develop excellent relationships with the community and other stakeholders. a subject specialist in English. To support your application, we recommend viewing the Job Pack by clicking here, which outlines the full role responsibilities and person specification. This will guide you in preparing a strong application and understanding what we’re looking for. Note that whilst the position is offered on a maternity cover basis, every effort will be made to offer a substantive position thereafter, either at Leigh Academy Tonbridge or within the wider family of academies across Leigh Academies Trust. The central Recruitment Team will keep in touch with you throughout your contract to discuss options available to you.

School at a glance

Leigh Academy Tonbridge

Type: Academy converter
Phase: Secondary
Age range: 11 to 18
Local authority: Kent
Region: South East
Website: leighacademytonbridge.org.uk⁠ (opens in a new tab)

The school's record on Get Information About Schools⁠ (opens in a new tab)

Published school data

Showing 6 of 32 retained publications in source order, newest editions first within each source. Open the published files for values and definitions.

Published school data: retained periods and publication files
Publication	Period and coverage
DfE: Devolved formula capital allocations Edition b82db944-44bb-421e-ad2c-11aa1c5ccbd1 · https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6a0330cdcd2e0e8b5b20b4ae/school-capital-funding-allocations-for-2026-to-2027.xlsx:2026-05-14T11:00:06+01:00 Published file	2026/27 · Financial year · source dated 14 May 2026 Schools listed by URN in the 2_Schools DFC sheet; excludes NMSS and SPI sheets Published school-level DFC allocation for capital projects. Excludes responsible-body SCA and CIF awards.
DfE: Devolved formula capital allocations Edition 4a6546b8-8677-4193-9f09-6af01ab6072c · https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6a0330cdcd2e0e8b5b20b4ae/school-capital-funding-allocations-for-2026-to-2027.xlsx:2026-05-14T11:00:06+01:00 Published file	2026/27 · Financial year · source dated 14 May 2026 Schools listed by URN in the 2_Schools DFC sheet; excludes NMSS and SPI sheets Published school-level DFC allocation for capital projects. Excludes responsible-body SCA and CIF awards.
DfE: Pupil absence in schools in England Edition d589d60a-7f48-4951-8da9-7db6c499aa60 · bc053a9f-7963-4523-9e7b-08df18a929bb:2026-10-15T08:30:05.2587515+00:00: Published file	2025/26 · Autumn and spring term · source dated 15 October 2026 {"geographic_level":"School","filters":null,"source":"DfE: Pupil absence in schools in England"} · sess_possible (absence); enrolments (persistent absence) sess_overall_percent; enrolments_pa_10_exact_percent; enrolments; sess_possible; sess_overall; enrolments_pa_10_exact
DfE: Pupil absence in schools in England Edition d589d60a-7f48-4951-8da9-7db6c499aa60 · bc053a9f-7963-4523-9e7b-08df18a929bb:2026-10-15T08:30:05.2587515+00:00: Published file	2024/25 · Autumn and spring term · source dated 15 October 2026 {"geographic_level":"School","filters":null,"source":"DfE: Pupil absence in schools in England"} · sess_possible (absence); enrolments (persistent absence) sess_overall_percent; enrolments_pa_10_exact_percent; enrolments; sess_possible; sess_overall; enrolments_pa_10_exact
DfE: Pupil absence in schools in England Edition d589d60a-7f48-4951-8da9-7db6c499aa60 · bc053a9f-7963-4523-9e7b-08df18a929bb:2026-10-15T08:30:05.2587515+00:00: Published file	2023/24 · Autumn and spring term · source dated 15 October 2026 {"geographic_level":"School","filters":null,"source":"DfE: Pupil absence in schools in England"} · sess_possible (absence); enrolments (persistent absence) sess_overall_percent; enrolments_pa_10_exact_percent; enrolments; sess_possible; sess_overall; enrolments_pa_10_exact
DfE: Pupil absence in schools in England Edition 79b26d03-8e91-4acf-9a3a-ab13e78aea0a · bc053a9f-7963-4523-9e7b-08df18a929bb:2026-10-15T08:30:05.2587515+00:00: Published file	2025/26 · Autumn and spring term · source dated 15 October 2026 {"geographic_level":"School","filters":null,"source":"DfE: Pupil absence in schools in England"} · sess_possible (absence); enrolments (persistent absence) sess_overall_percent; enrolments_pa_10_exact_percent; enrolments; sess_possible; sess_overall; enrolments_pa_10_exact

Local area context

Showing 6 of 25 retained publications in source order, newest editions first within each source. Open the published files for values and definitions.

Local area context: retained periods and publication files
Publication	Period and coverage
DfE: Local authority pupil forecasts and planning areas Edition 040dd40c-1a68-4474-8216-3e2c2132e8f7 · 960750dd-6ed7-4e32-a9df-3cc9132bb1a4:2026-03-20T13:51:55.6118651+00:00 Published file	2031/32 · Academic year · source dated 20 March 2026 Local authority · E10000016 · education_phase: Secondary · nc_year_group: Secondary total · Published primary and secondary phase totals by local authority or planning area Local authority pupil forecasts, with 2024/25 actuals, for the published phase total. Future periods are forecasts, not observed pupil counts. Planning area codes belong to this SCAP edition and are not assumed stable across editions.
DfE: Local authority pupil forecasts and planning areas Edition 040dd40c-1a68-4474-8216-3e2c2132e8f7 · 960750dd-6ed7-4e32-a9df-3cc9132bb1a4:2026-03-20T13:51:55.6118651+00:00 Published file	2030/31 · Academic year · source dated 20 March 2026 Local authority · E10000016 · education_phase: Secondary · nc_year_group: Secondary total · Published primary and secondary phase totals by local authority or planning area Local authority pupil forecasts, with 2024/25 actuals, for the published phase total. Future periods are forecasts, not observed pupil counts. Planning area codes belong to this SCAP edition and are not assumed stable across editions.
DfE: Local authority pupil forecasts and planning areas Edition 040dd40c-1a68-4474-8216-3e2c2132e8f7 · 960750dd-6ed7-4e32-a9df-3cc9132bb1a4:2026-03-20T13:51:55.6118651+00:00 Published file	2029/30 · Academic year · source dated 20 March 2026 Local authority · E10000016 · education_phase: Primary · nc_year_group: Primary total · Published primary and secondary phase totals by local authority or planning area Local authority pupil forecasts, with 2024/25 actuals, for the published phase total. Future periods are forecasts, not observed pupil counts. Planning area codes belong to this SCAP edition and are not assumed stable across editions.
DfE: Local authority pupil forecasts and planning areas Edition 040dd40c-1a68-4474-8216-3e2c2132e8f7 · 960750dd-6ed7-4e32-a9df-3cc9132bb1a4:2026-03-20T13:51:55.6118651+00:00 Published file	2029/30 · Academic year · source dated 20 March 2026 Local authority · E10000016 · education_phase: Secondary · nc_year_group: Secondary total · Published primary and secondary phase totals by local authority or planning area Local authority pupil forecasts, with 2024/25 actuals, for the published phase total. Future periods are forecasts, not observed pupil counts. Planning area codes belong to this SCAP edition and are not assumed stable across editions.
DfE: Local authority pupil forecasts and planning areas Edition 040dd40c-1a68-4474-8216-3e2c2132e8f7 · 960750dd-6ed7-4e32-a9df-3cc9132bb1a4:2026-03-20T13:51:55.6118651+00:00 Published file	2028/29 · Academic year · source dated 20 March 2026 Local authority · E10000016 · education_phase: Primary · nc_year_group: Primary total · Published primary and secondary phase totals by local authority or planning area Local authority pupil forecasts, with 2024/25 actuals, for the published phase total. Future periods are forecasts, not observed pupil counts. Planning area codes belong to this SCAP edition and are not assumed stable across editions.
DfE: Local authority pupil forecasts and planning areas Edition 040dd40c-1a68-4474-8216-3e2c2132e8f7 · 960750dd-6ed7-4e32-a9df-3cc9132bb1a4:2026-03-20T13:51:55.6118651+00:00 Published file	2028/29 · Academic year · source dated 20 March 2026 Local authority · E10000016 · education_phase: Secondary · nc_year_group: Secondary total · Published primary and secondary phase totals by local authority or planning area Local authority pupil forecasts, with 2024/25 actuals, for the published phase total. Future periods are forecasts, not observed pupil counts. Planning area codes belong to this SCAP edition and are not assumed stable across editions.

Showing 15 of 28 published figures, up to three per group. Open each source for the full published data.

Pupils

School places (SCAP): 8862024/25
Source and value: School places (SCAP), 2024/25, Academic year, 960750dd-6ed7-4e32-a9df-3cc9132bb1a4:2026-03-20T13:51:55.6118651+00:00
Published value: 886. Display values may be rounded.
Published school capacity survey places, including sixth form and excluding nursery places; not the current GIAS capacity.
DfE: School capacity — school
Source dated 20 March 2026.
Published file
Publication version: 960750dd-6ed7-4e32-a9df-3cc9132bb1a4:2026-03-20T13:51:55.6118651+00:00
Academic year
Pupils on roll (SCAP): 7122024/25
Source and value: Pupils on roll (SCAP), 2024/25, Academic year, 960750dd-6ed7-4e32-a9df-3cc9132bb1a4:2026-03-20T13:51:55.6118651+00:00
Published value: 712. Display values may be rounded.
DfE: School capacity — school
Source dated 20 March 2026.
Published file
Publication version: 960750dd-6ed7-4e32-a9df-3cc9132bb1a4:2026-03-20T13:51:55.6118651+00:00
Academic year
Unfilled places (SCAP): 1742024/25
Source and value: Unfilled places (SCAP), 2024/25, Academic year, 960750dd-6ed7-4e32-a9df-3cc9132bb1a4:2026-03-20T13:51:55.6118651+00:00
Published value: 174. Display values may be rounded.
DfE: School capacity — school
Source dated 20 March 2026.
Published file
Publication version: 960750dd-6ed7-4e32-a9df-3cc9132bb1a4:2026-03-20T13:51:55.6118651+00:00
Academic year

Attendance and behaviour

Overall absence: 7.6%2025/26 · Autumn and spring term
Source and value: Overall absence, 2025/26 · Autumn and spring term, Autumn and spring term, bc053a9f-7963-4523-9e7b-08df18a929bb:2026-10-15T08:30:05.2587515+00:00:
Published value: 7.58246%. Display values may be rounded.
DfE: Pupil absence in schools in England
Source dated 15 October 2026.
Published file
Publication version: bc053a9f-7963-4523-9e7b-08df18a929bb:2026-10-15T08:30:05.2587515+00:00:
Autumn and spring term
Persistent absence: 25.3%2025/26 · Autumn and spring term
Source and value: Persistent absence, 2025/26 · Autumn and spring term, Autumn and spring term, bc053a9f-7963-4523-9e7b-08df18a929bb:2026-10-15T08:30:05.2587515+00:00:
Published value: 25.29644%. Display values may be rounded.
DfE: Pupil absence in schools in England
Source dated 15 October 2026.
Published file
Publication version: bc053a9f-7963-4523-9e7b-08df18a929bb:2026-10-15T08:30:05.2587515+00:00:
Autumn and spring term
Permanent exclusions: 32024/25
Source and value: Permanent exclusions, 2024/25, Academic year, 0e388e4d-3748-49a4-984c-08dece27c222:2026-07-09T08:30:02.0602325+00:00:
Published value: 3. Display values may be rounded.
DfE: Suspensions and permanent exclusions in England
Source dated 9 July 2026.
Published file
Publication version: 0e388e4d-3748-49a4-984c-08dece27c222:2026-07-09T08:30:02.0602325+00:00:
Academic year

Staff

Teachers (headcount): 372025/26
Source and value: Teachers (headcount), 2025/26, Academic year, 32476c77-5ff3-4efb-ad1e-a2173e74a4d4:2026-08-17T14:32:16.1351756+00:00:
Published value: 37. Display values may be rounded.
DfE: Size of the school workforce
Source dated 17 August 2026.
Published file
Publication version: 32476c77-5ff3-4efb-ad1e-a2173e74a4d4:2026-08-17T14:32:16.1351756+00:00:
Academic year
Teachers (FTE): 35.92025/26
Source and value: Teachers (FTE), 2025/26, Academic year, 32476c77-5ff3-4efb-ad1e-a2173e74a4d4:2026-08-17T14:32:16.1351756+00:00:
Published value: 35.9. Display values may be rounded.
DfE: Size of the school workforce
Source dated 17 August 2026.
Published file
Publication version: 32476c77-5ff3-4efb-ad1e-a2173e74a4d4:2026-08-17T14:32:16.1351756+00:00:
Academic year
Leadership (headcount): 62025/26
Source and value: Leadership (headcount), 2025/26, Academic year, 32476c77-5ff3-4efb-ad1e-a2173e74a4d4:2026-08-17T14:32:16.1351756+00:00:
Published value: 6. Display values may be rounded.
DfE: Size of the school workforce
Source dated 17 August 2026.
Published file
Publication version: 32476c77-5ff3-4efb-ad1e-a2173e74a4d4:2026-08-17T14:32:16.1351756+00:00:
Academic year

Results

KS4: Attainment 8: 43.92025/26
Source and value: KS4: Attainment 8, 2025/26, Academic year · Provisional, 5f2cbd6f-3524-4947-8c2c-08df1a222654:2026-10-15T08:30:04.8585722+00:00:
Published value: 43.9. Display values may be rounded.
DfE: Key stage 4 performance tables
Source dated 15 October 2026.
Published file
Publication version: 5f2cbd6f-3524-4947-8c2c-08df1a222654:2026-10-15T08:30:04.8585722+00:00:
Academic year · Provisional
KS4: English and maths at grade 5 or above: 34.1%2025/26
Source and value: KS4: English and maths at grade 5 or above, 2025/26, Academic year · Provisional, 5f2cbd6f-3524-4947-8c2c-08df1a222654:2026-10-15T08:30:04.8585722+00:00:
Published value: 34.1%. Display values may be rounded.
DfE: Key stage 4 performance tables
Source dated 15 October 2026.
Published file
Publication version: 5f2cbd6f-3524-4947-8c2c-08df1a222654:2026-10-15T08:30:04.8585722+00:00:
Academic year · Provisional
16–18: A level points per entry: 22.902024/25
Source and value: 16–18: A level points per entry, 2024/25, Academic year · Final, a918dd51-e050-4e34-9179-d7e9ccc7b15b:2026-07-24T14:11:22.0308999+00:00:
Published value: 22.90. Display values may be rounded.
DfE: 16 to 18 performance tables
Source dated 24 July 2026.
Published file
Publication version: a918dd51-e050-4e34-9179-d7e9ccc7b15b:2026-07-24T14:11:22.0308999+00:00:
Academic year · Final

Money

Published deprivation FSM6 pupil premium: £278,3002026/27
Source and value: Published deprivation FSM6 pupil premium, 2026/27, Financial year, https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6ab0f5733f8e4e96a6a66a8e/pupil-premium-allocations-for-the-2026-to-2027-financial-year-september-2026.xlsx:2026-09-23T12:00:01+01:00
Published value: 278300. Display values may be rounded.
Published school-level deprivation FSM6 allocation only; excludes looked-after and previously looked-after children, alternative-provision census allocations and service pupil premium. This is not total pupil premium.
DfE: Published school deprivation FSM6 pupil premium
Source dated 23 September 2026.
Published file
Current conditions of grant
Publication version: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6ab0f5733f8e4e96a6a66a8e/pupil-premium-allocations-for-the-2026-to-2027-financial-year-september-2026.xlsx:2026-09-23T12:00:01+01:00
Financial year
Devolved formula capital: £16,5132026/27
Source and value: Devolved formula capital, 2026/27, Financial year, https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6a0330cdcd2e0e8b5b20b4ae/school-capital-funding-allocations-for-2026-to-2027.xlsx:2026-05-14T11:00:06+01:00
Published value: 16512.810000000001. Display values may be rounded.
Published school-level DFC allocation for capital projects. Excludes responsible-body SCA and CIF awards.
DfE: Devolved formula capital allocations
Source dated 14 May 2026.
Published file
Publication version: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6a0330cdcd2e0e8b5b20b4ae/school-capital-funding-allocations-for-2026-to-2027.xlsx:2026-05-14T11:00:06+01:00
Financial year
Income per pupil: £6,9342025
Source and value: Income per pupil, 2025, Reporting year ending, response-sha256:dfa11be8a986bc1d0ce23687d9232bec4ac8753c8d7467b65a2f69d1c3165c44
Published value: 6934.2432357043235. Display values may be rounded.
DfE Financial Benchmarking and Insights Tool: CFR/AAR income per pupil
Published file
Publication version: response-sha256:dfa11be8a986bc1d0ce23687d9232bec4ac8753c8d7467b65a2f69d1c3165c44
Reporting year ending

Official school links

The Hayesbrook School · Predecessor · 2010-12-01GIAS · 29 October 2026

These are separate school records. Their figures are not combined.

Part of LEIGH ACADEMIES TRUST (Multi-academy trust)

Latest Ofsted inspection

Graded inspection (previous framework)
Inspected 6 December 2022, published 25 January 2023 · S5 Inspection · number 10226864
Overall effectiveness
Good
Quality of education
Good
Behaviour and attitudes
Outstanding
Personal development
Good
Leadership and management
Good
Safeguarding is effective
Yes
Sixth form
Good
Ofsted's inspection reports for this school⁠ (opens in a new tab)

Sources

Get Information About Schools (Department for Education) (opens in a new tab) · 29 October 2026
Ofsted monthly management information: state-funded schools, latest inspections (opens in a new tab) · 30 September 2026
DfE: Devolved formula capital allocations (opens in a new tab) · 2026/27 · Financial year · 14 May 2026
DfE: Pupil absence in schools in England (opens in a new tab) · 2025/26 · Autumn and spring term · 15 October 2026
DfE: School capacity — school (opens in a new tab) · 2024/25 · Academic year · 20 March 2026
DfE: Schools, pupils and their characteristics (opens in a new tab) · 2025/26 · Academic year · 4 June 2026
DfE: Suspensions and permanent exclusions in England (opens in a new tab) · 2024/25 · Academic year · 9 July 2026
DfE: Pupil to teacher ratios (opens in a new tab) · 2025/26 · Academic year · 17 August 2026

8 further sources are not listed here; displayed figures retain their own source links.

Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.

Prepare for your interview

Vacancies are from the DfE Teaching Vacancies service (opens in a new tab), as the school published them. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.