About This Role
Required to start: September 2026
Assistant Principal
L8-L12
£61,534 - £67,898
Richmond Hill Academy is seeking an exceptional and ambitious leader to join our Senior Leadership Team as Assistant Principal. This role offers an exciting opportunity to contribute strategically to the next phase of our academy’s development and to play a vital part in ensuring the very best outcomes for our children.
Key aspects of the role
As Assistant Principal, you will take a visible and influential leadership role across the academy, working closely with the Principal and Senior Leadership Team to support whole‑school improvement and secure the strongest possible outcomes for pupils. You will help shape strategic priorities, support staff development and ensure that the academy’s ethos, ambition and safeguarding responsibilities are consistently upheld.
You will
Lead with high expectations, modelling professionalism and the values of the academy.
Build strong, positive relationships with pupils, staff, families and external partners.
Contribute to whole‑school strategy, improvement planning and the delivery of outstanding provision.
Drive improvement across identified areas of responsibility.
Support robust systems for staff development, appraisal and performance.
Support the Principal in achieving strong outcomes for young people in order to support them in securing the Gift of Choice.
Demonstrate your commitment to Richmond Hill Academy’s ‘Team around the Family’ approach.
Have an inclusive and determined mindset to support our young people and families in having outstanding opportunities and experiences, including our Rainbow Base families.
Who we’re looking for
We are seeking a values‑driven leader who combines professional credibility with emotional intelligence, resilience and positivity. You will bring the ability to inspire confidence, challenge underperformance and support colleagues to achieve their best, all while keeping pupils’ needs at the heart of your work.
You will bring
QTS, an honours degree (or equivalent), and a strong record of improving outcomes.
Experience of leading teams and contributing to whole school improvement.
Excellent communication skills and the ability to motivate and support others.
High expectations, strategic thinking and a solutions-focused approach.
A secure understanding of safeguarding, equality and inclusion.
This post provides genuine opportunities for further growth within the academy and across The GORSE Academies Trust.
What we offer you:
As a trust, we want to ensure that professionals at every stage in their career have the opportunity to enjoy expert support and training. We are pleased to offer a generous benefits package to our team – as we work together to create a rewarding future for all including:
Membership of the teacher pension scheme.
A commitment to continued investment in our professionals, supporting every member of staff throughout their career in the trust.
Access to an Employee Assistance Programme which provides confidential professional advice and support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
£2k Cycle to work scheme.
About us Richmond Hill Academy is a ‘good’ school with many areas of our work graded ‘outstanding’ by Ofsted. The transformation of our school has been possible due to the remarkable skill and commitment of our staff members and the support of our whole community. Richmond Hill Academy is a school where “staff are happy and feel listened to and well trained”. As one teacher said, ‘I walk out of school happy every day.’” We are looking for people who want to join our remarkable team, be part of the next chapter of our school and work with children whose respect for one another and their community is “breath-taking”. As a school, we can offer you: Fantastic children, ready and eager to learn and grow. Supportive working environments where your talents will be valued and nurtured. Committed and passionate teams that champion the best outcomes for children. Opportunity to be at the cutting edge of educational development. If you would like to know more about our academy, please visit our website https://www.richmondhill.leeds.sch.uk/. If you would like to arrange a visit, or to discuss the role, please contact Leanne Griffiths, Deputy Chief Executive Officer/current Principal of Richmond Hill Academy in the first instance via Lisa Roberts at lisa.roberts@tgat.org.uk. If you are as excited about this role as we are, you can download the Job Description, Person Specification, and Application Form from the GORSE Academies Trust website (https://www.tgat.org.uk/jobs/), request them by email at recruitment@richmondhill.leeds.sch.uk or by telephone on 0113 487 1600. Please note if you submit an electronic application, we will not require a hard copy. CVs are not accepted.“Exceptional leadership at all levels has brought about considerable improvement for the opportunities and experiences of pupils in the school.” Ofsted, March 2022
How to Apply
Closing date:
Wednesday 29 April 2026 at 9am
Interview date: Tuesday 5 May 2026
If you are shortlisted for interview, the interview will take place in person at Richmond Hill Academy, Clark Lane, Leeds, United Kingdom, LS9 8PN. If you are unable to attend an in‑person interview, please consider whether you can make suitable arrangements to attend, as remote interviews are not routinely offered.
Our recruitment process is designed to be inclusive and accessible. We welcome applications from individuals with disabilities as defined by the Equality Act and encourage candidates to tell us about any adjustments that would support them during the process.
We are committed to safeguarding the welfare of children and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. The successful candidate will be subject to full employment checks, including an enhanced DBS disclosure and barring service check. We promote diversity and aim to establish a workforce that reflects the population of Leeds. Employment is conditional on confirmation of the right to work in the UK – either as a UK or Irish citizen, under the EU Settlement scheme or having secured any other relevant work visa. Please note that, as a sponsor licence holder, we only provide sponsorship for teacher vacancies.