Vice Principal

Harris Primary Academy Chafford Hundred is looking for a Vice Principal who will closely monitor our children's learning as we continuously close achievement gaps and raise standards for all pupils above those expected nationally.

You will ensure the high quality of all provision, including contributing actively towards the formulation of all school policies and procedures and ensuring their consistent implementation across the academy. You will also lead on teaching and learning across the academy, as well as leading on leadership development, contributing significantly to the academy's Improvement Plan and playing a major role in determining strategy for the academy.

CLICK HERE FOR A FULL JOB DESCRIPTION AND PERSON SPECIFICATION.

WORKING WITH US

We are a three form entry primary school from Reception to Year 6, which also includes a 52 place Nursery. Harris Primary Academy Chafford Hundred (HPACH) is a successful academy that was judged as Outstanding in the Ofsted inspection in March 2025.

We are a sister school to Harris Primary Academy Mayflower and Harris Academy Chafford Hundred, along with the other Academies in the Harris Federation. We work very closely together and share the very best practice and leadership knowledge and capacity to make the education we offer outstanding. Our shared belief is that children thrive when they feel consistently happy and safe at school and our commitment to excellence is encapsulated in our vision statement: "Excellence, Every child, Every day."

Our Core values of: Community, Resilience, Respect, Responsibility and Kindness underpin everything that happens at Harris Primary Academy Chafford Hundred. They are our foundations and we have a clear expectation that all adults, as well as children and staff, model and respect these values both inside and outside the academy.

Our team are committed to every child, and aim to develop confident and creative learners who leave the academy ready for secondary and the world ahead of them. We proudly celebrate our children's diversity and achievements, from both school and at home.

Whether they are learning English and Maths, Latin or Mandarin, competing in sports, or discussing their dream occupations, we do whatever it takes to ensure our pupils gain the confidence to aspire and flourish in life.

At HPACH, we work tirelessly to make sure that every child comes to recognise their own potential. As a result of the exceptional practice at our academy every single day, our children achieve outstanding outcomes each year and we are incredibly proud of them. Alongside academic achievement, we want our academy to be a safe and caring space for children who are excited and happy to come to school every day to learn, grow and develop.

To learn more about the culture and ethos of our academy, our impact within the community and what we can offer you, view our academy page via the “why work at” button.

MAIN AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY

Strategic Direction and Development:

• Be an integral part in leading the vision, ethos and policies of the academy which secures effective teaching and successful learning and promotes high levels of achievement and self-esteem for all pupils irrespective of background, ethnicity, gender or disability;
• Help lead and manage the creation and implementation of the academy Improvement Plan which identifies priorities and targets for ensuring pupils achieve high standards and make good progress, increasing teachers' effectiveness and securing school improvement and to take responsibility for appropriately delegated aspects of it;
• Establish the policies through which the academy's aims and objectives shall be achieved; in particular those pertaining to Teaching, Learning and Assessment and evaluating the effectiveness of these in view of pupil progress;
• Contribute to relevant sections of the Academy Evaluation Form;
• Ensure the effective and proficient use of pupil data from a variety of sources, both internal and external, in the process of target setting;
• Take a lead role in enhancing standards of teaching and learning and value enthusiasm and innovation in others to raise standards of individual pupil achievement;
• Lead on curriculum development, involving decisions on timetabling and staffing in conjunction with the Principal;
• Develop and maintain good relationships with parents, carers and outside agencies and the local community.
• Engage in the process of appointing new staff including the interview process.

Teaching and Learning:

• Undertake an appropriate teaching commitment and be one of our most effective and inspirational teachers;
• Liaise with all teachers to ensure pupils experience a programme that is personalised to their particular needs, identified through a robust assessment programme;
• Act as a role model for other teachers, model effective strategies in all aspects of school life;
• Monitor, evaluate and report on teaching and learning;
• Ensure that the curriculum is rich, vibrant, reflects the many different facets of our community and prepares pupils for the transition to secondary school so that they are able to fully participate in the secondary curriculum;
• Lead pupil progress systems and reviews across the academy, ensuring all pupils work and achieve to the maximum of their potential.
• Liaise with other academies/schools and providers to ensure continuity of support and learning when transferring pupils

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR

Qualifications

• Graduate (with a good degree) plus formal Teaching Qualification or other relevant professional studies.
• Evidence of continuous self-development and updated knowledge in the fields of teaching and learning and education management, particularly in the areas of responsibility for this post.

Experience, Skills & Knowledge

• To be able to demonstrate a proven track record in producing high quality achievements for all children.
• Experience of delivering high quality INSET to teaching staff.
• Evidence of leading, supporting and managing others, both individuals and teams, ensuring high quality performance.
• Ability to provide professional leadership and management of a staff team and contribute to the work of other teams to secure high quality teaching effective use of resources and improved standards of learning and achievement for all pupils across the academy.
• Experience of involvement in assessment, pupil tracking and record keeping and effective data analysis and target setting.
• Recent experience of involvement in innovative curriculum development and ideas of how Language, Literacy and Numeracy can be used across the curriculum to raise standards.
• Experience of embedding innovative strategies for improving teaching and learning in a whole school situation.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills and experience of presenting to a wide audience including teachers, managers, governors and parents.
• Knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage Curriculum and the National Curriculum.
• Evidence of successful working relationships with parents and carers, Governors, outside agencies and the local community.
• Experience of using coaching as a model for ensuring on-going professional development.

Special Abilities & Aptitudes

• Ability to be well organised, work under pressure whilst maintaining a positive approach to work and relationships with others.
• A high degree of organisational skills, decision making and use of initiative.
• The ability to motivate, support and encourage staff through a collaborative approach.
• Ability to oversee the pastoral welfare of children across the academy and to promote good behaviour and discipline.
• The aspirations, talent and enthusiasm to become a Principal.

Safeguarding Notice

The Harris Federation and all our academies are committed to ensuring the highest levels of safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people, and we expect all our staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All offers of employment are subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, references, an online search, and where applicable, a prohibition from teaching check will be completed.

Equal Opportunities

The Harris Federation is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from all suitably qualified candidates.

We value the diversity of our staff and students, and everyone at the Harris Federation is equally valued and respected. We aim to be an inclusive employer that reflects the communities we serve. We are committed to providing a fair, equitable and mutually supportive learning and working environment.