Head of School

Ark Brunel Primary Academy is a vibrant one-form entry school serving the diverse community in North Kensington, and we are now seeking a new Head of School. 

We are proud to be a leading inclusive primary in the Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea, with over 54% of our pupils on free school meals, and an on-site SEND unit that is highly regarded. The Ark Brunel school site enjoys state-of-the-art facilities for our children to enjoy and enhances our ability to bring our rich curriculum to life.  

This is an exciting opportunity for a proven Assistant or Vice Principal who is committed to serving in disadvantaged contexts and is looking to step into headship with the support of an experienced and dedicated Executive Principal to aid the transition into your new role and beyond. Ark Brunel belongs to a small cluster of west London Ark primaries and so the successful candidate will also have the support of the wider Ark network and fellow Ark heads. The appointed Head of School will join Ark Brunel in January 2027, or sooner if possible. 

We encourage applications from local senior leaders and also welcome applications from leaders who may be returning to the UK having taught internationally, with recent and sufficient UK based school leadership experience. Please note that following the online first-round Teams interview, all shortlisted candidates will be required to attend an all day, in-person school-based assessment day.    

We are part of the Ark network, a highly successful MAT with a well-regarded CPD offer for leaders and teachers at all levels. We are passionate about developing and delivering excellent outcomes for students and invest significantly in our staff. If suitable, the appointed Head of School will be able to join Ark’s LEAD (Leadership Exploration and Development) programme. This is our homegrown programme for aspiring principals which combines professional coaching, peer to peer school monitoring visits, cohort training and unique insights into the personal journey of leadership.  

Visits to the school prior to application are strongly encouraged and we warmly welcome confidential conversations about the role. If you are interested in finding out more about this opportunity, please contact our Senior Recruitment Advisor, Shevonnae Sokoya, [email protected]  

To apply, please submit an application via the Ark recruitment portal by midnight, Friday 26th June. If you have any questions, concerns or time constraints with applying please contact us directly. 

For more information about the role, the school and Ark, please view the full job pack.  

Ark Brunel is an inclusive, one-form entry primary school serving the local community in North Kensington. With over 54% of our children on Pupil Premium, it is imperative that the incoming Head of School is committed to serving a community with a diverse range of needs. 

Our most recent Ofsted inspection (May 2024) praised our school for its ambitious nature and our commitment to ensuring all pupils achieve their full potential, which is actualised through our broad and rich curriculum. We are a Rights Respecting School and believe children should know their rights and responsibilities to be well-rounded citizens and leaders of the future. 

Ark Brunel Primary Academy is part of the Ark network, one of the country’s most successful multi-academy trusts. The newly appointed Head of School will have the support of a dedicated Executive Principal and have access to exceptional coaching and training opportunities, as well as the opportunity to collaborate with principal colleagues across London and our wider network.  

Diversity and inclusion:

We aim to build a diverse and inclusive organisation where everyone – staff and students – can do their best work and achieve their full potential. We want to reflect and represent diverse perspectives across our organisation because we know that doing so will make us stronger and more effective. To know more about Ark’s diversity and inclusion commitments, please click on this link.

Safeguarding statement:

Ark is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people in its academies. In order to meet this responsibility, its academies follow a rigorous selection process to discourage and screen out unsuitable applicants. 

Ark requires all employees to undertake an enhanced DBS check. You are required, before appointment, to disclose any unspent conviction, cautions, reprimands or warnings under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975. Non-disclosure may lead to termination of employment. However, disclosure of a criminal background will not necessarily debar you from employment - this will depend upon the nature of the offence(s) and when they occurred. To read more about Ark’s safer recruitment process, please click this link.

Please note we will be reviewing applications on an on-going basis and this role may close earlier than advertised depending on the level of response. We strongly encourage to submit your application at your earliest convenience.