Assistant Principal - SENDCo
Join Our Leadership Team and Make a Lasting Impact
Are you ready to take the next step in your leadership journey? Do you want to be part of a team that transforms the lives of students, many of whom face disadvantages and rapidly accelerates their progress?
Do you want to work in a school where you are free to teach, supported by impeccable student behaviour and streamlined systems that cut through bureaucracy?
Astrea Academy Trust is seeking an ambitious and driven individual to join Longsands Academy as an Assistant Principal. This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced or aspiring senior leader with a proven track record of whole-school impact.
Why Join Us?
This role is ideal for someone who shares our vision of educational excellence and is ready to drive rapid improvement, building on our strong academic foundations. At Longsands—and across the Trust—we are committed to a knowledge-rich curriculum and a traditional approach to teaching, behaviour, and culture.
Longsands Academy is a fully inclusive 11–18 secondary school serving the community of St Neots and surrounding areas. With around 1,750 students, including 250 in our thriving Sixth Form, we are proud of our inclusive and aspirational ethos—supporting students aiming for Oxbridge as well as those with special educational needs.
We are ambitious for every child, regardless of background, prior attainment, or need. Our commitment is to ensure that all students have the opportunity to thrive and succeed—whether that means progressing to university or pursuing other aspirational pathways.
What We Offer- A values-driven culture focused on inclusion, aspiration, and academic excellence
- A knowledge-rich curriculum built on ‘powerful knowledge’
- A traditional teaching approach grounded in Rosenshine’s Principles and Teach Like a Champion
- Collaborative planning with centralised, high-quality resources
- Disruption-free learning supported by a warm/strict behaviour system
- Centralised systems for detentions and homework
- No formal graded lesson observations—just ongoing, no-stakes instructional coaching
- Excellent CPD and career development opportunities across the Astrea Cambridgeshire region
- Strong support from the Astrea Central Team
- Recognition of continuous service from previous schools, academies, or trusts
The Ideal Candidate
We’re looking for a highly effective and inspiring leader who:
- Is aligned with our values and mission
- Has a passion for Core Routines, Deliberate Practice, and Behaviour Curriculum
- Can raise expectations and drive consistency in behaviour standards across the academy
- Can motivate and support colleagues in pursuit of a shared vision
Interested in Applying?
If you're passionate about education, looking for a fresh opportunity, or simply want to make a positive impact, we’d love to hear from you. Take a look at the Job Description and Candidate Pack to learn more about the role and how to apply.
We warmly welcome visits and would be delighted to show you around our academy so you can experience our excellent learning environment first-hand.
Closing Date:
1 June 2025 – Don’t miss out on this exciting opportunity!
Commitment to Safeguarding and EDI
Astrea Academy Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. All posts are subject to satisfactory background checks, including references and enhanced DBS checks.
We value diversity and actively encourage applications from candidates who are underrepresented in our workforce, including people from Black, Asian, and minority ethnic backgrounds, disabled people, and LGBTQI+ communities.
As a Disability Confident employer, we are committed to removing barriers to recruitment, development, and progression for disabled staff. We provide reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process to ensure all applicants have the opportunity to demonstrate their abilities.
Flexible Interview Dates
Please note that interview dates are flexible. The academy reserves the right to interview shortlisted candidates during the application window.
Ready to Make a Difference?
If you're ready to take the next step in your career and contribute to our dynamic, forward-thinking team, apply today and be part of our mission to create a lasting impact.