Job Description

Academy:

Charles Darwin Primary

Category:

Leadership

Start Date:

April 2026

Closing Date:

Fri, Jan 9, 2026

Job Weeks:

All Year Round

Hours:

32.5 hours per week

Type:

Permanent, Full Time

Job Reference:

DEC20259674

Salary: Leadership Pay Scale Points 3-5 (54,394 - 57,137 per annum)

Start Date: April 2026

We are seeking an exceptional leader to join our ambitious and highly collaborative Senior Leadership Team as Assistant Principal at Charles Darwin Primary.


This is a unique opportunity to contribute to an outstanding school that is committed to raising standards and delivering an excellent education for every child. We are looking for a leader who shares our passion and drive to make a lasting impact.


The successful candidate will be inspired by our vision: to nurture resilient, independent learners who are confident, creative, and valued. Our children benefit from a rich curriculum and a wide range of experiences beyond the classroom, helping them to thrive both academically and personally. The role will specialise in Inclusion and SEND.


You will be joining a supportive and forward-thinking environment where your professional growth is a priority. We offer:


A personalised CPD programme tailored to your development


A structured and well-regarded induction process


Opportunities to shape and influence whole-school improvement


A culture of collaboration, teamwork and shared ambition



If you are ready to take the next step in your leadership journey and help shape the future of our school, we would love to hear from you.

What You'll Be Doing

To work with the Senior Leadership Team to promote and maintain highly proficient safeguarding practices to ensure compliance with legislation and best practice.


To be the SENDCo for the school.


To lead on whole school behaviour, line manging the inclusion team.


To lead the strategic development of inclusive practices that will enable all pupils to play an active part in the academy community and allow them to develop as effective learners.


To support the strategic development, share good practice and plan and deliver collaborative activities beyond the school for the benefits of our pupils.


To present the school and its partners positively both within and beyond the school.

About You:

The successful candidate will be a visionary leader and an expert in inclusion and SEND, committed to driving excellence in classroom practice and pupil achievement. They demonstrate strategic leadership, ensuring that inclusion and SEND are at the heart of the school's improvement plan.


You will be a highly effective coach and mentor, inspiring teachers to refine their practice through constructive feedback, professional development, and collaborative learning.


Above all, you will be passionate about education, relentlessly focused on improving outcomes for every pupil and empowering teachers to deliver exceptional learning experiences.

Essential:

An appropriate degree and Qualified Teacher Status


A very strong track record of impact and high performance, ideally against whole school priorities


Evidence of designing and implementing effective initiatives for raising pupil attainment and improving the quality of teaching and learning strategies


Experience of effective middle leadership


Strong classroom teacher and primary experience


Good stakeholder engagement and management experience, including pupils, parents/carers and staff


Experience leading, motivating and supporting staff to achieve high standards


The statutory requirements concerning Equal Opportunities, Health & Safety, SEND and Child Protection

Desirable:

Postgraduate qualification or working towards


National SEND Qualification


Direct and successful experience of Ofsted inspection

Why Join Inspiration Trust

At Inspiration Trust, we believe in the power of education to transform lives. You'll be joining a supportive, forward-thinking organisation that values professional development, collaboration, and innovation. We provide opportunities for growth and empower you to make a real impact in schools across Norfolk and north Suffolk. As part of our thriving network of talented teachers, leaders, and support staff, you'll receive a varied professional development programme designed to help you be the best you can be.


We offer:


Generous annual leave, and access to the Teachers' Pension Schemes (TPS) with excellent employer contributions


Health Plan and Employee Assistance Programme, including 24/7 virtual GP access, mental health support and claim-back options for healthcare costs *


Cycle-to-work scheme, retail and theatre discounts (including discounted shopping vouchers, dentist and gym memberships), and salary sacrifice options (including home technology). *


Free parking at most sites


Personalised CPD and development programmes


A structured and specific induction programme.

Terms and conditions apply. Some benefits are only available following successfully passing probation.

About Us

Charles Darwin Primary School and Nursery

is a free school located in the heart of Norwich which opened in September 2016. The school was rated outstanding by Ofsted in June 2019 for overall effectiveness and has maintained success in their first ungraded inspection in April 2025. Children who graduate from Charles Darwin are resilient, independent, and confident individuals who express themselves creatively and value their place in the world. They benefit from a wealth of experiences beyond the classroom, helping them stay happy, engaged, and inspired to learn.


The school offers an innovative curriculum that encourages every child to thrive, combining a strong academic focus with a rich programme of cultural and sporting opportunities.


Charles Darwin Primary has close links with the highly successful Jane Austen College and Sir Isaac Newton Sixth Form College, ensuring a strong educational pathway from early years through to post-16 education.


Although there is no on-site parking, the school and nursery are just a short walk from Norwich Train Station, served by several bus routes, with a range of paid parking options nearby.


We are part of the

Inspiration Trust

; a thriving family of schools across Norfolk and North Suffolk, recognised nationally for pupil progress and excellence in teaching and leadership. We believe every young person deserves the best education, regardless of background. Inspiration Trust specialises in transforming schools in disadvantaged areas and taking academies from failing to outstanding.


The Trust offers extensive networks and opportunities to collaborate with a diverse range of schools and partners. We are committed to delivering outstanding professional and learning opportunities for all staff, supported by a rich programme of continuing professional development led by some of the country's leading educational thinkers and practitioners.


For information on what it is like to live and work in Norwich, click here.

Next Steps

Before applying, please read the attached Recruitment Pack and , for more details about the role. We ask that you read this pack carefully, especially the "Planning your application" section from page 11. This will support your application ensuring you have the opportunity to tell us about your relevant skills, experience and qualifications that relate to the job description and person specification in addition to details of your references covering the last 5 years.

If you would like to know more about this exciting opportunity, then please contact Claire Thacker, PA to Principal (ClaireThacker@inspirationtrust.org).


To apply for this role please click the Apply button to complete the online application form.


When you start your application, you will receive several emails from our application provider, Vacancy Filler. Please be aware that some email providers may mistakenly mark these messages as spam. To avoid missing important updates, we recommend checking your spam or junk folders regularly throughout the application process and marking these emails as safe.

Closing date for applications: 12pm on Friday 9th January 2026

Interview date: Wednesday 21st January 2026

Safeguarding and Equal Opportunities

Inspiration Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.


All staff appointments are subject to satisfactory references and enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service checks. We are an equal opportunities employer.