Senior Leadership Talent Pool

Overview

Want to join the Arknetwork and make a real impact in education? We are building a talent pool of existing and aspiring Assistant & Vice Principals who might be looking for career advice, want to learn more about Ark, or are open to joining Ark in the future. We are committed to developing and growing our leaders, and our schools are only as good as our teachers and leaders.

Our Assistant and Vice Principals work with some of the best Principals and leaders nationally and have access to training, including nationally recognised qualifications such as NPQSL and NPQH. We are dedicated to building a diverse and inclusive workforce where everyone, staff and students, can deliver their best work and achieve their full potential. Our senior leadership teams should reflect and represent the diverse perspectives of our student body.

Interested in a career with Ark? To learn more about Ark, the benefits of being a senior leader within our network and to hear about upcoming and relevant opportunities, join our talent pool by uploading an up-to-date CV, career summary or personal statement. Suitable candidates will be contacted to schedule an initial call to discuss their experience further.

• Salary: Our salaries for teaching and leadership staff are 2.5% higher than the main pay scale.
• Pension: Our scheme is generous: a salary average defined benefit pension scheme, payable for every year of retirement.
• Training: We offer double the amount of training time within working hours and have additional INSET days to allow time for bespoke training to suit you and your school’s needs. You will also have access to nationally recognised qualifications such as NPQSL, a dedicated online learning platform, and leadership training of Ark’s Great Teacher Rubric (GTR).
• Wellbeing: You will have full access to an Employee Assistance Programme which provides free, confidential counselling, financial and legal advice and a range of support for you and your family.
• Health: Gym discounts up to 40% off your local gym.
• Other benefits: Access to Ark Rewards – savings from over 3,000 retailers. Interest-free loans to staff of up to £5,000 for season tickets or to buy a bicycle.

Ark is a network of 39 schools, reaching 30,000 students in our primary, secondary and all-through schools in Birmingham, Hastings, London and Portsmouth. Our schools are fully comprehensive and we are proud of our diversity, with over 45% of our students eligible for free school meals. Our 2025 results showed continued improvement, with 69 percent of our year 11 pupils achieving grades 9-4 in English and maths and 78 percent of our Year 6 children achieving the expected standard in reading, writing and mathematics combined – 16 percentage points higher than the national average of 62 percent.

Our leaders are a team of experts working together to overcome challenges in education. We continue to strengthen the Ark network and are always on the lookout for great leaders to join us and build on our success.

Ark is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people in its academies. We 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 on the nature of the offence(s) and when they occurred. To read more about Ark’s safer recruitment process, please read the linked information.