We have exciting new roles for leaders who want to make a difference.
Heartwood Learning Trust has fourteen academies located within York, Hull and North Yorkshire. Our Trust comprises six secondary, six primary and two alternative provision academies.
We are seeking to appoint three Trust Vice Principals who are aligned with our mission to provide environments where children and young people can thrive and our values Respect, Teamwork and Kindness. We are very excited to offer the opportunity to play a key role in ensuring that we support our pupils, colleagues and school communities to be given opportunities so that they can live life in all its fullness, now and in the future. We particularly welcome applications from colleagues with a successful track record in pastoral leadership and/or improving outcomes; a mathematics specialism or SEND leadership experience.
The job holder will be appointed to one of our schools/academies to enhance the existing senior leadership team.
Placements currently exist at:
Manor CE Academy, York (pastoral focus)
Liberty Academy, Hull (pastoral focus)
Central - to be allocated to one or more of our other secondary schools (focus dependent on candidate)
The duration of placements will be based on the school/academy needs and will play a key role in its development. Job holders will work in accordance with the requirements of the placement assigned by the Executive Director of Education and will provide strategic and operational support to the Principal of the assigned school by providing strong leadership and management, promoting the vision for the Trust and helping to develop and communicate a clear strategic vision.
You will be given the opportunity to develop your leadership experience over a variety of schools and within the central school improvement team to prepare you for future headship opportunities.
We would strongly recommend, prior to application, an informal chat about this role with our Chief Executive Officer, Helen Winn. Visits to the schools can be arranged. To schedule a call and/or a visit, please email your request to recruitment@hlt.academy to arrange this.
What we are looking for:
An experienced senior leader with:
A proven track record of securing school improvement
A proven track record of positively impacting disadvantaged pupils
Experience of using relevant data to drive school improvement and leading school initiatives or staff teams
Experience of working and bringing about positive change in a challenging context
High expectations when managing, developing, inspiring, challenging and motivating staff
Exceptional people skills with a positive "can do" attitude
Evidence of applying safe recruitment practices and developing a safe culture in school
An understanding, awareness and empathy for the needs of the pupils
Evidence of continuing professional development and/or personal development
Ability to travel freely across all schools within the Trust
As a Trust Vice Principal, the successful candidate, when not assigned to one school/academy will be required to travel across all schools working with key areas and people. This agility of this role enables us to place the successful candidate into a school/academy based on emerging needs. Part time working maybe considered.
What we can offer:
Experienced and supportive leadership with a collaborative approach and an appreciative culture
An established, experienced and strong central team that works closely with stakeholders across our schools/academies
A commitment to continuing professional development
Structured support to unlock talent
Teachers Pension Scheme
Employee Assistance Programme
Cycle to Work scheme
Job Details
Hours of Work: 1.0 FTE
Position Type: Permanent Post
Line Manager: Executive Director of Education or Designated Principal
Travel Required: Yes
The salary is dependent on current qualifications and experience, please see the attached for more information.
Application Process
Please complete the online application form to apply for this role. All candidates are advised to refer to the and person specification before making an application. You should use the information supplied with in the & Person Specification to make the best of your application by identifying some specific pieces of work you may have undertaken in any of these areas. Your application may be viewed in regard to some or all of the skill specific areas over the course of the selection process. Applications via agencies will not be considered.
Interviews will take place on 25th & 26th September 2025
We are committed to safeguarding and protecting our children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All posts are subject to a safer recruitment process which includes enhanced criminal records and barring checks, scrutiny of employment history, robust referencing and other vetting checks.
Our safeguarding system is underpinned by a range of policies and procedures which encourage and promote safe working practice across the Trust. On joining you will be required to undergo continuous professional development to maintain safe working practice and to safeguard our children and young people.