Principal - Dixons Pennine Academy; currently Copley Academy

Job reference REQ
003191 | Date posted 19/12/2025 | Final date to receive applications 20/01/2026 | Location Dixons Academies Trust (Group) | Salary L26-30 | Package Permanent | Contractual hours 37.5 | Basis Full time | Job category/type Leadership

We are looking for an exceptional principal to lead Dixons Pennine Academy (currently Copley Academy) as it joins Dixons Academies Trust in early 2026. The school has a proud history of serving its students, staff, and local community and we are seeking a leader to guide the next phase of its journey. This is an opportunity to build on strong foundations, shape the school's future and make a lasting impact on the lives of young people.

• ‘9 in 10’ for teachers: our innovative strategy providing one flexi day per fortnight
• Exceptionally visible senior and pastoral leaders to support with behaviour and culture
• Private healthcare provision via Simplyhealth
• Wider benefits such as cycle to work and technology scheme
• Wider support and opportunities provided by our exceptional school trust
• The opportunity to lead a school on an exciting journey

Our mission is to challenge educational and social disadvantage in the North. As a school trust, we are committed to making a difference where it matters most through delivering exceptional education in our schools in Bradford, Leeds, Liverpool and Manchester, which include primaries, secondaries, all-throughs and a standalone sixth form.

• We are values driven: we work hard on the things that matter, with humility; we are good and kind; we are motivated by mastery, autonomy and purpose.
• We have been challenging educational and social disadvantage for over 30 years.
• We have launched a bold flexible working policy to give our teachers more time back.
• We are ambitious for every child and highly inclusive.
• We have an innovative approach to central operations which allows educators to focus on teaching and learning.
• We prioritise the professional development and growth of all our staff; every member of Team Dixons receives regular coaching.
• We are committed to recruiting a diverse workforce and our staff work collaboratively to share resources and reduce workload.
• We offer hybrid working arrangements and free on-site parking.
• We have a wealth of benefits and salary sacrifice schemes (private health, lifestyle benefits and discounts).

Within our communities, we work together to establish joyful, rigorous, high performing schools which maximise attainment, value diversity, develop character and build cultural capital. By the age of 18, we want every student to have the choice of university or a high-quality apprenticeship.

Visit our Open Source Youtube channel to learn more about our approaches and culture.

Full details of this role can be found in the job description and person specification.

Interviews will take place on 29 and 30 January 2026.

Please visit our careers site at  for more information about our trust, our roles and our benefits or call us on and speak to Jason Patterson, School and College Trust Leader to discuss the role further.

We are committed to equality of opportunity, recruiting a diverse workforce, and creating an inclusive environment for everyone refore, we encourage applications from underrepresented communities and irrespective of age, disability, neurodivergent status, marriage or civil partnership status, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion and belief, gender reassignment, sex, or sexual orientation. We are happy to make reasonable adjustments wherever possible through the recruitment process should this be required.

We are focussed on delivering an ambitious equality, diversity and inclusion strategy. You can read more about this here.

Our trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Successful applicants will be required to undertake an enhanced DBS check.