Our School Summary
“If you want your child to become such an amazing person and to grow then Thomas Bennett is the school for you!” - Year 9 student
It is with huge pride that I welcome you as Head Teacher to Thomas Bennett Community College. My key philosophy has always been to do the best for the students, raising aspirations and giving them the tools to be successful. We are an innovative school with dedicated and determined staff who work together and who are all firmly committed to improving the life chances of our young people. We have approximately 1000 students and we have the highest expectations that each and every child will achieve personal and academic success. We also support every student to contribute actively and positively to the college and the community which we serve.
We have a thriving and growing Sixth Form which has recently been judged as ‘Good’ by Ofsted (May 2019) and gives excellent opportunities for all our students to prepare for their lives after Thomas Bennett.
Our recent Ofsted inspection in May 2019 highlighted: ‘The recently appointed headteacher has gained the confidence of staff, pupils, parents and carers. The school is now making rapid improvements under new leadership arrangements. Staff are united in working together to improve the school.’
‘Pupils and staff say that behaviour has improved greatly this year’
‘There is a clear vision and staff are focused on improving the quality of education provided for pupils. Staffing has been strengthened. The headteacher has improved the school’s culture so that is more aspirational for staff and pupils. Staff agree that the current headteacher has transformed the school. As one member of staff said, ‘the headteacher is relentlessly positive.’’
‘The learning environment has been greatly enhanced by the effective and consistent implementation of behaviour strategies.’
‘The sixth-form provision has improved since the last inspection. Leaders have developed a small, effective sixth form where students thrive in a close-knit community. Students say, ‘It feels like a family.’ The head of sixth form knows students extremely well and provides strong and principled leadership.’
Quotes from students – 2020: “The teaching's great.”
“You get so many opportunities.”
“The teaching's really good, you can make really good friends here even if they are in an older year. You never feel pressured into anything. We have gone through all the negative things and it’s all turning into positive.” “You can get your voices heard.“
“It’s welcoming, everyones kind and nice.”
“If you have any worries big or small you can always go to a member of staff and they really help you.“
“The school really helps people with all different kinds of issues whether they are mental health or even something like autism.“ I hope you find all the information you require on this website but please do contact us if you would like to know more or to arrange to visit us. You can all so follow us on Facebook and Twitter .
Kind regards,
Daniel Hatley - Headteacher
(Y)Our Opportunity
We are looking for a dedicated and inspiring Assistant Academy Director to operationalise and drive the daily delivery of our world-class football development programme at Thomas Bennett Community College.
In our Trust, this role acts as the essential bridge between high-performance athletic strategy and real-world execution. You will ensure that elite football coaching seamlessly integrates with academic commitments, helping student-athletes excel on the pitch without compromising their progress in the classroom. From coordinating coaching rotas and player scouting to tracking academic attainment and exit pathways, you will be instrumental in nurturing both the player and the person.
Whether leading squad coaching sessions, collaborating with professional club scouts and governing bodies, or offering critical pastoral support to young athletes managing high expectations, you will foster an environment where discipline, high standards, and wellbeing go hand in hand.
Together, let’s unlock potential and ensure our student-athletes achieve excellence in sport, education, and life.
The Ideal Assistant Academy Director
We are looking for an energetic, organised, and player-focused professional who brings:
- Coaching & Operational Leadership: Holds a UEFA Coaching Licence (or equivalent national federation certification) with 3–5 years of experience in a professional football academy or high-performance school sports setup.
- Curriculum & Pathway Integration: Proven ability to deliver technical, tactical, and physical curricula while proactively managing academic balance, coursework tracking, and exam schedules (GCSEs, A-Levels, BTECs).
- Network & Logistics Management: Confidence in managing trial days, scouting events, league/tournament compliance (e.g., FA regulations), and exit pathways into professional clubs or higher education.
- Pastoral & Holistic Care: A genuine commitment to student-athlete wellbeing, acting as a first point of contact for issues like burnout, stress, and workload balance, working in close liaison with the school's Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL).
- Communication & Standards: Exceptional interpersonal skills to engage credibly across a broad community, including elite scouts, school leaders, parents, and teenage athletes.
- Foundational Qualifications: GCSE Grade 4/C or above in English and Maths (a relevant sports degree, PGCE/QTS, First Aid in Football, and Safeguarding certifications are advantageous).
Great Support Starts with a Great Community: Your Benefits
We believe that in education, people matter most. Investing in your wellbeing and professional growth isn't just a perk, it’s our priority. As part of Kemnal Academies Trust (TKAT), you will receive a comprehensive benefits package designed to support both your career and your lifestyle:
- Exceptional Professional Development: Access high-quality CPD, sport-specific qualification pathways, and training opportunities tailored to your role.
- Career Pathways: Receive proactive encouragement and mentoring to advance your coaching, management, and leadership career within our extensive family of schools.
- 24/7 Confidential Counselling: Free, round-the-clock Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) support for you and eligible immediate family members.
- Family-Friendly Policies: Dedicated leave policies and flexible working arrangements to support you through every stage of life.
- Supportive Environment: Work within a forward-thinking culture that actively champions your work-life balance and psychological safety.
- Blue Light Card Access: Eligibility to apply for the UK’s premier discount scheme, unlocking savings across shopping, dining, travel, and entertainment.
- Cycle to Work Scheme: Spread the cost of a new bike and equipment for a healthier, more affordable commute.
- Generous Pension Scheme: Secure your long-term future with substantial employer pension contributions.
About Thomas Bennett Community College
Thomas Bennett Community College is a vibrant, inclusive secondary school and sixth form located in Crawley, West Sussex. Dedicated to building strong academic foundations alongside exceptional extracurricular opportunities, the school takes pride in fostering resilience, ambition, and community pride across its diverse student body.
To discover what makes Thomas Bennett Community College special, visit our website or arrange a visit to tour our academy facilities.
About Kemnal Academies Trust
Kemnal Academies Trust (TKAT) is a group of schools with ambition for every child and pride in the communities we serve. We provide a broad and rich education that opens doors. Working together, we give every pupil the support and the skills they need to build a life of purpose, agency, and contribution.
Our ultimate aim is to ensure we drive educational standards through the provision of outstanding teaching, leadership, and learning for all. Our leaders focus on pupil progress and attainment, regularly sharing knowledge, insight, and experience across our family of schools. We believe passionately in the power of collaborative working and actively promote school-to-school support because when we work together, every child benefits.
A Culture of Belonging: Equity, Inclusion & Diversity
Belonging is of utmost importance to us. We strive to create an atmosphere where everyone feels welcomed and respected, where expectations are high, and genuine support is provided. Here, colleagues are trusted to lead, contribute, and grow in alignment with our mission.
At Kemnal Academies Trust, we are committed to Equity, Inclusion, Diversity, and Belonging. We embrace and celebrate differences, value individual experiences, aspirations, and achievements, and continuously learn how to grow better together. We actively encourage applications from candidates of all backgrounds, as we know diversity strengthens our community and drives us forward.
Flexible Working
Kemnal Academies Trust recognises the value of enabling our employees to develop their career while balancing their commitments and interests outside of work. We actively promote flexible working practices and opportunities to support a positive work-life balance.
Application Details & Next Steps
Interview dates for this role are listed in the key vacancy details above; please ensure you hold this date in your diary when applying. We reserve the right to close the vacancy early should we receive a high volume of applications, so early submission is encouraged.
Be Who You Are: Interview & Workplace Adjustments: Should you be selected and invited to interview, please let us know if you require us to adapt the recruitment process to enable you to participate fully. We are committed to making reasonable adjustments within both the recruitment process and the workplace to support every candidate.
Safeguarding & Safer Recruitment
Kemnal Academies Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all colleagues to share this commitment. All successful candidates will be subject to statutory safer recruitment checks prior to appointment. These include, but are not limited to, an Enhanced DBS check with Children's Barred List check, online searches (in line with KCSIE guidelines), identity and right-to-work verification, reference checks, relevant qualification/prohibition checks, and overseas checks where applicable.
This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. Under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (as amended), certain spent convictions and cautions are 'protected' and do not need to be disclosed.
