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Head of School (2 posts available)

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Your Role

The role in a nutshell

The Trust is seeking two highly skilled and experienced leaders to work in close partnership with the Willowfield Academy Principal and the Trust's Director of Education to provide strategic and operational leadership for one of the two Willowfield Academy sites.

Upon appointment, the Head of School will become a member of the Trust's Extended Leadership Team (ELT), joining the Chief Executive, Chief Operating Officer, Director of Education, Finance Director, Human Resources Director, and Academy Principals. As part of this collaborative team, the Head of School will play a key role in delivering the Board's vision and securing the best possible outcomes for all children.

The candidate

The successful candidate will be an influential and reflective leader who can demonstrate:
• Proven leadership experience within an educational or comparable setting, demonstrating strong professional credibility, sound judgement, and the ability to lead improvement.
• A deep and unwavering commitment to inclusive education, with the ability to lead provision for children with diverse and often complex needs.
• Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build positive relationships with pupils, staff, families, and external partners.
• A collaborative leadership style, demonstrating a strong commitment to teamwork, collective problem-solving, and working effectively within a wider Trust leadership structure.

We welcome applications from everyone who believes they meet the expectations of the role regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, faith, or disability. To ensure that our staff composition is representative of the communities we serve, applications from groups who are currently under-represented in education including people with disabilities and people from minority ethnic backgrounds are particularly encouraged.

Benefits

Cycle to Work Scheme

Local Government Pension Scheme

Employee Assistance Programme - Health Assured

Annual Eye Care Voucher

Qualifications

Graduate with Qualified Teacher Status
essential

Has undertaken sustained professional development, especially in leadership and management
desirable

Skills

Experience

Experience of middle or senior management
essential

Ability to devise and implement high quality improvement plans/frameworks.
essential

Personal skills to establish excellent working relationships with all members of the trust and wider community.
essential

Excellent management, motivational and communication skills that inspire high ambition throughout the trust.
essential

Knowledge of Fundamental British Values and Prevent Training.
essential

Has experience of working effectively with pupils with special educational needs and vulnerabilities.
essential

Has experience of OFSTED
essential

Has worked successfully with governors and parents to raise achievement
essential

Experience of contributing to school improvement.
essential

A proven track record of raising achievement
essential

A proven track record of securing improvement in the quality of teaching and learning
essential

An excellent teacher in at least one of the key stages
essential

Has up to date knowledge of what research and inspection findings tell us about effective leadership, teaching and learning in special school education.
essential

Has knowledge and understanding of the principles and implications of current education practice, legislation and initiatives related to special and alternative school settings.
essential

Leadership

A highly effective teacher whose practice inspires and develops others.
essential

Confidence and skills to lead a successful team.
essential

Personal Attributes

Be personally committed to the development and welfare of all.
essential

Be flexible and approachable, remain resilient under pressure and show a positive and energetic attitude to work.
essential

The personality to engage and enthuse staff, pupils and parents.
essential

Conviction that all pupils can succeed and a commitment to securing the highest achievement for all.
essential

A commitment to the safety and safeguarding of all children.
essential

Show total commitment to the trust's wider community.
essential

Safeguarding Information

The Raleigh Education Trust (the "Trust") is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and we expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Creating a culture of safety and vigilance for our pupils is of paramount importance, we aim to:

(a) create and maintain a safe environment

(b) manage situations should child welfare concerns arise

(c) create an atmosphere of trust in which pupils feel confident to confide any concern

(d) help young people to understand the difference between acceptable and non - acceptable behaviour

(e) teach pupils to stay safe from harm

Pupils are taught about safeguarding, including E-safety as part of a broad and balanced curriculum. All staff within the Trust take welfare concerns seriously and encourage children and young people to talk about anything that worries them.

Head of School (2 posts available)

Willowfield Academy
Nottingham, UK
Full-Time

Published on 07/05/2026

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