Head of School

Job Title: Head of School

Pay range: Leadership: L13 - L16 - £66,919.00 - £72,162.00

Are you ready to lead, inspire, and make a lasting impact in a school that is about to begin an exciting journey of transformation? 

We are seeking a determined and passionate Head of School to lead Ilminster Academy. This is an opportunity to work with the school's new Education Director to make a real difference to a school and community that serves one of the most deprived areas in Bristol. Our academy is a place of possibility, committed to ensuring every child receives the education and opportunities they deserve to thrive.

Under the guidance of the new Education Director, who has a highly successful track record of working in similar contexts, this is a unique opportunity to drive improvement, shape the future, and create a school culture where pupils and staff flourish.

Our core values—Ready, Respectful, Safe—are at the heart of everything we do, guiding our pupils toward lifelong success beyond the classroom. It is our aim that all our children should become confident and resilient young people, assured in their strengths, and prepared to meet the challenges of a rapidly changing future.

To achieve this, we are deeply committed to supporting not just academic achievement, but the holistic development of every child, ensuring they leave our academy equipped with the confidence and skills to succeed

The successful candidate will be an experienced teacher and leader with a proven track record of working in similar context schools and is looking for a unique but rewarding challenge. This role requires an individual who is passionate about building a positive school culture where students and staff thrive.

We encourage colleagues to visit or contact us in advance of an application to discuss the school, community and the role.

Please contact Sian John on sian.john@e-act.org.uk or on 07748 615902 to arrange this.

Key responsibilities:

The Head of School will be expected to lead in the following four areas:

• To work under the direction of the new Education Director, responsible for providing the leadership and management of the academy in line with the vision of the trust and manage the day-to-day running of the school.
• Manage senior and middle leaders, developing a professional culture amongst all staff at the school
• Have overall responsibility for the provision including: teaching and learning, curriculum development, student outcomes and Ofsted inspections, while also cultivating a culture that emphasises safety, well-being and personal growth.
•  To work with other E-ACT academies within the region and Trust, to enable and support the sharing of good practice within the Trust, with a strong focus on the quality of teaching and learning.
• To implement the People Strategy, encouraging a people-first culture that priorities engagement, impact and learning and development.

Join us in Opening Minds, Opening Doors! 

Are you ready to be part of an educational community that creates an environment where children can flourish? You could join an academy that focusses on developing the whole child and has a people-first culture. We know the importance of developing our colleagues to be the best they can be to ensure our children achieve the best outcomes.  

Recognising the significance of empowering our colleagues to excel, we are actively seeking an enthusiastic and committed deputy headteacher. Join us as we strive for excellence, ensuring our children attain the finest outcomes.  

Experience, Skills and Qualifications:

• Ability to lead n developing and implementing a vision and strategic direction
• Have a strong commitment to pastoral care and managing behaviour and attitudes.
• Have an understanding of high-quality teaching based on evidence and the ability to model this for others and support others to improve
• Qualified Teacher Status (QTS)
• Proven senior leadership and management experience in schools.
• Evidence of continuous professional development

What are we about? 

Outstanding Teaching and Learning: We strongly believe that outstanding teaching and learning are the keys to unlocking exceptional outcomes for our children. You will play a pivotal role in delivering high-quality education that nurtures the minds of our students. 

Advocacy and Inclusion: At our academy, every child matters, regardless of their background. Your role will involve providing each child with a fantastic, inspiring, and inclusive education that recognises and celebrates their individuality. 

People-First Culture: We proudly celebrate the diversity of our academy and our community. Join us in co-constructing the essence of an extraordinary workplace and learning environment where both staff and students feel valued and included. 

Collaborative Excellence: Our exceptional staff collaborate across our 38 academies to share ideas and problem solve. You will have the opportunity to share your skills, hear from experts and work with staff across the country to develop your practice.  

About E-ACT: 

Join a trust that is going places! 

Having recently won TES Team of the Year 2024, MAT of the Year 2023 at both the MAT Excellence Awards and National School Awards, this is a very exciting time to join us! Why do we feel we have been recognised as a strong MAT? It is down to our dedicated, talented staff that are committed in delivering nothing but excellence for all of our children and young people. 

We all pride ourselves in fostering a people-first culture, which extends to all our pupils, staff, and stakeholders. We are proud to lead a community of 38 academies, educating of over 25,000 pupils across our five core hubs. Our staff satisfaction is above national benchmarks and we run a range of projects and programmes to address key topics such as workload and wellbeing. 

Our Opening Minds, Opening Doors strategy is at the forefront of everything we do, we don’t just prepare our pupils for the world; we equip them to thrive and succeed within it. Through our collaborative approach to education, we aim to open doors to a world of opportunities, where every child can pursue their dreams. 

Want to be a part of something extraordinary? Find out more at www.e-act.org.uk 

Benefits: 

Collaborative Working: Thrive in an environment that values teamwork and collaboration, fostering a culture of shared knowledge and collective success. 

Support System of 38 Academies: Be part of a network of 38 academies, providing a dedicated support system and opportunities for professional growth and collaboration. 

Employee Assistance Program (EAP): Access to confidential counselling services, providing emotional support and guidance when needed. 

Cycle to Work: Enjoy a healthy commute with our cycle-to-work programme, making bicycles more affordable. 

Generous Pension: Secure your future with a robust pension plan, ensuring financial well-being during retirement. 

How to apply: 

Simply follow click on apply to submit your application.

Please read the supporting documentation carefully before completing and returning our application and equal opportunities form. 

We encourage prospective candidates to visit or contact us in advance of an application to discuss the school, community and the role.

Please contact Sian John on sian.john@e-act.org.uk or on 07748 615902.

Please note if we receive an unprecedented amount of applications the advert will be closed early.