Head of School

Teaching Vacancies; Bishop's Stortford; On-site; GBP 150,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading primary educational institution in Bishop's Stortford is seeking a Head of School to oversee daily operations and strategic development. The role involves upholding high standards and promoting a positive learning environment for students. Candidates should hold Qualified Teacher Status and have significant experience in leadership, particularly in the EYFS phase. The school offers a supportive atmosphere with professional development opportunities and is committed to safeguarding children.

Benefits

Great opportunities for professional development

Teacher pension scheme

O2 discounts

Well-being programs

Cycle-to-work Scheme

Qualifications

• Experience in leading EYFS Phase and developing staff programs.
• Proven ability to manage change effectively.
• Strong communication and leadership skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead daily operations and strategic development of the school.
• Drive improvement and maintain high standards for pupil achievement.
• Build effective relationships and prepare reports for stakeholders.

Skills

Qualified teacher status

Leadership experience in EYFS Phase

Ability to work under pressure

Commitment to safeguarding

Education

Qualified Teacher Status

Job description

What skills and experience we're looking for

About Us and The Role

We are seeking an exceptional Head of School to lead the daily operation and strategic development of Avanti Brook, based in Bishop’s Stortford.

In this pivotal role, you will work closely with the Executive Principal and senior leaders to drive sustained improvement, maintain high aspirations and outcomes, and ensure that every young person benefits from a rich, engaging and well-structured curriculum.

The Head of School will confidently uphold and promote our Trust’s defining ethos, ensuring that its virtues positively shape the life and culture of our schools.

The Head of School will inspire colleagues through clarity of vision, professional integrity and an unwavering commitment to the very highest standards.

You will shape whole-school practice, contribute meaningfully to long-term strategic development and cultivate a truly inclusive learning community where staff feel supported to excel and pupils are empowered to thrive.

Join us and help shape a school where every learner is valued, every colleague is supported, and excellence is pursued with purpose and heart.

School visits are welcomed and encouraged. Please contact the talent team to arrange a suitable time to visit the school and meet with Executive Principal Rhys Jones.

Avanti Brook is a brand-new, state-of-the-art primary school in Bishop’s Stortford. Surrounded by fields and new housing estates, the school is a centre for the new community developing in the north of Bishop’s Stortford. It’s the first carbon neutral school in Hertfordshire.

Our staff are inspired and passionate about their roles, the vision of the school, and providing the most fulfilling learning experience for pupils. Learning is a quest to discover each student's unique gifts and potential, and to lay the foundation for their lifelong journey of learning.

What will you do?

• To work with the Executive Principal in shaping the vision and direction for the school, setting out very high expectations and with a clear focus on pupil achievement.
• Develop effective professional relationships and good communication, which enable everyone in the school to achieve.
• Maintain a consistent and continuous focus on pupils’ achievement using data, benchmarks and feedback to monitor progress in every child’s learning.
• To prepare and present reports, as required to the Executive Principal, SSC, the Trust, LA officers, parents or outside agencies.

What are we looking for?

• Qualified teacher status, relevant recent professional development, experience of leading the EYFS Phase
• Successful experience of developing and implementing effective programmes for the professional development of staff
• The ability to work under pressure to tight deadlines by prioritising and using time effectively
• The ability to lead and motivate staff and to successfully bring about and manage change
• A strong commitment to the safeguarding and welfare of all students, supported by an excellent understanding of safeguarding procedures
• Commitment to the safeguarding and welfare of all students

Please view the full Job Description for more information on the responsibilities and essential criteria required for this role.

What the school offers its staff

Why should you apply

Avanti exists to help each person become a well-rounded human being through intellectual, moral and spiritual growth, and so make the world a better place.

You will be working in a fantastic environment, with:

• Great opportunities for professional development
• Teacher pension scheme (subject to eligibility)
• O2 discounts, Specsavers corporate eye test vouchers
• Eligible for NUS Card and CSSC membership
• Well-being programs (retreats, yoga, wellness apps)
• Cycle-to-work Scheme

Further details about the role

Further information

Pre-employment checks

Avanti Schools Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and requires all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All successful candidates are required to have an Enhanced DBS check unless internally appointed and still within the cycle of DBS re-checks.

Any appointment subsequently made will be subject to the receipt of satisfactory references and other pre-employment checks.

Diversity and Inclusion

We want to make sure we are attracting the widest possible range of people and ensure that they are accepted, understood and treated equally when they work here. This means we will work hard to understand that each employee is unique and ensuring that individuals or groups are not treated differently or less favourably on the basis of specific characteristics.

Such characteristics include (but are not limited to) age, disability, gender including transgender, race, religion, sexual orientation, marital status, and how the school supports pregnant women and new parents.

Safeguarding Statement

Avanti Brook Primary School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and requires all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All successful candidates are required to have an Enhanced DBS check unless internally appointed and still within the cycle of DBS re-checks. We welcome applications from both men and women of all ages from any background and from candidates with disabilities.

Commitment to safeguarding

Our organisation is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. We expect all staff, volunteers and trustees to share this commitment. Our recruitment process follows the keeping children safe in education guidance. Offers of employment may be subject to the following checks (where relevant): childcare disqualification Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) medical online and social media prohibition from teaching right to work satisfactory references suitability to work with children You must tell us about any unspent conviction, cautions, reprimands or warnings under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975.