Head of School

Ruskin Academy; Wellingborough; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Executive coaching

Professional development

Lively students

Collaborative teams

Employee assistance programme

Trust-wide collaboration

Consistent across trust

Shared belief in best education

Job summary

Ruskin Academy in Wellingborough is seeking an exceptional Head of School to guide the next steps of its rapid improvement journey. You will work closely with the Executive Trust leaders to shape strategy, school culture and educational outcomes for the three-form-entry junior school.

Since joining the Lion Academy Trust in 2018, the school has transformed its teaching offer and enjoyed Ofsted Good with outstanding in Behaviour and Personal Development; we are looking for someone who can build

Job description

We are looking for an exceptional candidate to become our Head of school at Ruskin Academy. . The successful candidate will work closely with the Executive Trust leaders, to lead this wonderful school community on the next steps of its rapid improvement journey.

Ruskin Academy is a three form entry junior school within a diverse and exciting area of Wellingborough. Since joining Lion Academy Trust, a high performing MAT, in September 2018 the school’s educational offer has been revolutionised. With a clear vision to get the simple, basic elements of education right for all children, all of the time we have developed a learning environment in which our children thrive.

Following successful Ofsted inspections in 2023, the schools both received a very well deserved overall rating of Good with areas of outstanding in both Behaviour & Personal Development. Ofsted Inspectors noted that pupils are enthusiastic and their positive attitudes are infectious and that Ruskin Academy is an educational environment where pupils flourish. We are looking for someone to build on this and to successfully lead the school's next steps.

We have unapologetically high standards of all staff, parents and children - after all our children only get one shot at their education and we have the responsibility to make sure it is excellent!

The Lion Academy Trust is a non-profit educational charity, with over twenty years of experience in running schools in London, Essex and more recently in Northants. The Trust is made up of ten primary schools.

The Trusts exist to support and assist schools to build upon their present strengths and to achieve rapid educational transformation. Our membership comprises both traditionally sponsored academies and schools that have chosen to convert to academy status.

Through a range of low cost central services to our academies we achieve significant savings, which are invested back into teaching and learning. The Executives Forum, which is made up of Executive Heads, Heads of Schools and works alongside the CEO and Director of Schools as the key decision making group for the Trusts. We have secured a number of high profile senior executive advisors who support schools with specific development projects and monitor impact outcomes.

LAT has high expectations and engages ambitious and hardworking staff and above all, happy and enthusiastic children with a thirst for learning which is ‘good or better, everyday’.

For more information on our school please visit our school website where you will find a wealth of information about our school and trust.

For more information on how we prioritise reducing staff workload, enable our staff to develop and feel successful and ensure our children receive a fantastic curriculum offer please visit our two websites:

https://www.lionacademytrust.net/

https://lionpathways.net/

We can offer you:

• A supportive and forward thinking Executive Body who can support and coach your career
• Truly excellent opportunities for further professional development, through the Lion Academy Trust on your leadership journey with many rewards and opportunities
• Lively, friendly and aspirational children who are determined to make the most of their educational experience
• Dynamic and dedicated teams of teachers and support staff who want the best for the children
• Employee assistance programme to offer confidential and free support to employees and their families
• A working environment that focuses on consistency allowing school to school support within our trust to be powerful, straightforward and timesaving for our leaders
• Colleagues who share the same belief in all children deserving the best education possible - we remove barriers that get in the way of our head teachers focusing on the delivery of this!

We are incredibly proud of the school Ruskin Academy has become and we are looking forward to hearing from candidates who are as passionate as we are about providing every child with the best educational offer possible.

Deadline for applications: 12th October 2026

Interviews to be held: Week of 15th October 2026

The Lion Academy Trust is an equal opportunities employer and is committed to the safeguarding and protecting the welfare of children.

The successful candidate will require two positive references from current and previous employers. The position is subject to an enhanced DBS and medical checks.