Head of School (Ark Little Ridge Primary)

East Sussex County Council; Hastings; On-site; GBP 80,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Network-wide influence

Executive Principal guidance

Dedicated network support teams

Great Teacher Rubric development

Job summary

Ark Little Ridge Primary Academy in Hastings seeks a Head of School to lead a two-form entry primary, building on a strong foundation in partnership with the Executive Principal.

The incoming leader will join a high-achieving school within the Ark network, benefiting from collaborative leadership and robust coaching. Start date negotiable; confidential conversations with Senior Recruitment Advisor welcome.

Qualifications

• Experience in senior school leadership.
• Ability to lead a high-performing primary school within a multi-academy trust.
• Strong collaborative leadership under a regional Executive Principal.

Responsibilities

• Lead Ark Little Ridge Primary Academy as Head of School, building on strong outcomes and driving the next phase of development.
• Work in partnership with the Executive Principal to sustain excellence across the school and its network.
• Support and develop staff through Ark’s governance and coaching provisions.

Job description

Hours of work: 32.5 Hours
Working pattern: Full-time

Closing date: Wednesday 7 October 2026

For more information and to apply for the above post, please contact:

Ark Little Ridge Primary Academy
Little Ridge Avenue
Hastings
East Sussex
TN37 7LR

Phone: [phone]
Email: [e-mail]
Website: www.arklittleridgeprimary.org

Please note, we do not accept CVs.

Ark Little Ridge Primary Academy: Head of School

About The Role

Ark Little Ridge Primary Academy is a popular and oversubscribed two-form entry primary school securing excellent outcomes for the local children in St Leonards-on-Sea. Ahead of the upcoming retirement of our current Principal, we are looking for an ambitious Head of School to build on the school’s strong foundation, in partnership with the Executive Principal, Natalie Rankin.

The incoming Head of School will join a high-achieving primary school praised in its most recent Ofsted (October 2023); but with more work still to do. We welcome applications from skilled and ambitious school leaders with a clear understanding of what it takes to sustain excellence and the determination to drive the school’s next phase of development. The successful candidate will benefit from a collaborative leadership structure and the support of a highly experienced Executive Principal with a strong track record of developing exceptional leaders. The Executive Principal's level of involvement will be tailored to the experience and development needs of the appointed candidate. We are seeking a leader with ambition, humility and a commitment to continual improvement.

This is an exciting opportunity for a talented school leader to lead a successful school with strong outcomes. Whether you are an experienced Headteacher looking for a collaborative leadership environment and the opportunity to influence outcomes across a network, or a school leader seeking your first headship, you will benefit from the support of the wider Ark network and the strong community of fellow Ark Heads. The new Head of School will ideally join Ark Little Ridge in January, although start dates can be negotiated for the right candidate.

We warmly welcome and encourage confidential conversations about the role and visits to our school for interested candidates. If you would like to find out more about this opportunity, please contact our Senior Recruitment Advisor, Shevonnae Sokoya, on [e-mail] .

If you have any questions,concernsor time constraints with applying please contact us directly.

For more information about the role, the school and Ark,pleaseview the full job pack.

Benefits

• Influence across network-wide issues through our principal meetings and regional collaboration
• Guidance from a supportive Executive Principal
• On-hand expertise from our dedicated network education and operations teams who are ready to support you and your school
• Bespoke teacher development programmes supported by the Great Teacher Rubric
• Excellent career development opportunities across both the region and wider Ark network
• Access to excellent senior leadership training
• Highly competitive remuneration.

About Us

We are a two-form entry school, with 60 pupils in each year group, ranging from reception through to year 6.Our staff make a tremendous effort to get to know each pupil and provide them with the very best care. We are dedicated to providing children with the best possible education and we strive to be the best that we can be at all times.

The vision for our pupils is clear: Our children will be secure in the knowledge of who they are and where they come from, and confident in looking to where they will go next.To achieve their ambitious goals, our pupils and staff work hard and have high aspirations. We ensure all children have access to a broad balanced and purposeful curriculum, as well as providing excellent enrichment opportunities.

ArkLittle Ridge Primary Academyis part of the Ark network, one of the country’s most successful multi-academy trusts. The newly appointedHead of School will havethesupport ofa dedicatedExecutive Principaland haveaccess to exceptional coaching and training opportunities, as well as the opportunity to collaborate with principal colleagues acrossHastingsand our wider network.

Diversity and inclusion

We aim to build a diverse and inclusive organisation where everyone – staff and students – can do their best work and achieve their full potential. We want to reflect and represent diverse perspectives across our organisation because we know that doing so will make us stronger and more effective. To know more about Ark’s diversity and inclusion commitments.

Safeguarding statement

Ark is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people in its academies. In order to meet this responsibility, its academies follow a rigorous selection process to discourage and screen out unsuitable applicants.

Ark requires all employees to undertake an enhanced DBS check. You are required, before appointment, to disclose any unspent conviction, cautions, reprimands or warnings under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975. Non-disclosure may lead to termination of employment. However, disclosure of a criminal background will not necessarily debar you from employment - this will depend on the nature of the offence(s) and when they occurred. To read more about Ark’s safer recruitment process.

Candidate Pack

ABOUT US

Additional Information

The Academy is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All staff will be expected to hold or be willing to obtain an enhanced DBS check or Enhanced check for Regulated Activity with the Disclosure & Barring Services (previously the Criminal Records Bureau). For further information about what is required in this process please go to https://www.gov.uk/dbs-check-applicant-criminal-record .
All school based staff have the responsibility for promoting the safeguarding and welfare of children. All school staff should be aware of the school’s Child Protection and Safeguarding Policy and work in accordance with this document at all times.