Headteacher

HEART Academies Trust; Bedford; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Goldington Green Academy in Bedford seeks an outstanding Headteacher to deliver strategic leadership, drive improvements in attainment, and build a strong teaching culture. You will be a visible, hands-on leader on the gate, known to pupils by name, upholding high standards and delivering safeguarding leadership within HEART Academies Trust.

You may be an experienced Headteacher or an ambitious Deputy; the role offers collaboration with the Interim Headteacher and a clear path to influence

Qualifications

• Outstanding practitioner with strong teaching and leadership
• Visible on the gate every morning and able to connect with pupils and families
• Designated Safeguarding Lead with safeguarding oversight
• Strong SEND knowledge to interrogate provision
• Understanding EYFS and early years foundations

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership to raise attainment above national in two-form entry
• Rebuild school reputation and ensure high teaching standards across the school
• Lead safeguarding, attendance, curriculum and systems within the Trust
• Be an accessible, visible leader who communicates clearly with staff, pupils and families

Skills

Outstanding practitioner

Visible on the gate

Designated safeguarding lead

SEND knowledge

EYFS understanding

Leadership skills

Tools

DSG knowledge

Job description

Goldington Green Academy is a 2-11 primary in Bedford with warm, capable children, kind and committed staff, and a community that deserves the best, not just 'good enough'. We are looking for a Headteacher who sees that as an opportunity to make a real impact.

Bedford is 40 minutes to London by train, with strong A1/M1 links. The school has 576 pupils aged 2-11, this includes a nursery and a 12 place specialist autism provision. Salary is within the range of L22-L28 and the Trust would like the new Headteacher to start in January 2027, ideally. The Interim Headteacher is a senior Trust leader and there is an opportunity to work closely with her initially, should you want to work in this way.

The challenge.

Since joining HEART Academies Trust, real investment has gone into this school: safeguarding, SEND, attendance, curriculum and systems. The foundations are being laid, but what the school now needs is strategic leadership: consistent expectations, sharper teaching, and the accountability that turns good intentions into strong outcomes. Your first year is about the quality of teaching and rebuilding the school's reputation in Goldington. At the two year mark in-post, the Trust would like to see improvements in attainment above national and a consistently full two-form entry.

What we're looking for.

An outstanding practitioner, first and foremost: someone who can model excellent teaching to others and is as confident in their up-to-date teaching practice as they are with their leadership skills. You are the kind of Head who likes to be visible on the gate every morning and can remember (almost) every child's name. You will hold high standards and have the difficult conversations, always explaining the why. You will be the Designated Safeguarding Lead, bring strong SEND knowledge (enough to interrogate provision, not simply other specialists in school), and understand EYFS properly.

You may be an established Headteacher or a genuinely ambitious Deputy ready for your first headship. We are open to wildcards with the substance to back it up.