Headteacher

The Kemnal Academies Trust; Crawley; Hybrid; GBP 80,000 - 105,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Headspace subscription

Mindfulness programme

Employee assistance programme

Free eye tests

Blue Light Discount Scheme

Cycle to Work Scheme

Job summary

The Kemnal Academies Trust is seeking a transformational Headteacher for Thomas Bennett Community College in Crawley. This is a high-visibility leadership role during a period of rapid school improvement, with a clear mandate to drive outcomes and develop staff and culture.

You will shape strategy, lead senior teams, champion safeguarding, and collaborate across the Kemnal Trust to embed outstanding practice and engage with parents and the local community.

Qualifications

• Proven headteacher with school-improvement experience.
• Ability to perform forensic data analysis and identify performance gaps.
• Budget management and governance relationships expertise.
• Commitment to transforming lives in challenging contexts.

Responsibilities

• Drive strategic improvement strategy to raise outcomes rapidly and ensure inspection-readiness.
• Lead senior leaders and teaching staff with a high-challenge, high-support model and CPD pathways.
• Champion safeguarding and cultivate a calm, safe, and welcoming environment for staff and students.
• Collaborate with Kemnal Trust to bring outstanding practice into classrooms.
• Engage the community, parents, local partners and stakeholders to boost confidence and ambition.

Skills

Proven track record

Diagnostic data analysis

Inspirational leadership

Financial & operational acumen

Education

QTS and a degree

Job description

(Y)Our Opportunity

Are you an exceptional secondary leader with the vision to drive rapid educational transformation? Thomas Bennett Community College is seeking a dynamic Headteacher to provide high-impact, visible leadership during an exciting period of transition and school improvement.

As an executive leader within Kemnal, one of the South East's leading Multi-Academy Trusts, you will shape the strategic direction, elevate academic standards, and cultivate an inclusive, high-aspiring culture across the school community.

What You Will Do

• Drive Strategic Excellence: Implement a sharp, evidence-based school improvement strategy to raise outcomes rapidly and ensure the school remains inspection-ready at all times.
• Empower & Innovate: Lead, develop, and inspire senior leaders and teaching staff, embedding a "high challenge, high support" accountability model and robust CPD pathways.
• Champion Safeguarding & Culture: Model exemplary leadership, fostering a calm, safe, and welcoming environment for both staff and students.
• Collaborate Across Kemnal: Leverage the collective power, resources, and expertise of the wider Trust network to bring outstanding practice directly into the classroom.
• Engage the Community: Act as a confident ambassador, strengthening relationships with parents, local partners, and stakeholders to boost parental confidence and student ambition.

Who We Are Looking For

We are seeking a proven, resilient, and emotionally intelligent leader who brings:

• Proven Track Record: Experience as a Secondary Headteacher with a demonstrable history of school improvement-ideally taking a school from Requires Improvement or Inadequate to Good or better.
• Diagnostic Vision: The ability to perform forensic data analysis, identify performance gaps, and execute immediate, high-impact interventions.
• Inspirational Leadership: QTS and a degree, paired with dynamic energy, a collaborative leadership style, and a genuine passion for transforming lives in challenging contexts.
• Financial & Operational Acumen: Expertise in budget management, staff retention strategies, and maintaining strong governance relationships.

Why Join Kemnal?

As part of Kemnal, investing in your well-being and career development is a top priority. We are dedicated to making Thomas Bennett Community College an employer of choice and an educational hub where everyone thrives.

What We Offer:

Professional Growth & Support:

• Excellent ongoing CPD, structured career development, and vast promotion opportunities across our large Trust network.
• Dedicated coaching and mentoring from Kemnal's experienced leadership team.
• A comprehensive, tailored induction programme.
• The opportunity to drive exciting educational development and innovative change in a friendly and supportive environment.

Health & Well-being Focus:

• Headspace Subscription: Free, full access to the leading well-being and mindfulness app.
• Mindfulness Programme: Free 8-week mindfulness course (8 x 90-minute, out-of-hours sessions).
• Employee Assistance Programme: Free, confidential 24/7 advice covering physical health, mental health, and financial support.
• Free Eye Tests.

Perks & Financial Benefits:

• Blue Light Discount Scheme: Exclusive savings on shopping, dining, travel, and lifestyle brands.
• Cycle to Work Scheme: Spread the cost of a new bike for a healthier, more sustainable commute.

Safeguarding

Kemnal is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Offers of employment will be subject to the full safer recruitment process, including an enhanced disclosure and barring service check.

Flexible working

Kemnal recognises the value of enabling our employees to develop their career and balance this with their commitments and interests outside of work. In Kemnal we promote flexible working practices and opportunities to promote a positive work life balance.

Our Commitment - Equity, Inclusion, Diversity and Belonging

At Kemnal, we are committed to Equity, Inclusion, Diversity, and Belonging. We embrace and celebrate differences, value individual experiences, aspirations, and achievements, and continuously learn how to grow better together. We actively encourage applications from candidates of all backgrounds, as we believe diversity strengthens our community and drives us forward.

Access to interview

Be Who You Are at Kemnal- should you be selected and invited to interview please let us know if you require us to adapt the recruitment process to enable you to participate as your authentic self. We want applicants to be able to engage with us in ways that support who they are and we are committed to making adjustments within the recruitment process and within the workplace.