Headteacher

Coast and Vale Learning Trust; Crawley; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous Annual Leave

Professional Development

Flexible & Family-Friendly

Blue Light Card discounts

Well-being Support

Job summary

Pound Hill Infant Academy, part of REAch2 Academy Trust, is seeking an outstanding educational leader to inspire excellence in teaching and learning, and to develop high-performing teams. The successful candidate will commit to an exceptional educational offer for every child, work closely with parents and the community, and drive the academy's vision to improve life chances.

Join a supportive network of over 60 schools and enjoy professional development, flexible working options, and a

Qualifications

• Proven track record of excellence in educational leadership.
• Experience in managing highly effective teams.
• Commitment to providing exceptional educational opportunities for all children.
• Relational and proactive approach with parents and the community.
• Ability to inspire, challenge, and motivate.

Responsibilities

• Lead, motivate, and inspire a dedicated team of educators.
• Drive excellence in teaching and learning.
• Foster strong relationships with parents and the wider community.
• Ensure the delivery of an exciting, broad, and engaging curriculum.
• Uphold and promote our core values: high expectations, integrity, nurturing, always learning, working together, and taking responsibility, guide us daily.
• Supporting our vision: Aim high and achieve together.

Skills

Educational leadership

Team management

Stakeholder engagement

Inspiration and motivation

Communication

Job description

The Role

Pound Hill Infant Academy are seeking a dynamic and inspirational leader to join our team. Are you an experienced educational leader looking for an exciting opportunity to make a real difference in the lives of our children? The successful candidate will have a proven track record of excellence in educational leadership, with experience in managing highly effective teams. You will be committed to providing every child with an exceptional educational offer, ensuring they are supported, challenged, and inspired to reach their full potential.

We are located in Crawley a short walk away from Three Bridges train station. The school is part of the REAch2 Multi-Academy Trust family, having joined the Trust in March 2026.

At Pound Hill, every child is recognised as a unique individual and we celebrate the diversity within our school community. The ability to learn is underpinned by the teaching of basic skills, knowledge, concepts and values. We are looking for an outstanding leader with a proven track record of success and a passion for improving the life chances of children.

Our Mission

As a REAch2 Academy we are driven by a shared mission to provide the best possible education for all children in the Trust. Every REAch2 school within the Trust aspires to be truly ‘great’ – remarkable places characterised by exceptional people and transformative learning experiences.At Pound Hill Infant Academy we are committed to developing lifelong learners and responsible citizens with a clear vision for their future.

Our Vision

• To create a vibrant, inclusive community, transforming lives and broadening horizons through excellent teaching and learning.

Our Values

• Achieving Ambitions is about inspiring our people to be the best they can be, celebrating our success, dreaming big, and empowering our children to lead fulfilling lives. By doing this, we can transform lives and broaden horizons, while encouraging a culture of sustainability.
• Working Together means we can create a vibrant, inclusive community that’s open and honest and shares ideas and best practices. We support and challenge each other to deliver great service and continually encourage collaboration and strong partnerships.
• Delivering Excellence ensures we are resilient and determined and develop a creative flagship curriculum for all our children delivered through excellent teaching and learning. Sharing expertise and knowledge, exploring possibilities, rewarding innovation, and challenging and motivating our children and staff to have high expectations and aspirations are all at the heart of this value.
• Nurturing Potential, last but not least, is focusing on treating others as we wish to be treated and empowering children and staff to flourish. From this, we attract and retain staff through flexible structures and career pathways and offer children and staff wellbeing support.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead, motivate, and inspire a dedicated team of educators.
• Drive excellence in teaching and learning.
• Foster strong relationships with parents and the wider community.
• Ensure the delivery of an exciting, broad, and engaging curriculum.
• Uphold and promote our core values: high expectations, integrity, nurturing, always learning, working together, and taking responsibility, guide us daily.
• Supporting our vision: Aim high and achieve together.

Requirements

• Proven track record of excellence in educational leadership.
• Experience in managing highly effective teams.
• Commitment to providing exceptional educational opportunities for all children.
• Relational and proactive approach with parents and the community.
• Ability to inspire, challenge, and motivate.

To have a confidential conversation about the role and to arrange a school visit, please contact Justin Burtt Deputy Director of Education - [e-mail], 07503925439.

The candidates selected for interview will be informed after shortlisting and full details of the interview programme will be provided.

Why Work with REAch2 Academy Trust?

• Excellence & Development: We prioritise high standards and offer extensive professional development and career growth opportunities.
• Supportive & Collaborative: Be part of a strong, collaborative community of over 60 schools where every voice is valued, and best practices are shared.
• Well-being Focus: We promote a healthy work-life balance and offer robust well-being support for all staff.
• Diversity & Inclusion: We celebrate diversity and believe that varied perspectives strengthen our schools.
• Innovation & Impact: Bring creativity to the classroom and make a real difference in children’s lives.
• Making a difference: Working with REAch2 means contributing to something bigger than yourself. You’ll be helping to shape the lives of young learners, making a meaningful impact on communities and future generations.
• Join us to grow your career, collaborate with passionate educators, and make a lasting impact on future generations.

Benefits

• Generous Annual Leave: healthy work-life balance.
• Professional Development: Access diverse CPD and training opportunities to grow your skills.
• Flexible & Family-Friendly: We are committed to supporting flexible working and requests will be considered on an individual basis, including options such as part time, term-time, home working, and other options that work for both the employee and the Trust.
• Exclusive Discounts: Benefit from Blue Light Card offers and employee perks.
• Well-being Support: Receive comprehensive well‑being and employee assistance for you and your family.

Join REAch2 for a rewarding career with great benefits!

Safeguarding, Safer Recruitment and Data Protection

At REAch2 we recognise that those who work in an academy are in a unique position in their care of children. The responsibility for all staff to safeguard pupils and promote their welfare, as stated in Section 175 of the Education Act (2002) is one that is central to our ethos, our policies and our actions. All children are deserving of the highest levels of care and safeguarding, regardless of their individual characteristics or circumstances, and we are committed to applying our policies to ensure effective levels of safeguarding and care are afforded to all our pupils.

We will seek to recruit the best applicant for the job based on the abilities, qualifications, experience as measured against the job description and person specification. The recruitment and selection of staff will be conducted in a professional, timely and responsive manner and in compliance with current employment legislation, and relevant safeguarding legislation and statutory guidance. An enhanced DBS disclosure will be requested for all successful candidates, including a Children’s Barred List check if the role meets the criteria for regulated activity.

For more information about our safer recruitment processes, please read our Safer Recruitment Policy.

All information is stored securely, and any information supplied by unsuccessful candidates will be destroyed through a confidential waste system six months after the decision has been communicated, in accordance with our information and records retention policy.

The Trust ensures all applicant data is stored and processed appropriately. For further details on how your information will be managed during the recruitment process please refer to our Privacy Notice for Job Applications.