Headteacher

Islington Council; Greater London; On-site; GBP 92,000 - 102,000; Full time

Job summary

Duncombe Primary School in Holloway seeks an experienced headteacher to lead a school with a strong commitment to high aspiration and inclusion. The role focuses on consolidating progress after the merger with Montem and building on recent gains in attainment and personal development.

The headteacher will guide a diverse community, maintain safeguarding standards, and work with staff, parents and governors to uphold a culture of high expectations and resilience.

Qualifications

• Proven track record of raising academic standards for pupils with high needs
• Demonstrates resilience and steadiness during consolidation periods
• Strong understanding of SEND as practice, not just compliance
• Demonstrates emotional intelligence and listening skills in leadership
• Communicates clear boundaries and expectations with kindness and firmness
• Shows cultural curiosity and confidence across diverse communities
• Holds and articulates clear leadership values
• Builds strong relationships with parents, children, staff and governors
• Brings energy and optimism to the staff culture

Responsibilities

• Lead and consolidate Duncombe after merger, maintaining stable, high-quality education
• Protect and build on the school’s progress to raise attainment and outcomes
• Develop strong partnerships with parents, staff, governors and local community
• Ensure safeguarding and inclusion remain central to all decisions

Skills

Raising academic standards

Resilience

SEND understanding

Emotional intelligence

Boundary setting with kindness

Cultural curiosity

Clear leadership values

Relationship building with families

Energy and optimism

Job description

• Salary range L18 to L23 (£91, 594 - £102,193 pa)


• January 2027 start date


• Full time, permanent

About The Role

Headteacher

• Salary range L18 to L23 (£91, 594 - £102,193 pa)


• January 2027 start date


• Full time, permanent

Duncombe is a primary school in Holloway that believes high need and high aspirations belong together. A lot of our children face real disadvantage, and a lot of them have additional needs. They also do well here. Both of those things are true at the same time, and holding them together is what this school is about.

That belief is not a slogan on a wall. It is the daily work, and it is what we need our next headteacher to protect and build on. If it sounds like the kind of school you have been looking for, you will already recognise Duncombe.

The last few years have asked a lot of Duncombe. We merged with Montem Primary in August 2024, and the staff team held the school together through it and kept standards up. We are not looking for somebody to tear that up and start again.

We are looking for somebody to settle it, build on it, and make Duncombe the school that families in Holloway choose first.

You may be right for us if you

• Have a proven track record of raising academic standards, ideally somewhere with a comparable level of need


• Are resilient, and have the steadiness to lead a period of consolidation rather than upheaval


• Understand SEND properly, as practice rather than as compliance


• Are emotionally intelligent, listen well, and think things through before you act


• Communicate boundaries and expectations with kindness and firmness in equal measure


• Are culturally curious and confident across the range of communities we serve


• Hold clear leadership values and are willing to say out loud what they are


• Build relationships with parents, children, staff and governors that survive a hard conversation


• Bring energy and optimism into a staff room on a wet Tuesday in February

What We Can Offer You

• A staff team that has already proved what it can do


• A governing body that knows what it wants and will support you to do it


• Children whose personal development Ofsted rated Outstanding


• Arts, science and environmental work recognised nationally


• A school with real room to grow, and a community worth growing it for

Islington Schools are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people, and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. In line with KCSIE 2026 and online search will be conducted for shortlisted candidates in all positions.