Headteacher

Goldington Green Academy; Greater London; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

Goldington Green Academy in Bedford is seeking an outstanding Headteacher to build on a solid platform and drive high standards.

The role requires visible leadership at the gate, rigorous safeguarding, and strong SEND knowledge, with EYFS understanding.

You will work closely with HEART Academies Trust and start January 2027, with opportunities to shape teaching, attainment, and the school's reputation.

Qualifications

• An outstanding practitioner with strong leadership skills.
• Visible on the gate and able to remember each child's name.
• Designated Safeguarding Lead with SEND knowledge and EYFS understanding.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership to improve attainment and outcomes.
• Lead safeguarding and strengthen SEND provision across the school.
• Collaborate with HEART Academies Trust and participate in trust-wide improvement initiatives.

Skills

Outstanding teaching

Leadership

Stakeholder engagement

Safeguarding knowledge

SEND 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.

What we offer. HEART is a six-school Bedford trust with a track record of turning schools around. Our Heads lead their own schools (we are not a ‘cookie-cutter’ Trust) but you will never do it alone. Weekly open forums with the Executive team and fellow Heads, a Deputy CEO regularly based on site, a primary improvement lead, and Trust-wide SEND and attendance specialists. Our central team is genuinely active, so this role is unlikely to suit a leader who prefers to control every operational detail.