Headteacher

The Sigma Trust; Parkeston; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health Cash Plan

Employee Assistance Programme

Cycle to Work scheme

Discounted gym memberships

Cinema tickets

Blue Light Card

Job summary

Harwich and Dovercourt High School, part of The Sigma Trust, seeks an exceptional strategic leader to drive rapid improvement across all aspects of school life. The role focuses on ambitious curriculum, assessment, and pastoral care, with strong stakeholder engagement and resource management.

The successful candidate will bring proven senior leadership experience in a secondary setting, QTS and NPQ leadership qualifications, and a commitment to safeguarding and high standards for every pupil.

Qualifications

• Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) is required.
• NPQ Leadership qualification (e.g. NPQH) or equivalent.
• Significant senior leadership experience in a secondary school setting.

Responsibilities

• Provide clear, ambitious leadership to drive school improvement.
• Align vision and strategy with the CEO's direction and priorities.
• Engage with Trust, pupils, staff, parents and community partners to embed core ethos.
• Establish an ambitious academic environment to raise standards.
• Oversee curriculum development, assessment and pastoral care across the school.
• Demonstrate strong financial oversight and staff development.

Skills

Strategic Leadership

Curriculum & Assessment

Pastoral Care

Stakeholder Engagement

Resource Management

Communication Skills

Education

QTS

NPQ Leadership (NPQH or equivalent)

Job description

Are you an enthusiastic leader ready to promote high ambition for all students? Do you want to lead within a compassionate school community where every professional is dedicated to care, support, and excellence? Rooted in our vision to empower young people to be the BEST they can be academically, socially, and personally, Harwich and Dovercourt High School is at an exciting point in its rapid improvement journey. Guided by our core values - Be Kind, Be Ready, Be Responsible - we equip every student to overcome challenges and achieve a fulfilling adult life. Supported by The Sigma Trust, a multi-academy trust with an outstanding reputation, you will have the backing, strategic resources, and collaboration needed to deliver transformational leadership., In this strategic leadership role, you will bring your expertise to:

• Strategic Leadership: Provide clear, ambitious leadership to ensure the school continually drives forward in its improvement journey. Aligned to a 'no excuse' mindset to break down barriers and maximise success.
• Vision & Strategy Alignment: Ensure all school activities directly serve the vision, strategic direction, and ambitious priority outcomes set by the CEO.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Build strong partnerships with the Trust, pupils, staff, parents, and community partners to embed our core ethos across all school operations.
• Academic Focus: Establish and maintain an ambitious academic environment that raises standards and opportunities for every pupil.
• We are seeking an exceptional professional with:
• Leadership Experience: Proven track record in senior leadership roles within a secondary school setting across a range of portfolios including but not exhaustive to: Curriculum & Assessment and Pastoral Care.
• Vision & Strategy: Ability to articulate and execute a compelling strategy for sustainable educational improvement.
• Pedagogical Expertise: Deep understanding of effective teaching, learning methodologies, and curriculum innovation.
• Interpersonal Skills: Outstanding communication and relationship-building skills to inspire, motivate, and unite teams.
• Resource Management: Demonstrated capability in resource allocation, financial oversight, and staff professional growth.
• Qualifications & Safeguarding: Qualified Teacher Status (QTS), relevant NPQ leadership qualifications (e.g., NPQH or equivalent), and an uncompromised commitment to child protection.
• Harwich & Dovercourt High School is a co-educational secondary school aged 11-16 across the Harwich peninsula in Essex. The school converted to an academy in 2012 and later joined The Sigma Trust in 2017, placing its rich local history within a supportive framework of regional educational collaboration.

As part of the Sigma Trust family, we truly believe in 'Ambition for all.' Our school is a vibrant, forward-thinking place where we're dedicated to helping our young people be the absolute BEST they can be-empowering them academically, socially, and personally for a fulfilling future. Guided by strong values we support every student to tackle challenges and reach their full potential. We're on an exciting journey of rapid improvement with the backing of a respected multi-academy trust, making this a fantastic time to be part of our community. Harwich and Dovercourt High School, as a member of The Sigma Trust, values and positively promotes the following attributes:

• Integrity - be honest, transparent, trustworthy and true to your beliefs.
• Passion - be positive and enthusiastic about what you are trying to achieve.
• Aspiration - aim for your best and set high, realistic goals.
• Resilience - never give up and strive to improve.
• Accountability - take responsibility for your words, thoughts and actions.
• Respect - for yourself, your environment and other people.

As a school we want the very best for our pupils. We have high expectations and endeavour to provide the very best opportunities for all students through established routines.

• Do you want to work in a school with fantastic young people and staff who work hard and have a great community spirit?
• Do you want to work in a school that prioritises evidence-based research when developing its curriculum?
• Do you want to work in a school with excellent, research led professional development opportunities for staff?
• Do you want to work in a school with a clear, systematic and centralised approach to student support, safeguarding, inclusion and behaviour?
• Do you want to work in a school which is part of a large yet locally based Trust, which opens up a whole myriad of possibilities?

If the answer to these questions is yes, then please consider Harwich and Dovercourt High School as a place to make your mark and develop your career. All appointments are subject to safer recruitment requirements to ensure the safeguarding of children and young people. All positions will involve appropriate checks and clearances.

We believe in investing in our staff and fostering a culture of collaboration. We offer a competitive salary and a comprehensive package designed to support your professional and personal life.

Professional Development:

• A robust CPD training program that empowers you to flourish.
• Unrivalled opportunities to collaborate with colleagues across the Trust, sharing ideas and building strong professional relationships.

Employee Benefits:

• A competitive salary and excellent pension scheme.
• A Health Cash Plan and Employee Assistance Programme for your well-being.
• Exclusive perks like the Cycle to Work scheme, discounted gym memberships, cinema tickets, and eligibility for a Blue Light Card.

Commitment to Safeguarding & Diversity The Sigma Trust is committed to safeguarding and protecting the children and young people that we work with. As such, all posts are subject to safer recruitment processes, including the disclosure of criminal records, online checks and other vetting checks. We ensure that we have a range of policies in place which promote safeguarding and safer working practice across our schools. The Sigma Trust is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace. We are committed to equal employment opportunities regardless of any protected characteristics. This is embedded in our vision 'To Be Greater Than The Sum Of Its Parts', where we believe we are strong and more successful working together, creating a workplace which celebrates diversity.