Headteacher

Teaching Vacancies; Poole; On-site; GBP 80,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading selective school in Poole is seeking an inspirational Headteacher to lead with vision and compassion. The role involves maintaining academic excellence and fostering a positive school environment. The ideal candidate will have proven leadership skills and a commitment to the values of the school. Benefits include a contributory pension scheme, occupational sick pay, and health and wellbeing initiatives.

Benefits

Contributory pension scheme

Occupational sick pay

Continuous Professional Development opportunities

Free access to Employee Assistance Programme

Paid day off ('Golden Day')

Specsavers voucher

Free Yoga and Pilates sessions

Qualifications

• Proven track record as an effective leader in a school environment.
• Ability to inspire and motivate staff and students.
• Commitment to safeguarding and promoting welfare of students.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the school to maintain its high academic standards.
• Ensure the academic and personal development of all students.
• Foster a collaborative professional community among staff.

Skills

Inspirational leadership

Commitment to core values

Experience in educational settings

Education

Qualified Teacher Status

Leadership and Management qualification

Job description

What skills and experience we're looking for

At Parkstone, we are immensely proud of our strong reputation for combining excellent pastoral support with high-quality teaching to achieve the very best outcomes for our students. Everyone who works at Parkstone is deeply committed to placing students at the heart of all decision-making.

We offer an impressive, broad and balanced academic curriculum at GCSE and A Level, complemented by an extensive range of extra‑curricular and enrichment opportunities. Sporting excellence, musical performance, national competitions, and creative activities all flourish here, nurturing the whole child and supporting the well‑rounded development we value so highly.

Parkstone Grammar School is a six‑form entry selective girls’ school with an intake of 192 students into Year 7 and a thriving Sixth Form of nearly 300 students. As a stand‑alone academy, we are proud of our independence, yet we benefit greatly from collaboration with Poole Grammar School for Boys, which enables us to offer an outstanding range of A Level subjects. We are also an active member of a formal partnership of South West grammar schools, the South West Academic Trust (SWAT), sharing best practice and innovation.

Our most recent Ofsted inspection in May 2025 rated the school as Good with Outstanding for student behaviour and attitudes, and we continue to build on those strengths. Our financial position is strong, allowing us to invest significantly in our estate and facilities, creating modern, inspiring, and welcoming teaching and learning environments.

Our core values — Commitment, Courage and Compassion — underpin all that we do. They guide our mission to provide an education that not only inspires and empowers our students, but also equips them with the confidence, adaptability and ambition to thrive in an ever‑evolving world.

At Parkstone, we believe that our staff are our greatest strength. We deeply value their expertise, commitment and care. The dedication of our teachers, support staff and leaders ensure that every student is known, supported and challenged. We are proud of the collaborative, caring and ambitious professional community that defines our school.

We are now seeking an enthusiastic, inspirational and transformational leader to become our next Headteacher — someone who will build on our current successes, champion our values, and lead our community with vision and compassion. This is an exceptional opportunity to guide a thriving and forward‑thinking school into its next exciting chapter, shaping the lives of remarkable young people and the dedicated staff who support them.

What the school offers its staff

Parkstone is pleased to be able to offer all staff members:

Core Benefits

• A contributory pension scheme relevant to your role (including access to Teacher and Local Government Schemes).
• Occupational sick pay.
• Tailored Continuous Professional Development (CPD) through the South Central Teaching Hub.
• Free access to the Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) – confidential support network that offers expert advice and compassionate guidance 24/7 covering a wide range of issues, such as: Legal Information, Bereavement Support and Online CBT among much more.
• All staff are entitled to a ‘Golden Day’ once a year — a paid day off or part time equivalent.
• Specsavers voucher for eye test and amount towards glasses if needed for DSE use.
• Four additional non‑teaching days throughout the year, allowing for department planning time.
• Two disaggregated INSET days, allowing for an earlier finish at the end of the Summer term.
• Free Yoga and Pilates sessions throughout the term.
• Termly Staff Wellbeing and Workload groups to raise and solve issues.

Flexible Benefits

• Cycle to work scheme
• Eligibility to join The Blue Light Card discount scheme

Commitment to safeguarding

Parkstone Grammar School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Any successful applicant will be required to undertake an Enhanced Disclosure check by the Disclosure & Barring Service. The school is also committed to a policy of equal opportunity.