Headteacher

Coast and Vale Learning Trust; Reading; On-site; GBP 110,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous pension scheme

Blue Light Card

Employee Assistance Programme

Gym discounts

Free eye tests

Cycle to work scheme

Job summary

Hartland High School in Reading is seeking a Headteacher to provide strategic leadership, setting a clear vision and culture where pupils and staff can thrive. You will lead educational and operational aspects, ensuring high standards of teaching, behaviour and achievement while working with Greenshaw Learning Trust.

We are looking for a senior leader with a proven track record of success and the ability to drive improvement across the school and wider GLT network.

Qualifications

• Senior leadership experience in a school setting.
• Proven track record of raising achievement and outcomes.
• Ability to develop and implement strategic vision for a school.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership and vision for Hartland High School.
• Drive improvement in teaching, learning, behaviour and achievement.
• Collaborate with Greenshaw Learning Trust and GLT Shared Service to deliver excellence across schools.

Skills

Leadership experience

Strategic planning

People management

Collaborative leadership

Job description

Make a lasting impact through leadership

At Hartland High School, we believe that outstanding leadership creates the foundations for exceptional outcomes. We are seeking a dedicated and forward-thinking Headteacher to lead our school with vision, integrity and ambition. As the leader of our school community, you will drive continuous improvement, nurture a positive and inclusive culture, and ensure that every decision is focused on providing the very best opportunities for pupils to learn, grow and flourish. This is a fixed term maternity cover role ending August 2027.

About the Role

As Headteacher, you will provide strategic leadership for the school, setting a clear vision and creating a culture where pupils and staff can thrive. You will be responsible for the educational and operational leadership of the school, ensuring high standards of teaching, learning, behaviour and achievement.

Working closely with Greenshaw Learning Trust and fellow school leaders across the Trust, you will have the opportunity to contribute to wider school improvement while retaining and developing the unique character of your school.

Key aspects of the role include:

• demonstrate a passion for education and a desire to improve the life chances of all students;

• have the ability to build a culture of continuous learning and development throughout the school community;

• adapt rapidly to the challenge of building on the existing strengths of the school to achieve all round excellence in teaching and learning;

• assess their approach and style and challenge themselves to think differently about how to best align their leadership to the needs of the school;

• have the ability to empower their staff to trust in their vision;

• maintain and develop the school's ethos of diversity, inclusivity and equality of opportunity; and

• have successful experience as a senior leader with a proven track record of success.

• be part of the leadership of the Greenshaw Learning Trust, working collaboratively with other Headteachers and members of the GLT Shared Service to deliver excellence across all GLT Schools.

We're Looking For Someone Who:

• has experience of successful leadership at Senior, Deputy or Headteacher level
• has developed and implemented strategies for raising achievement and achieving excellence for students, staff and themselves
• can provide strategic and creative leadership to maintain and develop a school vision with quality learning for all at its centre
• lead by example to inspire, motivate, influence and empower staff and students
• work collaboratively with others, delegating appropriately
• build and maintain effective relationships and communicate appropriately with governors, staff, students and parents

About Hartland High School

Hartland High School was taken over by the Greenshaw Learning Trust in 2025, having been known formerly as John Madejski Academy, a school with a long history of underperformance. In summer 2026 we secured a very significant uptick in key benchmarks at both GCSE and A Level. Our A8 for disadvantaged students is now above national average and there is almost no gap between the performance of disadvantaged and non-disadvantaged students.

We are proudly situated in Whitley, an area in south Reading, and we serve a high proportion of disadvantaged students, with nearly half our school population pupil premium. Whitley has a very well established local identity and as a school we strongly believe that our community is our greatest asset.

Why Join Greenshaw Learning Trust?

As part of Greenshaw Learning Trust, you will join a community of ambitious school leaders committed to delivering exceptional outcomes for children and young people. Collaboration is at the heart of everything we do, providing opportunities to share expertise, develop professionally and contribute to the success of schools across the Trust.

We offer our staff:

• Professional development and career progression
• Generous pension scheme
• Blue Light Card
• Teacher Art Pass
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Gym discounts
• Free eye tests
• Cycle to work scheme
• Being part of a supportive and ambitious organisation

The closing date for receipt of applications is 28th September 2026. We reserve the right to appoint before the closing date.

We are committed to building an inclusive, diverse workplace where everyone can thrive. If you require any support or adjustments to interact with us, please let us know.

Greenshaw Learning Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects staff and volunteers to share this commitment.