Headteacher New Horizon Primary School

Portsmouth City Council; Portsmouth; On-site; GBP 76,000 - 89,000; Full time

Job summary

A local education authority in Portsmouth seeks an exceptional Headteacher to lead its primary school. The successful candidate will embody transformative leadership, ensuring high standards and fostering a culture of aspiration. You will work collaboratively with staff, parents, and the community to enhance student education and safety. This is a permanent role offering competitive salary and professional development opportunities, aimed at making a positive impact on children's lives. Interviews are set for November 4th and 5th, 2025.

Benefits

Professional Development

Coaching Environment

Relocation Assistance

Staff Wellbeing Focus

Qualifications

• Proven record of impactful leadership in education.
• Ability to implement a culture of aspiration.
• Champion of school values and community engagement.

Responsibilities

• Lead and inspire the school community towards excellence.
• Ensure high academic standards and student engagement.
• Collaborate with staff, parents, and the community.

Skills

Transformational leadership

Creating a supportive learning environment

High expectations for academic achievement

Effective team leadership

Familiarity with curriculum demands

Education

Qualified Teacher Status

Job description

Salary: TSAT Leadership Scale L17-L23 (76771 - 88950)

Start date: Summer Term 2026

Contract: Permanent

Closing Date: 26 / 10 / 2025

Interview Date: 4th & 5th November 2025

About The Role

Are you ready to inspire, lead and make a lasting difference?

We are seeking an exceptional and visionary Headteacher to lead our school. As the Headteacher you will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of our academy. You will work closely with staff, parents and the wider community to ensure that our pupils receive an outstanding education.

As Headteacher you will be expected to build upon the positive foundations, embed best teaching practice and implement a forward‑thinking vision for the academy, fostering a culture of excellence.

Pupils behave well in class and feel safe. They listen to teachers and to each other attentively, respecting the views of others. Ofsted 2023.

Continual improvement and high‑quality engaging and fulfilling cognitive education for all pupils will be a priority. Additionally the successful candidate will develop and implement a forward‑thinking vision for the academy, fostering a culture of excellence.

You will ensure our students are actively engaged with school, making progress and aspiring to become life‑long learners. You will also help lead on further development in standards of teaching, learning and achievement.

What you will need to succeed

For a full list of roles, responsibilities and a person specification please view the attached JD.

• A strong track record of transformational leadership or leading significant school improvement
• Understand how to create a culture of aspiration and a supportive learning environment for students that allows them to achieve their academic potential
• Hold high expectations for academic achievement by all students regardless of their prior attainment and socioeconomic backgrounds
• Be a champion / passionate and visible advocate for our school within the wider community
• Have highly developed people skills and previous experience in leading teams effectively
• Fully acquainted with the demands and requirements of the curriculum

About Us

New Horizons Primary School is a vibrant inclusive community where pupils feel safe, supported and inspired to achieve their best. We are proud of our strong values‑led culture and our commitment to ensuring every child thrives.

Learn about our school and our values here.

Our Trust

Our mission is to transform life chances; at The Thinking Schools Academy Trust we believe education has the power to change lives. Children only have one chance to get this right. To ensure all our academies focus on our mission, school leaders translate our mission to core values that are demonstrated and evident in all our academies:

Child First, Aspire, Challenge, Achieve

Find out more about our school and our Headteacher vacancy here.

What you will get in return

• Coaching Environment: Vast support network including the CEO Executive Team and Directors of Education to support you on your development journey.
• Collaborative Support: Benefit from resources, mentoring and school visits across the Trust to enhance your teaching and learning.
• Professional Development: With an outstanding Leadership and Management team within the Trust we are focused on providing our staff with bespoke CPD.
• Central Services for Schools: The Trust employs experts in all major support services to focus on operations and infrastructure, giving time back to teachers to focus on education.
• Cutting‑Edge Pedagogy: Experience an internationally accredited approach to thinking and learning proven to elevate classroom practice.
• Staff Wellbeing Focus: Access our 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme, free flu vaccinations and eye care vouchers.
• Relocation Assistance: A relocation scheme is available for the successful candidate.

Next Steps

This excellent opportunity will allow an inspirational, consultative and strategic individual to grasp the role with a hands‑on approach and help lead our school and improve the life chances of children across the school.

We strongly encourage any applicants who may be interested in our vacancy to contact Simon Arnold ( ) to arrange an informal conversation and tour with our Deputy Regional Director for Primary Schools Anna Webb.

Interviews will be held on 4th and 5th November on site at the school.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. This post is subject to an enhanced DBS check.