Headteacher - The Whitstable School

The Methodist Church in Britain; Whitstable; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Mentorship program

Weekly briefings

Trust networks

Student events

Professional development

Coastal location

Job summary

The Whitstable School in Kent is seeking a Headteacher to drive pupil outcomes at Key Stages 4 and 5, set high standards for staff and behaviour, and safeguard robust self-evaluation. The role carries full operational leadership with support from a School Improvement Executive.

You will lead teaching and learning, motivate staff, act as an ambassador to parents and partners, and ensure excellent attendance and continuous improvement across the school.

Qualifications

• Proven track record of driving pedagogy and accelerating pupil outcomes at KS4/KS5.
• Experience as an exceptional secondary senior leader.
• Enhanced DBS disclosure and satisfactory checks.

Responsibilities

• Lead teaching and learning to accelerate pupil outcomes at Key Stages 4 and 5.
• Motivate staff teams and nurture leadership potential across the school.
• Maintain exemplary standards of behaviour and attendance.
• Refine school systems and maintain robust school self-evaluation.
• Act as an outward-facing ambassador, engaging parents, local partners and the wider Trust network.
• Provide operational leadership of the school.

Skills

Leadership motivation

Analytical rigor

Resilience

Vision for school improvement

Job description

Headteacher of The Whitstable School, an oversubscribed non-selective 11–18 school run by Swale Academies Trust. The work centres on raising pupil outcomes at Key Stages 4 and 5, setting staff and behaviour standards, and keeping school self-evaluation sharp. The school runs Key Stage 3 specialist pathways in performing arts and STEM, a sixth form and a football academy, and the post carries full operational leadership with support from a School Improvement Executive. Visa sponsorship is not available, and the post needs an enhanced DBS check.

What the job involves

• Lead teaching and learning to accelerate pupil outcomes at Key Stages 4 and 5
• Motivate staff teams and nurture leadership potential across the school
• Maintain exemplary standards of behaviour and attendance
• Refine school systems and maintain robust school self-evaluation
• Act as an outward-facing ambassador, engaging parents, local partners and the wider Trust network
• Provide operational leadership of the school

What’s required

Experience

• Proven track record of driving pedagogy and accelerating pupil outcomes at Key Stages 4 and 5 at scale
• Experience as an exceptional secondary senior leader

Skills & knowledge

• Talent, empathy and clarity to motivate staff and nurture leadership potential
• Analytical precision and grit to refine systems
• Resilience
• Vision and drive to lead a school on its journey to excellence

Checks & eligibility

• Enhanced DBS disclosure
• Online checks and satisfactory professional references
• Eligibility to work in the UK

What’s offered

• Operational leadership with direct support and mentorship from the Director of Secondary and a dedicated School Improvement Executive
• Weekly secondary Headteacher briefings across the Trust
• Cross-Trust Key Priority Groups and subject network hubs
• Shared student events across the Trust
• Access to a range of professional development opportunities to support progression
• Location on the North Kent coast with excellent transport links