Interim Headteacher (until 31/08/2027)

TKAT; Colchester; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Willow Brook Primary School in Colchester, Essex, is seeking an inspirational Headteacher to lead the school, working with the governing body, the Kemnal Academies Trust, and staff to deliver high-quality education.

The interim post runs until 31 August 2027. The Headteacher will shape the vision, ensure safeguarding, manage budgets and staff development, and strengthen community links while maintaining a safe, inclusive learning environment for pupils aged 3–11.

Responsibilities

• Shaping the future: develop the shared vision and strategic plan with the governing body, the Trust and staff; inspire pupils and the school community.
• Leading teaching and learning: create an environment where every child reaches their potential through quality teaching and learning; support staff to develop their skills.
• Managing the organisation: run the school to maximise potential and maintain a safe, efficient learning environment.
• Strengthening community ties: continue to engage with the wider community and create opportunities for the school.
• Budget management: manage the school budget to maximise benefits for pupils and safeguard the school's future.
• Planning and policy: lead on vision, values and priorities; develop, implement and evaluate policies and procedures.
• Executive: lead teaching and learning; promote safety and wellbeing; manage staff; lead performance management; collaborate with the School Business Manager on budgets.

Job description

Willow Brook Primary School, Colchester, Essex

SLT

Full time

Fixed Term Contract

The Role of Headteacher

The Headteacher will be responsible for the leadership, organisation, management and control of the School whilst working in partnership with key providers. You will be expected to promote and safeguard the welfare of the pupils for whom the School and governing body are responsible and those with whom they come into contact to ensure a high-quality education for pupils and high standards of achievement. This is an interim position until 31/08/2027.

About the Willowbrook Primary School and The Kemnal Academies Trust

The Kemnal Academies Trust is one of the country’s largest and most established multi-academy trusts. Dedicated to investing in its people, Kemnal provides high-quality training, career progression, and a collaborative network of professional support where staff are empowered to make a real difference.

As part of the Trust, Willow Brook Primary School and Nursery is an academy-led primary school situated in Colchester, Essex. Catering to children aged 3 to 11 the school is focused on providing an inclusive, safe learning space for its early years and primary students. Rated "Good" across key inspection categories by Ofsted, Willow Brook emphasizes both academic progression and personal development, fostering positive student behaviour alongside a structured curriculum designed to build foundational skills from nursery through Key Stage 2.

Key Responsibilities:

Shaping the future:

• Work with the governing body, the Trust and staff to develop the shared vision and strategic plan, which should serve to inspire and motivate pupils and all other members of the School community.
• Demonstrate optimistic personal behaviour, positive relationships and attitudes towards pupils and staff, and towards parents, governors, and members of the local community.

Leading teaching and learning:

• Create an environment which enables each child to achieve their full potential through the provision of quality teaching and learning.
• Ensure that all staff are motivated and supported to develop their own skills and subject knowledge, and to support each other

Managing the organisation:

• Manage the School to maximise the potential of each and every child by cultivating an efficient, effective and safe learning environment.

Strengthening community ties:

• To continue to engage with the wider community, to develop and create opportunities for the School.

Budget management:

• Manage the school budget to maximise the benefit for the pupils and safeguard the future of the School.

Planning and policy:

• Be the strategic lead on developing the vision, values and priorities of the School.
• Develop, implement and evaluate the School’s policies, practices and procedures.

Executive:

• Lead and manage teaching and learning.
• Promote the safety and wellbeing of pupils and staff. Manage staff, including appointments and resources.
• Lead the Performance Management of all staff.
• Work with the school Business Manager to prepare School budgets for governing body approval and subsequently manage spending accordingly.

As part of Kemnal Academies Trust, our colleagues enjoy:

• Access to a wide range of resources, training, and best practice across the Trust
• Supportive, forward-thinking leadership with a focus on continuous improvement
• Generous Pension Scheme: Significant employer contributions to support your long-term financial wellbeing
• Wellbeing Support: Access to a wellbeing app and an expert-led Eight-Week Mindfulness Programme
• Family Friendly Leave: Policies designed to support work-life balance and caring responsibilities
• Tailored CPD: Ongoing professional development to support your teaching practice and career progression

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Offers of employment will be subject to the full safer recruitment process, including an enhanced disclosure and barring service check.

We recognise the value of enabling our employees to develop their career and balance this with their commitments and interests outside of work. We promote flexible working practices and opportunities to promote a positive work life balance.

Our Commitment - Equity, Inclusion, Diversity and Belonging

At Kemnal, we are committed to Equity, Inclusion, Diversity, and Belonging. We embrace and celebrate differences, value individual experiences, aspirations, and achievements, and continuously learn how to grow better together. We actively encourage applications from candidates of all backgrounds, as we believe diversity strengthens our community and drives us forward.

Access to interview

Be Who You Are at Kemnal - should you be selected and invited to interview please let us know if you require us to adapt the recruitment process to enable you to participate as your authentic self. We want applicants to be able to engage with us in ways that support who they are and we are committed to making adjustments within the recruitment process and within the workplace.

The Kemnal Academies Trust is one of the largest Multi-Academy Trusts in the South & East of England with 45 Primary and Secondary Academies in the Kemnal familly.