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

Benefits offered by this job

Teachers’ Pension Scheme

SmartTech technology scheme

Place Plus discounts platform

Employee Assistance Programme (EAP)

Healthcare cash plans

Job summary

Place Partnership in Wakefield is seeking an exceptional Head of Academy to lead the academy at a pivotal development phase within our new Multi Academy Trust. The role requires a values-driven leader who can work with the Executive Principal, the Academy Education Committee, families and the wider community to secure outstanding pupil outcomes.

You will provide strategic direction for teaching, safeguarding, behaviour and school improvement, develop staff, and foster a culture where both pupils

Qualifications

• Proven track record of raising standards and improving outcomes.
• Leadership experience at senior level (Assistant Principal / Vice Principal / Deputy Headteacher or equivalent).
• Ability to inspire, motivate and develop staff through collaborative leadership.
• Outstanding classroom practitioner with strong understanding of curriculum, teaching, learning and assessment.

Responsibilities

• Provide professional leadership and strategic direction across academy life.
• Lead staff development and drive school improvement.
• Create a culture where pupils and colleagues thrive.
• Collaborate with the Executive Principal, Academy Education Committee and partners to secure outcomes.

Skills

Senior leadership

Curriculum development

Staff development

Stakeholder communication

Behaviour & safeguarding

Job description

What skills and experience we're looking for

We are seeking an exceptional Head of Academy to lead our academy on the next stage of its improvement and development journey. This is an exciting opportunity for a passionate and values-driven leader to work alongside the Executive Principal, Academy Education Committee, colleagues, families, and the wider community to secure outstanding the highest outcomes for every pupil.

As Head of Academy, you will provide professional leadership and strategic direction across all aspects of academy life, ensuring the highest standards of teaching, learning, behaviour, safeguarding, and pupil achievement. You will be responsible for leading and developing staff, driving school improvement, and creating a culture where both pupils and colleagues can thrive

You will have a proven track record of success and will be able to demonstrate how you have improved outcomes for pupils and led on a significant range of strategic aims and objectives.

We are looking to appoint an inspirational leader with the passion and commitment to lead Academy wide development within a collaborative successful Multi Academy Trust. You will be able to demonstrate a wide range of skills including the ability to deliver impact through strategy; and manage multi-disciplinary teams in a fast-paced environment.

The Head of Academy role presents a unique opportunity for an outstanding leader to play a key role in the Academy’s success as part of our newly formed Multi Academy Trust, Place Partnership.

About You

The successful candidate will be…

• A highly effective and experienced senior leader with a proven track record of raising standards and improving outcomes.
• Have substantial leadership experience as Assistant Principal, Vice Principal, Deputy Headteacher, or equivalent level.
• Able to inspire, motivate and develop staff through collaborative and impactful leadership.
• An outstanding classroom practitioner with a deep understanding of curriculum development, teaching, learning and assessment.
• Able to communicate effectively and build relationships with parents, governors, Trust leaders and external partners.
• Committed to promoting high standards of behaviour, inclusion, safeguarding and pupil welfare.

This is an exciting opportunity to join a forward-thinking and ambitious organisation, driven by a genuine passion for the wellbeing, care, and education of young people.

What the school offers its staff

Place Partnership was formed in September 2026 following the voluntary merger of two strong and successful Trusts in South and West Yorkshire: Maltby Learning Trust, established in 2014, and Accord Multi Academy Trust, founded in 2016. At the heart of Place Partnership is a commitment to building a culture where people feel valued, take pride in their place, and hold high expectations because everyone matters. At Place Partnership we are dedicated to providing high-quality education which ensures that every child is given the opportunity to achieve their full potential.

We invest in our people through extensive professional learning and development opportunities, and we recognise that our people are our greatest strength. As such, we offer a comprehensive suite of benefits as part of our commitment to wellbeing and professional growth. Here are a few examples of employee benefits that focus on our employees Financial, Physical and Mental Wellbeing:

• Membership to either the Teachers’ Pension Scheme or the Local Government Pension Scheme
• Technology scheme via SmartTech
• Access to an extensive discounts platform via ‘Place Plus’
• Access to an industry leading Employee Assistance Programme (EAP)
• 24/7 access to an online GP or Advanced Nurse Practitioner through Corporate Paid Healthcare Cash Plans
• Access to health and wellbeing services, with the ability to claim money back for essential healthcare such as prescriptions, optical and dental care through Corporate Paid Healthcare Cash Plans.
• Free, on-site parking at every site
• Trained Mental Health First Aiders in all our settings
• restrictions apply

For full details of our employee benefit package, please see our recruitment pack.

Further details about the role

Further Information

Closing Date: Monday 21 September 2026 at 9.00am

Interviews are expected to take place: Thursday 24 September 2026

Place Partnership is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. The post is subject to an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check and checks of the relevant barred list / prohibition lists.

Place Partnership is committed to providing a culture of inclusion, respect and equity of opportunity that attracts, supports, and retains high quality colleagues from all backgrounds and across all job roles.

Candidates will always be shortlisted based on the content of application against the job description and essential criteria without access to the personal details information.

Based on the quality and quantity of applications received, Place Partnership reserves the right to interview sooner than the specified dates above. Applicants will be notified of this where possible.

Commitment to safeguarding

Our organisation is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. We expect all staff, volunteers and trustees to share this commitment. Our recruitment process follows the keeping children safe in education guidance. Offers of employment may be subject to the following checks (where relevant): childcare disqualification Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) medical online and social media prohibition from teaching right to work satisfactory references suitability to work with children You must tell us about any unspent conviction, cautions, reprimands or warnings under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975.