Headteacher in Aldershot

St Michael’s C of E (Controlled) Infant School is a relational, inclusive school where leadership makes a meaningful difference to children’s lives and the wider community. At St Michael’s, we believe education is about far more than outcomes alone. It is about belonging, confidence, creativity, dignity and helping every child to flourish. We have great ambition for St Michael’s and the school has been transformed by the dedication of our current Headteacher. We are proud of what the school has achieved so far but also understand where we could improve. St Michael’s is now ready to move on to the next chapter, rise to new challenges and continue to grow.

Our next Headteacher will need to:

• Believe in the Christian vision and values of the school
• Celebrate diversity and champion inclusion
• Be able to lead a school built on relationships, safety and understanding
• Be able to embrace complexity and challenge with confidence, empathy and resilience
• Genuinely believe that every child can flourish and look for solutions not barriers
• Be able to lead a school with insight, ambition, purpose and optimism for the future

We are therefore looking to appoint a headteacher who:

• Has significant senior leadership experience in a primary setting and can demonstrate impact
• Understands how to effectively meet the needs of pupils with SEND in a mainstream setting
• Has experience of working with pupils and families with English as an Additional Language
• Has DSL or DDSL training and experience of managing complex cases
• Has knowledge of relational, trauma-informed practice and the communicative function of behaviour
• Has an excellent understanding of high-quality teaching, learning and assessment and is able to lead, motivate and coach others to continually improve
• Is able to shape a distributed leadership culture that builds capacity and empowers others to lead and manage
• Is able to strategically lead whilst maintaining the operational effectiveness of the school

At St Michael’s everyone is valued and respected as part of our community. If you join our team we can offer:

• A community focussed school where children are known, valued and encouraged to thrive
• A place where inclusivity and diversity are welcomed and respected
• Strong partnerships with the church, families, and community
• People who work together to make a meaningful and visible difference
• A team who are solution-focussed and respond to challenge with positivity and resilience
• An experienced, strategically-focussed Governing Body who will provide support, guidance and a commitment to professional development
• A school with strong foundations and high ambition for the future

Most importantly we have children who are full of curiosity, hope, enthusiasm, and joy. They will remind you every day why you chose a career in education.

What the school offers its staff:

• Pensions: Eligibility to join the national Teachers Pension Scheme with substantial employer contributions and built-in family protection benefits.
• Wellbeing Support: Access to the Education Support Partnership for 24/7 confidential counseling, mental health resources, and resilience training.
• Discounts & Rewards: Maintained school staff gain access to the KAARP benefits portal, unlocking discounts on holidays, insurance, retail, and lifestyle services.
• Family Friendly Policies: Access to generous maternity, paternity, and adoption leave entitlements.
• Financial Wellbeing: Access to the Salary Finance Scheme which offers savings plans, budgeting tools, and advances on pay.

Further details about the role can be found in the Headteacher Information Pack. It is important that you also read the full Job Description and Personal Specification to inform any application decision. Visits to the school are warmly welcomed and can be arranged by appointment through the school office.

We very much hope that you could be the person who leads us forward and we look forward to welcoming your application. Applications should be received no later than noon on Friday 4th September 2026. You should provide a full statement in support of your application, which should not exceed two sides of A4 paper. Please do not restate the factual details already included elsewhere on the application form.

The shortlist will be drawn up on Monday 7th September 2026 and the selection process will take place on Thursday 17th and Friday 18th September 2026. Further details will be sent to those candidates called for interview. Applicants will be advised after the shortlisting date whether they have been successful.

All applications will be required to complete an Equality Monitoring form. St Michael’s C of E (Controlled) Infant School and Hampshire County Council are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. We will ensure that all our recruitment and selection practices reflect this commitment. All successful candidates will be subject to Disclosure and Barring Service checks along with other relevant employment checks.

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.