Head of School

Head of School

Full-Time 47185 - 131056 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
ARK BRUNEL PRIMARY ACADEMY

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead a vibrant primary school and drive its development in a diverse community.
  • Company: Ark Brunel Primary Academy, part of a successful multi-academy trust.
  • Benefits: Competitive salary, excellent career development, and bespoke teacher training.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact in a supportive environment with ambitious students and parents.
  • Qualifications: Experience as a Vice Principal or existing Headteacher committed to inclusivity.
  • Other info: Join a network of schools for collaboration and wider influence.

The predicted salary is between 47185 - 131056 £ per year.

Ark Brunel Primary Academy is a school with great potential, and we are now seeking to appoint a Head of School to lead the school through the next phase of development. The Head of School will lead a vibrant one-form entry primary school serving the diverse community in North Kensington, with over 54% of our pupils on free school meals. This is an exciting opportunity for an excellent Vice Principal who is committed to serving in disadvantaged contexts and is looking to step into headship with the support of an experienced and dedicated Executive Principal. In addition, the successful candidate would have the support of the wider Ark network and fellow Ark heads. Equally, this could also be the ideal role for an existing Headteacher who values collaboration and is looking to join a network of schools where they can have wider impact. The appointed Head of School will join Ark Brunel this September.

The Ark Brunel school site enjoys state-of-the-art facilities for our children to enjoy and enhances our ability to bring our rich curriculum to life. We are proud to be a leading inclusive primary in the Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea, and our on-site SEND unit is highly praised. The incoming Head of School will work alongside a parent community who are ambitious and aspirational for their children. They are supportive of our aims and methods to ensure their children reach their highest potential.

We warmly welcome and encourage confidential conversations about the role and visits to our school for suitable candidates. If you are interested in finding out more about this opportunity, please contact our Senior Recruitment Advisor, Shevonnae Sokoya, at Shevonnae.Sokoya@arkonline.org. To apply, please submit an application via the Ark recruitment portal by 9am on Friday 24th April. If you have any questions, concerns or time constraints with applying please contact us directly. For more information about the role, the school and Ark, please view the full job pack.

Benefits

  • Influence across network-wide issues through our principal meetings and regional collaboration
  • Guidance from a supportive Executive Principal
  • On-hand expertise from our dedicated network education and operations teams who are ready to support you and your school
  • Bespoke teacher development programmes supported by the Great Teacher Rubric
  • Excellent career development opportunities across both the region and wider Ark network
  • Access to excellent senior leadership training
  • Highly competitive remuneration.

Ark Brunel is an inclusive, one-form entry primary school serving the local community in North Kensington. With over 54% of our children on Pupil Premium, it is imperative that the incoming Head of School is committed to serving a community with a diverse range of needs. Our most recent Ofsted inspection (May 2024) praised our school for its ambitious nature and our commitment to ensuring all pupils achieve their full potential, which is actualised through our broad and rich curriculum. We are a Rights Respecting School and believe children should know their rights and responsibilities to be well-rounded citizens and leaders of the future.

Ark Brunel Primary Academy is part of the Ark network, one of the country’s most successful multi-academy trusts. The newly appointed Head of School will have the support of a dedicated Executive Principal and have access to exceptional coaching and training opportunities, as well as the opportunity to collaborate with principal colleagues across London and our wider network.

Diversity and inclusion: We aim to build a diverse and inclusive organisation where everyone – staff and students – can do their best work and achieve their full potential. We want to reflect and represent diverse perspectives across our organisation because we know that doing so will make us stronger and more effective.

Safeguarding statement: Ark is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people in its academies. In order to meet this responsibility, its academies follow a rigorous selection process to discourage and screen out unsuitable applicants. Ark requires all employees to undertake an enhanced DBS check. You are required, before appointment, to disclose any unspent conviction, cautions, reprimands or warnings under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975. Non-disclosure may lead to termination of employment. However, disclosure of a criminal background will not necessarily debar you from employment - this will depend upon the nature of the offence(s) and when they occurred.

Please note we will be reviewing applications on an ongoing basis and this role may close earlier than advertised depending on the level of response. We strongly encourage you to submit your application at your earliest convenience.

Head of School employer: ARK BRUNEL PRIMARY ACADEMY

Ark Brunel Primary Academy is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and collaborative work environment for educators dedicated to making a difference in the lives of children from diverse backgrounds. With access to state-of-the-art facilities, bespoke teacher development programmes, and excellent career progression opportunities within the Ark network, the incoming Head of School will be well-equipped to lead a vibrant community-focused school in North Kensington. Join us to influence positive change and foster an inclusive educational experience for all students.
ARK BRUNEL PRIMARY ACADEMY

Contact Detail:

ARK BRUNEL PRIMARY ACADEMY Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Head of School

✨Tip Number 1

Get to know the school! Before your interview, do a bit of homework on Ark Brunel Primary Academy. Familiarise yourself with their values, recent achievements, and community initiatives. This will show that you're genuinely interested and ready to lead.

✨Tip Number 2

Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former staff members if you can. Having insider knowledge about the school's culture and challenges can give you an edge in your discussions and help you tailor your approach.

✨Tip Number 3

Prepare for scenario questions! As a Head of School, you'll face various challenges. Think about how you'd handle specific situations, especially those related to diverse needs and community engagement. Practice articulating your thoughts clearly.

✨Tip Number 4

Don’t forget to showcase your vision! During the interview, share your ideas on how you plan to enhance the school's development and support its diverse community. This is your chance to shine and demonstrate your leadership style!

We think you need these skills to ace Head of School

Leadership Skills
Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion
Collaboration
Curriculum Development
Community Engagement
Safeguarding Knowledge
Coaching and Mentoring
Strategic Planning
Communication Skills
Problem-Solving Skills
Adaptability
Experience in Disadvantaged Contexts
Ambition for Educational Excellence

Some tips for your application 🫡

Show Your Passion: When writing your application, let your passion for education and commitment to serving diverse communities shine through. We want to see how your values align with ours at Ark Brunel!

Tailor Your Application: Make sure to tailor your application specifically for the Head of School role. Highlight your relevant experience and how it connects to the unique needs of our school and community.

Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application clear and to the point. We appreciate well-structured responses that get straight to the heart of your qualifications and vision for the role.

Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application via the Ark recruitment portal! It’s the best way to ensure we receive your details and can consider you for this exciting opportunity.

How to prepare for a job interview at ARK BRUNEL PRIMARY ACADEMY

✨Know the School Inside Out

Before your interview, take some time to research Ark Brunel Primary Academy thoroughly. Understand its values, mission, and the community it serves. Familiarise yourself with recent Ofsted reports and any initiatives the school has undertaken. This knowledge will help you demonstrate your commitment and alignment with their goals.

✨Showcase Your Leadership Style

As a potential Head of School, it's crucial to articulate your leadership philosophy. Prepare examples of how you've successfully led teams in the past, particularly in diverse or disadvantaged contexts. Highlight your collaborative approach and how you plan to work with the Executive Principal and other heads within the Ark network.

✨Engage with the Community

Since the role involves serving a diverse community, be ready to discuss how you would engage with parents and local stakeholders. Share specific strategies you've used in the past to foster community involvement and support, as well as how you plan to build relationships with families at Ark Brunel.

✨Prepare Thoughtful Questions

Interviews are a two-way street, so come prepared with insightful questions about the school's future direction, challenges, and opportunities. This not only shows your genuine interest but also helps you assess if this is the right fit for you. Ask about the support systems in place for new leaders and how collaboration is encouraged within the network.

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