At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the development of a positive, inclusive school culture and support student engagement.
- Company: Kingsbury Green Academy, part of the Ascend Learning Trust, known for its commitment to inclusivity.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, generous holiday allowance, wellbeing initiatives, and discounts on various services.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on students' lives by fostering a sense of belonging and community.
- Qualifications: Experience in leadership, strong interpersonal skills, and a passion for student welfare.
- Other info: Join a dynamic team dedicated to creating a supportive and ambitious educational environment.
The predicted salary is between 38736 - 43608 ÂŁ per year.
Job Description
Kingsbury Green Academy
Salary: NJC Grade L/M, ÂŁ42,839-ÂŁ48,226 (DOE) FTE Actual Salary: ÂŁ38,736.91-ÂŁ43,608.08 per annum
Contract: Permanent, 41 weeks per year (term time +2). Hours: 37 hours per week, Monday-Thursday 08:00-16:00 and Fridays 08:00-15:30
Closing date: 8am, 15th April 2026
Interview Date: TBC
Anticipated Start Date: June 2026 (Term 6) or September 2026
Job Overview
We are looking for an inspiring Head of Culture and Belonging to lead the development of a positive, inclusive, and aspirational school culture. This role focuses on building strong relationships, supporting students to meet high expectations, and ensuring they feel a genuine sense of belonging in every part of school life. You will be a visible presence throughout the day, helping shape behaviour, engagement, and the wider school experience. You will also lead student leadership initiatives, oversee rewards and recognition, and strengthen connections with families and the community. Weâre seeking someone who is calm, resilient, confident working with young people, and able to influence and support staff at all levels. If youâre passionate about culture, inclusion, and helping students thrive, weâd love to hear from you!
Why choose us?
Kingsbury Green Academy, judged as âGoodâ by Ofsted in every category when inspected in April 2022, is part of the successful Ascend Learning Trust. We are an ambitious, forward-thinking 11-18 years Academy situated in a beautiful location on the outskirts of Calne in Wiltshire.
Full details can be found in the recruitment pack.
Ascend Learning Trust creates a sense of belonging for everyone. All our young people receive a holistic, world-class education regardless of where they come from or their life challenges. They will leave their Ascend community with outcomes that open doors to a fulfilling and successful future. If you want to be a part of this, and work alongside ambitious, compassionate, and dedicated people we welcome your application. Our mission is to develop and retain high-quality professionals who relentlessly pursue the Ascend vision. Together we will foster a culture of compassion and inclusivity with high expectations and standards for all. Where horizons are limitless, and education is unmissable. Together we Belong, Believe, Become.
We also offer an excellent staff benefit package which includes discounts on high street stores, restaurants, cinemas, and gyms as well as having a wellbeing hub and a cycle to work scheme. We have a wide range of benefits for employees which include:
- Health & Wellbeing
- Free annual Flu Vaccines
- Discounted Gym Memberships
- 24-hour access to free counselling helpline for family, debt advice
- Annual âWellbeing Dayâ
- Generous holiday allowance
- Flexible working solutions
- Hundreds of offers and discounts and cashback on local and national stores
- Excellent Pension Schemes
- Cycle to Work and Tech Schemes
- Health and Fitness Schemes (available at additional cost)
- Instructional Coaching for Teachers
- Developmental performance management conversations
- Apprenticeship opportunities for âon the job trainingâ
- Investment in your career, internal and external talent solutions.
- Recognition and Reward â including service awards
Please note if we receive sufficient applications, we may close this job role earlier.
At Ascend Learning Trust, we believe in the power of diversity to drive innovation, foster creativity, and create a workplace that truly reflects the richness of the world around us. We are excited to welcome applicants from all backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives to join our dynamic team.
SAFEGUARDING STATEMENT
Ascend Learning Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. We particularly welcome applications from underrepresented groups including ethnicity, gender, transgender, age, disability, sexual orientation, or religion.
Please note that this role is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974, which means that you are required to disclose any criminal convictions, cautions, warnings, or reprimands, even if they would normally be considered "spentâ and a DBS check will be carried out before any employment commences.
In line with KCSIE 2025 and safer recruitment practices, the school will conduct an online search for all shortlisted candidates. The online search is part of our safeguarding checks and will seek publicly available information on candidatesâ suitability to work with children. Shortlisted candidates will be provided with further guidance and will be asked to clarify their online presence.
References will be obtained before interview at shortlisting stage and may be used in the interview process. If previous employment has included working with children, then at least one referee must be from this employment regardless of whether this is the current or most recent employment. Any gaps in employment must be detailed and an explanation provided in the relevant section.
Head of Culture and Belonging in Calne employer: Ascend Learning Trust
Contact Detail:
Ascend Learning Trust Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice đ¤Ť
We think this is how you could land Head of Culture and Belonging in Calne
â¨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the education sector, especially those who might know about the Head of Culture and Belonging role. A friendly chat can open doors and give you insider info that could set you apart.
â¨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by researching Kingsbury Green Academy and the Ascend Learning Trust. Understand their values and culture so you can show how your vision aligns with theirs. We want to see your passion for creating an inclusive environment!
â¨Tip Number 3
Practice your responses to common interview questions, but keep it natural. Think about how you can demonstrate your experience in building relationships and fostering a sense of belonging among students. We love authenticity!
â¨Tip Number 4
Donât forget to apply through our website! Itâs the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows youâre serious about joining our amazing team at Kingsbury Green Academy.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Culture and Belonging in Calne
Some tips for your application đŤĄ
Be Yourself: When writing your application, let your personality shine through! We want to see the real you, so donât be afraid to share your passion for culture and belonging in schools.
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to reflect the specific role of Head of Culture and Belonging. Highlight your experience with building inclusive environments and supporting students' needs.
Showcase Your Impact: Use examples from your past experiences to demonstrate how you've positively influenced school culture or student engagement. We love seeing tangible results and how youâve made a difference!
Apply Through Our Website: Donât forget to submit your application through our website! Itâs the best way to ensure we receive all your details correctly and can get back to you as soon as possible.
How to prepare for a job interview at Ascend Learning Trust
â¨Know the Academy's Values
Before your interview, take some time to really understand Kingsbury Green Academy's mission and values. Familiarise yourself with their commitment to inclusivity and high expectations. This will help you align your answers with what theyâre looking for and show that youâre genuinely interested in being part of their community.
â¨Prepare Real-Life Examples
Think of specific instances where you've successfully fostered a positive culture or supported students in feeling included. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses. This will not only demonstrate your experience but also your ability to reflect on your practice.
â¨Show Your Passion for Inclusion
During the interview, express your enthusiasm for creating an inclusive environment. Share your thoughts on how you would engage with students, staff, and families to build a sense of belonging. This role is all about relationships, so let your passion shine through!
â¨Ask Thoughtful Questions
Prepare some insightful questions to ask at the end of your interview. Inquire about their current initiatives for student leadership or how they measure the success of their culture-building efforts. This shows that youâre proactive and genuinely interested in contributing to their goals.