Headteacher - Stoke Mandeville Combined School

Stoke Mandeville Combined School are looking to appoint a new Headteacher for September 2026 due to our current, longstanding head of 12 years retiring. The Governors, staff team, children and families are seeking an experienced leader to join our school community, who has the dedication, drive and vision to continue to lead us into our next stage of development.

About us

Stoke Mandeville Combined School is on the outskirts of Aylesbury serving the local area. We are a well‑established oversubscribed school that embraces and values all children as individuals, working hard to celebrate all success. Together – teachers, pupils, families and the local area are united in working as a community to provide a well‑rounded, inclusive and nurturing environment with an enriching curriculum in a stimulating setting, where children can learn and thrive.

In our new Headteacher, we are looking for:

• An experienced and inspirational leader who has a shared vision with our school community and the skills to lead, motivate, develop and support a dedicated staff team.
• An ambitious individual who can maintain the high standards of our school whilst providing strategic planning for school improvements in line with the evolving curriculum and Ofsted requirements.
• Someone who is passionate about the quality of teaching and learning, having high expectations for children's achievements.
• A natural and engaging communicator, skilled in maintaining critical relationships with the Governing board, staff, parents, the local community and stakeholders/partners.
• A champion of inclusion, who strongly supports diversity and individuality.
• A dynamic, yet patient and caring personality who is able to build great relationships with pupils and support the team operationally.

In return, our school offers:

• A competitive salary.
• Commitment to your professional development.
• The opportunity to make a difference in a diverse and inclusive school environment.
• Opportunities to innovatively support school improvement.
• An experienced, knowledgeable and committed governing board, a dedicated team of professional staff and a supportive and pro‑active school community.
• A warm, welcoming environment full of enthusiastic children, who are eager to engage and learn.

About you

Qualifications and Continuing Professional Development:

• Recognised degree or equivalent – Essential.
• Qualified Teacher Status – Essential.
• Hold NPQH or commit to undertaking this course upon appointment – Desirable.
• A recent and appropriate track record of professional development relating to school leadership – Essential.
• A track record of collaborative working with other schools – Desirable.

Experience:

• Successful experience of teaching and leadership across the Primary stage – Essential.
• Experience of being a member of the Senior Leadership Team in a primary school – Essential.
• Proven track record in raising educational standards for all pupils in EYFS, KS1, KS2, as well as specific groups – Essential.
• Understanding of strategic financial planning, budgeting and resource management – Desirable.
• Commitment to fostering and developing the relationships between the school, local and wider community – Essential.
• Proven experience of implementing effective school self‑evaluation and school improvement – Essential.
• A commitment to effective continuous professional development for all – Essential.
• Ability to exemplify how the needs of all groups have been met through high‑quality teaching (e.g. SEND, EAL, Most Able, PP, FSM, gender) – Essential.

Knowledge and Skills:

• Able to articulate and share an ambitious strategic vision that gains ownership throughout the school – Essential.
• Knowledge and understanding of current education issues, regional and national developments and best practice in education – Essential.
• Ability to evaluate the standards of teaching and learning in school to raise standards – Essential.
• Ability to work successfully with the staff and Governing Board and wider parent body – Essential.
• Ability to provide concise and accurate reports to a range of stakeholders including the Governing Board and the Local Authority – Essential.
• Ability to strategically lead, promote and demonstrate good communication systems to a range of audiences at all levels – Essential.
• Experience of and a commitment to sustaining a safe, secure and healthy environment, and to promote inclusion – Essential.
• Evidence of appropriate safeguarding training at senior leadership level – Essential.
• Experience of working with outside agencies – Desirable.

Personal Skills and Attributes:

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills – Essential.
• Reflective practitioner, able to respond to and shape the creative energies of the leadership team and others – Essential.
• Commitment to ensuring a healthy work life balance and promoting the health and wellbeing of all within our school community – Essential.
• Ability to apply analytical, creative and flexible solutions in response to the changing demands in school – Essential.
• Demonstration of a high degree of personal integrity – Essential.

Other information:

Visits to the school prior to application are highly encouraged and warmly welcomed. Please contact the School Administrator, Mrs A Jacob, in the School Office on 01296 612371 to arrange a suitable time. Stoke Mandeville Combined School has a responsibility for and is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and for ensuring that they are protected from harm. The post is subject to an enhanced DBS and qualifications check. We welcome applicants from all the diverse range of cultures and all sections of our community.