At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead community development and educational improvement at King’s Oak Academy.
- Company: Join a forward-thinking academy committed to community engagement and educational excellence.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, professional development, and wellness support.
- Other info: Flexible working options and a supportive, inclusive environment await you.
- Why this job: Shape the future of education and make a real impact in your community.
- Qualifications: Strong leadership skills and a passion for community development required.
The predicted salary is between 31064 - 45710 £ per year.
King’s Oak Academy is seeking an exceptional and visionary Head of Community Development to drive a strategic, cradle-to-career approach to community development and educational improvement.
The Role
As a senior leader within the Academy, the Head of Community Development will play a pivotal role in shaping how King’s Oak Academy works with its community to improve educational, social and economic outcomes for children and families. You will lead the creation and long-term sustainability of our Family Hub which opened in April 2025 and embedding community engagement as a core driver of school strategy rather than an add-on. Working closely with the Principal, Senior Leadership Team and Trust colleagues, you will ensure that community intelligence, family voice and partnership working inform decision-making at every level. You will also represent the Academy within local, regional and national networks, positioning King’s Oak as a flagship school for community-centred practice.
What We Are Looking For
- Holds QTS and has a strong track record of leadership impact
- Is credible operating at senior leadership and system level, including SLT and Trust forums
- Has deep expertise or a strong professional interest in community development, family engagement and place-based education
- Can lead complex, multi-agency partnerships and secure external investment
- Is equally confident shaping long-term strategy and overseeing delivery at scale
- Brings strong values around equity, collaboration, and empowerment
- Needs the confidence to lead innovation, make high-stakes decisions, and navigate complexity, while maintaining a clear moral purpose focused on improving life chances for children.
Why Join King’s Oak Academy?
- A genuinely strategic leadership role with scope to shape practice locally and beyond
- The opportunity to design and lead a model of best practice in community-centred education
- A collaborative Trust environment that values innovation, professional trust, and evidence-informed decision-making.
- This is not a conventional community engagement post. It is a senior leadership position for someone ready to influence strategy, systems, and outcomes at scale.
About King’s Oak Academy
King’s Oak Academy is situated in the heart of the South Gloucestershire community and is within easy commuting distance of Bristol and Bath. The academy has been part of the Cabot Learning Federation since 2011 and enjoys the benefits from being part of a mature, successful MAT which offers access to excellent professional services and opportunities to work in collaboration with experienced professionals across the trust. As an all-through school, King's Oak is in a privileged position to educate children aged 4-16 and support their families. The academy staff structure and estates are divided into three phases (Lower School = Reception to Year 4, Middle School = Years 5-8, Upper School = Years 9-11). This structure ensures that learning is high quality and bespoke for each child, long-term relationships are fostered with families and King's Oak employees benefit from the unique CPD and leadership opportunities that are available as a result of working in an all-through community school.
Why work at CLF?
We are a diverse and inclusive community of 36 academies across five cluster regions in the South West that is committed to excellence and making a positive impact. Our people bring unique perspectives, but we’re all driven by a shared moral purpose and a passion for making a positive impact, whether in a teaching, leadership or support role. We’re proud to foster a culture where everyone can thrive, feel valued, and make a meaningful difference to the lives of others. We are an equal opportunity employer and proud to serve a diverse student population and our communities. We strongly believe that representation matters and so encourage applications from underrepresented and global majority groups including ethnicity, gender, transgender, age, disability, sexual orientation or religion. We aim to remove any barriers to employment, ensuring everyone can compete on equal terms. Job share, part-time and flexible working opportunities will be considered.
What we can offer you:
- Access to the Teachers’ Pension Scheme.
- Comprehensive induction and ongoing support for career development and wellbeing.
- Sector-leading professional development entitlement and opportunities.
- Collaboration with colleagues across the trust through subject communities and specialist networks.
- Shared CLF curriculum, written and curated by trust experts, reducing individual teacher workload.
- Career enhancing and progression opportunities within the trust and through the CLF Institute.
- A collaborative culture which supports workload.
- Well-being support through an Employee Assistance Programme.
- Health benefits, including wellness sessions, gym discounts, and flu jabs.
- A range of generous family leave options, including above industry average occupational maternity pay.
- Additional benefits like cycle to work scheme, on-site parking and many more!
Recruitment timeline
- Closing Date: 12 January 2026
- Interviews: 20 January 2026
We welcome visits from potential candidates. If you would like to arrange a school visit prior to the closing date, please contact the academy/site directly to arrange a suitable appointment. As part of our commitment to Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE), we do not accept CVs, a full education and employment history must be provided through our application form. We reserve the right to close this vacancy early, should we receive a high level of interest in the role. Therefore, candidates are advised to apply at their earliest convenience to avoid missing out. To apply, please visit the CLF careers website as applications via LinkedIn will not be accepted. A full job description and person specification can also be found here.
As a Disability Confident Committed Employer, we are dedicated to equity and inclusion and commit to interviewing applicants with a disability who meet the essential criteria. We aim to provide an inclusive and accessible recruitment process, and support employees throughout their employment. If you have a disability, are neurodivergent, or require any adjustments to support you through the application or interview process please let us know how we can assist.
Head of Community Development in Weston-super-Mare employer: Cabot Learning Federation
King’s Oak Academy is an exceptional employer that offers a strategic leadership role in community development, allowing you to shape educational practices and outcomes for children and families. With a collaborative culture, extensive professional development opportunities, and a commitment to equity and inclusion, employees thrive in an environment that values innovation and well-being. Located in South Gloucestershire, the academy provides easy access to Bristol and Bath, making it an ideal place for those looking to make a meaningful impact in education.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Community Development in Weston-super-Mare
✨Get Involved Locally
Dive into local volunteer opportunities or social initiatives. This not only beefs up your CV but also connects you with like-minded folks in nonprofits. Plus, it shows your passion for social impact, which is key for getting noticed by Cabot Learning Federation.
✨Tap into Professional Networks
Join networks like the National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO) or local charities to meet professionals in the sector. Attend events and workshops to build relationships and learn about potential openings at organisations like Cabot Learning Federation.
✨Showcase Your Commitment
When prepping for interviews, be ready to speak about your personal connection to social issues. Dive into specific examples of how you’ve contributed to community projects – this will resonate with the mission-driven vibe at Cabot Learning Federation.
✨Utilise Online Platforms
We’re all about making connections, so use platforms like Idealist and CharityJob to hunt for full-time roles. And of course, you should keep an eye on our website for exciting opportunities at Cabot Learning Federation. Apply directly through us to stand out!
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Community Development in Weston-super-Mare
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for the Cause:In the nonprofit sector, it's super important to demonstrate genuine passion for the mission of Cabot Learning Federation. Use your cover letter to showcase any personal experiences or volunteer work that connects you to their social impact initiatives. This emotional connection can really help your application stand out.
Highlight Relevant Experience:When crafting your CV, be sure to include any relevant projects or roles that showcase your skills in social impact. Whether it's community organising, fundraising, or advocacy, highlight what you've done and the difference it's made. Don’t just list tasks; quantify your achievements and the outcomes of your efforts.
Tailor Your Documents to the Role:For a full-time role like Head of Community Development, ensure your CV and cover letter specifically address the responsibilities outlined in the job description. Use their language to describe your skills and experience, making it easy for the hiring team to see how you fit into their vision.
Emphasise Teamwork and Collaboration:Nonprofits thrive on teamwork, so make sure to emphasise your collaborative experiences. Whether you've worked in a team setting, partnered with community organisations, or facilitated group projects, highlight these experiences in your application. Show them you understand the importance of working alongside diverse individuals to achieve shared goals.
How to prepare for a job interview at Cabot Learning Federation
✨Show Your Passion for Social Change
When we’re prepping for interviews in the nonprofit space, it's vital to demonstrate our genuine passion for social impact. Be ready to discuss not just your skills and experiences but also why you care about the mission of Cabot Learning Federation. Sharing personal stories or insights can really make us stand out.
✨Highlight Project Experience
We should focus on specific projects we've worked on that align with the goals of social impact. Whether that’s a community initiative, volunteering, or a class project, having solid examples that showcase our role and the outcomes will resonate well with the interviewers.
✨Familiarity with Relevant Tools and Practices
Let’s brush up on tools and methodologies commonly used in the nonprofit sector, like project management software or outcome measurement frameworks. Being able to speak fluently about these will show that we’re not just passionate but also knowledgeable and ready to hit the ground running.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that evaluate our problem-solving skills in real-world social issues. Think about how we’d handle challenges in the nonprofit environment and prepare stories that demonstrate our critical thinking and adaptability. Role-playing with a friend could help us feel more confident!
