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- Tasks: Lead a vibrant primary academy, fostering inclusive excellence and strategic sustainability.
- Company: Join the Fylde Coast Academy Trust, dedicated to first-class learning opportunities.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, leadership development, flexible working, and health support services.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on young lives in a supportive and collaborative environment.
- Qualifications: Proven leadership experience and a passion for inclusive education.
- Other info: Opportunities for professional growth and a commitment to community engagement.
The predicted salary is between 73105 - 84699 ÂŁ per year.
Closing date for applications: 2 March 2026, 12.00pm
Academy: Westcliff Primary Academy
Contract: Permanent, Full time
Salary: Teachers Leadership Pay Scale, L15-L21, currently ÂŁ73,105 to ÂŁ84,699 per annum
Join Team FCAT
Fylde Coast Academy Trust (FCAT) was established in 2012. Our trust aims to ensure first class learning opportunities for all young people across the Fylde Coast and across Lancashire. The trust has grown to include 10 academies with primary, secondary and all through as well as the Central Services and School Improvement team. Our values of excellence, integrity and resilience guide us to be the best we can be. Learners are at the heart of what we do and their outcomes and successes are what drive us. As a Multi-Academy Trust we work in partnership with educational institutions locally to foster collaboration and knowledge sharing, which is critical to our culture of continuous improvement.
Full information about the trust and its work can be found on our website www.fcat.org.uk. Please refer to the attached recruitment pack for more information.
About Westcliff Primary Academy
Thank you for your interest in this position at Westcliff, which is a wonderful place to work! Visitors to our little school always comment on the positive atmosphere and the vibrant surroundings. Westcliff Primary Academy is a one form entry academy, with a nursery (which caters for children from 2 to 4 years of age). We are situated in Bispham, in the north of Blackpool. At Westcliff, we strive to provide the very best education. We develop the “Whole Child”. We want our pupils to leave school with excellent subject knowledge and skills in addition to being outstanding members of our community. Nurturing our future citizens of tomorrow, ensuring that they are respectful, caring and empathetic, determined to achieve!
We teach our children that their safety is paramount and equip them with the life skills that they need to prepare for life in the wider world. At Westcliff Primary Academy, our expectations are high. We work together with parents to ensure the best outcomes for our pupils; our children typically achieve above national averages in all key stages, making at least expected progress. All of our talented, nurturing staff are highly skilled and take part in continuous professional development including trauma informed approaches. This allows us to ensure that we are implementing the best possible practice.
We have achieved ELKLAN’s “Communication Friendly” Status. We take pride in our Beach School status and are the only school in Blackpool to have achieved this. Our bespoke Beach School lessons complement our creative curriculum. We hold the Music Mark and Primary Science Quality Mark (PSQM) and we are incredibly proud of our Anti-Bullying Silver Mark award. We offer a diverse and inclusive curriculum where difference is celebrated; in recognition of this, we have been awarded the Rainbow Flag award. We also recognise the importance of physical activity and the health benefits surrounding this. We promote both physical and mental well-being and have an excellent sports provision, winning the Blackpool Active Lives Primary School of the Year at the Community Awards 2023 and repeatedly achieving the School Games Gold Award. Our children especially enjoy OPAL - outdoor play and learning - at break times.
Why choose FCAT?
- Leadership Development support opportunities including: Developing and Implementing an Outward Mindset, leadership coaching, NPQ
- Automatic pay progression annually for teaching and support staff
- 25% discount for FCAT in house Breakfast and After School Club provisions
- Membership of the Teachers’ Pension Scheme (TPS) with employer contributions of 23.68%
- Supportive parental leave and flexible working schemes
- 24/7 access to free health support services via Smartclinic including physiotherapy, online GP, counselling, CBT and much more.
- Cycle to work scheme
- Free annual flu vaccine
- Blackpool Transport travel discount of 10%
- Free eye tests* (*conditions apply)
How to apply:
To apply for this post please visit our website and complete the online application form and equal opportunities form at www.fcat.org.uk/job-vacancies. Closing time and date for applications is Noon on Monday 2nd March 2026. Interview and Assessment date is 9th or 11th March 2026. School Visits - 12th February & 24th February 2026.
For any questions regarding the vacancy please contact Donna Cross, at donna.cross@fcat.org.uk.
The Fylde Coast Academy Trust is committed to equality of opportunity for all as well as safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all learners, staff and visitors. All staff are carefully selected using recruitment and selection procedures that comply with Keeping Children Safe in Education. Following shortlisting this may include an online search and following an offer an enhanced DBS clearance.
Supplementary Information:
Headteacher (WPA) Guidance for your Letter of Application
To assist the selection panel in their initial assessment, we ask that your letter of application (no more than two sides of A4) specifically addresses the following three pillars of leadership at Westcliff Primary Academy and within the Fylde Coast Academy Trust:
- Inclusive Excellence in Action Westcliff serves a vibrant and changing community. We are looking for a leader who does not just manage outcomes but excels in understanding how pupils learn. Focus: Please provide evidence of where you have successfully narrowed attainment gaps for disadvantaged pupils and how you have fostered an environment of 'high expectations for all' in your current or previous settings.
- The 'Team FCAT' Philosophy We do not believe in 'island' schools. Our strength lies in our collaboration. As a Headteacher at WPA, you will be an integral part of our Trust-wide school improvement team. Focus: Describe your experience of working collaboratively across a network or partnership of schools. How have you contributed to the development of others, and how would you intend to leverage the 'Team FCAT' network to benefit the Westcliff community?
- Strategic Sustainability: 'Keep-Tweak-Ditch' In line with our FCAT Work and Wellbeing Charter, we are committed to impactful school improvement that avoids initiative overload. Focus: Detail your approach to strategic planning. Specifically, how do you evaluate existing school practices to decide what to Keep (embedded success), Tweak (refining for impact), or Ditch (removing tasks that do not add value to learning or wellbeing)?
Headteacher - Westcliff Primary Academy employer: Fylde Coast Academy Trust (FCAT)
Contact Detail:
Fylde Coast Academy Trust (FCAT) Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Headteacher - Westcliff Primary Academy
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the school culture! Before your interview, take a stroll around Westcliff Primary Academy's website and social media. Familiarise yourself with their values and recent achievements. This will help you connect your experience to what they’re all about.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice makes perfect! Set up mock interviews with friends or colleagues. Focus on articulating your vision for inclusive excellence and how you can contribute to Team FCAT. The more you rehearse, the more confident you'll feel when it’s showtime!
✨Tip Number 3
Bring your A-game to the assessment day! Be prepared to showcase your leadership style and strategic thinking. Think about how you can leverage the 'Keep-Tweak-Ditch' approach in your responses. Show them you’re ready to make a real impact!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up! After your interview, shoot a quick thank-you email to express your appreciation for the opportunity. It’s a nice touch that shows you’re genuinely interested in joining the Westcliff team!
We think you need these skills to ace Headteacher - Westcliff Primary Academy
Some tips for your application 🫡
Be Yourself: When writing your application, let your personality shine through! We want to get to know the real you, so don’t be afraid to share your passion for education and what makes you tick.
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to address the specific pillars of leadership mentioned in the job description. We’re looking for evidence of your experience and how it aligns with our values at Westcliff Primary Academy.
Keep It Concise: Remember, your letter should be no more than two sides of A4. Be clear and to the point while still showcasing your achievements and vision for the role. We appreciate brevity!
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application via our website! It’s the easiest way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re following the correct process. Plus, it shows you’re keen to join Team FCAT!
How to prepare for a job interview at Fylde Coast Academy Trust (FCAT)
✨Know Your Stuff
Before the interview, dive deep into Westcliff Primary Academy's values and achievements. Familiarise yourself with their focus on inclusive excellence and how they support disadvantaged pupils. This will help you align your experiences with their mission and show that you're genuinely interested in the role.
✨Showcase Collaboration
Since Team FCAT values collaboration, prepare examples of how you've worked with other schools or teams. Highlight specific projects where you contributed to collective success, demonstrating your ability to work within a network and enhance the community spirit at Westcliff.
✨Strategic Thinking is Key
Be ready to discuss your approach to strategic planning. Think about how you've evaluated school practices in the past and be prepared to share examples of what you've kept, tweaked, or ditched. This shows that you can contribute to the school's sustainable improvement efforts.
✨Engage with Questions
Prepare thoughtful questions to ask during the interview. This could be about their trauma-informed approaches or how they maintain high expectations for all pupils. Engaging with the panel not only shows your interest but also gives you insight into whether this is the right fit for you.
