Head of School

Head of School

Full-Time 47185 - 131056 € / year (est.) No home office possible
London Borough of Waltham Forest

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead a nurturing primary school, ensuring every pupil receives the best educational start.
  • Company: Barclay Primary School, part of the Lion Academy Trust, committed to excellence.
  • Benefits: Career progression, unlimited CPD access, and employee perks like discounted cinema tickets.
  • Other info: Join a supportive team dedicated to fostering a positive school culture.
  • Why this job: Shape the future of education and inspire both staff and students in a vibrant community.
  • Qualifications: Proven experience in educational management and strategic planning.

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

At Barclay Primary School we live, work, and learn through our five values:

  • ASPIRATION – Aspiring to be the best that we can be.
  • KINDNESS – Being kind to everybody – our peers, staff, and the community.
  • RESPECT – We listen to one another, we take feedback and we improve.
  • HONESTY – We always tell the truth.
  • RESPONSIBILITY - We take responsibility for our actions.

Barclay Primary School, a proud member of the Lion Academy Trust, is seeking an exceptional Head of School to lead our nurturing and ambitious Primary School. This pivotal role includes ensuring every pupil receives the very best start to their educational journey, shaping the future of the school, and maintaining its position as a cornerstone of our local community. The Head of School will work collaboratively with the Executive Team to ensure the delivery of effective teaching, inspire a culture of excellence, and engage stakeholders in achieving outstanding outcomes for all students.

As a visionary leader, the Head of School will develop and implement strategic plans, fostering an ethos of high standards, accountability, and collaboration among staff, pupils, and the wider community. You will oversee the quality of teaching and learning, set and achieve ambitious performance targets, and lead initiatives that promote continuous improvement. A key responsibility is to inspire and empower staff through professional development while ensuring constructive partnerships with parents and carers. This is an exciting opportunity for a dedicated leader with proven experience in educational management, strategic planning, and fostering a positive school culture.

If you are motivated to shape the future of our school, drive innovation, and support every child to reach their full potential, we encourage you to join us at Barclay Primary School and be part of the Lion Academy Trust’s legacy of excellence.

We can offer you:

  • Career progression
  • Unlimited access to CPD and career development through providers such as The National College and The Key.
  • A dynamic, dedicated team of teachers and support staff who want the best for their pupils
  • Enthusiastic, friendly and aspirational pupils who are determined to make the most of their schooling
  • A vibrant school with rewards and opportunities for motivated and committed individuals
  • Lion Pathways Curriculum
  • Employee Assistance programme for you and your immediate family
  • Perks at Work discounted cinema tickets, travel schemes

The successful candidate will raise expectations and aspirations, promote the Trust’s pedagogy for highly effective learning and help achieve positive outcomes for pupils. We offer you a great opportunity to develop your career in a well-respected, Multi Academy Trust working with a forward thinking, vibrant and very supportive team.

The Trust/School is an equal opportunities employer and is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and people, and the successful applicant must provide satisfactory references and will be subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service disclosure, along with all relevant safeguarding checks.

Equal Opportunities Waltham Forest is a diverse borough where diversity is valued and is integral to both, service delivery and employment of its staff. The Council is proud of its rich mix of communities and as the largest employer in the area, it works hard to respond to the changing needs of its population. We use our statutory duties on race, gender and disability equality and best practice in respect of age, faith and sexual orientation to ensure equality of opportunity in the workplace. The Council is committed to meeting its 4 equality objectives:

  • Promoting equality of opportunity
  • Opposing all forms of discrimination, intolerance and disadvantage
  • Ensuring our workforce reflects the diverse communities of Waltham Forest at all levels.
  • Providing fair, appropriate, accessible and excellent Services to all.

Respecting Diversity is a core Council value. To support the above and reduce the risk of bias in its recruitment activities, the council is operating an anonymous shortlisting process, which hides personal information that can identify individuals until their application has been considered for shortlisting. The council also operates a scheme whereby, for jobs graded up to and including scale SO2, internal candidates are considered first. This includes those candidates who self-identify as having a disability for the purposes of the Disability Confident scheme.

For more information, please refer to our recruitment and selection policy.

How to apply: Apply via below link: https://mynewterm.com/jobs/138690/EDV-2026-BPS-76673

Head of School employer: London Borough of Waltham Forest

At Barclay Primary School, we pride ourselves on fostering a nurturing and ambitious environment where every pupil is encouraged to aspire to their best. As part of the Lion Academy Trust, we offer exceptional career progression opportunities, unlimited access to professional development, and a supportive team dedicated to achieving outstanding outcomes for our students. Located in the vibrant borough of Waltham Forest, we celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive workplace that reflects our community's rich mix of cultures.

London Borough of Waltham Forest

Contact Detail:

London Borough of Waltham Forest Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Head of School

Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the education sector, attend local events, and engage with online communities. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.

Tip Number 2

Prepare for interviews by researching the school’s values and recent initiatives. Show how your vision aligns with their goals, especially around aspiration, kindness, and responsibility. Tailor your responses to reflect their ethos!

Tip Number 3

Practice makes perfect! Conduct mock interviews with friends or mentors to refine your answers and boost your confidence. Focus on articulating your leadership style and how you plan to inspire staff and students alike.

Tip Number 4

Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search!

We think you need these skills to ace Head of School

Educational Management
Strategic Planning
Leadership Skills
Collaboration
Performance Management
Professional Development
Stakeholder Engagement

Some tips for your application 🫡

Show Your Values:Make sure to highlight how your personal values align with those of Barclay Primary School. We want to see your aspiration, kindness, respect, honesty, and responsibility shining through in your application!

Be Specific About Your Experience:When detailing your previous roles, focus on specific achievements that demonstrate your leadership skills and strategic planning abilities. We love seeing concrete examples of how you've made a difference in educational settings.

Engage with the Community:Talk about your experience in building partnerships with parents and the wider community. We’re looking for someone who can inspire collaboration and foster a positive school culture, so share any relevant initiatives you’ve led!

Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity at Barclay Primary School.

How to prepare for a job interview at London Borough of Waltham Forest

Know the Values Inside Out

Before your interview, make sure you understand Barclay Primary School's five core values: Aspiration, Kindness, Respect, Honesty, and Responsibility. Think of examples from your past experiences that demonstrate how you've embodied these values in your leadership style.

Showcase Your Visionary Leadership

Prepare to discuss your strategic plans for the school. Be ready to share specific initiatives you've led in the past that resulted in positive outcomes. Highlight how you can inspire and empower staff while fostering a culture of excellence among pupils.

Engage with the Community

Since community engagement is key, think about ways you've successfully collaborated with parents, carers, and local stakeholders. Be prepared to discuss how you would maintain constructive partnerships to support the school's mission and enhance student outcomes.

Demonstrate Commitment to Continuous Improvement

Be ready to talk about how you promote professional development among staff. Share examples of how you've implemented feedback mechanisms and performance targets that have led to continuous improvement in teaching and learning.