PrincipalEDV/2026/SCEPS/98095

The Trust is seeking to appoint an inspiring, talented and dynamic leader to join Sywell CE Primary School in September as their new Principal. The successful candidate will be a senior leader who is ready to take their next step in their career in a strong values-led school, and who displays a strong commitment to professional growth and the flourishing of all.

As Principal, you will have responsibility to lead this thriving village school into its next chapter of excellence. You will be able to inspire and motivate staff to share the ambitions and high expectations for the school and for the children. You will be able to work in partnership with parents to ensure the school serves its community. You will promote the vision and direction of this successful primary school enabling it to build on its achievements to date.

Sywell CE Primary school is a small school where big things happen. Our Christian Narrative (Romans 12:10) speaks to us of the unity of people working towards a shared purpose, whilst recognising and accepting people’s differences. At Sywell CE Primary School we are all “Working Together in God’s Hands” to build our community based on the values of love, respect and fellowship. These foundations underpin our holistic approach to supporting the whole child as an individual in their educational, social and spiritual growth. Together, we endeavour to ensure that every member of our community feels they are an important and valued part of our school.

Sywell is proud to be a part of the Peterborough Diocese Education Trust, alongside all our other schools in the Northamptonshire, Rutland and Peterborough area. PDET is responsible for employing all staff and managing the finances and other central services for the Academies in the Trust. These services include HR support; facilities and premises; procurement and school effectiveness.

The Trust is looking to recruit someone who:

• Has recent, successful senior leadership experience looking for an opportunity to take the next step in their leadership career.
• Is an excellent communicator and can build on the successful working partnerships with families, staff, school forums and the wider community.
• Ensures our enthusiastic children feel safe, happy, and able to learn.
• Is an outstanding practitioner with excellent pedagogy and the ability to coach, guide and mentor staff on how to develop their teaching practice.
• Embraces and is knowledgeable about inclusion.
• Has good knowledge of the curriculum and has high expectations of children's learning and outcomes and how to achieve them.
• Understands and is committed to pupils' pastoral needs and behaviour management.
• Has the ability to work effectively, flexibly, and independently and above all is a committed team member.
• Is a leader who embraces and promotes the Christian ethos of the school.
• Has a flexible approach to working.
• Is an enthusiastic individual who supports and challenges positively, driving change for the benefit of all.

In return, we can offer you:

• A school that is committed to the importance of developing children’s creativity, imagination and love of learning.
• A flourishing school that is committed to inclusion and building relationships that serve the whole school community.
• A school that believes in kindness, love and Christian values that underpin its approach to the whole school community.
• A high quality, committed staff team who are passionate about ‘making a difference’.
• A large trust, spanning Northamptonshire, Rutland and Peterborough, that is highly committed to professional development and provides access to a range of developmental and career opportunities.
• A supportive trust that will challenge you positively and will encourage you to achieve your potential.

The Trust regards developing people as a key priority in order to achieve educational excellence. Hence, we invest in people to develop their individual skills and talents; all members of staff are appreciated for the part they play in a highly effective team. We strive to be an employer of choice; we are committed to ensuring our employees feel valued and at the heart of what we do.

We have a number of core benefits which include:

• Professional Development: We offer high quality, evidence-based professional development across a range of areas including leadership, teaching and learning, SEND and behaviour management. We support staff in accessing a wide range of qualifications, including Diplomas, Masters and National Professional Qualifications (NPQs). As a large employer we pay into the Apprenticeship Levy Fund and are able to offer a wide range of apprenticeships to both new and existing staff.
• Professional Growth: We have removed traditional ‘performance management’ and have replaced it with ‘professional growth’; a different perspective and a new direction designed to challenge thinking, promote deep reflection, collaboration and change for the better. We listen to career aspirations and how we can support with your goals and next steps. There is no performance-related pay in the Trust - we view our staff as our greatest asset. Our professional growth processes exist to ensure that our staff are able to be the very best they can be. This in turn leads to achieving our core purpose: that every adult and every child flourishes.
• A Well-being Strategy: The Trust has a comprehensive well-being strategy encompassing five strands of well-being. There is an Employee Assistance Programme, providing practical and emotional support and an Employee Benefits Scheme, offering discounts on everyday essentials.

Visits to the school are warmly welcomed and encouraged. The Trust welcomes interest from any senior leader/teacher from a church school/non-church school who shares the school’s values. If you would like to discuss the role in more detail please contact Gill Broughton, Director of Education, by email to gill.broughton@pdet.org.uk. To arrange a visit, please feel free to contact the current Headteacher Jo Shortland, who will be more than happy to show you around the school. Jo can be contacted by email to head@Sywell.pdet.org.uk. More information about the school can be found on the following website: https://www.sywellceprimaryschool.org.uk/.

Closing Date – 4pm, Monday 16th March 2026

Interviews Scheduled – Monday 23rd March 2026.

The Trust is committed to the safeguarding and welfare of children and successful applicants will need to provide two references and undergo a DBS and medical check provided by the school.