Vacancy: Headteacher
River Mead School is a single entry primary and nursery school with an average number of children on roll of 270. 35 children are educated within the school’s Resource Base, a provision specifically supporting children with Complex Needs, and 45 are in the nursery. The proportion of children living with disadvantage and eligible for pupil premium funding is well above the national average, as is the proportion of pupils who have special educational needs and/or disabilities.
The school has a wide range of outdoor spaces, gardens and playgrounds including a multi-functional all weather activity pitch. The staff pride themselves on the pastoral support they offer the children and creating a ‘school family’. There are a number of children who receive support from social services and staff recognise that it is only when children feel safe and secure that they are able to learn at their best. As a result, the school offers a range of spaces for nurtured learning. It is a very friendly school with a committed staff where everyone embraces the ‘River Mead family’ ethic, and where the mutual respect for all who work in the school is very evident.
Under its current leadership the school has gone from strength to strength over the last five years, and we are looking for a new Headteacher who can continue to drive forward continuous improvement across the school. We are looking for an applicant who is:
• Committed to The Mead Trust’s vision, purpose and values
• Inclusive, passionate, and principled. These are our Trust core principles, and everyone who works for us embodies these in their own unique way
• Able to lead, develop and inspire a strong team of leaders, teachers and support staff to deliver a culture of continuous school improvement
• Creative and dedicated, with the leadership qualities and flair to make great things happen and take the school to the next level
• A motivational leader who will work in partnership with our family of schools and have a willingness to share practice and to learn from others
• Self-motivated and ambitious, with a strong track record of professional learning
• An excellent, engaging communicator who can develop strong relationships with the school’s key stakeholders, including the children, parents, Academy Advisors and the wider community
To be effective and successful, you will be someone who:
• Has excellent knowledge and understanding of current educational priorities and challenges, and how to deliver provision to provide a high-quality education
• Will bring energy and creativity to drive curriculum innovation whilst maintaining existing effective practices
• Has a proven track record of achieving success and raising standards as a leader
• Has the belief that every child can and will succeed, and the determination to provide the necessary experiences to make this happen
What we offer
We recognise the value and contribution every member of our staff makes to our schools, and in return for their dedication and commitment we provide:
- An ambitious and vibrant place to work, with enthusiastic staff and children in all of our schools
- A highly organised and very supportive team
- High quality professional development opportunities from Day One, including a National College account, where you can access thousands of training courses online for free
- A clear vision with purpose and values that are supported by all our staff
- Unlimited, free access to the Employee Assistance Programme which gives all our staff confidential support and guidance whenever they need it
- Generous employer contributions to the Local Authority Pension Scheme
Candidate Briefing Pack >
Application Form >
This role will involve contact with children and the post holder will be engaged in regulated activity relevant to children and will be subject to an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check before appointment is confirmed.
This Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
All posts involving direct contact with children are exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. However, amendments to the Exception Order 1975 (2013 & 2020) provide that certain spent convictions and cautions are ‘protected’. These are not subject to disclosure to employers and cannot be taken into account. Guidance and criteria on the filtering of these cautions and convictions can be found on the Ministry of Justice website.
Please note that by submitting an application, you acknowledge that we reserve the right to view any publicly available information published online (including social media platforms) as part of our shortlisting process, in line with current KCSIE guidelines.