Director of Education (Primary)

Unity Schools Partnership, Haverhill, CB9 8QP

13 days remaining to apply

• Start date details

  April or September 2026

• Closing date

  23 January 2026 at 9am

• Date listed

  9 January 2026

Job details

• Job role:
  • Other leadership roles
• Visa sponsorship: Visas cannot be sponsored
• Working pattern: Full time: Full time, 33.25 hours per week
• Contract type: Permanent
• Full-time equivalent salary: £108,202 – £119,350 per annum (L31–L35, with potential extension to L37 for exceptional performance)
• Pay scale: L31–L35 with potential extension to L37 for exceptional performance

What skills and experience we're looking for

Shape primary education across the East of England — and transform the futures of thousands of children.

This is a rare opportunity to set the pace for primary education across the East of England—shaping strategy, accelerating school improvement, and building the conditions for excellence at scale.

If you’re a proven Headteacher and system leader who thrives on ambition, influence and ethical leadership, this role gives you the platform and autonomy to make durable change: guiding practice across multiple schools, developing exceptional people, and aligning innovation with impact.

Join a values‑led Trust where collaboration is real, challenge is welcomed, and the bar is set high—for you, for our teams, and for the pupils we serve.

You will collaborate closely with the Executive Director of Education (Mainstream), fellow Directors of Education across our Primary, Secondary and Special phases, and wider senior trust leaders to drive excellence, serving as link director for a subset of our 26 primary schools.

Beyond school improvement, you will play a pivotal role in influencing the strategic direction of a dynamic and expanding Trust of 40 schools.

Our vision is bold: to deliver top-quartile performance by 2028, underpinned by ethical leadership, innovation, and a culture of collaboration.

What We’re Looking For

• A proven track record as a Primary Headteacher, ideally with experience in a MAT or leading across multiple schools.
• Deep understanding of outstanding primary practice delivering sustained excellent outcomes.
• Strategic vision and the ability to influence at the highest level.
• Creativity and innovation to drive forward our internationally recognised CUSP curriculum.
• A collaborative leader who inspires others and builds strong relationships with a deep commitment to serving our most vulnerable pupils.

What the school offers its staff

Why Join Us?

• Join a high-performing leadership team driving educational excellence and delivering transformative outcomes for disadvantaged pupils.
• Work closely with executive colleagues to set strategy, with inclusion at its heart and deliver great outcomes for all pupils.
• Influence practice across multiple schools and help create a culture of excellence through leaders across a network of schools.
• Enjoy a role where ambition, pace, and ethical leadership are at the heart of everything we do.

Flexible working opportunities

Flexible working options, including part-time and job-share, are available.

Further information about the job

The candidate will be required to undergo a full enhanced DBS check and must be eligible to work in the UK.

Visas cannot be sponsored.

If you're interested in teaching or training to teach in England as an international citizen, we can help you understand your next steps.

About Unity Schools Partnership

We are a forward-thinking Multi Academy Trust committed to improving outcomes for all pupils. Our work is characterised by ambition, innovation, and collaboration, and we believe remarkable change is possible.

Closing Date: 9.00 am, Friday 23rd January 2026

Interviews: 29th January 2026 (with potential follow-up on 30th)

For an informal discussion, contact Stephen Astley, Executive Director of Education (Mainstream) at sastley@unitysp.co.uk or call 07711 486791.

Commitment to safeguarding

Unity Schools Partnership is committed to safer recruitment, equal opportunities, safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people, and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. An enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check will be required.

Applying for the job

Apply for the job by following the link below.

CVs will not be accepted for this application.

Upload additional documents

If you need these documents in an accessible format, please contact the school.

JD - Director of Education (Primary) Jan 2026.pdf - 203 KB (opens in new tab)

About Unity Schools Partnership

• Type: Multi-academy trust
• Website: Unity Schools Partnership website
• Email address: sastley@unitysp.co.uk
• See more jobs: teaching-vacancies.service.gov.uk/organisations/unity-schools-partnership

Academy Trust

Arranging a visit to Unity Schools Partnership

To arrange a visit and increase the chance of a successful application email sastley@unitysp.co.uk.

Head office location

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