Executive Headteacher (Secondary)

Pontefract Academies Trust, Pontefract, WF8 4HH

18 days remaining to apply

• Start date details

  April 2026 or as soon as possible

• Closing date

  2 November 2025 at 11:59pm

• Date listed

  15 October 2025

Job details

• Job role:
  • Headteacher
  • Other leadership roles
• Visa sponsorship: Visas cannot be sponsored
• Key stage: Key stage 3, Key stage 4
• Working pattern: Full time: Monday to Friday 32.5 hours per week
• Contract type: Permanent
• Pay scale: We offer a competitive salary alongside a comprehensive benefits package and opportunities for professional development.

What skills and experience we're looking for

‘Looking for your next big challenge? Ready to lead with purpose across a family of schools? If your answer is ‘Yes,’ this could be your perfect next step.’

We are seeking to appoint an Executive Headteacher to lead our designated secondary schools within Pontefract Academies Trust.

If you have a proven track record of strategic leadership at Headteacher level or above, and have delivered sustainable school improvement, this is a fantastic opportunity to shape the future of multiple schools and be part of a thriving and ambitious Trust. You must share our values and be driven to make a meaningful difference to the lives of children and young people.

Your professional development will be a key priority, and you will be supported by a highly experienced network of senior leaders across the Trust.

You must be collaborative, adaptable, and able to balance hands-on leadership with clear strategic direction. Your positive, can-do attitude will inspire and engage students, staff, and families. Above all, you must be passionate about improving life chances and helping young people become outstanding citizens.

We offer a competitive salary alongside a comprehensive benefits package and opportunities for professional development.

This is a 1 FTE, permanent contract, to start April 2026 or as soon as possible.

What the school offers its staff

About Pontefract Academies Trust

Pontefract Academies Trust is a cross phase Multi-Academy Trust comprising of nine schools: seven primaries and two 11-16 secondary schools. Our mission is running high quality, high achieving schools that give our children and young people the chance in life they deserve.

The Trust is renowned for its commitment to excellence and has achieved remarkable success. Our primary outcomes at Key Stage 2 now sit 24% above the national average, with five out of the seven in the top 5% in the country for combined outcomes. Within the last 12 months, three of our primary schools – Carleton Park J& I School, Larks Hill J&I School and Halfpenny Lane J,I&N School – were recognised as Outstanding across all areas in their most recent Ofsted inspections. Our secondary schools Key Stage 4 results for English, Maths and Science are well above national average and both schools had successful visits from Ofsted in 2024 and 2022.

Additionally, we have just announced an exciting development, a proposed merger with Ark Schools. This is set to take place in Sept 2026, a step that reflects our ambition to grow, never settle, and to do what’s right for our pupils, staff, and community. This change will bring even stronger support, greater collaboration, and more opportunities. We’re excited for what’s ahead and we hope that you’ll be a part of shaping that future with us.

What can we offer you?

We’re passionate about employee benefits at Pontefract Academies Trust, offering the following as standard to all:

• For the 2025/26 academic year, we will be providing staff with three Everyday Development (EDD) days. These development days will offer you self-directed time away from the workplace to recharge and reflect on your personal and career goals.

• Everyday Development (EDD) Framework: A simple, personal and flexible goal-based approach to continuous learning, career growth and wellbeing.

• Exciting career and leadership pathways supported by outstanding CPD opportunities

• Generous employer pension (Teacher Pension Fund).

• Laptop/tablet and mobile phone.

• Fantastic family friendly policies with a focus on employee work/life balance

• Cycle to work scheme, Blue Light card, discounted gym membership

• Free eyecare via Specsavers, childcare vouchers

• Employee wellbeing programme (including physiotherapy, personal or professional concerns on legal, health, finance, wellbeing, and other matters)

• Discounts at numerous retailers including O2

• Free flu vaccinations.

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.

Further information and School Visits

Candidates are strongly encouraged to contact our Chief Executive Officer, Julian Appleyard OBE, for an informal conversation about the role. Please contact Philippa Dykes (adminsupport@patrust.org.uk) to arrange an appointment.

Potential candidates are also welcome to visit our schools. This is a great opportunity to explore our facilities, meet our dedicated staff and get a feel for the vibrant community we have built. We look forward to welcoming you and answering any questions you may have.

Key Dates

• Application Deadline: 10:00am Monday 3rd November 2025

• Interviews to be held: Thursday 13th & Friday 14th November 2025

• Start date: April 2026 or as soon as possible

Application Process

• Complete an application form in SamPeople Recruit via our website: www.pontefractacademiestrust.org.uk

Important Links

• Pontefract Academies Trust Website: www.pontefractacademiestrust.org.uk

• Trust Strategic Plan for 2025 to 2028: www.pontefractacademiestrust.org.uk/strategy2025-2028/

Contact Information

• Tel: 01977 232146

• Email: adminsupport@patrust.org.uk

Commitment to safeguarding

We are an equal opportunities employer, welcoming applications from everyone. Pontefract Academies Trust is wholly committed to ensuring children and young people are fully supported and safe. We are dedicated to safeguarding all children and young people whilst promoting their welfare. Any offer of employment will be subject to receipt of a satisfactory DBS Enhanced Disclosure and pre-employment checks(including online checks). Shortlisted applicants will also be asked to provide a self-declaration form.

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.

PAT - Executive Headteacher (Secondary) - 14 Oct.pdf - 4.87 MB (opens in new tab)

PAT - Working for us booklet (Oct 2025).pdf - 18.3 MB (opens in new tab)

About Pontefract Academies Trust

• Type: Multi-academy trust
• Website: Pontefract Academies Trust website
• Email address: adminsupport@patrust.org.uk
• Phone number: 01977 232146
• See more jobs: teaching-vacancies.service.gov.uk/organisations/pontefract-academies-trust

Pontefract Academies Trust is a cross-phase Multi Academy Trust compromising of eight schools, six primary schools and two 11-16 secondary schools, all located within a tight geographic hub within Pontefract. It is a thriving trust that has been on a sustained journey of improvement in recent years and is ambitious to improve further, positively impacting more lives.

As a family of schools, we collaborate with each other, challenge each other and share best practice. We take collective responsibility for each other and the results of all our children and young people.

We aim to provide professional work environments where our people have the support and tools to do a great job and push our children and young people to scale new heights in a safe and secure environment.

Arranging a visit to Pontefract Academies Trust

To arrange a visit and increase the chance of a successful application email adminsupport@patrust.org.uk.

Head office location

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