Head of Academy
Discovery Special Academy, Middlesbrough, Cleveland, TS5 7YN17 days remaining to apply
Job start date
1 September 2026
Closing date
14 May 2026 at 9am
Date listed
27 April 2026
Job details
Job role
- Headteacher
Visa sponsorship
- Visas cannot be sponsored
Key stage
- Early years, Key stage 1, Key stage 2, Key stage 3, Key stage 4
Working pattern
- Full time: Monday to Friday 32.5 hours
Contract type
- Permanent
Full-time equivalent salary
- L18 to L123 £78,701 to £88,950
What skills and experience we're looking for
We are seeking to appoint a pro-active, enthusiastic and highly effective senior leader who is deeply committed to inclusive education and who has a strong track record of improving outcomes for children and young people, including pupils with SEND. The successful candidate will be an inspirational role model, with high expectations of pupils and staff, and the ability to translate vision into consistent, day-to-day excellence across Discovery Special Academy.
As Head of Academy, you will provide strategic and operational leadership for the quality of education, behaviour and attendance, personal development and safeguarding, working in close partnership with the Executive Headteacher and academy leadership team. You will use evidence and data intelligently to evaluate impact, secure continuous improvement, and ensure that pupils’ needs are met through ambitious curriculum leadership, strong inclusive practice and effective deployment and development of staff.
You will be an excellent communicator who builds strong relationships with pupils, families, staff, governors and external partners. Through robust systems, reflective practice and visible leadership, you will ensure high standards are consistently upheld across the academy and that every pupil is supported to thrive, achieve and belong.
What the school offers its staff
- A workplace where all staff are valued and treated with respect as outlined within the Trust’s Diamond Standards
- A passionate, enthusiastic and supportive Leadership Team
- A listening and learning organisation where all staff are encouraged to be curious and share ideas for the Trust/academies/team to improve
- Hard working, committed and dedicated staff who strive to gain the best outcomes for all children across the Trust’s academies
- Dedicated approach to children’s learning to encourage them all to be the best they can be
- Career enhancement opportunities within areas of interest as well as supporting ongoing professional development and training specific to job role
- Dedicated line manager to discuss work streams and capacity
- Free access to the Trust’s Wellbeing offer, which includes counselling, access to GP, Mindfulness and so much more.
- Free parking
- Enrolment into the teachers pension scheme with an employer contribution of 28.68%.
- All teaching contracts are employed on standard teaching pay and conditions (burgundy book).
- Benefits of the Trust’s Staff Charter which can be found at TVED Staff Charter.
Further information about the job
About the role we are looking to appoint:
Following the retirement of the current postholder, the Trust is seeking to appoint an exceptional Head of Academy to provide strong, visible leadership for Discovery Special Academy. This is a key senior role, working in close partnership with the Executive Headteacher to secure excellent outcomes for pupils, sustain high standards of behaviour, attendance and safeguarding, and ensure the highest quality of provision for children and young people aged 2–16.
The successful candidate will build on the academy’s strengths and lead the next phase of improvement, underpinned by a culture of creativity, curiosity, care, courage and commitment. They will ensure that all pupils experience meaningful access to learning and enrichment, supported by ambitious curriculum leadership, strong inclusive practice and effective engagement with families and multi-agency partners.
Working closely with the Executive Headteacher, academy leadership team, Trust colleagues, children, families and external partners, the Head of Academy will provide strategic and operational leadership that improves teaching and learning, strengthens systems and processes, and secures consistently high standards across the academy.
Commitment to safeguarding
Our organisation is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. We expect all staff, volunteers and trustees to share this commitment.
Our recruitment process follows the keeping children safe in education guidance.
Offers of employment may be subject to the following checks (where relevant):
childcare disqualification
Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS)
medical
online and social media
prohibition from teaching
right to work
satisfactory references
suitability to work with children
You must tell us about any unspent conviction, cautions, reprimands or warnings under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975.
Applying for the job
This job requires you to download an application form, you will be able to upload the application once complete.
CVs will not be accepted for this application.
Additional documents
If you need these documents in an accessible format, please contact the school.
About Discovery Special Academy
- School type
- Free School, ages 2 to 16
- School size
- 171 pupils enrolled
- Age range
- 2 to 16
- Ofsted report
- View Ofsted report
- School website
- Discovery Special Academy website
- Email address
- recruitment@discoveryspecialacademy.org.uk
- Phone number
- 01642 248333
Arranging a visit to Discovery Special Academy
To arrange a visit and increase the chance of a successful application email recruitment@discoveryspecialacademy.org.uk.
School location
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