Head of Academy
Horbury Academy, Wakefield, West Yorkshire, WF4 5HE18 days remaining to apply
Job start date
1 January 2027
Closing date
21 September 2026 at 9am
Date listed
3 September 2026
Job details
Job role
- Headteacher
Visa sponsorship
- Visas cannot be sponsored
Key stage
- Key stage 3, Key stage 4, Key stage 5
Working pattern
- Full time: Monday to Friday
Contract type
- Permanent
Pay scale
- L25 - L29
What skills and experience we're looking for
We are seeking an exceptional Head of Academy to lead our academy on the next stage of its improvement and development journey. This is an exciting opportunity for a passionate and values-driven leader to work alongside the Executive Principal, Academy Education Committee, colleagues, families, and the wider community to secure outstanding the highest outcomes for every pupil.
As Head of Academy, you will provide professional leadership and strategic direction across all aspects of academy life, ensuring the highest standards of teaching, learning, behaviour, safeguarding, and pupil achievement. You will be responsible for leading and developing staff, driving school improvement, and creating a culture where both pupils and colleagues can thrive
You will have a proven track record of success and will be able to demonstrate how you have improved outcomes for pupils and led on a significant range of strategic aims and objectives.
We are looking to appoint an inspirational leader with the passion and commitment to lead Academy wide development within a collaborative successful Multi Academy Trust. You will be able to demonstrate a wide range of skills including the ability to deliver impact through strategy; and manage multi-disciplinary teams in a fast-paced environment.
The Head of Academy role presents a unique opportunity for an outstanding leader to play a key role in the Academy’s success as part of our newly formed Multi Academy Trust, Place Partnership.
About You
The successful candidate will be…
- A highly effective and experienced senior leader with a proven track record of raising standards and improving outcomes.
- Have substantial leadership experience as Assistant Principal, Vice Principal, Deputy Headteacher, or equivalent level.
- Able to inspire, motivate and develop staff through collaborative and impactful leadership.
- An outstanding classroom practitioner with a deep understanding of curriculum development, teaching, learning and assessment.
- Able to communicate effectively and build relationships with parents, governors, Trust leaders and external partners.
- Committed to promoting high standards of behaviour, inclusion, safeguarding and pupil welfare.
This is an exciting opportunity to join a forward-thinking and ambitious organisation, driven by a genuine passion for the wellbeing, care, and education of young people.
What the school offers its staff
Place Partnership was formed in September 2026 following the voluntary merger of two strong and successful Trusts in South and West Yorkshire: Maltby Learning Trust, established in 2014, and Accord Multi Academy Trust, founded in 2016. At the heart of Place Partnership is a commitment to building a culture where people feel valued, take pride in their place, and hold high expectations because everyone matters. At Place Partnership we are dedicated to providing high-quality education which ensures that every child is given the opportunity to achieve their full potential.
We invest in our people through extensive professional learning and development opportunities, and we recognise that our people are our greatest strength. As such, we offer a comprehensive suite of benefits as part of our commitment to wellbeing and professional growth. Here are a few examples of employee benefits that focus on our employees Financial, Physical and Mental Wellbeing:
- Membership to either the Teachers’ Pension Scheme or the Local Government Pension Scheme
- Technology scheme via SmartTech*
- Access to an extensive discounts platform via ‘Place Plus’
- Access to an industry leading Employee Assistance Programme (EAP)
- 24/7 access to an online GP or Advanced Nurse Practitioner through Corporate Paid Healthcare Cash Plans
- Access to health and wellbeing services, with the ability to claim money back for essential healthcare such as prescriptions, optical and dental care through Corporate Paid Healthcare Cash Plans.
- Cycle to Work Scheme*
- Free, on-site parking at every site
- Trained Mental Health First Aiders in all our settings
*restrictions apply
For full details of our employee benefit package, please see our recruitment pack.
Further information about the job
Further Information
Visits are warmly welcomed and can be arranged. For further details regarding this opportunity, for an informal discussion regarding the role or to arrange a visit, please do not hesitate to contact hr@placepartnership.com.
Closing Date: Monday 21 September 2026 at 9.00am
Interviews are expected to take place: Thursday 24 September 2026
To apply for the position, please visit https://placepartnership.com/current-vacancies
Place Partnership is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. The post is subject to an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check and checks of the relevant barred list / prohibition lists.
Place Partnership is committed to providing a culture of inclusion, respect and equity of opportunity that attracts, supports, and retains high quality colleagues from all backgrounds and across all job roles.
Candidates will always be shortlisted based on the content of application against the job description and essential criteria without access to the personal details information.
Based on the quality and quantity of applications received, Place Partnership reserves the right to interview sooner than the specified dates above. Applicants will be notified of this where possible. Therefore, early applications are encouraged.
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
Apply for the job by following the link below.
CVs will not be accepted for this application.
View advert on school website (opens in new tab)Additional documents
If you need these documents in an accessible format, please contact the school.
About Horbury Academy
- Organisation type
- Academy, ages 11 to 16
- Education phase
- Secondary school
- Size
- 1070 pupils enrolled
- Age range
- 11 to 16
- Ofsted report
- View Ofsted report
- Website
- Horbury Academy website
- Email address
- hr@placepartnership.com
Horbury Academy is a co‑educational 11–16 school at the heart of the Horbury community, educating almost 1,100 young people. As a proud member of Place Partnership, we work closely with our partner schools to deliver exceptional teaching, strong pastoral support and a shared commitment to raising aspirations across the Wakefield district and beyond.
Our academy is a lively, forward‑thinking environment where pupils are encouraged to aim high, work hard and discover their potential. Learning sits at the centre of everything we do, supported by a curriculum designed to build deep knowledge, curiosity and confidence. Pupils are extremely valued at Horbury, and all staff are driven to ensure that they achieve during their time in the academy. High classroom standards and expectations underpin this.
Beyond the classroom, students benefit from a rich programme of extracurricular and enrichment opportunities that broaden horizons and nurture personal growth.
We believe every young person has unique strengths, and we are dedicated to helping them flourish. High expectations underpin our culture — from attendance and punctuality to conduct, effort and engagement. By focusing on the small things that matter, we create a calm, purposeful atmosphere where students can thrive academically and personally. Our approach is shaped by the Key Character Virtues: Ambition, Compassion, Courage, Open‑Mindedness, Resilience and Duty.
Horbury Academy is known for its warm, respectful relationships and strong sense of community. Pupils are encouraged to take pride in themselves, their academy and the wider world. Their determination, enthusiasm and willingness to contribute makes the academy a truly unique place.
It is an absolute privilege to lead Horbury Academy and to work alongside our dedicated staff, supportive families and remarkable pupils. I hope our website gives you a clear sense of our values and our vision. If you would like to learn more, we would be delighted to welcome you for a visit.
Arranging a visit to Horbury Academy
To arrange a visit and increase the chance of a successful application email hr@placepartnership.com.
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