Head of School
Avanti Meadows Primary School, Bishop's Stortford, CM23 1FQThis job expired on 11 May 2026 – see similar jobs
Start date details
As soon as possible
Closing date
11 May 2026 at 11:59pm
Date listed
1 May 2026
Job details
Job role
- Headteacher
Visa sponsorship
- Visas cannot be sponsored
Key stage
- Key stage 1, Key stage 2
Working pattern
- Full time
Contract type
- Permanent
Pay scale
- L12 – L16
What skills and experience we're looking for
555About The Role
We are seeking an exceptional Head of School to lead the daily operation and strategic development of Avanti Meadows, based in Bishop’s Stortford.
In this pivotal role, you will work closely with the Executive Principal and senior leaders to drive sustained improvement, maintain high aspirations and outcomes, and ensure that every young person benefits from a rich, engaging and well-structured curriculum.
The Head of School will confidently uphold and promote our Trust’s defining ethos, ensuring that its virtues positively shape the life and culture of our schools.
The Head of School will inspire colleagues through clarity of vision, professional integrity and an unwavering commitment to the very highest standards.
You will shape whole-school practice, contribute meaningfully to long-term strategic development and cultivate a truly inclusive learning community where staff feel supported to excel and pupils are empowered to thrive.
Join us and help shape a school where every learner is valued, every colleague is supported, and excellence is pursued with purpose and heart.
School visits are welcomed and encouraged. Please contact the school to arrange a suitable time.
Interviews will be held on Monday 18th May 2026.
Avanti Meadows is a brand-new primary school in Bishop’s Stortford. Surrounded by fields and new housing estates, the school is a centre for the new community developing in the north of Bishop’s Stortford. The school is rated “good” with “outstanding” in personal development.
Avanti Meadows is a non-faith, community school that embraces inclusion and diversity. “From the very start, pupils develop the deep consideration for others, self-reflection and kind relationships that are at the heart of this school.” Avanti Meadows Ofsted Inspection Report, March 2024
Our school is a vibrant, exciting place to be that is open to big ideas and creativity, all with a genuine focus on pupil and staff wellbeing.
“Through our yoga sessions, children are learning to self-regulate, they are learning that they have the ability to control themselves, to try and calm themselves down and to be in the moment” - Sara Thompson, Yoga Teacher
Our staff are inspired and passionate about their roles, the vision of the school, and providing the most fulfilling learning experience for pupils. Learning is a quest to discover each student’s unique gifts and potential, and to lay the foundation for their lifelong journey of learning.
What will you do?
- To work with the Executive Principal in shaping the vision and direction for the school, setting out very high expectations and with a clear focus on pupil achievement.
- Develop effective professional relationships and good communication, which enable everyone in the school to achieve.
- Maintain a consistent and continuous focus on pupils’ achievement using data, benchmarks and feedback to monitor progress in every child’s learning.
- To prepare and present reports, as required to the Executive Principal, SSC, the Trust, LA officers, parents or outside agencies.
What are we looking for?
- Qualified teacher status, relevant recent professional development
- Successful experience of developing and implementing effective programmes for the professional development of staff
- The ability to work under pressure to tight deadlines by prioritising and using time effectively
- The ability to lead and motivate staff and to successfully bring about and manage change
- A strong commitment to the safeguarding and welfare of all students, supported by an excellent understanding of safeguarding procedures
Please view the full Job Description for more information on the responsibilities and essential criteria required for this role.
Further information
Pre-employment checks
Avanti Schools Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and requires all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All successful candidates are required to have an Enhanced DBS check unless internally appointed and still within the cycle of DBS re-checks.
Any appointment subsequently made will be subject to the receipt of satisfactory references and other pre-employment checks.
Diversity and Inclusion
We want to make sure we are attracting the widest possible range of people and ensure that they are accepted, understood and treated equally when they work here. This means we will work hard to understand that each employee is unique and ensuring that individuals or groups are not treated differently or less favourably on the basis of specific characteristics.
Such characteristics include (but are not limited to) age, disability, gender including transgender, race, religion, sexual orientation, marital status, and how the school supports pregnant women and new parents.
Safeguarding Statement
Avanti Meadows is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. We particularly welcome applications from under represented groups including ethnicity, gender, transgender, age, disability, sexual orientation or religion.
What the school offers its staff
Why should you apply
Avanti exists to help each person become a well-rounded human being through intellectual, moral and spiritual growth, and so make the world a better place.
You will be working in a fantastic environment, with:
- Great opportunities for professional development
- Teacher pension scheme (subject to eligibility)
- O2 discounts, Specsavers corporate eye test vouchers
- Eligible for NUS Card and CSSC membership
- Well-being programs (retreats, yoga, wellness apps)
- Cycle-to-work Scheme
Further information about the job
Commitment to safeguarding
Avanti Schools Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and requires all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All successful candidates are required to have an Enhanced DBS check unless internally appointed and still within the cycle of DBS re-checks.
Any appointment subsequently made will be subject to the receipt of satisfactory references and other pre-employment checks.
Additional documents
If you need these documents in an accessible format, please contact the school.
About Avanti Meadows Primary School
- School type
- Free Schools, None, ages 3 to 11
- Education phase
- Primary school
- School size
- 255 pupils enrolled
- Age range
- 3 to 11
- Ofsted report
- View Ofsted report
- School website
- Avanti Meadows Primary School website
- Email address
- talent@avanti.org.uk
This school will be the latest in the development of the Avanti Schools Trust who already have several highly successful schools in operation and I am very proud and honoured to have been appointed as the Executive Principal Designate for this new member to our family of schools.
Avanti Meadows Primary School will provide parents and pupils with the highest standards of education and pastoral care. We want our children to take pride in the new school and for every member of the school community to work hard to provide high quality education, care and support for every child and every family. We will set the highest expectations from the outset to ensure that we provide creative learning experiences which inspire and challenge our pupils to achieve the very best in all aspects of their learning.
Our curriculum will be based upon the National Curriculum and we will adopt a personalised approach in order to provide tailor- made learning paths for all pupils.
The site for Avanti Meadows will be a brand new building and the facilities will be bespoke, contemporary and first-class, which will make for a unique learning experience. We are working in partnership with Hertfordshire County Council to ensure that careful planning and preparation is in place to make Avanti Meadows a first-choice school for the children of Bishop’s Stortford North. This is a very exciting time for all of us as we see the new school develop towards the opening date of September 2021
Arranging a visit to Avanti Meadows Primary School
To arrange a visit and increase the chance of a successful application email talent@avanti.org.uk.
School location
Similar jobs nearby
University of Cambridge Primary School
Eddington Avenue, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, CB3 0QZ
Coton Church of England (Voluntary Controlled) Primary School
Whitwell Way, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, CB23 7PW
Get a job alert when similar jobs are listed