Head of School
Larks Hill Junior and Infant School, Pontefract, West Yorkshire, WF8 4RJ13 days remaining to apply
Job start date
5 January 2026
Closing date
1 October 2025 at 10am
Date listed
18 September 2025
Job details
Job role
- Headteacher
Visa sponsorship
- Visas cannot be sponsored
Key stage
- Early years, Key stage 1, Key stage 2
Working pattern
- Full time
Contract type
- Permanent
Full-time equivalent salary
- £69,596.00 - £76,772.00 FTE per annum
Head of School job summary
"Are you an aspiring educational leader ready to take the next step in your career making a meaningful impact on a vibrant school community?"
We are seeking to appoint a Head of School at Larks Hill J&I School.
If you have a proven track record of working strategically at a senior leadership level, to deliver successful whole school change, this is a fantastic opportunity to join a school with huge potential and be part of a thriving and supportive Trust. You must believe in the school and the Trust’s values and be motivated to make a difference.
Your professional development will be a key priority, and you will have the support of a highly skilled and experienced network of senior leaders.
You must be flexible, not precious, or territorial, and able to combine operational, hands-on leadership with clear strategic planning and direction. Your positive, can-do spirit will engage and inspire students, staff, and parents/carers. Above all else, you must be passionate about improving the life chances of children and young people and aspire to make them outstanding citizens.
This is a 1 FTE, permanent contract, with a start date of 5 January 2026 (or as soon as possible).
About Larks Hill J&I School
Larks Hill, a high-achieving school, which is recognised both locally and nationally as a school which is one of the highest performing. Larks Hill is a one form entry primary school, part of Pontefract Academies Trust. At Larks Hill, we are committed to investing in all of our children to prepare and provide them with the educational and life skills they will need to be successful in high school and future careers. We want children to be the ‘very best version of themselves’. In 2024 we achieved 93% for reading, writing and maths with 39% of the 2024 cohort achieving greater depth in reading, writing and maths, leading us to being recognised as one of the top ten highest achieving schools in Yorkshire. In 2025, our outcomes remain one of the highest nationally, achieving over 50% combined in greater depth across reading, writing and maths. Additionally, we proudly secured the 121st spot in the prestigious 2024 'Times Top 500 Primary Schools in England' list, firmly establishing us within the top 3% of primary schools across the country. In March 2025, Ofsted praised the school as outstanding in all five inspected judgement areas, confirming our commitment to excellence.
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 27% 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, Larks Hill and Halfpenny Lane – 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 2025, 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
- Energise and Engage Weeks throughout the year, where no meetings take place. These dedicated weeks prioritise personal professional development, support work-life balance, and allow for an early finish on designated days
- Generous employer pension (Teachers Pension)
- Laptop
- 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.
School Visits and Further Information
Interested candidates are encouraged to contact our Chief Executive Officer, Julian Appleyard OBE for further information or an informal conversation about the role. Potential candidates are welcome to visit out school. this is a great opportunity to explore our facilities, meet our dedicated staff, and get a feel for the vibrant community we have built here. We look forward to welcoming you and answering any questions you may have.
Please email adminsupport@patrust.org.uk or call 01977 232146 to arrange an informal conversation or visit to the school.
Key Dates
- Application Deadline: 10:00am, Wednesday 1st October 2025
- Interview Date: Monday 6th October 2025
- Start Date: Monday 5th January 2026 (or as soon as possible)
Application Process
- Complete application form via our website
Important Links
Pontefract Academies Trust Website
Trust Strategic Plan for 2025 to 2028
Contact Information
- 01977 232146
- adminsupport@patrust.org.uk
We are an equal opportunities employer, welcoming applications from everyone. The Pontefract Academies Trust is wholly committed to ensuring children and young people are fully supported and safe. We are dedicated to the safeguarding of 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.
Further information about the job
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 school accepts applications through their own website, where you may also find more information about this job.
CVs will not be accepted for this application.
View advert on external website (opens in new tab)About Larks Hill Junior and Infant School
- School type
- Academy, ages 4 to 11
- Education phase
- Primary
- School size
- 202 pupils enrolled
- Age range
- 4 to 11
- Ofsted report
- View Ofsted report
- School website
- Larks Hill Junior and Infant School website
Larks Hill is a one form entry primary school, part of Pontefract Academies Trust. At Larks Hill we are committed to investing in all of our children to prepare and provide them with the educational and life skills they will need to be successful in high school and future careers. We want children to be the ‘very best version of themselves’.
Larks Hill’s school ethos is based on the notion of mutual respect and we encourage all children to demonstrate a strong respect for learning. Equally our staff demonstrate their respect for the children by delivering high quality lessons and experiences, treating them all as individuals with differing needs.
School location
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