Head of School (Primary)

Appleton Academy, Bradford, West Yorkshire, BD12 8AL

17 days remaining to apply

• Start date details

  September 2026

• Closing date

  14 May 2026 at 9am

• Date listed

  23 April 2026

Job details

• Job role:
  • Headteacher
• Visa sponsorship: Visas cannot be sponsored
• Working pattern: Full time
• Contract type: Permanent
• Full-time equivalent salary: £75,049.00 - £86,803.00 Annually (FTE) Leadership Pay Range: L16 - L22

Head of School (Primary) job summary

Appleton Academy, part of Exceed Academies Trust, is seeking an exceptional Head of School (Primary) to lead the next chapter of our journey, following the retirement of our current postholder. This is a rare and exciting opportunity to join a vibrant, inclusive all‑through academy, rooted at the heart of its community, where relationships, ambition and care sit at the centre of everything we do.

Our Academy serves a richly diverse and close‑knit community and is proud of the strong relationships it has built with pupils, families and partners. Our primary provision is a thriving, welcoming environment where children are known, valued and encouraged to flourish both academically and personally. Community matters deeply to us. We work in genuine partnership with parents and carers, champion inclusion, and strive to ensure every child feels safe, supported and inspired to learn. The school benefits from committed staff, engaged families and pupils who are proud to belong to Appleton.

As Head of School (Primary), you will provide inspirational leadership for the primary phase, building on strong foundations and leading sustained improvement in outcomes, curriculum quality and pupil experience. Working in close partnership with the Executive Headteacher and wider Trust colleagues, you will play a pivotal role in shaping the strategic direction of the school while retaining a strong, visible presence in daily school life.

This role is ideal for a values‑driven leader who believes in the power of education to transform lives and who understands the importance of community, collaboration and high expectations.

At Exceed, we believe that great schools are built on great relationships. We work collaboratively, support our leaders well and value professional trust. You’ll benefit from strong Trust‑level support while preserving what makes Appleton Academy special.

We are looking for someone who:

• Is an experienced and successful senior leader with a strong understanding of primary education and proven track record of school improvement
• Has a clear vision for inclusive, high quality teaching and learning
• Builds positive, trusting relationships with pupils, families and the wider community
• Can inspire and support staff at all levels to deliver high-quality teaching and learning
• Maintain a culture of high expectations, inclusivity and aspiration for all pupils
• Take overall responsibility for safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all children

We can offer:

• A school community with a strong sense of community and belonging
• The opportunity to shape the future of a successful primary setting
• Supportive Trust central team, school leadership, governors, staff and parents
• Opportunities for further development and training
• A healthy work-life balance
• Free access to an Employee Assistance Programme
• Free, on-site parking
• A state of the art building with fantastic facilities
• Excellent employer pension contribution scheme

We would encourage any interested candidates to visit our school setting; in order to do so, please contact Lisa Coyle (Office Manager) on 01274 600550 to make the necessary arrangements.

Exceed Academies Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff to share this commitment. Shortlisted candidates will be subject to related online content checks, in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education 2025. All appointments are subject to an enhanced DBS check as well as successful completion of a probationary period.

Exceed Academies Trust strives to be an employer of choice. We are an inclusive and diverse multi academy trust and ultimately, our aim is to employ a workforce that reflects the communities it serves. We are committed to achieving a balanced workforce at all levels, whilst ensuring that no individual is disadvantaged or treated less favourably. We welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds, faiths and ethnicities and will ensure a fair recruitment process without discrimination, in compliance with the Equality Act 2010.

Exceed Academies Trust recognises and promotes the positive use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in certain situations. We would encourage any job applicants, who choose to utilise AI when completing a vacancy application, to thoroughly check the data prior to submission, to ensure it is accurate, factual and demonstrable. Candidate suitability will be assessed at interview, however the recruitment process will reference information contained within the candidate’s application form. Any information contained within application form which is found to be factually inaccurate, may result in a conditional offer of employment being withdrawn.

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.

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.

About Appleton Academy

• School type: Academy, ages 3 to 16
• Education phase: All through school
• School size: 1254 pupils enrolled
• Age range: 3 to 16
• Ofsted report: View Ofsted report
• School website: Appleton Academy website
• See more jobs: teaching-vacancies.service.gov.uk/organisations/appleton-academy-bradford

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