Head of School
St Margaret's Church of England Primary School, Crawley, West Sussex, RH11 0AQ31 days remaining to apply
Job start date
1 September 2026
Closing date
20 April 2026 at 9am
Date listed
20 March 2026
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
Pay scale
- L15 - L19 (Fringe)
What skills and experience we're looking for
- Degree educated
- Qualified Teacher Status
- Evidence of continuous professional development
- Qualified to teach and work in the UK
- Successful experience of senior leadership
- An outstanding classroom practitioner with the highest expectations for the welfare and progress of allpupils
- Proven experience in the analysis of performance data for the purpose of target setting and evaluation
- Experience of monitoring and improving the quality of teaching and learning
- Have a thorough understanding of curriculum development
- Abilities, Skills & Knowledge
- Knowledge of the professional teaching standards
- Knowledge of performance management requirements in an educational context
- Ability to pursue challenging and rigorous questions and probe explanations
- Lead, manage and co-ordinate staff through an effective team-based approach
- Emotional intelligence
- Ability to monitor and evaluate the work of others; to offer support and intervention where necessary
- An understanding of current Statutory Inspection of Anglican and Methodist Schools (SIAMS) within whichthe school operates
- Personal resilience and perseverance
- Positive and optimistic
- A constant drive for improvement
- Highly approachable, very grounded and makes sensible judgements
- Relishes accountability and takes personal responsibility for their own actions
- Able to build trust and mutual respect between pupils, families and staff
- Strong interpersonal, written and oral communication skills
- Excellent communicator and team player
What the school offers its staff
As part of our Platform of Excellence, every Head of School benefits from our highly-regarded Excellence Review – a supportive yet rigorous process designed to elevate leadership practice and celebrate success. This review provides an external lens on school improvement and is great professional development for all our leaders- it is a genuine opportunity for growth, reflection, and celebration. The process offers high-quality professional dialogue, real development for staff, and clear insights that support leaders in shaping the next phase of their school’s journey.
This is a unique development offer designed to empower you as a leader, strengthen your school, and amplify the great work taking place every day.
Further information about the job
Key Responsibilities
- To work with the Executive Lead, SLT, Trust Director of Education, Local Governors, and others to further develop the vision and strategic plan for the school.
- Establish and sustain the school’s ethos and strategic direction, together with the governing body and through consultation with the school’s community.
- Establish and oversee systems, processes, and policies so the school can operate effectively.
- Identify problems and barriers to school effectiveness and develop strategies for school improvement that are realistic, timely and suited to the schools’ context communicated in the Self-Evaluation Form and the Academy Development Plan.
- Make sure these school improvement strategies are effectively implemented.
- Monitor progress towards achieving the school’s aims and objectives.
- Initially with support from the Executive Lead, allocate financial resources appropriately, efficiently, and effectively.
- Uphold public trust in school leadership and maintain high standards of ethics, behaviour, and professional conduct.
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 St Margaret's Church of England Primary School
- School type
- Academy, Church of England, ages 3 to 11
- Education phase
- Primary school
- School size
- 419 pupils enrolled
- Age range
- 3 to 11
- Ofsted report
- View Ofsted report
- School website
- St Margaret's Church of England Primary School website
- Email address
- hr@dcat.academy
A Place to Lead, Inspire and Flourish
St Margaret’s is a proud and historic school, named after the patron saint of Ifield parish church and serving the Crawley community since 1955. Today, it is a vibrant, ambitious, and inclusive school that welcomes children from across Crawley and the wider areas of Surrey and Sussex.
Set within exceptional grounds featuring a pond, Forest School areas, and extensive playing fields, St Margaret’s provides a safe, happy and stimulating environment where children and adults share a genuine love of learning. Outdoor learning is woven through the curriculum, making full use of the school’s beautiful and spacious setting.
Over recent years the school has benefited from significant investment, including a new staffroom, a well-established Special Support Centre (SSC) for pupils with physical disabilities, and a permanent nursery building. Both the nursery and the SSC are supported by experienced and dedicated leadership teams.
As a Church of England school within DCAT, St Margaret’s is rooted in Christian values that shape every aspect of school life. Our ethos underpins our culture of kindness, community, aspiration and service, and is reflected in the strong relationships we hold with families, the parish and the wider community.
The governing body is active, skilled and deeply committed to the school’s success. Governors work closely with leaders, providing both support and strategic challenge to drive continual improvement. They bring a blend of community insight, professional expertise, realism and optimism—creating the perfect foundation for the next chapter of the school’s journey.
Arranging a visit to St Margaret's Church of England Primary School
To arrange a visit and increase the chance of a successful application email hr@dcat.academy.
School location
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