Head of School - Whaplode CofE Primary School
Whaplode Church of England Primary School, Spalding, Lincolnshire, PE12 6TS23 days remaining to apply
Start date details
September 2026
Closing date
18 March 2026 at 12pm (midday)
Date listed
23 February 2026
Job details
Job role
- Other leadership roles
Visa sponsorship
- Visas cannot be sponsored
Working pattern
- Full time: 1.0 FTE
Contract type
- Permanent
Full-time equivalent salary
- £57,137 - £63,070
What skills and experience we're looking for
Our Head of School will support the Executive Headteacher and Senior Leadership Team in the creation and implementation of distinctly Christian vision. They will embed the Trust and School visions into every area of the role and will challenge and support others in achieving the same.
Our Head of School will promote the need for pupils to actively engage in Excellence, Exploration and Encouragement and support LAAT’s belief that all children need toflourish in a creative environment that allows them to become all that God intended.
In our Trust, a Head of School provides professional leadership and is responsible for the efficient day to day management of the School as part of LAAT, leading the school community in promoting positive attitudes to learning throughout the whole community.
The Head of School will work collaboratively as part of the wider Trust, with the understanding that it is one organisation working in partnership to achieve the best outcomes for all pupils.
The postholder may be required to work in any of the Trust schools as directed by the Deputy Chief Executive and in consultation with the Executive Headteacher.
Key Tasks and Responsibilities
This job description should be read in conjunction with the standards for Headteachers as set out in the latest version of the School Teacher and Pay Conditions Document and with the Trust Code of Conduct. A Head of School should support an ethos of integrity, compassion and excellence throughout the school and communities in which they serve.
The Head of School will ensure that their leadership demonstrates commitment to promoting and developing the existing good practice through the search for excellence in all areas of its work and in support of the Trust vision and values.
Key Accountabilities
Creating the future of the Trust Schools.
Embed the Trust vision across the School.
Work with the Executive Headteacher, local board and community to create a local vision for the School which is consistent with the Trust vision and values.
Motivate others to create a shared learning culture and positive climate.
Support the Executive Headteacher in implementing the vision into agreed objectives and operational plans.
Develop school structures with the Executive Headteacher in order to maximise resources and where required, support and promote cross working across schools within the Trust.
Support regular opportunities for cross-school and cross-leadership working to maximise strengths and develop further joint working.
Leading teaching and learning/outcomes and standards across the School
Support curriculum development and innovation to ensure a vibrant, locally relevant and engaging curriculum is in place to ensure children receive a broad, balanced and relevant curriculum that helps to prepare them for the next phase of their education.
Ensure the continuous and consistent focus on pupils’ achievement, using data and benchmarks to monitor progress.
Establish creative, responsive and effective approaches to learning and teaching.
Set high expectations and set stretching targets for the school community.
Monitor, evaluate and review school practices and promote improvement strategies.
Robustly tackle under-performance.
With the Operations Partner, manage the school environment efficiently and effectively to ensure that it meets the needs of the curriculum.
Ensure that the range, quality and use of all available resources is monitored, evaluated and reviewed to improve the quality of education for all students and provide value for money.
Lead the planning and delivery of Collective Worship.
Developing self and working with others
Display and live out Leadership Behaviours that act as a beacon of excellence for others and support the Trust values.
Working within Trust policies and supported by the Colleague Services Partner, ensure the maintenance of effective strategies and procedures for staffinduction, professional development, and performance review.
Promote and maintain a culture of high expectations for self and others.
Ensure clear delegation of tasks and responsibilities so that teams and individuals undertake effective planning, allocation, support, and evaluation of work.
Regularly review own practice, set personal targets, and take responsibility for own development.
Maintain a consistent and continuous focus on the development of staff and students
Acknowledge responsibilities and celebrate achievements of teams and individuals to promote a positive successful culture across the school
Actively manage own workload, setting a good example to others to allow a genuine culture of work/life balance.
Attend training and development courses as prescribed by and required by the Trust
Managing the organisation
Ensure the ongoing development and implementation of an organisational structures which reflect the visions of the Trust and enable effective and efficient operations.
Support the Executive Headteacher in developing a focussed School Development Plan, that articulates the core priorities, the timescales in which these will be achieved and the success criteria for each of these.
Support the Executive Headteacher in the preparation of an accurate School Self Evaluation (SEF) document that accurately reflects the current picture of the school with regards to Leadership, Quality of Education, Personal Development, Behaviour and Attitudes.
Operationally manage the human, financial and physical resources of the school, supported by the central team.
Have an operational overview of all health and safety regulations to ensure that the school meets the needs of the curriculum and health and safety regulations.
Ensure that performance management processes are carried out for all staff and report performance management outcomes to the Executive Headteacher, ensuring staff are fully supported.
Ensure that the range, quality and use of all available resources is monitored, evaluated and reviewed to improve the quality of education for all students andprovide value for money.
Securing accountability
Consistent with the Trust vision, enable everyone to work collaboratively within the schools and across the wider Trust to achieve excellence for all.
Ensure individual staff accountabilities are clearly defined, understood, agreed and recorded.
Work with the local board to enable it to meet its responsibilities and those defined in the Scheme of Delegation.
Ensure every individual child has access to high quality teaching and learning that allows them flourish and become all that God intended.
Present a coherent and accurate account of the school’s educational performance to a range of audiences including the Executive Headteacher, the Trust Board and parents and carers.
Strengthening community
The Head of School will be the primary contact for parents and carers.
Support and promote positive strategies for challenging any prejudice.
Treat people equitably and with dignity and respect to create and maintain a positive school culture in line with the Trust’s ethos, values, and Code of Conduct.
Ensure that the school collaborates with other agencies to promote the academic, spiritual, moral, social, emotional, and cultural wellbeing of students and their families.
Support the development and implementation of a curriculum which supports the school culture and curriculum which consider the richness and diversity of the school’s communities, and of those around the school.
Ensure a range of community-based learning experiences are available.
Collaborate with other agencies to ensure pupil and community needs are met.
Develop and implement strategies, to ensure strong community links are established and maintained.
Support and lead joint community events that promote the ethos of the Trust.
Market and promote schools and the Trust via social media and other communications, sharing its unique selling points, vision, and values.
Safeguarding
Be the Deputy Designated Safeguarding lead.
Ensure that the school is a safe place for children, ensuring that all safeguarding procedures are of the highest standard.
Oversee the recording and management of safeguarding concerns and ensure compliance with statutory guidance.
Oversee the management of the Single Central Record (SCR).
Ensure consistent and thorough procedures and practices of all staff in relation to being vigilant to the safeguarding of all children including liaison with outside agencies.
Other
The duties and responsibilities in this job description are not exhaustive. The postholder may be required to undertake other duties that may be required from time to time within the general scope of the post. Any such duties should not substantially change the general character of the post. Duties and responsibilities outside of the general scope of this grade of post will be with the consent of the postholder.
The postholder is required to carry out the duties in accordance with LAAT Equal Opportunities policies.
The postholder is required to carry out the duties in accordance with the LAAT Health and Safety policies and procedures.
All employees need to be aware of the possible abuse of children and vulnerable adults and if you are concerned you need to follow the academy’s Safeguarding Policy. In addition, employees working with children have a responsibility to safeguard and promote the welfare of during their work.
For an informal discussion about the role, or to arrange a visit, please contact enquiries@whaplode.laat.co.uk.
To apply please go to https://thelaat.co.uk/opportunities/.
The Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. We will require the successful applicant to undertake an enhanced criminal record check via the DBS.
What the school offers its staff
As a Church of England primary school within the Diocese of Lincoln, our vision and values are grounded in the Christian faith. We enable our children to be the best that they can be, through our vision of “Inspire Believe Achieve” rooted in the belief that “I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:13.
At Whaplode, we have the highest expectations of children in both their learning and conduct. We teach respect and kindness for all, whilst encouraging our children to show compassion to others, to show forgiveness to all, and to face challenges with hope, courage and perseverance. Working in partnership with parents, carers, governors, the LAAT Trust and our community is essential in ensuring our success. An atmosphere is fostered at Whaplode which gives children the confidence to express their individuality, demonstrate their talents and know that success in any aspect of their lives will be rewarded and celebrated.
Working in partnership with parents, carers, governors, the LAAT Trust and our community is essential in ensuring our success. An atmosphere is fostered at Whaplode which gives children the confidence to express their individuality, demonstrate their talents and know that success in any aspect of their lives will be rewarded and celebrated.
At Whaplode, our children have access to a knowledge-rich curriculum which prepares them for the opportunities and challenges of the 21st century and raises aspirations. We provide them with the knowledge and skills they need in order to succeed within an ever-changing society, helping them to know more and remember more. As well as enabling them to develop a depth of knowledge across a range of subjects, we look to nurture within them the ability to think critically, questioning the views of others whilst building, evidencing and articulating their own. We develop outward looking pupils who are able to engage in learning about themselves and have an understanding of the wider world and its complex cultures.
At this school, we place a high priority on ensuring that both children’s physical and mental wellbeing are met. These areas are as valued and supported through our detailed PSHE curriculum and pastoral support.
Our church school inspires everyone to believe in their ability to succeed through learning in a joyful and encouraging Christian atmosphere. We encourage our children to learn as much as possible and achieve their individual potential whilst developing respect and consideration for others.
We celebrate diversity and demonstrate inclusivity. Inspired by the parable of the Good Samaritan, in which the Samaritan helps the Jewish traveller despite the differences between their people, we believe that we are all the children of God and that each member of our community deserves equality of opportunity and achievement.
Further information about the job
Commitment to safeguarding
The Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. We will require the successful applicant to undertake an enhanced criminal record check via the DBS.
In line with Keeping Children Safe in Education, please be advised that if shortlisted, we will carry out internet searches to support our commitment to safer recruitment. The purpose of this is to identify any incidents or issues that have happened, and are publicly available online, which the school might want to explore with applicants at interview.
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 Whaplode Church of England Primary School
- School type
- Academy, Church of England, ages 4 to 11
- Education phase
- Primary school
- School size
- 194 pupils enrolled
- Age range
- 4 to 11
- Ofsted report
- View Ofsted report
- School website
- Whaplode Church of England Primary School website
- Email address
- enquiries@whaplode.laat.co.uk
- Phone number
- 01406 370447
Whaplode C of E School are part of the Lincoln Anglican Academy Trust (LAAT). LAAT is a multi-academy trust formed by the Diocese of Lincoln. We are a growing and thriving family of schools who are dedicated to providing an excellent education for pupils across Lincolnshire. We place a strong emphasis on continued development. The relationship with the Trust brings great strength to all schools and enhances CPD opportunities for all staff.
At Whaplode C of E Primary School our aim is to inspire everyone to believe in their ability to succeed through learning in a joyful and encouraging Christian atmosphere. This vision encourages our children to learn as much as possible and achieve their individual potential whilst developing respect and consideration for others. We have recently been graded as good by Ofsted who found, ‘behaviour is positive.’
Within our school we work very hard to create a team of teachers, non-teaching and support staff that will support each child in reaching their potential. Many who visit us comment on the strength of our ‘staff team’ and their shared commitment to help every child in the school achieve their best.
We value the broad and balanced curriculum which our staff offers and all children are able to access not only academic, but creative and physical areas of the National Curriculum fully, so that they receive the highest standard of education.
We are a school that prides itself on our Christian values and aims to ensure all of our pupils feel happy, secure and valued, enabling them to make a worthwhile contribution as young people within their community. Ofsted stated in May 2022, ‘Pupils describe the school as welcoming and inclusive. As one pupil said: ‘It doesn’t matter where you are from, the colour of your skin, your religion; everyone is perfect in their own way.’
Our school provides a gateway for children to discover, explore and learn in a caring environment. Childhood is a magical, wonderful time and our pupils follow a varied and active programme designed to give them the opportunity to build confidence and learn everything they will need for their future.
Arranging a visit to Whaplode Church of England Primary School
To arrange a visit and increase the chance of a successful application email enquiries@whaplode.laat.co.uk.
School location
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