Head Teacher of Dale Community Primary School and Stonehill Nursery
Dale Community Primary School, Derby, Derbyshire, DE23 6NL31 days remaining to apply
Job start date
1 May 2027
Closing date
23 November 2026 at 9am
Date listed
23 October 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: Full Time, Permanent position
Contract type
- Permanent
Pay scale
- L21- L26
What skills and experience we're looking for
The Headteacher will provide exceptional strategic and operational leadership for the Federation of Dale Community Primary School and Stonehill Nursery School.
Working in partnership with governors, staff, children, families and external agencies, the Headteacher will secure the highest standards of education, care and safeguarding for every child from Nursery to Year 6.
The Headteacher will establish a culture of ambition, inclusion and continuous improvement, ensuring every child is supported to flourish academically, socially and emotionally. They will lead a highly effective workforce, maximise the strengths of a federated structure and ensure that both schools remain valued centres of excellence within their communities.
Above all, the Headteacher will promote the best interests of children and demonstrate unwavering commitment to the Federation's vision, values and strategic priorities.
PRINCIPAL RESPONSIBILITIES
1. Strategic Leadership and Vision
The Headteacher will:
Develop, articulate and sustain a vision for the future of the Federation.
Lead the strategic direction of both schools in partnership with governors.
Promote a culture of excellence, aspiration and continuous improvement.
Ensure that all decisions are guided by the best interests of children.
Inspire confidence and commitment among staff, pupils, governors and families.
Lead school improvement through informed self-evaluation and evidence-based planning.
Communicate the Federation's vision clearly and consistently to all stakeholders.
Ensure that strategic priorities are translated into measurable actions and outcomes.
Promote innovation whilst maintaining a relentless focus on educational quality and inclusion.
2. School Culture and Ethos
The Headteacher will:
Lead by example, demonstrating integrity, professionalism and moral purpose.
Create an inclusive culture where every child feels safe, valued and respected.
Promote high expectations for behaviour, attendance, achievement and personal development.
Foster positive relationships throughout the school community.
Develop a culture where diversity is celebrated and equity is actively promoted.
Champion children's rights, wellbeing and personal development.
Ensure all staff understand and contribute to the Federation's values and ethos.
Promote a culture of collaboration, trust and mutual respect.
3. Teaching, Learning and Curriculum
The Headteacher will:
Secure consistently high-quality teaching throughout the Federation.
Lead and evaluate the quality of education across all phases, including the Early Years Foundation Stage.
Ensure that the curriculum is ambitious, broad, balanced and inclusive.
Promote excellence in early childhood education and development.
Ensure curriculum progression from Nursery through to Year 6.
Establish high expectations for learning and achievement for all pupils.
Ensure that disadvantaged pupils, vulnerable pupils and pupils with SEND achieve well.
Promote evidence-informed practice across the Federation.
Ensure robust systems for monitoring teaching, learning and curriculum effectiveness.
Maintain a strong focus on literacy, communication, language development and mathematics.
Ensure that assessment is used effectively to inform teaching and improve outcomes.
4. Early Years Leadership
Recognising the importance of Stonehill Nursery School within the Federation, the Headteacher will:
Champion the importance of high-quality early education.
Ensure nursery provision reflects the highest standards of early years practice.
Promote child-centred approaches that support children's communication, language, personal and social development.
Maintain strong links with families, health professionals and early years partners.
Ensure effective transition arrangements between nursery and reception.
Develop a shared understanding of child development across the Federation.
Promote play-based learning and evidence-informed early years pedagogy.
5. Inclusion, SEND and Vulnerable Pupils
The Headteacher will:
Promote an inclusive culture in which all children can succeed.
Ensure statutory SEND duties are fulfilled effectively.
Champion equality of opportunity and remove barriers to achievement.
Ensure effective provision for pupils with additional needs.
Monitor outcomes for disadvantaged and vulnerable groups.
Develop strong partnerships with external agencies and support services.
Promote high aspirations for all pupils regardless of background or circumstance.
Ensure effective deployment of resources to meet diverse pupil needs.
6. Behaviour, Attendance and Personal Development
The Headteacher will:
Establish and maintain a culture of positive behaviour.
Ensure that behaviour approaches are relational, restorative and consistent.
Promote children's personal development, wellbeing and resilience.
Ensure high levels of attendance and punctuality.
Monitor behaviour and attendance data to identify trends and implement improvements.
Promote children's leadership opportunities and pupil voice.
Foster confidence, independence and respect for others.
Ensure pupils are prepared for the next stage of education and life in modern Britain.
7. Safeguarding and Child Protection
As Designated Safeguarding Lead, the Headteacher will:
Lead safeguarding strategically across the Federation.
Ensure full compliance with statutory safeguarding requirements.
Promote a safeguarding-first culture throughout both schools.
Maintain effective safeguarding systems and procedures.
Ensure concerns are identified, recorded and acted upon appropriately.
Lead multi-agency working to secure positive outcomes for children.
Ensure staff receive appropriate safeguarding training.
Promote online safety and child protection awareness.
Ensure safeguarding remains central to all school policies and practice.
Provide regular safeguarding reports to governors.
8. Leadership of Staff
The Headteacher will:
Build, develop and sustain a high-performing workforce.
Recruit, retain and develop talented staff.
Promote professional growth through coaching, mentoring and professional development.
Establish a culture of accountability and continuous learning.
Ensure robust performance management arrangements.
Support succession planning and talent development.
Promote staff wellbeing and workload management.
Challenge underperformance appropriately and professionally.
Foster distributive leadership throughout the Federation.
9. Organisational and Financial Leadership
The Headteacher will:
Ensure effective management of the Federation's resources.
Lead financial planning in partnership with governors and business leaders.
Secure best value and long-term sustainability.
Ensure compliance with statutory and regulatory requirements.
Monitor staffing structures to ensure effectiveness and value for money.
Oversee procurement, premises and asset management.
Ensure effective risk management arrangements.
Lead business planning to support strategic priorities.
Maintain efficient systems and processes that support teaching and learning.
10. Governance and Accountability
The Headteacher will:
Work effectively with the Governing Board to establish strategic direction.
Support governors in fulfilling their responsibilities.
Provide accurate, timely and evaluative information.
Maintain high standards of accountability and transparency.
Lead robust self-evaluation and school improvement planning.
Ensure compliance with all statutory obligations.
Prepare the Federation for inspection and external review.
Respond effectively to external recommendations and improvement priorities.
11. Community Engagement and Partnerships
The Headteacher will:
Build strong partnerships with parents and carers.
Promote positive engagement with the local community.
Develop relationships with schools, early years providers and external organisations.
Represent the Federation professionally in local and regional networks.
Seek opportunities that benefit children and families.
Promote the Federation's reputation and achievements.
Encourage meaningful pupil and parent participation.
12. System Leadership
The Headteacher will:
Contribute to the wider education system.
Share effective practice with other schools and settings.
Participate in collaborative networks and partnerships.
Support school improvement beyond the Federation where appropriate.
Remain informed about educational research and national developments.
Promote innovation and evidence-informed practice.
PROFESSIONAL BEHAVIOURS
The Headteacher will:
Demonstrate honesty, integrity and accountability.
Lead with courage, compassion and humility.
Model professionalism and lifelong learning.
Demonstrate resilience and sound judgement.
Show commitment to inclusion and social justice.
Remain child-centred in all decision-making.
Promote a culture of trust, respect and collective responsibility.
GENERAL
The postholder will undertake any reasonable duties commensurate with the grade and nature of the post.
The Headteacher is expected to uphold all statutory responsibilities, including safeguarding, equality, health and safety, data protection and employment legislation.
This job description will be reviewed periodically by the Governing Board and may be amended following consultation to reflect the changing needs of the Federation.
What the school offers its staff
Dale Community Primary and Stonehill Nursery are thriving and welcoming schools located in the heart of Derby. We are well established and popular schools with a happy and enthusiastic school community. Both schools have rising standards and are graded as ‘Good’ by OFSTED. We are seeking an exceptional leader to build on our achievements and lead the school into its next exciting chapter.
This is an excellent opportunity for an ambitious and values-driven leader to work alongside a dedicated staff team, supportive Governing Body, engaged families and enthusiastic pupils. We are looking for someone who shares our commitment to ensuring every child feels valued, challenged and inspired to achieve their very best.
As Headteacher, you will provide clear strategic direction and strong educational leadership, ensuring that both schools continue to flourish. You will champion high standards whilst maintaining the nurturing and inclusive ethos that lies at the heart of our school.
The successful candidate will:
Be an experienced and inspirational school leader with a proven track record of improving outcomes for children.
Be passionate about inclusion and committed to ensuring success for every child, regardless of background or starting point.
Have high expectations for achievement, behaviour and attendance.
Demonstrate excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
Lead with integrity, compassion and resilience.
Have a good understanding of the local area, demographics, and opportunities present in the local area surrounding the federation
Have the vision and ambition to shape the next stage of the federation’s journey.
Dale Community Primary and Stonehill Nursery is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All appointments are subject to satisfactory references, online checks, pre-employment and Disclosure Barring Service checks. The possession of a criminal record will not necessarily prevent an applicant from obtaining this post, as all cases are judged individually according to the nature of the role and information provided.
This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and therefore applicants are required to declare any cautions, convictions, reprimands and final warnings that are not protected (i.e. that are not filtered out) as defined by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (as amended in 2013 and 2020).
Applicants are encouraged to visit the school. To book a visit please contact the school on 01332 760070 or email admin@dale.derby.sch.uk
Your completed application form and supporting letter of no more than two sides of A4 can be emailed to Mr Pass at cpass@dale.derby.sch.uk
We welcome the responsible use of AI tools to support your application process. However, your letter of application must authentically represent your own thinking, experience, and voice.
If you choose to use AI tools (such as generative AI) to help draft, structure, or refine your letter, you must:
Ensure the final content genuinely reflects your own ideas, experiences, and professional approach
Carefully review and personalise all AI-generated content
Take full responsibility for the accuracy and authenticity of everything you submit
We value applications that demonstrate genuine personal insight into our school and the role. During the interview process, we will explore your application in depth and expect you to speak confidently and authentically about everything you've written.
Closing date: Monday 23 November 2026
Interviews: Monday 7 December 2026
Further information about the job
Benefits of working with us
When you work for Derby City Council you can enjoy a variety of benefits.
Discount schemes:
Team Derby Rewards - a shopping discount scheme offering employees discounts on a large range of goods and services at over 1500 popular UK websites.
Tusker Car Benefit Scheme – we have teamed up with Tusker to bring a fully-inclusive motoring package offer for employees; to drive away a brand new, fully-maintained and insured car for up to four years.
Cycle2work scheme
This allows employees to get a brand new bike and spread the cost over 18 months, the cost is recovered from your gross salary, giving you tax and national insurance savings.
Derby Active Health and Fitness scheme - employee memberships
The Derby Active Health and Fitness scheme offers a discounted employee membership at our council-run sports centres including:
use of the gyms and workout classes at council leisure centres
reduced prices for other sport and leisure activities
support and guidance from the Health and Wellbeing Team.
Membership of the Teachers’ Pension Scheme
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
Please complete the online application.
CVs will not be accepted for this application.
Additional documents
If you need these documents in an accessible format, please contact the school.
About Dale Community Primary School
- Organisation type
- Local authority maintained school, ages 5 to 11
- Education phase
- Primary school
- Size
- 545 pupils enrolled
- Age range
- 5 to 11
- Ofsted report
- View Ofsted report
- Email address
- cpass@dale.derby.sch.uk
- Phone number
- 01332760070
Arranging a visit to Dale Community Primary School
To arrange a visit and increase the chance of a successful application email cpass@dale.derby.sch.uk.
School location
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