Headteacher at Old Town Infant School and Nursery, Poole
Old Town Infant School and Nursery, Poole, Dorset, BH15 1QB31 days remaining to apply
Job start date
1 September 2026
Closing date
15 March 2026 at 11:59pm
Date listed
12 February 2026
Job details
Job role
- Headteacher
Visa sponsorship
- Visas cannot be sponsored
Key stage
- Early years, Key stage 1
Working pattern
- Full time, part time: This headship allows you the option of leading full time, embracing your leadership role whilst also retaining your passion for the classroom through a teaching commitment of around 2‑days‑per‑week; or a full-time Headteacher role that might include the role of SENDCo; or you are seeking to lead a school, working on a part time basis, around three days per week, with the flexibility and ownership of your working pattern?
Contract type
- Permanent
Pay scale
- Leadership Scale L9 (£63,070) – L15 (£73,105) FTE
What skills and experience we're looking for
Flexible Leadership Opportunity
Are you an aspiring school leader ready to take your first exciting step into headship without losing sight of your teaching craft?
Or an experienced leader looking for a more flexible opportunity?
Do you want to make a big impact in a small, nurturing and vibrant school community?
If so, Old Town Infant School and Nursery could be the perfect place to continue your journey!
We warmly invite applicants on a flexible basis: whether you wish to work full time or continue your leadership journey flexibly and part time.
If you are the right person to make a difference at our school, we want to hear from you.
Who we think you might be
- Energetic, warm and ambitious.
- Passionate about nurture, inclusion and exciting early learning.
- A people‑person who builds trust and collaboration.
- Ready to shape a school while growing as a leader.
What the school offers its staff
What makes our school special?
- Positive relationships with families and a strong community presence.
- A commitment to diversity and celebrating every child.
- Stimulating, imaginative learning environments fostering curiosity, a love of reading and a love of learning.
- An inclusive environment in which all children succeed, including through our emerging Resourced-base Provision and our relationship with Winchelsea Special School through our onsite satellite provision.
What we can offer you
- A friendly, close‑knit staff team.
- Enthusiastic and curious children.
- A manageable school size—perfect for a first headship.
- A central Poole location with strong community involvement.
- Professional development and support through the Coastal Learning Partnership.
- A chance to shape a nurturing early years setting.
Flexible working opportunities
This headship allows you the option of leading full time, embracing your leadership role whilst also retaining your passion for the classroom through a teaching commitment of around two‑day‑per‑week; or perhaps your full-time Headteacher role might include that of SENDCo if that is your area of expertise and passion? Or perhaps you are seeking to lead a school, working on a part time basis, around three days per week, but where you have flexibility and ownership of your working pattern?
Further information about the job
Ready to take the next step?
You are warmly encouraged to visit to the school, to arrange a convenient time please contact the office directly on 01202 673966 or oldtown.office@coastalpartnership.co.uk. You are also invited to contact the Chief Executive Officer of Coastal Learning Partnership, Paul Howieson, who would be delighted to speak with you about the school and the wider Partnership. To arrange a convenient time for a conversation, please contact Helen Moors on 01202 806155.
Applications: Please send a completed application form to: recruitment@coastalpartnership.co.uk Closing date: Midnight on Sunday 15th March Selection event: Friday 20th March
To comply with our statutory safer recruitment practices and obligations, we are unable to shortlist incomplete applications. Please ensure you include a full employment and education history, details of two referees and explain any gaps in employment. CVs will not be accepted.
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 Old Town Infant School and Nursery
- School type
- Academy, ages 3 to 7
- Education phase
- Primary school
- School size
- 175 pupils enrolled
- Age range
- 3 to 7
- Ofsted report
- View Ofsted report
- School website
- Old Town Infant School and Nursery website
- Email address
- oldtown.office@coastalpartnership.co.uk
- Phone number
- 01202673966
Old Town Infant School and Nursery is a small but mighty infant school located right in the heart of Poole, where every child matters and relationships sit at the centre of everything.
We serve children aged three to seven, offering a warm environment full of curiosity, creativity and imagination. Our staff team is talented, dedicated and supportive, an ideal environment for a new headteacher to grow or for an experienced one to enjoy a fresh opportunity.
As part of the Coastal Learning Partnership, a MAT of 20 schools, you’ll have access to collaboration and professional support, both from your Headteacher peers and from the strength of a professional central team.
Arranging a visit to Old Town Infant School and Nursery
To arrange a visit and increase the chance of a successful application email oldtown.office@coastalpartnership.co.uk.
School location
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