Headteacher

Chaucer Infant School, Ilkeston, Derbyshire, DE7 5LN

27 days remaining to apply

• Start date details

  September 2026 (or earlier by agreement)

• Closing date

  8 March 2026 at 11:59pm

• Date listed

  9 February 2026

Job details

• Job role:
  • Headteacher
• Visa sponsorship: Visas cannot be sponsored
• Working pattern: Full time
• Contract type: Permanent
• Full-time equivalent salary: £66,368.00 - £76,772.00 Annually (Actual) Leadership scale L11 to L17

Headteacher job summary

Chaucer Infant & Nursery School is at an important and exciting stage in its journey and we are now seeking the right Headteacher to lead the school through its next phase of improvement.

This role represents a strong opportunity for:
an experienced Headteacher seeking a new and rewarding challenge
a high-quality Deputy Head ready to step confidently into headship
a serving Headteacher looking to lead within a supportive, values-driven trust

About the role

Chaucer Infants is a warm, inclusive school at the heart of its local community. Relationships are strong, children are cared for deeply, and there is a committed staff team who want the very best for the pupils they serve.

At the same time, the school’s outcomes and consistency of practice do not yet reflect its ambition. This is not a turnaround that needs quick fixes. It is a school that needs clear, experienced leadership to bring coherence, raise expectations and drive sustained improvement over time.

We are looking for a Headteacher who can confidently pick up the baton and run with it, building on existing strengths, setting a clear direction, and leading improvement with pace, care and purpose.

The Headteacher we are looking for will:

Lead sustainable improvement in the quality of education and pupil outcomes through being an excellent people leader, building trust, clarity and consistency across the staff team

Champion inclusion and ensure strong provision for pupils with SEND and those facing disadvantage

Work closely with parents and carers to strengthen confidence and partnership

Work openly and professionally with governors and Embark Federation as part of a wider trust community

Work with the Junior school to create consistency where it matters in behaviour, routines and expectations, giving children stability as they move from Infant to Junior phase

This is a role for a leader who understands the realities of school improvement and is motivated by them.

Why Embark Federation?

Embark Federation is the largest multi-academy trust in Derbyshire, serving a growing family of primary and secondary schools. We believe leadership matters and we back our Headteachers with high-quality support, professional trust and the right level of challenge.

You will be trusted to lead your school, while benefiting from:
a comprehensive induction and ongoing development
a strong school improvement offer grounded in collaboration, clarity and impact
professional networks and trust-wide expertise
a values-led culture rooted in inclusion and integrity

Further detail about the role, the school and the Trust can be found in the Headteacher Recruitment Pack.

How to apply

Applications should be submitted via MyNewTerm.

Closing date: 5pm, Sunday 8 March
Shortlisting outcome: by 13 March
Assessment and interviews: 23 and 24 March

Informal conversations and school visits are warmly encouraged.

For an informal discussion about the role, please contact:
Anna Upton - Anna.Upton@embarkfed.org.uk

Visits to school are strongly encouraged please contact Jo on 0115 932 5629

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 Chaucer Infant School

• School type: Academy, ages 3 to 7
• Education phase: Primary school
• School size: 203 pupils enrolled
• Age range: 3 to 7
• Ofsted report: View Ofsted report
• School website: Chaucer Infant School website
• See more jobs: teaching-vacancies.service.gov.uk/organisations/chaucer-infant-school

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