Headteacher
Cotton End Forest School, Bedford, Bedfordshire, MK45 3AG16 days remaining to apply
Start date details
April 2027
Closing date
12 November 2026 at 4pm
Date listed
26 October 2026
Job details
Job role
- Headteacher
Visa sponsorship
- Visas cannot be sponsored
Working pattern
- Full time
Contract type
- Permanent
Full time equivalent salary
- £68,691.00 - £93,414.00 Annually (FTE) Group 3
Headteacher job summary
Cotton End Forest School is seeking an inspirational Headteacher who will further develop our inclusive ethos and practice. The successful candidate will champion our Forest School identity and strengthen our excellent classroom teaching through purposeful learning beyond the classroom and lead our next chapter with ambition, warmth and confidence.
We are a community primary and nursery school with 430 on roll catering for children aged 2-11. We have a distinctive ethos that combines high expectations for learning with a strong commitment to Forest School and Learning Beyond the Classroom.
At the heart of our school is a simple ambition: for our children to Inspire, Enjoy and Achieve.
Building on our Good Ofsted grading and deep roots in the Cotton End community, our next Headteacher will protect what makes our school distinctive while developing our curriculum, people and provision for the future.
Our distinctive Forest School Ambition
We expect outdoor learning to be a defining strength across curriculum, culture and community life. Our next Headteacher will build on the strong use of on-site Forest School provision, outdoor classrooms and nature-based learning areas.
This is an exciting opportunity for a leader who can see both what is already strong and what could be even better.
Our next Headteacher will work closely with our Governing Body, staff, pupils, families and wider community to shape the future of Cotton End Forest School.
lead an ambitious, high-quality curriculum from Early Years through to Key Stage 2;
continue to build on the high-quality teaching, assessment and outcomes for all pupils;
protect and develop our distinctive Forest School and outdoor-learning ethos;
ensure every child, including those with SEND or facing disadvantage, is known, valued and supported to achieve;
develop and empower our staff and future leaders;
- maintain a strong culture of safeguarding, inclusion and positive behaviour;
- work in partnership with an engaged Governing Body, families and the wider community; and
- shape a clear and ambitious vision for the school's next phase.
Who are we looking for?We are looking for an experienced and credible school leader who combines ambition with warmth, strategic thinking, strong people leadership and high expectations with a genuine commitment to children.
You will be someone who can bring people with you - someone who listens, communicates clearly and builds trust, while also being prepared to make decisions, provide challenge and maintain high standards.
You will understand what excellent teaching and learning looks like and be able to demonstrate your contribution to school improvement. You will be able to lead the next stage of improvement following significant educational or organisational change and turn ambition into sustainable action.
Importantly, you will recognise that a great school enables children to fulfil their potential. We want our children to become confident, resilient and independent learners who enjoy coming to school, feel safe and valued, and are encouraged to explore the world around them and achieve highly.
You will bring a genuine commitment to Forest School principles and demonstrate how you would embed outdoor and experiential learning in an ambitious, knowledge-rich curriculum. Forest School leadership experience is welcomed, but we value transferable leadership experience, credible ideas and a willingness to develop specialist expertise.
Why Cotton End Forest School?This is not simply an opportunity to become a Headteacher. It is an opportunity to lead a school with a strong identity, a committed community and firm foundations from which to continue growing.
You will join us at an important point in our journey, with the opportunity to influence what comes next while retaining the character and values that make Cotton End Forest School special.
Come and meet usWe strongly encourage prospective candidates to visit and experience our distinctive learning environment, including our outdoor classrooms and growing spaces.
School visit dates by arrangement:
3rd November at 10am,
4th November at 2pm or
5th November at 2pm.
To arrange a visit, please contact: Sandra Thacker, sthacker@cottonendforestschool.co.uk
If you would like to visit but cannot make any of those dates/times, please also email Sandra Thacker on the email address above and we will do our very best to accommodate you.
How to applyPlease complete the application process through My New Term. Your application should demonstrate how your experience, leadership approach and achievements meet the requirements set out in the Job Description and Person Specification.
Closing date: 12th November 2026 at 4pm via My New Term
Interview dates: 23rd & 24th November 2026
Proposed start date: April (Summer Term) 2027
If you share our ambition for Cotton End Forest School and believe you can help us build on our progress while leading the school confidently into its next chapter, we would love to hear from you.
Further information about the job
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.
View advert on external website (opens in new tab)About Cotton End Forest School
- Organisation type
- Local authority maintained school, ages 2 to 11
- Education phase
- Primary school
- Size
- 435 pupils enrolled
- Age range
- 2 to 11
- Ofsted report
- View Ofsted report
School location
Similar jobs nearby
Get a job alert when similar jobs are listed
Find more school jobs in Bedford and Bedfordshire