Headteacher – Ferndown Middle School (part of the Castleman Academy Trust)
Castleman Academy Trust, Broadstone, BH18 8AA31 days remaining to apply
Start date details
1 January 2026
Closing date
23 June 2025 at 12pm (midday)
Date listed
22 May 2025
Job details
Job role
- Headteacher
Visa sponsorship
- Visas cannot be sponsored
Working pattern
- Full time
Contract type
- Permanent
Full-time equivalent salary
- £77,552.00 - £89,830.00 Annually (FTE) Pending Pay Award
Headteacher – Ferndown Middle School (part of the Castleman Academy Trust) job summary
Headteacher – Ferndown Middle School, 1 Peter Grant Way, Ferndown, Dorset, BH22 9UP (part of the Castleman Academy Trust, Registered Office c/o Broadstone First School, Tudor Road, Broadstone, BH18 8AA)
Could you be the Head who changes everything?
Not everyone is made for a middle school. But then, not everyone is made to lead.
If you’ve never considered leading a middle school before, maybe it’s time you did.
Because this isn’t just another headship. It’s the one that might change everything - for you, and for them.
We’re looking for someone who sees beyond the ordinary. Someone with experience, courage, and vision - not just to lead, but to transform.
This is not a role for the faint-hearted…It’s for a leader who thrives in challenge and sees potential where others might see problems. A leader who understands that true impact happens when you meet a school just before its turning point.
Ferndown Middle School is a school set in lovely open grounds, with great facilities and resources.
We are proud to be a school that delivers a wider curriculum and creates real opportunities - our curriculum is designed to spark curiosity and broaden horizons, preparing children for life beyond the school gates. Although we cater for secondary pupils (years 7 and 8), we believe a primary way of working supports learning much more effectively – learning that is active, experiential and mirrors real life. We believe in early aspiration, confident learning, and responsible citizenship.
Maybe you’re a head who’s done it all - but never had the space to do it your way. Or maybe you’ve led through challenge before, and know the deep satisfaction of real, gritty, purposeful change.
This is a rare opportunity to make a measurable difference - to reshape a school and re-energise a team with the resources and potential to be exceptional.
Could this be you?
What we’re looking for:
We need a strong, visible leader- someone who leads with integrity and builds trust quickly. You’ll be resilient, emotionally intelligent, and able to inspire confidence in both staff and students. You might already be a Headteacher looking for your next challenge, or an experienced senior leader with significant leadership experience who is ready to step up into a whole-school leadership role.
You’ll be someone who can balance strategic vision with a hands-on approach, and who understands that change doesn’t come from directives alone - it comes from listening, clarity, courage, unity, and modelling what excellence looks like every day.
You’ll bring clarity to complexity. You’ll listen before you lead. You’ll build belief in teams who may have stopped believing.
Key Responsibilities:
Brings proven leadership experience in a First, Middle, or Primary school setting.
Has a deep understanding of curriculum development, particularly in Key Stage 2 and possibly, early Key Stage 3.
Set a clear, values-led vision that reflects our core outcomes: confident and successful learners, responsible citizens, and aspirational individuals.
Establish a culture of high expectations, mutual respect, and consistent behaviour, with a focus on pupil wellbeing and achievement.
Support and develop staff to build morale, retain talent, and foster a collaborative, motivated team culture.
Build strong relationships with pupils, parents, staff, governors, and external partners to drive improvement and engagement.
Use our unique facilities and curriculum offer to enhance opportunities for all learners and strengthen links with local schools.
Lead the continued improvement of teaching, learning, assessment and safeguarding practices across the school.
Create long-term, sustainable improvement - and leave a legacy that lasts.
Come and see what we see…To arrange a visit or for more information, please contact Tracey Thorne on 01202 830037.
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 are not accepted.
About Castleman Academy Trust
- Type
- Multi-academy trust
Head office location
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