Headteacher
Holyrood Academy, Chard, Somerset, TA20 1JL19 days remaining to apply
Job start date
1 January 2027
Closing date
12 May 2026 at 12pm (midday)
Date listed
23 April 2026
Job details
Job role
- Headteacher
Visa sponsorship
- Visas cannot be sponsored
Key stage
- Key stage 3, Key stage 4
Working pattern
- Full time: Full time
Contract type
- Permanent
Pay scale
- Leadership scale 33-39 (£113,646 - £131, 578)
What skills and experience we're looking for
Trailblazer wanted
This is a unique opportunity to be both a school and community leader. Holyrood Academy is a nationally acclaimed and innovative school which is transforming the life chances of children across the town of Chard. We are currently developing an on-site nursery and primary phase which would make Holyrood our first all-through school. This will support the school in delivering its vision for providing for every stage of a child's education. Through its outreach programme, Holyrood supports families from birth through to University and is a founding member of the Chard Community Hub which has been designated as a Best Start in Life centre for Early Years support.
This headship offers a rare and exciting opportunity to shape the future of a school and its community. Holyrood Academy is known for its strong community identity and outward facing approach, re-imagining what education can look like when relationships with families and place truly matter. As a lead school in the Cradle-to-Career Accelerator programme, and with proposals to become a 2–18 provision, Holyrood is not simply responding to change but actively shaping it for the children and young people it serves.
We are a Trust of primary and secondary schools across Somerset and Devon. The successful applicant will join a collaborative team of seven secondary headteachers who are united by shared values and who work together to drive improvement across the Trust.
As Headteacher, you will lead an increasingly high-performing school with a strong reputation,ambitious culture and a deep commitment to continuous improvement. Alongside leading the school, the role offers opportunities for system leadership across the community and wider South-West educational landscape.
Please take time to read the whole application pack and any relevant information on the school’s website. We strongly encourage prospective candidates to visit Holyrood Academy before submitting an application, although we recognise this may not be possible for everyone. Dave MacCormick, the current Headteacher is available to show prospective candidates around the school by appointment.
To arrange a visit, please contact Linda Driscoll (Headteacher’s PA) - ldriscoll@holyrood.bep.ac
We also welcome prospective candidates to book a virtual meeting or phone call with Chris Ellison, Director of Secondary Education, by contacting Paula Gibson on gibsonp@bep.ac
What the school offers its staff
The benefits a working in the Blackdown Education Partnership (BEP) will be a source of support and opportunity. Collaboration and a shared sense of purpose is evident across the Trust. Strong professional relationships are at the core of what we do.
We can offer you: An opportunity to work in an experienced and supportive team from whom you can learn, develop and grow. A friendly, busy and dynamic workplace where each day is different from the last. A competitive salary. Wider opportunities to be involved across our Trust. An energised and professional working environment.
Further information about the job
CVs are not accepted, please complete the application form in full. If you can meet the requirements of this role, we would love to hear from you. All applications should be made by completing the online application form via E-teach available at www.bep.ac/vacancies and include evidence of how you meet the person specification for the role. For full details of the role, please see the job description and person specification.
Closing date: Midday Tuesday 12th May 2026
Interviews Monday 18th or Tuesday 19th May 2026 – Holyrood Academy
Wednesday 20th May 2026 -BEP Trust Offices, Orchard Grove Primary School
Commitment to safeguarding
Blackdown Education Partnership and Holyrood Academy is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff to share this commitment. Safeguarding is our most important responsibility as a school. Happy and healthy students who are free from harm, are more likely to be successful throughout their education and thrive on their journey towards adulthood.
As part of our due diligence process when shortlisting, we may carry out an online search of publicly available material to identify any incidents or issues which we might want to explore with the applicant at interview.
Applying for the job
Apply for the job by following the link below.
CVs will not be accepted for this application.
View advert on school website (opens in new tab)Additional documents
If you need these documents in an accessible format, please contact the school.
About Holyrood Academy
- School type
- Academy, ages 11 to 18
- Education phase
- Secondary school
- School size
- 1321 pupils enrolled
- Age range
- 11 to 18
- Ofsted report
- View Ofsted report
- School website
- Holyrood Academy website
- Email address
- ldriscoll@holyrood.bep.ac
Holyrood Academy is an 11-18 Academy in Somerset with approximately 1350 students on roll – including around 160 in the sixth form. It is situated in the centre of the market town of Chard, and it is the only secondary school in the town. We are therefore fully comprehensive and committed to providing an excellent education in the service of our whole community.
Holyrood was last inspected in February 2023 when it achieved a 'Good' rating in all areas of inspection.
Holyrood Academy is part of Blackdown Education Partnership thereby creating opportunities to work as part of a team of highly effective school leaders. It allows each school in the MAT to share good practice and provides exceptional opportunities to learn from each other. All our senior leaders are system leaders and regularly contribute to the leadership programmes of Teaching Schools across the region.
The leadership team at Holyrood Academy consists of a mix of newly appointed and highly experienced senior leaders. All are driven to deliver exceptional experiences and educational outcomes for young people and have firmly bought into the BEP principles of excellence.
Holyrood benefits from a large and beautifully situated site within easy commuting distance of towns such as Taunton and Yeovil as well as the cities of Exeter and Bristol. Chard is on the edge of the Blackdown Hills and close to the Devon and Dorset coastlines.
The Academy occupies a split site; however, both sites are located on the same campus. We are therefore lucky enough to have a great deal of open space and our staff and students enjoy excellent facilities.
Arranging a visit to Holyrood Academy
To arrange a visit and increase the chance of a successful application email ldriscoll@holyrood.bep.ac.
School location
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