Headteacher

Oakdale School, Dukinfield, Cheshire, SK16 5LD

24 days remaining to apply

• Start date details

  January 2027

• Closing date

  13 July 2026 at 5pm

• Date listed

  17 June 2026

Job details

• Job role:
  • Headteacher
• Visa sponsorship: Visas cannot be sponsored
• Working pattern: Full time
• Contract type: Permanent
• Full-time equivalent salary: £88,951.00 - £98,106.00 Annually (Actual) L23-27

Headteacher job summary

Kingfisher Learning Trust is looking for a talented, values‑driven Headteacher to lead Oakdale School through its next phase of development. This is an exciting opportunity for an inspirational leader with a strong moral purpose, a commitment to inclusion, and a passion for securing the very best outcomes for children with special educational needs.

Oakdale School is part of Kingfisher Learning Trust, a specialist MAT with a strong reputation for excellence, collaboration and innovation. We are looking for a Headteacher who will champion our vision for endless possibilities, uphold our ethos and lead with aspiration, integrity and respect.

About the Role

The Headteacher will:

• Provide strong, strategic leadership, ensuring the Trust’s vision and values are embedded across the school.
• Lead organisational change and drive continuous improvement, securing high‑quality teaching, learning and outcomes for all pupils.
• Build and sustain a professional learning community focused on creativity, personalisation and high expectations.
• Ensure statutory responsibilities are met, including safeguarding, curriculum, assessment and the wider regulatory framework.
• Lead quality assurance processes, including preparation for inspection, reporting to the Local Governing Board and Trust Board, and evaluating school performance.
• Develop effective partnerships with parents, carers, governors, staff, external agencies and the wider Trust community.
• Promote a culture of inclusion, equality and diversity, ensuring every pupil receives their statutory rights and personalised support.
• Lead and develop staff through robust appraisal underpinned by action-research, coaching and performance management, fostering a collaborative leadership model.
• Manage delegated resources effectively to achieve best value and secure excellent outcomes.

About You

We are looking for a leader who can demonstrate:

• Successful experience of leading strategic organisational change, ideally within a special school context.
• A proven commitment to improving the quality of children’s learning and leading by example.
• Strong knowledge of effective teaching, learning and innovative curriculum design for pupils with SEND.
• Experience of monitoring, challenging and supporting staff to secure excellent practice.
• The ability to build excellent relationships with stakeholders including parents, governors, staff and external partners.
• Experience of system leadership and contributing to wider school improvement beyond one setting.
• A thorough understanding of national and local educational issues, including academies and Trust‑based governance.
• Emotional intelligence, resilience and a commitment to personal leadership development.
• The ability to communicate confidently with a range of audiences and act as an ambassador for the Trust.

Essential qualifications include:

• Qualified Teacher Status
• Degree‑level qualification
• Evidence of ongoing professional and leadership development
• NPQH

Why join Kingfisher Learning Trust?

• A Trust founded on respect for everyone within the Trust family by encouraging and celebrating diversity.
• A strong, supportive and values‑led Trust with a commitment to excellence in SEND as a beacon of inclusive practice.
• Research and reflective practice that ensures an ever-evolving innovative provision across each school that gives everyone a voice and an opportunity to celebrate success.
• A collaborative leadership and supportive culture with opportunities for system leadership and professional growth.
• A dedicated, skilled and passionate staff team.
• A genuine commitment to staff wellbeing and development.

Visits to the school are welcome and can be arranged by contacting the Trust's Director of People and Organisational Development: adele.savage@kl-trust.org

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 Oakdale School

• School type: Academy, ages 2 to 11
• School size: Up to 166 pupils
• Age range: 2 to 11
• Ofsted report: View Ofsted report
• School website: Oakdale School website
• See more jobs: teaching-vacancies.service.gov.uk/organisations/oakdale-school-dukinfield

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