Headteacher

Orchard Grove Primary School, Taunton, TA3 7FD

35 days remaining to apply

• Job start date

  1 September 2026

• Closing date

  9 March 2026 at 9am

• Date listed

  2 February 2026

Job details

• Job role:
  • Headteacher
• Visa sponsorship: Visas cannot be sponsored
• Key stage: Early years, Key stage 1, Key stage 2
• Working pattern: Full time
• Contract type: Permanent
• Full-time equivalent salary: L11 – L17 £66,368 to £76,772

What skills and experience we're looking for

We are seeking to recruit an outstanding leader and teacher, with a track record of successful leadership, to become the Headteacher of Orchard Grove Primary School from September 2026. We are looking for an individual who has a strong knowledge of curriculum, who has experience in safeguarding and who can deliver excellent learning opportunities alongside achievement and progress outcomes for all children across the Primary and Early Years key stages.

You will be responsible for the strategic leadership of the school in respect of all areas relating to quality of education, behaviour and attitudes and personal development, as well as being the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) for the school.

You will be joining an ambitious, talented and hardworking team of staff who offer incredible support, both in an academic and a pastoral sense, and are relentless in their drive to make a genuine difference to and lasting impact on our young people, families and the wider community. They are fully aligned in what it means to be ‘Team Orchard Grove’ and what ‘going the extra mile’ looks like. We are looking for a leader who aligns with this, shares these beliefs and can further galvanise our existing team whilst growing it further.

You will also join our team of fantastic primary and secondary Headteachers who lead our other BEP schools, and you will have a unique opportunity to help shape the future of education in Somerset and Devon.

This post comes at a crucial point in the timeline for Orchard Grove and we are looking for an individual who can build on the strong foundations the team have put in place and take the school forwards on the next phase of its journey. This post will involve 2 days per week of classroom teaching initially, at this early stage in the development of the school. Over time the position will grow with the school to become a non-teaching headteacher position. It is essential that any candidate is an exceptional classroom teacher as the teachers and support staff this headteacher will be leading are exactly that.

Please see the application pack for details of how to book a visit

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 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: 9th March 2026

Interviews: Thursday 19th and Friday 19th March at Orchard Grove Primary School

What the school offers its staff

• Eligibility to join excellent pension scheme.
• Option to make additional voluntary contributions to pension for local government pension scheme members which can help boost retirement benefits.
• Access to a range of continuous professional development opportunities.
• Trust wide charity events designed to encourage our people to participate in meaningful activities.
• Access to wellbeing provision which offers information and advice on a range of workplace and personal issues.
• Flexible working opportunities.
• Enhanced special leave provision, including additional time off as part of our ‘Personal Day’ entitlement which supports employees to achieve a better work/life balance.
• Free car parking.
• On site catering facilities, all of which provide healthy and nutritious meals at a low cost.
• Gym membership. Many of our schools have on-site gyms, the use of which is available to employees at a discounted rate.
• Cycle to work scheme which enables employees to purchase a bike and accessories for their commute to work.
• Free tea and coffee.

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

This school is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. This post is subject to a satisfactory Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) Enhanced Disclosure Certificate.

Applying for the job

Apply for the job by following the link below.

CVs will not be accepted for this application.

Additional documents

If you need these documents in an accessible format, please contact the school.

Orchard Grove Headteacher Recruitment Pack - February 2026.pdf - 3.78 MB (opens in new tab)

About Orchard Grove Primary School

• School type: Free School, ages 2 to 11
• Education phase: Primary school
• School size: 64 pupils enrolled
• Age range: 2 to 11
• Ofsted report: View Ofsted report
• School website: Orchard Grove Primary School website
• Email address: morcomt@bep.ac
• See more jobs: teaching-vacancies.service.gov.uk/organisations/orchard-grove-primary-school

Arranging a visit to Orchard Grove Primary School

To arrange a visit and increase the chance of a successful application email morcomt@bep.ac.

School location

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