Headteacher (Primary) – Hade Edge Junior, Infant, and Nursery School
Hade Edge Junior, Infant and Nursery School, Holmfirth, West Yorkshire, HD9 2DF23 days remaining to apply
Job start date
1 September 2026
Closing date
24 April 2026 at 11:59pm
Date listed
1 April 2026
Job details
Job role
- Headteacher
- SENDCo (special educational needs and disabilities coordinator)
Visa sponsorship
- Visas cannot be sponsored
Key stage
- Early years, Key stage 1, Key stage 2
Working pattern
- Full time
Contract type
- Fixed term - 3 terms
Pay scale
- L8-L14, depending on experience
What skills and experience we're looking for
Post: Headteacher (Primary) – Hade Edge Junior, Infant, and Nursery School https://www.hadeedgeschool.co.uk/kgfl/primary/hadeedge
Full Time | Interim (3 terms) | Start: September 2026 Salary: L8-L14, subject to experience
Hade Edge School: A Small School with Big Ambitions
Hade Edge Junior, Infant and Nursery School is a small, friendly, and highly respected rural school situated in the heart of the beautiful West Yorkshire countryside, just outside Holmfirth. We are a village school with strong links to our local community, and our reputation for providing a nurturing and inclusive environment attracts pupils not only from the immediate Hade Edge community, but also from the surrounding areas.
The school currently has 82 children on roll. We are experiencing a period of lower pupil numbers, reflecting local and national demographic trends. The role requires strong strategic leadership to ensure financial stability while maintaining educational quality.
The Opportunity
We seek an enthusiastic and inspiring leader who combines strong educational vision with astute organisational and financial leadership, and the ability to lead our school through future periods of transition. As interim Headteacher of Hade Edge, you will lead a passionate team, engage with a supportive parent body, and most importantly, inspire our children to believe in themselves and aim higher than they ever dreamed possible.
We are looking for a Headteacher who:
- Can articulate and deliver a clear strategic vision that secures sustainable pupil growth and strong outcomes.
- Is committed to fostering a nurturing environment for all children.
- Is a visible and approachable presence for our children, parents, staff, and community, building strong relationships between them, every day.
- Demonstrates confident, transparent leadership, empathy and the ability to make decisions in the best interests of the children.
- Has experience of leadership and can foster a culture of positivity, inclusivity, and professional growth.
- Has a strong commitment to staff CPD and wellbeing.
- Has a proven track record of delivering high standards in learning and teaching.
- Brings experience of effective financial stewardship and resource management.
- Has an appreciation of working within the resource constraints of a small village school.
- Has the experience, motivation, and resilience needed to move the school forwards through future challenges and transitional periods.
- Can hold the role as SENDCo for our school.
- Ensures the safeguarding and wellbeing of every pupil.
You will be:
- An experienced senior leader with a track record of driving school improvement.
- Skilled in leading change with sensitivity and clarity.
- Financially literate, with experience of budget planning and sustainable staffing structures.
- Committed to high standards of teaching, learning, and pastoral care.
- A visible and approachable presence who inspires trust and confidence.
What the school offers its staff
Hade Edge Junior, Infant and Nursery School is a small, rural community primary school located in the village of Hade Edge, on the southern outskirts of Holmfirth, West Yorkshire. Occupying its original 1899 buildings, our school sits in a picturesque, high-altitude setting approximately 1,000 feet above sea level, which significantly shapes its close-knit community identity.
With 82 pupils currently on roll, the school is organised into four mixed-age classes (the Terrific Tigers (including nursery), Marvellous Meerkats, Wonderful Wolves, and Excellent Eagles), fostering a ‘family’ atmosphere where older and younger children interact daily.
Our children are supported by a dedicated team of four teachers and a skilled group of support staff. We pride ourselves on being a "whole school community" where every child is known, valued, and encouraged to thrive. We are a school with diversity, and we are committed to creating an inclusive environment in collaboration with our engaged parents. Our Headteacher is actively involved in this process through their role as SENDCo for the school, exemplifying the school’s reputation in the Holme Valley for inclusivity and nurture.
Our Vision and Aims
At Hade Edge, our vision is encapsulated in our school motto: "To go further than I thought... To aim higher than I dream... To be stronger than I hope... To believe in ME!"
The school aims to develop mature, caring, and enterprising individuals. Learning is anchored by the "6 Rs": do the Right thing, at the Right time, in the Right place, and Respect yourself, Respect others, and Respect property).
Our core objectives are:
- Delivering a creative and enterprising curriculum: we deliver a curriculum designed to foster mature and caring individuals who understand their role in society and possess an enterprising spirit.
- Celebrating achievement: we believe in nurturing a genuine enjoyment of learning by celebrating both enthusiasm and achievement in all its forms.
- Holistic development: from our "OWLs" (Outdoor Learning) program to our focus on mental health and wellbeing, we ensure that our pupils are resilient, curious, and prepared for the future.
- Inclusion and nurture: we are a school where a strong sense of belonging and kindness are woven into the fabric of daily life, ensuring every child feels safe and supported to reach their full potential.
Our children are supported to develop wide-ranging skills through a diverse range of experiences, including exciting school trips to museums and theatres, opportunities to perform at local events such as the Hade Edge Gala, and visits from local environmental experts and scientists.
As a rural school, there is a strong focus on outdoor learning and environmental awareness. Recently, the school has been a key participant in the West Yorkshire "School Travel Action Plan" (2026), promoting active travel like walking and cycling despite its steep, moorland location. These activities are supported by our excellent outdoor spaces, including a dedicated ‘forest school’ area. Our Early Years class has access to its own dedicated outdoors space to promote learning through play and hands-on activities.
We have ample opportunities for children to lead school decision-making, including our School Council, where elected representatives from each year group ensure pupil voices are heard, and our Care Crew, a nominated collective of pupils who actively support the wellbeing and happiness of their fellow classmates.
At Hade Edge, we are committed to nurturing the "whole child." Our primary aim is to provide a stimulating and safe environment where high-quality education goes hand-in-hand with the development of confidence, independence, happiness, and lasting friendships.
We offer:
- A happy and caring school, with wonderful pupils, supportive and engaged families, and a dedicated staff team.
- A highly active and creative PTA who work constructively with school to support events and raise funds.
- A passionate and dedicated governing body who will support you to ensure all children reach their potential.
- An opportunity to lead and direct our school into its next exciting chapter.
This role offers a rewarding opportunity for a leader who is motivated by challenge and ready to shape a sustainable, high-performing future.
Visits to the school are warmly welcomed and encouraged, during the week commencing 13 April 2026. Please contact the Chair of Governors, Dr Nicola Hemmings, to arrange a visit: nicola.hemmings@hadeedgeschool.co.uk
Further information about the job
We actively invite visits from prospective candidates and warmly welcome you to come and see our school before applying. Please contact the Chair of Governors, Dr Nicola Hemmings, to arrange a visit: nicola.hemmings@hadeedgeschool.co.uk
Application deadline: 24 April 2026
Interviews: 14/15 May 2026
Application sent to: headteacher.recruitment@kirklees.gov.uk
Letters of application should be no more than 4 sides of A4. Font Arial. Font size 11.
Our school is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. We expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
All post holders are subject to a satisfactory enhanced Criminal Records check.
Commitment to safeguarding
Our school is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. We expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
All post holders are subject to a satisfactory enhanced Criminal Records check.
Applying for the job
Please complete the online application.
CVs will not be accepted for this application.
Apply for this jobAdditional documents
If you need these documents in an accessible format, please contact the school.
About Hade Edge Junior, Infant and Nursery School
- School type
- Local authority maintained school, ages 3 to 11
- Education phase
- Primary school
- School size
- 91 pupils enrolled
- Age range
- 3 to 11
- Ofsted report
- View Ofsted report
- School website
- Hade Edge Junior, Infant and Nursery School website
- Email address
- nicola.hemmings@hadeedgeschool.co.uk
Hade Edge Junior, Infant and Nursery School is a small, rural community primary school located in the village of Hade Edge, on the southern outskirts of Holmfirth, West Yorkshire. Occupying its original 1899 buildings, our school sits in a picturesque, high-altitude setting approximately 1,000 feet above sea level, which significantly shapes its close-knit community identity.
With 82 pupils currently on roll, the school is organised into four mixed-age classes (the Terrific Tigers (including nursery), Marvellous Meerkats, Wonderful Wolves, and Excellent Eagles), fostering a ‘family’ atmosphere where older and younger children interact daily.
Our children are supported by a dedicated team of four teachers and a skilled group of support staff. We pride ourselves on being a "whole school community" where every child is known, valued, and encouraged to thrive. We are a school with diversity, and we are committed to creating an inclusive environment in collaboration with our engaged parents. Our Headteacher is actively involved in this process through their role as SENDCo for the school, exemplifying the school’s reputation in the Holme Valley for inclusivity and nurture.
Arranging a visit to Hade Edge Junior, Infant and Nursery School
To arrange a visit and increase the chance of a successful application email nicola.hemmings@hadeedgeschool.co.uk.
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