21 days remaining to apply

  • Start date details

    As soon as possible

  • Closing date

    3 December 2025 at 12pm (midday)

  • Date listed

    12 November 2025

Important

This teaching role is at more than one school in the trust. You can find out more in schools overview.

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: 32.5 Hours

Contract type

Permanent

Pay scale

Leadership scale: 18 to 24 (£78,702 - £91,158)​ Starting point on scale TBC and dependent upon experience

What skills and experience we're looking for

Are you ready to lead a purpose-built specialist SEMH provision at the heart of the Wyre Forest community? Do you want to make a genuine difference to the most vulnerable learners and underserved pupils?​

Unity Academy, part of The Rivers C. of E. Academy Trust, is seeking an inspirational, experienced and creative headteacher to drive our shared mission of delivering an extraordinary education for every pupil. We warmly welcome applications from leaders who are passionate about inclusive education and eager to bring new ideas and expertise.​

This crucial role will offer the successful candidate an exciting opportunity to:​

  • Pioneer a flagship alternative provision free school, empowering vulnerable and underserved children to thrive. ​

  • Join a dynamic, values-driven trust with a proven record of school improvement and innovation.​

  • Collaborate with passionate colleagues across the trust and work in partnership with the wider community.​

  • Shape a nurturing, ambitious environment where every child’s potential is unlocked and every staff member is empowered to excel. ​

We are looking for a visionary leader who:​

  • Believes every child has the right to an extraordinary education and deserves a second chance to succeed.​

  • Understands inclusion, SEMH and other complex needs.​

  • Thrives on challenge, creativity and collaboration.​

This is your opportunity to make a profound difference – building on our strong foundations and leading Unity Academy into its next exciting chapter.

For more information, please take a look at our job pack attached.

Application forms can be found on our website. The Rivers C. of E. Academy Trust - Vacancies

Your covering letter should demonstrate how your career to date has prepared you for this post and be no longer than two sides of A4.

Please download a copy and email your completed application form to jcarter@riverscofe.co.uk by midday on Wednesday 3rd December 2025. (applications received after this date/time will not be accepted)

Please do not submit a curriculum vitae as these will not be included in the shortlisting process.

Shortlisted applicants will be contacted by Friday 5th December and interviews will be held week commencing Monday 8 th December 2025.

To find out more about Rivers, you can visit our trust website. https://www.riverscofe.co.uk/work-for-us-1/vacancies​

Informal tours of Unity Academy are being offered by our Director of Inclusion, Sally Philpotts on Wednesday 26th and Friday 28th November. If you would like to arrange a tour on one of these dates or a phone call, then please contact the executive assistant, Julia Carter, at jcarter@riverscofe.co.uk to register your interest and confirm a booking.

The Rivers C of E Academy Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the well-being of children and expects everyone to share this commitment. The successful applicant will undergo a full enhanced DBS check.

The Rivers C.of E. Academy Trust reserves the right to withdraw the vacancy should a suitable candidate be found at any time during the recruitment.


What the school offers its staff

At The Rivers C. of E. Academy Trust, our mission is clear: create extraordinary futures by empowering extraordinary people to provide an extraordinary education for every pupil. We are proud of our nurturing ethos, our high expectations, and our focus on quality-first teaching and inclusive practice. ​

Unity Academy, as our specialist SEMH alternative provision, is an integral part of our collaborative learning community and stands as a beacon of hope and opportunity for children and families across the Wyre Forest District and beyond. ​

We are seeking a visionary, compassionate and resilient leader for this crucial role who understands belief in equity of opportunity and excellent outcomes for all, especially the most vulnerable and underserved pupils. This appointment is not only about leading a school – it’s about championing a community.​

The successful candidate will play a pivotal role in shaping the culture and ethos of Unity, ensuring it remains a safe and aspirational environment for pupils who require a bespoke and nurturing approach to education. A key part of the role will be to continue growing Unity’s reputation and impact across the system.​

If you share our vision and are ready to lead with passion and purpose, we encourage you to apply and become part of our journey. ​

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 job requires you to download an application form, you will be able to upload the application once complete.

CVs will not be accepted for this application.

Upload additional documents

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

About The Rivers C Of E Multi Academy Trust

Type
Multi-academy trust
Phone number
01299 851178

We are a multi-academy school trust, specialists in early years and primary provision, with sixteen good and outstanding primary, first and nursery settings and a thriving teaching alliance.

School Details

School type
Free School, ages 4 to 11
School size
28 pupils enrolled
Age range
4 to 11
Ofsted report
View Ofsted report
School website
Unity Academy website

Arranging a visit to The Rivers C Of E Multi Academy Trust

To arrange a visit and increase the chance of a successful application email jcarter@riverscofe.co.uk.

School locations

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