Headteacher

Queen Elizabeth High School, Hexham, Northumberland, NE46 3JB

17 days remaining to apply

• Job start date

  1 September 2026

• Closing date

  16 March 2026 at 12pm (midday)

• Date listed

  27 February 2026

Job details

• Job role:
  • Headteacher
• Visa sponsorship: Visas cannot be sponsored
• Working pattern: Full time
• Contract type: Permanent
• Full-time equivalent salary: STPCD Band 7 – Competitive Salary
• Additional allowances:

  STPCD Band 7 – Competitive Salary

Headteacher job summary

We are seeking to appoint an inspirational leader with the highest ambitions for all and a strong, proven track record of success. This is a fantastic opportunity to lead an already successful school on its ongoing journey to be even better, as we seek to improve the educational experiences and outcomes of the young people we serve.

Queen Elizabeth High School is a larger than average mixed comprehensive school with just over 1,300 students aged 13-18. The school has a long-standing reputation for high quality provision and is recognised as one of the top performing schools in the North East. Our new Headteacher will join a team of Trust leaders with a shared commitment to high-quality teaching and learning and to working collaboratively in the interests of all.

Our ideal candidate will

• Be values-driven and a strong advocate for our school and young people
• Be a dynamic, inspirational leader with a clear vision for success
• Have an unwavering commitment to excellence, equality and inclusion
• Have a proven track record of sustainable school improvement
• Be able to think strategically, innovate and work collaboratively with all stakeholders
• Be able to inspire, challenge and empower our staff and students
• Share our passion for the wider development of children and young people
• Embrace our unique school identity whilst welcoming opportunities for collaboration across the Trust

We will provide you with:

• Friendly and welcoming students
• A committed, hard-working and friendly staff
• A strong moral purpose focused on improving the life chances of our young people
• A commitment to high-quality continuing professional development for you
• A very supportive, highly committed Trust Board and Executive Headteacher
• A network of passionate leadership colleagues with a shared commitment to education both within and beyond the Trust

This appointment is supported by ASCL’s Leadership Appointment Service. For an informal discussion about the role, or to arrange a conversation with the Executive Headteacher during the week commencing Monday 2 March 2026, please contact Sarah Young at Sarah.Young@ascl.org.uk or on 07375 548 561.

Further details and the application pack are available via the Vacancies section of the school website. Applications should be submitted via MyNewTerm.

Interviews will be held on Thursday 26 and Friday 27 March 2026.

Queen Elizabeth High School and Hadrian Learning Trust are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. All appointments are subject to enhanced DBS checks, online searches and other pre-employment safeguarding checks.

Hadrian Learning Trust is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion and welcomes applications from all suitably qualified candidates.

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

Hadrian Learning Trust is fully committed to safeguarding children and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff to prioritise this commitment. The preferred candidate will be required to undertake an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check. As the preferred candidate for Headteacher, we will also conduct a Section 128 check for financial probity. Please also be aware that, in line with the Keeping Children
Safe in Education guidance, you will be subject to an online check and may be questioned about the findings of such a check at interview.

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 Queen Elizabeth High School

• School type: Academy, ages 13 to 18
• Education phase: Secondary school
• School size: 1304 pupils enrolled
• Age range: 13 to 18
• Ofsted report: View Ofsted report
• School website: Queen Elizabeth High School website
• See more jobs: teaching-vacancies.service.gov.uk/organisations/queen-elizabeth-high-school-ne46-3jb

Hadrian Learning Trust was established as an academy converter in 2016. The Trust currently comprises Queen Elizabeth High School and Hexham Middle School. Queen Elizabeth High School (QE) is a high-performing 13–18 comprehensive school whose origins date back to 1599. It is situated in the historic market town of Hexham, in a beautiful part of Northumberland, a short drive from Newcastle and Carlisle. With just over 1,300 students on roll, it is a popular and successful school, with a particularly strong sixth form. As well as attracting students from Hexham and its rural hinterland, about a third of students come from outside the catchment area. The school values its reputation as a warm, friendly, welcoming school, and relationships amongst staff and students are excellent. We benefit from a fantastic working and learning environment with first-class facilities following a move into brand new buildings in 2021, adjacent to our front-facing Grade II listed Hydro building, which was refurbished. QE shares its location with Hexham Middle School, with which it has a very close working relationship. Both schools have their own distinct identities but work in tandem to enable some sharing of facilities, teaching and subject leadership. Cross-trust collaboration is overseen by an executive team comprising the Trust’s executive lead, the schools’ headteachers, the Chief Financial Officer and the Business & HR Manager.

School location

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