Headteacher

Rivertree Free School, Bedford, Bedfordshire, MK42 8QP

27 days remaining to apply

• Start date details

  September 2026 or earlier by negotiation

• Closing date

  1 March 2026 at 10:59pm

• Date listed

  2 February 2026

Job details

• Job role:
  • Headteacher
• Visa sponsorship: Visas cannot be sponsored
• Working pattern: Full time
• Contract type: Permanent
• Full-time equivalent salary: Leadership Scale - actual starting point will be discussed with the successful candidate dependent on experience
• Additional allowances:

  Leadership Scale - actual starting point will be discussed with the successful candidate dependent on experience

Headteacher job summary

Rivertree is a nurturing, ambitious and inclusive school with sate-of-the-art facilities designed to meet the needs of pupils with a range of SEND profiles.

We are looking for a leader who:

• Has a deep commitment to improving life chances for pupils with SEND

• Brings strategic clarity, emotional intelligence and ambition

• Can strengthen our specialist curriculum and therapeutic practice

• Can inspire, support and challenge a talented staff team

• Will work collaboratively across BILTT to share expertise and drive excellence

This is a rare opportunity to shape the next chapter of a growing school, strengthen its identity, and ensure Rivertree continues to be a place where pupils feel safe, valued and able to achieve their very best.

If you are an experienced senior leader with a passion for SEND, a strong moral purpose and the ambition to lead a specialist school to excellence, we would love to hear from you.

For full details of this role, including how to apply and what to include, please see the Headteacher Application Pack below

Application deadline: Midnight on Sunday 1st March 2026. Please note, we reserve the right to close the application date early should we receive a sufficient number of suitable candidates for shortlisting to take place, therefore, early applications are encouraged.

Visits are warmly encouraged: To arrange a visit, please contact: chelsie.tear@biltt.org or call 01234-745064

Interviews: TBC

Our Values

Childcentred Every decision begins with the needs of our pupils.

Ambitious We set high expectations and believe in every child’s potential.

Inclusive We celebrate individuality and remove barriers to learning.

Collaborative We work together — across classrooms, families and the Trust.

Reflective We learn, adapt and continuously improve.

Compassionate We lead with empathy, understanding and respect.

This post is subject to Enhanced DBS Clearance, right to work check, satisfactory references, social media checks, health clearance, and a probationary period. This post is exempt from The Rehabilitation of Offenders Act and we will ask job applicants to declare convictions and cautions on a self-declaration form in advance of attending an interview to assess their suitability to work with children. In addition, online checks will be completed in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education. It is an offence to apply for a role if you are barred from engaging in regulated activity relevant to children.

BILTT is committed to safeguarding, Prevent, the welfare of pupils and ensuring equality of opportunity for all pupils, staff, parents and carers, irrespective of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage & civil partnership, pregnancy & maternity, race, belief, sex or sexual orientation and expects staff to share that commitment

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 Rivertree Free School

• School type: Free School, ages 2 to 11
• School size: Up to 200 pupils
• Age range: 2 to 11
• Ofsted report: View Ofsted report
• School website: Rivertree Free School website
• See more jobs: teaching-vacancies.service.gov.uk/organisations/rivertree-free-school

School location

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