21 days remaining to apply

  • Job start date

    13 April 2026

  • Closing date

    12 December 2025 at 12pm (midday)

  • Date listed

    21 November 2025

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

Pay scale

Leadership Group L17 - L24

What skills and experience we're looking for

This is a fantastic opportunity for a school leader who has integrity, is inspirational, approachable and resilient.

The governors of Sandford St Martin’s are looking for someone who:

  • Has a clear, ambitious and strategic vision for the education of all children in a church school context.
  • Has evidence of successful school leadership and experience in bringing about school improvement.
  • Has excellent interpersonal skills and who wishes to build positive working relationships within our school, church and local community.
  • Places safeguarding at the heart of the school.
  • Values Relational Practice, Therapeutic Thinking and inclusivity in all aspects of school life.
  • Will lead children and staff by example and with compassion and integrity.

A full information pack, including the job description and person specification, is attached for your information when applying for the role.

Applications close at midday on Friday 12 December 2025 and shortlisting will be held in the week commencing Monday 15 December. Successful candidates will be informed by Friday 19 December 2025. Interviews will be held on Tuesday 13 and Wednesday 14 January 2026.

What the school offers its staff

We can offer:

  • Happy, hard-working children who love to learn.
  • A team of dedicated, experienced staff who work collaboratively for the good of the children.
  • A school community who all contribute to outstanding personal development for the children.
  • A strong Christian ethos and values that are interwoven into all aspects of school life.
  • A governing body who are both supportive and knowledgeable.
  • A very supportive parent body.
  • Opportunities for continuing professional development

How to Apply:

Please follow the instructions on the website. If you have any questions please e-mail the school on office@sandfordprimary.dorset.sch.uk and we will be happy to help you. We warmly encourage you to visit our school and this can be arranged by e-mailing the chair of governors via the above address or by contacting the school office on 01929 552949.

All applicants will be notified of the shortlisting decisions by email. References for shortlisted candidates will be requested before interview. Further details about the interview process will be emailed to the candidates in good time.

Sandford St Martin's PrimarySchool values the diversity of our workforce and welcomes applications from all sectors of the community.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people; this is a commitment which we expect all staff and volunteers to share. The successful candidate will be required to have a Disclosure and Barring Service check in line with the Governments safer recruitment guidelines.



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

We are committed to safeguarding the safety and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. The successful candidate will be required to have a Disclosure and Barring Service check in line with the Government's safer recruitment guidelines. We value the diversity of our workforce and welcome applications from all sections of the community. Sandford St. Martin's Primary School is committed to equal opportunities.

Applying for the job

Apply for the job by following the link below.

CVs will not be accepted for this application.

View advert on school website (opens in new tab)

Upload additional documents

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

HT Recruitment Pack 19112025.pdf - 874 KB (opens in new tab)

About Sandford St Martin's Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School

School type
Local authority maintained school, Church of England, ages 4 to 11
Education phase
Primary
School size
366 pupils enrolled
Age range
4 to 11
Ofsted report
View Ofsted report
School website
Sandford St Martin's Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School website
Email address
office@sandfordprimary.dorset.sch.uk
Phone number
01929 552949
See more jobs
teaching-vacancies.service.gov.uk/organisations/sandford-st-martin-s-church-of-england-voluntary-aided-primary-school

LEARN – LOVE – LAUGH: at Sandford St Martin’s CE VA Primary.

Sandford St Martin's CE VA Primary School is a Maintained, Voluntary Aided School near Wareham in the south of Dorset.

We have a dedicated teaching team, support staff team, senior leadership team and admin/site staff.

We can offer you delightful, captivating and sparky children. Ofsted said our children are 'exceptional' leading to behaviour and attitudes being graded as Outstanding (Nov 2022). This takes daily effort, excellent modelling from adults and consistent compassion.

For a fuller introduction to our school, please visit http://www.sandfordprimary.dorset.sch.uk/

Arranging a visit to Sandford St Martin's Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School

To arrange a visit and increase the chance of a successful application email office@sandfordprimary.dorset.sch.uk.

School location

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