Headteacher

St Matthew's Primary School, Luton, Bedfordshire, LU2 0NJ

17 days remaining to apply

• Start date details

  September 2026

• Closing date

  10 May 2026 at 11:59pm

• Date listed

  23 April 2026

Job details

• Job role:
  • Headteacher
• Visa sponsorship: Visas cannot be sponsored
• Working pattern: Full time
• Contract type: Permanent
• Full-time equivalent salary: £98,106.00 - £107,131.00 Annually (Actual)

Headteacher job summary

Lead a school where community, ambition and care truly meet

St Matthew’s Primary School is seeking an exceptional new Headteacher to lead our large, vibrant and deeply caring school community into its next chapter.

Although we are one of the largest primary schools in Luton, St Matthew’s is widely recognised for something far more personal: a calm, happy atmosphere where every child and adult feels known, valued and supported. Visitors often comment on the unique balance we strike — a school with scale and ambition, yet with the warmth and closeness of a small community.

This is a rare opportunity to lead a school where wellbeing, relationships and high expectations sit firmly at the heart of everything we do.

Our Vision

At St Matthew’s, we believe that children thrive when they:

• Feel safe, belong and are happy and excited to learn

• Are known as individuals

• Are inspired to achieve their very best every day

• Have staff who care deeply about them and their success

We are proud of our strong, child-centred ethos and are looking for a Headteacher who will champion this whilst driving continued excellence across all areas of school life.

Who We’re Looking For

We are seeking a leader who:

• Places pastoral care and pupil wellbeing at the centre of their leadership

• Has a clear vision for high-quality teaching and learning

• Is optimistic, visible and principle-driven

• Builds strong relationships with pupils, staff, families and the wider community

• Demonstrates a commitment to professional growth — both their own and that of others

• Leads with integrity, clarity and an authentic sense of social moral purpose

• Intrinsically values and champions diversity

You will inherit a vibrant working environment, a committed staff team, enthusiastic children and a community that supports the work of the school— you must be someone who can bring these strengths together with humility, clarity and ambition alongside Governors

What We Offer

• A thriving, diverse and welcoming school community

• A strong, dedicated staff team who genuinely care about making a difference

• An experienced and talented solution-focused Senior Leadership Team

• A culture built on respect, wellbeing, collaboration and professional trust

• A clear moral purpose shared by all

Come and See for Yourself

We believe the best way to understand St Matthew’s is to experience it.

People who visit often remark on the calm, energy and positivity that define our school. We strongly encourage prospective candidates to arrange a visit — meeting us speaks louder than any advert ever could.

If you wish to discuss the post further or to arrange a visit to our school, please contact our Personnel Manager, Amy Ingleby, for an informal discussion.

Safeguarding Statement

St Matthew’s Primary School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. We expect all staff to share this commitment. Appointments are subject to appropriate safeguarding checks, including references and an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.

Please note: CVs will not be accepted.

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

The school is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expects all staff to share this commitment. Applicants must be willing to undergo child protection screening appropriate to the post, including checks with past employers and the Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS). CVs will not be accepted for any posts based in schools.

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 St Matthew's Primary School

• School type: Local authority maintained school, ages 4 to 11
• Education phase: Primary school
• School size: 898 pupils enrolled
• Age range: 4 to 11
• Ofsted report: View Ofsted report
• School website: St Matthew's Primary School website
• See more jobs: teaching-vacancies.service.gov.uk/organisations/st-matthew-s-primary-school-luton

St Matthew’s Primary School is a popular, oversubscribed and happy school full of enthusiastic and well behaved children eager to have fun learning. We are a well-resourced and energetic school which is well supported by parents, governors and the wider community.

Alongside our mainstream provision we host a Behaviour Provision on behalf of the Central Area Partnership (CAP), made up of nine schools.This provision supports children with Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) needs that can make full time mainstream education difficult for them. The aim of the provision is to provide an environment, pastoral and educational experience that keeps them moving forward in their learning but focuses specifically on their personal, social and emotional development.

School location

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