Headteacher
Sturminster Marshall First School, Wimborne, Dorset, BH21 4AY13 days remaining to apply
Job start date
1 September 2026
Closing date
7 May 2026 at 11:59pm
Date listed
24 April 2026
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
- L6 - L12
What skills and experience we're looking for
Role
The Headteacher will, in partnership with the Governing Body, provide strategic direction and develop a clear, shared vision for Sturminster Marshall First School. Through outstanding leadership, they will inspire and influence others to secure high‑quality, innovative and engaging teaching for all pupils, while maintaining and strengthening the school’s links with the local community.
The headteacher will maintain a teaching role appropriate to the needs of the school.
Shaping the Future
Develop, articulate and implement a clear vision for the school, defining its ethos, philosophy and overall aims.
Develop, articulate and implement a clear, strategic improvement strategy for Sturminster Marshall First School
Work strategically to plan for and respond to funding, education policy and demographic developments, anticipating future trends to secure the sustainability of our school.
Demonstrate the school’s Vision and Values in everyday work and practice.
School Culture and Behaviour
Foster a positive, caring and inclusive ethos within the school, where pupils can thrive and learn, and ensure pupils’ emotional, moral, social and cultural development.
Promote positive behaviour through inclusive, consistent and compassionate approaches that recognise individual needs, ensuring all pupils feel safe, respected and supported to engage in learning.
Embed therapeutic and relational approaches to behaviour that support pupils’ emotional wellbeing, remove barriers to learning and promote inclusion, particularly for vulnerable learners and those with SEND.
Implement strategies that ensure high levels of attendance.
Have ambitious expectations for all pupils in to prepare them for their next phase of education and life.
Promote a positive working environment where staff feel valued, empowered and supported to develop professionally and contribute effectively to the school’s vision.
Safeguarding and Wellbeing
Fulfil the statutory role of Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) for the school.
Lead a culture where everybody associated with the school understands their responsibilities, maintains a high level of vigilance and takes appropriate action with regard to the safety and wellbeing of children.
Ensure policies, procedures and record keeping, designed to maintain the safety and wellbeing of children, are in place and implemented effectively and rigorously.
Ensure that the school engages in a timely and effective manner with external agencies with regard to the safety and wellbeing of children.
Adhere to the statutory guidance regarding safer recruitment and vetting of all staff and volunteers.
Promote a sustainable approach to workload management that supports staff wellbeing and work–life balance.
Teaching and Learning, Curriculum and Assessment
Determine, organise and implement a diverse, flexible, broad and balanced curriculum which provides rich experiences for all children.
Create and maintain an effective learning environment, built on positive attitudes.
Establish creative and meaningful approaches to learning designed to spark curiosity and engage learners.
Secure and sustain consistently high-quality teaching and learning, supported by evidence-informed practice and underpinned by effective assessment.
Ensure that all pupils learn to read well by leading the consistent implementation of evidence‑informed approaches to early reading, with a clear emphasis on the systematic teaching of synthetic phonics so that pupils develop fluency, comprehension and a love of reading.
Additional and Special Educational Needs and Disabilities
Promote equity and inclusion in all aspects of school life, ensuring that every pupil is supported to thrive and succeed.
Hold ambitious expectations for all pupils with SEND, and ensure they are supported to make strong progress.
Ensure the requirements of the SEND Code of Practice are effectively embedded across the school, making best use of available resources and working closely with staff, parents and external agencies to secure positive outcomes for pupils with SEND.
Leadership, Organisational Management and Governance
Establish and sustain positive and effective working relationships with the Governing Board.
Work in open and transparent partnership with the Governing Board, providing clear, objective information and professional advice to support strategic leadership, effective accountability and robust oversight of performance and resources.
Lead the school through rigorous self‑evaluation, systematically monitoring the quality of education, identifying strengths and priorities for improvement.
Deliver effective performance management at all levels, setting clear expectations, providing constructive feedback and supporting professional growth.
Identify and challenge underperformance at all levels, using supportive challenge, targeted intervention and follow‑up to drive improvement.
Recruit, retain and deploy staff appropriately and manage their workload to achieve the vision and aims of the school.
Set clear priorities for expenditure, allocate resources effectively and ensure robust management
of the school budget to secure sound financial management and long‑term sustainability.
Model and promote the highest standards of professional conduct, fostering a culture of respect, integrity and shared accountability across the school community.
Working in Partnership
Lead the school to become an increasingly outward‑facing organisation, forging purposeful partnerships beyond the school, working collaboratively with parents, carers and the local community.
Strengthen links and work in close partnership with the on-site Pre-school.
Develop and implement an effective communication strategy to ensure accurate, consistent and informative messaging across all platforms and for all audiences.
Seek opportunities to invite parents and carers, community representatives, local businesses and other organisations into the school to enhance and enrich the school, its value and contribution to the wider community.
Professional Development
Develop and sustain effective strategies and procedures for staff induction, professional development and performance management.
Ensure all staff have access to high‑quality professional learning opportunities, both within and beyond their areas of expertise.
Maintain a broad and current understanding of educational developments locally and nationally, using professional learning to inform strategic decision‑making and school improvement.
Use continuous professional development to model reflective and adaptive leadership, enabling the effective implementation of change and securing sustained improvement across the school.
This Job Description may be amended at any time after consultation with the post holder and will be reviewed annually.
What the school offers its staff
We can offer the opportunity to work in a collaborative and supportive team committed to placing pupils at the centre of everything we do.
Wellbeing support
Professional development opportunities
Further information about the job
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
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)Additional documents
If you need these documents in an accessible format, please contact the school.
About Sturminster Marshall First School
- School type
- Local authority maintained school, ages 4 to 9
- Education phase
- Primary school
- School size
- 68 pupils enrolled
- Age range
- 4 to 9
- Ofsted report
- View Ofsted report
- School website
- Sturminster Marshall First School website
- Email address
- office@sturminstermarshall.dorset.sch.uk
- Phone number
- 01258 857348
Sturminster Marshall First School is situated within the East Dorset village of Sturminster Marshall. As a small rural school, for 4 to 9 year olds, we are a valued and integral part of our community, with strong partnerships that support pupils’ learning and development. We can offer the opportunity to work in a collaborative and supportive team committed to placing pupils at the centre of everything we do. Our pupils are happy, well‑behaved and eager to learn, benefitting from a caring and inclusive school culture. They are proud of their school and thrive in an environment where they feel safe, valued and supported to succeed.
Arranging a visit to Sturminster Marshall First School
To arrange a visit and increase the chance of a successful application email office@sturminstermarshall.dorset.sch.uk.
School location
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