Headteacher

Wallands Community Primary and Nursery School, Lewes, East Sussex, BN7 1PU

24 days remaining to apply

• Job start date

  1 September 2026

• Closing date

  23 March 2026 at 12pm (midday)

• Date listed

  27 February 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: L13-L19 (£69,596 to £80,655)

What skills and experience we're looking for

This is an exciting opportunity for an ambitious and experienced leader who wants to take a school to the next stage of its development in partnership with staff, parents and governors.

Our children and staff need someone who wants to make what is good, even better; who embraces our school values and helps us drive our vision; who is enthusiastic and energetic. They want a leader who will:

• lead by example, listening and motivating them to develop to their full potential
• use their talents to further develop our creative, high-quality teaching and learning environment
• build on and nurture the strong links with parents, the community and our wider stakeholders
• sustain and further develop the inclusive ethos of Wallands

You should be keen to explore a range of possibilities to continue developing and enhancing the school’s future, and enthusiastic about exploring wider collaborative opportunities.

We are keen that the successful candidate will bring creative leadership and innovative ideas in taking the school forward.

What the school offers its staff

Wallands Community Primary and Nursery School is located in the beautiful historic town of Lewes in the heart of the South Downs.

We are a genuinely inclusive school that prioritises the wellbeing of both children and staff with the essence encapsulated in our school motto: Happy Together, Learning Forever.

The school includes a nursery and a special facility that provides full-time places for children with severe and specific language needs and/or autism spectrum condition (ASC). We have excellent facilities including a new outdoor classroom, our own woodland in addition to the extensive play areas and fields which are an essential part of our commitment to OPaL (Outdoor Play and Learning).

Wallands is widely recognised as a popular and well-regarded school within the community, with an ever increasing demand for admissions in Reception. The school has been carefully managed, is on a sound financial footing and has excellent staff retention. We have motivated enthusiastic staff who are committed to developing the whole child, and are backed by supportive governors.

Our last Ofsted inspection in September 2022 stated “This is a great place to learn. Leaders have high aspirations and hopes for pupils to achieve all they are capable of. They also care deeply about the well-being of every child.”

Lewes has good transport links with trains running direct to London, Brighton, Eastbourne and beyond.

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.

If you are interested in finding out more, we strongly suggest that you arrange a tour of the school by contacting the school Business Manager by email: personnel@wallands.org or telephone: 01273 472776.

You can also find out more about Wallands on our website: https://www.wallandsschool.org/

To apply, please email leadership.recruitment@eastsussex.gov.uk to request a recruitment pack and application form. We do not accept CVs and you should not complete any online application form run by TES or any other online recruitment provider.

Recruitment packs for this vacancy will only be provided directly to an individual considering applying to our school for this opportunity. We do not enter into business with recruitment agencies, or other commercial organisations, on behalf of their clients seeking employment.

Wallands Community Primary and Nursery School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. We will ensure that all our recruitment and selection practices reflect this commitment. All successful candidates will be subject to Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service checks along with other relevant employment checks. This post is covered by the Childcare Disqualification Regulations 2018.

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.

About Wallands Community Primary and Nursery School

• School type: Local authority maintained school, ages 3 to 11
• Education phase: Primary school
• School size: 305 pupils enrolled
• Age range: 3 to 11
• Ofsted report: View Ofsted report
• School website: Wallands Community Primary and Nursery School website
• Email address: personnel@wallands.org
• Phone number: 01273 472776
• See more jobs: teaching-vacancies.service.gov.uk/organisations/wallands-community-primary-and-nursery-school

We are a primary school with a Nursery and special facility in Lewes, set in fantastic grounds and situated on the edge of the South Downs National Park.
We are only a short train/bus ride from Eastbourne and Brighton. We have supportive, caring and dedicated staff and governing body and fabulous children.

Arranging a visit to Wallands Community Primary and Nursery School

To arrange a visit and increase the chance of a successful application email personnel@wallands.org.

School location

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