Headteacher
William Edwards School, Grays, Essex, RM16 3NJ54 days remaining to apply
Start date details
Easter 2026 or September 2026
Closing date
19 January 2026 at 12pm (midday)
Date listed
26 November 2025
Job details
Job role
- Headteacher
Visa sponsorship
- Visas cannot be sponsored
Working pattern
- Full time
Contract type
- Permanent
Full-time equivalent salary
- £112,327.00 - £129,879.00 Annually (FTE) The upper range may be increased for exceptional candidates.
Headteacher job summary
This is a rare and outstanding opportunity for an experienced senior leader who is ambitious, values-driven and passionate about delivering excellence for every student.
About the Role
As Headteacher, you will work closely with our CEO and Trust Board to drive the strategic direction, performance and culture of the school. You will be responsible for ensuring high-quality teaching and learning, exceptional curriculum provision, strong safeguarding practice and outstanding outcomes for all young people. You will lead, inspire and develop a dedicated staff team, shaping a school environment where students thrive academically, socially and personally.
What We’re Looking For
We are seeking a leader who is:
- Articulate, inspiring and supportive - with the ability to motivate staff and students alike.
- A strategic thinker - able to analyse complex information and drive effective, creative solutions.
- Experienced in senior leadership within the secondary phase, with a track record of raising achievement.
- Committed to strong behaviour, safeguarding and inclusive practice, ensuring the highest standards for every learner.
- Financially astute, able to manage resources and plan for long-term development.
- Community-minded, building strong relationships with families, employers, external agencies and local partners.
- Visionary, with the drive, resilience and integrity to lead our school with clarity and purpose.
Key Responsibilities Include:
- Leading on student progress, attainment and behaviour.
- Ensuring high-quality teaching, learning and curriculum design.
- Managing and developing staff, including performance management and recruitment.
- Overseeing financial planning and resource management.
- Maintaining safe, well-managed and inspirational school premises.
- Representing the school within the local community and across the Trust.
- Working with the CEO and Trust Board on governance and school improvement priorities.
Why Join Us?
- A Trust with strong values, clear vision and unwavering commitment to excellence.
- A supportive CEO and Trust Board who champion innovation and high performance.
- A well-established school with committed staff, engaged families and motivated students.
- The scope to shape the school’s future development and make a profound, lasting impact.
How to Apply
For an informal discussion or to arrange a visit, please contact our recruitment partner:
Cressida Johns at Academicis
📧 cjohns@academicis.co.uk
📞 07733 628155 / 01223 907979
Full details, including the candidate pack and application form, are available at: www.academicis.co.uk
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
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.
View advert on external website (opens in new tab)About William Edwards School
- School type
- Academy, ages 11 to 16
- Education phase
- Secondary
- School size
- 1105 pupils enrolled
- Age range
- 11 to 16
- Ofsted report
- View Ofsted report
- School website
- William Edwards School website
William Edwards is a very popular, oversubscribed 11-16 school. It is the strategic lead school for the Thurrock Teaching School Alliance and is part of the growing South West Essex Community Education Trust. Pupil outcomes across the school are significantly above the national average.
School location
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