Principal

Boothroyd Primary Academy, Dewsbury, West Yorkshire, WF13 3QE

25 days remaining to apply

• Start date details

  Jan 2027 (or sooner if possible)

• Closing date

  5 June 2026 at 12pm (midday)

• Date listed

  11 May 2026

Job details

• Job role:
  • Headteacher
• Visa sponsorship: Visas cannot be sponsored
• Working pattern: Full time
• Contract type: Permanent
• Full-time equivalent salary: £84,699.00 - £98,106.00 Annually (Actual)

Principal job summary

Following a national recruitment process, our current Principal, Matt Birkett, will join Focus Trust’s central team as our new Education Director from 1 September 2026.

We therefore have a fantastic opportunity for an exceptional and talented leader to join Boothroyd Primary Academy, as successor to Matt Birkett, who has overseen a significant trajectory of improvement whilst at Boothroyd. The successful candidate must have a strong drive and ambition to make a positive difference to children’s lives and who will continually improve the school in all areas.

Focus-Trust is looking for an experienced school leader who can demonstrate tangible impact from their work. You will:

• - be dedicated to developing a learning environment where children can grow in confidence and succeed;

• - have an excellent understanding of how to meet the needs of our school community;

• - know how to work closely with a strong team of professionals to deliver excellent pedagogy, curriculum and assessment;

• - be able to deliver accelerated pupil progress.

This is an exciting opportunity to join our school and growing Trust. The role will report directly to the Chief Executive Officer, being responsible for providing consistently high-quality leadership and management which ensures continuing improvement and success with a focus on accelerating and sustaining pupil progress.

The successful candidate will need to be a team player who is able to lead effectively, with compassion and be able to motivate others and demonstrate a commitment to achieving high standards.

The role will be based at Boothroyd Primary Academy, but could involve some travel to our other schools within the Trust. This of course will be reasonable and appropriate to the role.

Focus-Trust

Focus-Trust was established in 2012. We are a charitable primary trust, based in the North-West of England and West Yorkshire and are dedicated to working with our 15 primary schools.

It is the core purpose of Focus-Trust to continually strive to be a learning organisation, where the learning of all children and adults is valued and promoted.

We passionately believe equality of opportunity starts with education; irrespective of where you were born or where you live, a high-quality education in one of our great schools will make a fundamental difference to all our children's lives, career prospects and social mobility.

We are proud to have a great team of people working in our central team and within our schools who always put children at the heart of our practice. We are committed to providing excellent professional development opportunities for all our staff and always aim to be an employer of choice.

We welcome people who share our values and approach to our work and who can help us make our mission a reality: ‘Learning together, making the difference’ and help us demonstrate our vision; ‘Great schools at the heart of our communities’.

School visits are encouraged. Please contact Lisa Lynch, Academy Business Manager 01924 562425 to arrange a visit.

Additional Reasons to Join Us:

• - Automatic enrolment into a Teachers’ or Local Government Pension Scheme (albeit employees can opt out if they choose to)

• - Terms and conditions which are in line with national for Teaching staff and a Focus-Trust pay and grading structure which applies to all support staff across the Trust.

• - Access to the employee assistance programme to support with great health and wellbeing for all

• - Cycle to work schemes available

• - Excellent opportunities for professional and career development

Commitment to Safeguarding

Focus-Trust is committed to safeguarding and protecting the welfare of children and young people. There is an explicit expectation that all staff, trustees, governors and volunteers share this commitment and adhere to all safeguarding policies and procedures. Applicants should be aware that the recruitment process will include an assessment of your suitability to work with children and must be willing to undergo pre-employment checks. Safer recruitment practice and pre-employment checks will be undertaken before any appointment is confirmed. This post is subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. Focus-Trust is an Equal Opportunities Employer and welcomes applications from underrepresented groups and ethnic minorities.   

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

CVs will not be accepted, only applications submitted on the school’s application form.

The school is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

Any offer of employment will be subject to an enhanced disclosure from the DBS.

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 Boothroyd Primary Academy

• School type: Academies, ages 3 to 11
• Education phase: Primary school
• School size: 586 pupils enrolled
• Age range: 3 to 11
• Ofsted report: View Ofsted report
• School website: Boothroyd Primary Academy website
• See more jobs: teaching-vacancies.service.gov.uk/organisations/boothroyd-primary-academy

Do you wish to make a strong contribution to the future success of our school?

Boothroyd Primary Academy is a large three-form academy serving over 640 pupils from the local Dewsbury community and judged by OFSTED as a Good school with Outstanding features. “As a result of inclusive leadership, precise assessment and high-quality teaching, children make outstanding progress” (OFSTED Mar 2019).

Our vision is for Boothroyd to be the heartbeat of the community, where we empower all, so we all shine brightly. We collectively contribute to a positive culture and learning environment that enables everyone to thrive and be the best version of themselves, by living out our school values of Honesty, Excellence, Aspiration, Respect and Teamwork. We believe in nurturing every child's potential and fostering a supportive learning environment where every pupil can thrive.

School location

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