Head Teacher of Dale Community Primary School and Stonehill Nursery

The Headteacher will provide exceptional strategic and operational leadership for the Federation of Dale Community Primary School and Stonehill Nursery School. Working in partnership with governors, staff, children, families and external agencies, the Headteacher will secure the highest standards of education, care and safeguarding for every child from Nursery to Year 6. The Headteacher will establish a culture of ambition, inclusion and continuous improvement, ensuring every child is supported to flourish academically, socially and emotionally. They will lead a highly effective workforce, maximise the strengths of a federated structure and ensure that both schools remain valued centres of excellence within their communities. Above all, the Headteacher will promote the best interests of children and demonstrate unwavering commitment to the Federation's vision, values and strategic priorities. PRINCIPAL RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Strategic Leadership and Vision

The Headteacher will:

Develop, articulate and sustain a vision for the future of the Federation.

Lead the strategic direction of both schools in partnership with governors.

Promote a culture of excellence, aspiration and continuous improvement.

Ensure that all decisions are guided by the best interests of children.

Inspire confidence and commitment among staff, pupils, governors and families.

Lead school improvement through informed self-evaluation and evidence-based planning.

Communicate the Federation's vision clearly and consistently to all stakeholders.

Ensure that strategic priorities are translated into measurable actions and outcomes.

Promote innovation whilst maintaining a relentless focus on educational quality and inclusion.

1. School Culture and Ethos

The Headteacher will:

Lead by example, demonstrating integrity, professionalism and moral purpose.

Create an inclusive culture where every child feels safe, valued and respected.

Promote high expectations for behaviour, attendance, achievement and personal development.

Foster positive relationships throughout the school community.

Develop a culture where diversity is celebrated and equity is actively promoted.

Champion children's rights, wellbeing and personal development.

Ensure all staff understand and contribute to the Federation's values and ethos.

Promote a culture of collaboration, trust and mutual respect.

1. Teaching, Learning and Curriculum

The Headteacher will:

Secure consistently high-quality teaching throughout the Federation.

Lead and evaluate the quality of education across all phases, including the Early Years Foundation Stage.

Ensure that the curriculum is ambitious, broad, balanced and inclusive.

Promote excellence in early childhood education and development.

Ensure curriculum progression from Nursery through to Year 6.

Establish high expectations for learning and achievement for all pupils.

Ensure that disadvantaged pupils, vulnerable pupils and pupils with SEND achieve well.

Promote evidence-informed practice across the Federation.

Ensure robust systems for monitoring teaching, learning and curriculum effectiveness.

Maintain a strong focus on literacy, communication, language development and mathematics.

Ensure that assessment is used effectively to inform teaching and improve outcomes.

1. Early Years Leadership

Recognising the importance of Stonehill Nursery School within the Federation, the Headteacher will: Champion the importance of high-quality early education.

Ensure nursery provision reflects the highest standards of early years practice.

Promote child-centred approaches that support children's communication, language, personal and social development.

Maintain strong links with families, health professionals and early years partners.

Ensure effective transition arrangements between nursery and reception.

Develop a shared understanding of child development across the Federation.

Promote play-based learning and evidence-informed early years pedagogy.

1. Inclusion, SEND and Vulnerable Pupils

The Headteacher will:

Promote an inclusive culture in which all children can succeed.

Ensure statutory SEND duties are fulfilled effectively.

Champion equality of opportunity and remove barriers to achievement.

Ensure effective provision for pupils with additional needs.

Monitor outcomes for disadvantaged and vulnerable groups.

Develop strong partnerships with external agencies and support services.

Promote high aspirations for all pupils regardless of background or circumstance.

Ensure effective deployment of resources to meet diverse pupil needs.

1. Behaviour, Attendance and Personal Development

The Headteacher will:

Establish and maintain a culture of positive behaviour.

Ensure that behaviour approaches are relational, restorative and consistent.

Promote children's personal development, wellbeing and resilience.

Ensure high levels of attendance and punctuality.

Monitor behaviour and attendance data to identify trends and implement improvements.

Promote children's leadership opportunities and pupil voice.

Foster confidence, independence and respect for others.

Ensure pupils are prepared for the next stage of education and life in modern Britain.

1. Safeguarding and Child Protection

As Designated Safeguarding Lead, the Headteacher will: Lead safeguarding strategically across the Federation.

Ensure full compliance with statutory safeguarding requirements.

Promote a safeguarding-first culture throughout both schools.

Maintain effective safeguarding systems and procedures.

Ensure concerns are identified, recorded and acted upon appropriately.

Lead multi-agency working to secure positive outcomes for children.

Ensure staff receive appropriate safeguarding training.

Promote online safety and child protection awareness.

Ensure safeguarding remains central to all school policies and practice.

Provide regular safeguarding reports to governors.

1. Leadership of Staff

The Headteacher will:

Build, develop and sustain a high-performing workforce.

Recruit, retain and develop talented staff.

Promote professional growth through coaching, mentoring and professional development.

Establish a culture of accountability and continuous learning.

Ensure robust performance management arrangements.

Support succession planning and talent development.

Promote staff wellbeing and workload management.

Challenge underperformance appropriately and professionally.

Foster distributive leadership throughout the Federation.

1. Organisational and Financial Leadership

The Headteacher will:

Ensure effective management of the Federation's resources.

Lead financial planning in partnership with governors and business leaders.

Secure best value and long-term sustainability.

Ensure compliance with statutory and regulatory requirements.

Monitor staffing structures to ensure effectiveness and value for money.

Oversee procurement, premises and asset management.

Ensure effective risk management arrangements.

Lead business planning to support strategic priorities.

Maintain efficient systems and processes that support teaching and learning.

1. Governance and Accountability

The Headteacher will:

Work effectively with the Governing Board to establish strategic direction.

Support governors in fulfilling their responsibilities.

Provide accurate, timely and evaluative information.

Maintain high standards of accountability and transparency.

Lead robust self-evaluation and school improvement planning.

Ensure compliance with all statutory obligations.

Prepare the Federation for inspection and external review.

Respond effectively to external recommendations and improvement priorities.

1. Community Engagement and Partnerships

The Headteacher will:

Build strong partnerships with parents and carers.

Promote positive engagement with the local community.

Develop relationships with schools, early years providers and external organisations.

Represent the Federation professionally in local and regional networks.

Seek opportunities that benefit children and families.

Promote the Federation's reputation and achievements.

Encourage meaningful pupil and parent participation.

1. System Leadership

The Headteacher will:

Contribute to the wider education system.

Share effective practice with other schools and settings.

Participate in collaborative networks and partnerships.

Support school improvement beyond the Federation where appropriate.

Remain informed about educational research and national developments.

Promote innovation and evidence-informed practice.

PROFESSIONAL BEHAVIOURS

The Headteacher will:

Demonstrate honesty, integrity and accountability.

Lead with courage, compassion and humility.

Model professionalism and lifelong learning.

Demonstrate resilience and sound judgement.

Show commitment to inclusion and social justice.

Remain child-centred in all decision-making.

Promote a culture of trust, respect and collective responsibility.

GENERAL The postholder will undertake any reasonable duties commensurate with the grade and nature of the post. The Headteacher is expected to uphold all statutory responsibilities, including safeguarding, equality, health and safety, data protection and employment legislation. This job description will be reviewed periodically by the Governing Board and may be amended following consultation to reflect the changing needs of the Federation.