Job Description

MAT Recruitment is delighted to be supporting a well-established secondary academy in Lancashire with the appointment of an exceptional Head of School.

This is a significant senior leadership opportunity for an experienced and ambitious school leader who is ready to take responsibility for the day-to-day leadership of a large secondary school, working closely alongside an Executive Principal and wider Multi-Academy Trust leadership team.

The successful candidate will play a central role in maintaining and developing a culture of high expectations, strong teaching and learning, excellent behaviour and safeguarding, and positive outcomes for every student.

The school has recently achieved a Good Ofsted judgement and is now looking for an accomplished leader who can build upon this progress and support the next stage of its development.

The Role

As Head of School, you will provide visible, purposeful and highly effective leadership across the academy, taking responsibility for its successful day-to-day operation.

Working closely with the Executive Principal, you will ensure that school improvement priorities are translated into consistent practice and that staff, students and families experience a school with clear expectations, strong systems and an ambitious culture.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Leading and embedding a strong and inclusive whole-school culture.
• Ensuring consistently high academic and behavioural expectations.
• Making safeguarding an absolute priority and ensuring a strong safeguarding culture throughout the school.
• Overseeing the effective daily management and operation of the academy.
• Driving continued school improvement and maintaining strong Ofsted outcomes.
• Providing high-quality instructional leadership and ensuring consistently strong teaching and learning.
• Using assessment and performance information effectively to identify priorities and improve student outcomes.
• Ensuring the curriculum is ambitious, compliant and appropriate for all learners.
• Supporting effective financial and curriculum-led planning alongside senior Trust colleagues.
• Building strong relationships with parents, governors, community partners and other stakeholders.
• Ensuring students with SEND and other additional needs receive effective provision and support.
• Developing colleagues and creating a culture in which staff are supported to perform at their best.

The position also has significant responsibility for curriculum quality, admissions, assessment, teaching and learning and ensuring that gaps in student achievement are identified and addressed effectively.

About You

We are seeking an experienced senior leader who combines educational credibility with the operational strength required to lead a complex secondary school.

You should have:

• Qualified Teacher Status (QTS).
• A degree-level qualification.
• A strong track record as an outstanding classroom practitioner.
• Significant whole-school senior leadership experience.
• Previous experience at Vice Principal, Deputy Headteacher or equivalent level.
• A strong record of improving teaching and learning.
• Strong pastoral leadership experience.
• The ability to establish high expectations while maintaining a supportive and equitable approach.
• Excellent organisational and strategic leadership skills.
• Outstanding written and verbal communication.
• The ability to build credibility and positive professional relationships across a school community.

An NPQH or postgraduate qualification in education or leadership would be advantageous but is not essential.

What’s On Offer

This is an excellent opportunity to take on substantial responsibility for the leadership of a secondary academy while benefiting from the strategic support of an experienced Executive Principal and wider Trust infrastructure.

The package includes:

• Competitive Salary DOE
• Teachers' Pension Scheme
• 35 days' annual leave
• Employee benefits platform
• Cycle to Work scheme
• Significant professional and leadership development opportunities
• The opportunity to progress within a wider Multi-Academy Trust

The organisation places considerable emphasis on developing leaders internally, with access to leadership development programmes and recognised professional qualifications.

Apply

MAT Recruitment is managing applications for this senior leadership opportunity.

If you are an experienced Vice Principal, Deputy Headteacher, Head of School or senior school leader looking for the opportunity to take the next step towards whole-school leadership, we would be very interested in hearing from you.

To discuss the opportunity confidentially or request further information, please contact MAT Recruitment on 0330 1244 363 or enquiries@matrecruitment.com.

Closing date: Monday 21 September 2026
Interviews: Thursday 1 October 2026

This position is subject to enhanced DBS, barred-list where applicable, prohibition and other appropriate safer recruitment checks.