Head of School

The Role

Northampton Free-school Trust is seeking to appoint a Head of School for our new Primary School, Overstone Park, opening September 2025. This is a rewarding and important leadership position within our growing Trust.

About Us

Our Trust vision is to build on its existing all-through free school, Wootton Park School, to create an organisation of outstanding schools in Northampton and the surrounding areas, delivering strong academic achievement, developing strong values and promoting citizenship, community and service.

Through tried and tested teaching methods and the holistic development of each learner, we allow them to gain the confidence and skills to positively contribute to local communities and to participate in a global society. Our curriculum promotes social mobility and enhances the life chances of all learners, particularly the most disadvantaged.

Our learners are confident, happy and successful. Tolerance, courtesy, understanding and compassion are hard-wired into our ethos. While our focus is on achievement during their time with us, we will never lose sight of the fact that those in our care are beginning their journey and that we are preparing the successful adults of tomorrow for whatever path they choose.

It is an exciting time to join our Trust as we open our first Primary school, Overstone Park Primary School.

Overstone Park Primary School is proposed to open with just Reception learners from September 2025, subject to the required statutory approvals. It will grow by adding a Reception intake each year in line with housing growth and increased demand until reaching full capacity with learners aged 4-11 years.

A flagship state-of-the-art sustainable new build located just off the A43 bypass is planned for the school with features including a green roof, solar panels, living walls, natural light and ventilation throughout the building, and outdoor spaces including a habitat area, amphitheatre, trim trail, multi-use games area (MUGA) and large hardstanding playground.

Overstone Park Primary School will be based on the highly successful model established by the oversubscribed all-through Wootton Park School, graded ‘Outstanding’ in all inspection categories in 2019. The School’s vision is founded on strong academic achievement, developing strong values and promoting citizenship, community and service, providing a ‘foundation for growth’ where every child will thrive and prosper.

What We Are Looking For

Our ideal candidate will be an inspirational leader that is fully committed to securing the best outcomes and will 'go the extra mile' to this for the Trust, the School and its learners, staff and stakeholders.

All members of our team must be committed to maximising potential and continuous improvement, and be willing to participate fully in all aspects of school life.

Our quest for excellence, must be combined with an unwavering commitment to care, support and leadership. Therefore, anyone seeking appointment to this role must demonstrate warmth, humour, resilience and, above all, emotional intelligence in order to uphold the values and lead our School and represent our Trust.

We Can Offer You

• Opportunity and freedom to innovate and lead
• Professional development following a coaching model
• Excellent future opportunities for staff as we grow our Trust
• An exciting, friendly and conscientious environment
• Staff engagement activities
• Reprographics and IT support
• Employee 24/7confidential helpline 
• Teachers pension scheme

Are you excited by this exceptional opportunity to be the founding Head of School for a new primary school where you can shape the curriculum and opportunities for children and staff, if so we want to hear from you!

Please visit our school website for more information about our Schools and Trust.

Our Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and

young people and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

In accordance with our statutory obligations under Keeping Children Safe in

Education, Northampton Free School Trust is required to conduct an online search

as part of our due diligence on shortlisted candidates and offer of a position

is also subject to receiving satisfactory references and an enhanced DBS Disclosure.

We are an equal opportunities and Disability Confident employer.

References will be applied for at the shortlisting stage.

Early application is encouraged. We do not accept CVs.

Closing Date: Friday 6th September 2024, noon

Interview Date: 12th and 13th September 2024

Start Date: January 2025

We maintain the right to close the application process early or later if necessary.

Tours and enquiries are welcomed, please contact hrservices@woottonparkschool.org.uk