Head of School (Primary) at Appleton Academy

New

Job Reference #

EDV/2026/AA/56742

Location

Woodside Road, Bradford, West Yorkshire, BD12 8AL

Contract Type

Permanent

Contract Term

Full-Time

Salary

£75,049.00 - £86,803.00 Annually (FTE)
Leadership Pay Range: L16 - L22

Closing Date

9:00am, Wed 1st Jul, 2026

Start Date

September 2026

Positions Available

Positions Available 1

Interview Date(s)

Thursday 09 July 2026

Interview Date(s) Thursday 09 July 2026

About this Role

Appleton Academy, part of Exceed Academies Trust, is seeking an exceptional Head of School (Primary) following the retirement of our current postholder. This is a rare opportunity to step into a role where you can genuinely help shape the future of a thriving primary phase, within a vibrant and inclusive all‑through academy. At Appleton, we're not just a school - we're a community. One built on relationships, ambition and a deep sense of care for every child who walks through our doors.

Our Academy proudly serves a richly diverse and close‑knit community. We know our pupils well, we value them deeply, and we champion their success in every sense—academically, socially and personally. Our primary provision is warm, welcoming and full of energy, where curiosity is nurtured and children are encouraged to flourish. We work hand‑in‑hand with families, celebrate inclusion, and strive every day to ensure our pupils feel safe, supported and inspired.

As Head of School (Primary), you’ll be the driving force behind the next stage of our journey. You’ll build on strong foundations and lead with clarity and purpose —continuing to strengthen outcomes, enrich the curriculum and enhance the experience of every pupil. Working closely with the Executive Headteacher, Head of Secondary and our wider Trust team, you’ll help shape the strategic direction of the school, while staying visible, approachable, and rooted in the day‑to‑day life of the academy.

This role is ideal for a values‑driven leader who believes in the power of education to transform lives and who understands the importance of community, collaboration and high expectations.

At Exceed, we believe that great schools are built on great relationships. We work collaboratively, support our leaders well and value professional trust. You’ll benefit from strong Trust‑level support while preserving what makes Appleton Academy so special.

We are looking for someone who:

Is an experienced and successful senior leader with a strong understanding of primary education and proven track record of school improvement
Has a clear vision for inclusive, high-quality teaching and learning
Builds positive, trusting relationships with pupils, families and the wider community
Can inspire and support staff at all levels to deliver high-quality teaching and learning
Can maintain a culture of high expectations, inclusivity and aspiration for all pupils
Takes overall responsibility for safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all children

We can offer:

A school community with a strong sense of community and belonging
The opportunity to shape the future of a successful primary setting
Supportive Trust central team, school leadership, governors, staff and parents
Opportunities for further development and training
A healthy work-life balance
Free access to an Employee Assistance Programme
Free, on-site parking
A state of the art building with fantastic facilities
Excellent employer pension contribution scheme

We would encourage any interested candidates to visit our school setting; in order to do so, please contact Lisa Coyle (Office Manager) on 01274 600550 to make the necessary arrangements.

Please note that we will not be progressing applications from candidates who have previously applied for this role.

Exceed Academies Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff to share this commitment. Shortlisted candidates will be subject to related online content checks, in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education. All appointments are subject to an enhanced DBS check as well as successful completion of a probationary period.

Exceed Academies Trust strives to be an employer of choice. We are an inclusive and diverse multi academy trust and ultimately, our aim is to employ a workforce that reflects the communities it serves. We are committed to achieving a balanced workforce at all levels, whilst ensuring that no individual is disadvantaged or treated less favourably. We welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds, faiths and ethnicities and will ensure a fair recruitment process without discrimination, in compliance with the Equality Act 2010.

Exceed Academies Trust recognises and promotes the positive use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in certain situations. We would encourage any job applicants, who choose to utilise AI when completing a vacancy application, to thoroughly check the data prior to submission, to ensure it is accurate, factual and demonstrable. Candidate suitability will be assessed at interview, however the recruitment process will reference information contained within the candidate’s application form. Any information contained within application form which is found to be factually inaccurate, may result in a conditional offer of employment being withdrawn.