The academy trust and governors of Shoreham Village School are seeking to appoint an inspirational and committed leader to take on the role of Head of School (or Headteacher, depending on experience) from September 2026. This is an exciting opportunity for a committed and experienced leader to shape the future of our wonderful school.  We welcome applications from candidates with experience of headship or from aspiring headteachers, and the salary is dependant on experience.

We warmly encourage you to visit our school before applying. Tours will be held on:

Thursday 15^th January any time from 1:30pm - 5pm

Friday 16^th January any time from 1:30pm - 5pm

Please contact the school office on 01959 522228 to book onto one of these or to arrange an alternative date and time with the school.

The successful individual will have a key remit to further develop the improvement plan, while continuing to raise standards and promote strong values. We are looking for a dynamic and effective leader, communicator and team builder with the vision, ability and drive to inspire, motivate and influence pupils, staff and stakeholders, ensuring successful and sustainable school improvement. In return, we can offer you strong support from the Trust’s executive team, the freedom to shape the future of the school, and the opportunity for your continued professional development, including access to NPQs and professional executive coaching. If you are ready to meet these exciting challenges, we look forward to receiving your application. 

You will:

• have high expectations of staff and pupils and the vision to build a strong staff team and cohesive school community;
• inspire and motivate all pupils and staff to develop in a well-disciplined and harmonious environment;
• enable all pupils to achieve their potential during their time at the school, ensuring that they leave school as mature, rounded, resilient individuals, ready to take their places as active citizens ready for secondary school;
• be committed to the delivery of the highest standard of teaching and learning across The Pioneer Academy, including the professional development of our staff.

Please see the attached letter for applicants to read, as well as the attached Job Description/Person Specification.

Shoreham Village School is situated in the heart of the Darenth Valley in North West Kent. The school has played an important part within the life of Shoreham Village and the local community since 1841.  The school, graded Good by Ofsted in April 2019, offers a broad range of academic, sporting, musical and social opportunities to its pupils who are taught in mixed age classes by a team of dedicated, professional teaching and support staff.  We are very much a family with a caring ethos, strong ambitions for every one of our pupils and high standards of behaviour and achievement. The school is located in the village of Shoreham which, by car, is only ten minutes from Sevenoaks, ten minutes from the M25, and fifteen minutes from the M20. There is a station in the village, only a ten minute walk from school, and trains to Sevenoaks and London are frequent.

 Shoreham Village School is part of The Pioneer Academy Trust which has schools across London and the South East.  At The Pioneer Academy, we put children first, pioneering excellence and championing each and every child.  All our schools, ranging from small infant schools to large primary schools, work collaboratively, sharing resources and expertise.   Find out more at: Shoreham Village Primary - website and www.thepioneeracademy.co.uk   

 At The Pioneer Academy, we take the wellbeing and mental health of our staff seriously which is why we are committed to regular reviews of staff well-being and reducing staff workload.   We create bespoke career pathways for every member of staff, identifying and growing talent, with outstanding professional development opportunities at every stage of your career.  We also have an Employee Assistance Programme with a range of resources to support wellbeing which is available to all employees and their immediate family members 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.

What we offer you:

• A friendly, dedicated staff team who believe in teamwork and building positive relationships across the school, the Trust and in the local community.
• High quality development programme with induction programmes for all new staff.
• Excellent CPD opportunities, including  access to NPQs,
• Annual conferences with keynote speakers.
• Access to professional leadership coaching.
• A supportive and collaborative working ethos, including support from the Trust’s Central Executive Team and a range of experts, such as specialists in SEND, HR, finance and estates.
• Regular forums and networks to increase collaboration and reduce workload, including half termly Headteacher networking days.
• Access to Employee Assistance Programme including free counselling.
• Access to discounted wrap around childcare for staff.
• Free academy-wide social events throughout the year.

If you are interested in applying for the post, please see the Job Description/Person Specification.  To apply for this vacancy, please complete the application form, completing a full education and employment history since leaving school and indicating how you satisfy the criteria set out in the Job Description/Person Specification.  Applications should be submitted via My New Term.  Shortlisted candidates will also be required to complete and return a self-disclosure declaration ahead of interview.

In line with Keeping children safe in education 2025, online searches will be completed as part of the due diligence on shortlisted candidates, searching online content that is publicly available for inappropriate online content that may suggest that a shortlisted candidate may not be suitable to work with children, or that may harm the reputation of the school.  If any issues of concern come up in online searches, shortlisted candidates will have an opportunity to address these at interview.   An Enhanced DBS certificate will be required on provisional offer, including a check of the Children’s Barred List.  Further vetting checks, in line with the requirements of Keeping children safe in education 2025 will be completed following a provisional offer of appointment.  Where applicable, if an applicant with a provisional offer of employment has lived and/or worked outside the UK, they will be required to obtain a Certificate of Good Conduct.

The Pioneer Academy is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expects all staff to share this commitment. Offers of employment are subject to a satisfactory enhanced DBS disclosure and other employment checks.

Our Safeguarding Policy  can be viewed via the following link: Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy 2025-26 

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