Headteacher (Cross-in-Hand Church of England Primary School)

Job introduction

Closing date: 12 noon, Friday 28 February 2025 

Shortlisting date: Monday 3 March 2025

Interview dates: Week commencing 17 March 2025

Contact Details:

Phone: 01435 862941

Email: office@cross-in-hand.e-sussex.sch.uk

Website: www.crossinhandschool.com 

Please note, we do not accept CVs.

About the role

Cross In Hand School is at the heart of the local community of Heathfield, a traditional market town lying within the beautiful High Weald area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The school is a member of the successful Heathfield Cluster group of schools and the new Headteacher will have the opportunity to continue the excellent relationships that we currently have with the other schools in the cluster. 

We are a Church of England school with a distinctive Christian ethos, nurturing the whole child within the school and church family.  We believe that our school is a happy, friendly and welcoming place where all children are respected and cared for regardless of their age, gender, culture and ability.  

Our school is a place where children learn to respect themselves and others, and where self-discipline is encouraged to develop. All children, staff, parents and governors are aware of each child’s individual value in helping to promote the Christian ethos of the school through recognising and valuing the strengths of each individual. 

Each child has access to a broad and balanced curriculum, delivered in ways that enable them to reach their full potential.  This involves equal access to every part of the curriculum, opportunities to participate at their own level and speed and learning through first-hand experience where possible. Each child’s work is valued for individual progress and high standards are expected for both work and behaviour. 

We are seeking an inspirational and ambitious leader who has the passion and determination to make a difference and continue to drive the school forward. We are looking for someone who will build on the success of our current headteacher and support the next steps in our vision for the school. 

The successful applicant will be an outstanding practitioner with a clear understanding of primary school teaching and learning at all ages who will lead the school, promoting constant improvement through the design of an appropriate curriculum and school development plan, whilst maintaining an inclusive Christian ethos and positive sense of community. They will work across the school to promote excellence in teaching and learning, provide effective leadership, management and decision making. The headteacher will work in partnership with the school Governors, attending meetings and making reports. They will be jointly responsible for the safety, well-being and progress of children and staff.  
 
 About us: 

• We are a school that is innovative, creative, forward thinking and committed to high expectations for all. 
• We have enthusiastic, happy pupils who work hard and perform exceptionally well. 
• We have a talented staff team and a strong committed governing body. 
• We value the children’s gifts and talents and celebrate all their achievements. 
• We create opportunities to develop our children’s spiritual, moral, social and cultural awareness. 
• We work closely in partnership with our parents, our church and the wider community. 
• In our most recent Ofsted inspection, Cross in Hand school was graded as   being Good, while our SIAMs church inspection graded the school as being Outstanding. 

About you: 

• You are an outstanding individual with the drive to take us forward to even greater success. 
• You are a dynamic, talented leader who will inspire the whole school community. 
• You will bring out the best in pupils and colleagues and further develop the school as an exciting, vibrant and positive place to be. 
• You will work in partnership with our dedicated teaching team. 
• You are a strong, strategic thinker who can put their vision into practice using a team approach and an ability to work with and through others 

 
Please note that recruitment packs for this vacancy will only be provided directly to an individual considering applying to our school for this opportunity. This school does not enter into business with Recruitment Agencies, or other commercial organisations, on behalf of their clients seeking employment.

To apply for this position and request an application pack, please email: Leadership.Recruitment@eastsussex.gov.uk

If you would like to arrange a visit to the school please contact the school office on 01435 862941

Hours of work: Full time teachers' hours

Working pattern: Full-time

 

Cross in Hand School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. We will ensure that all our recruitment and selection practices reflect this commitment. All successful candidates will be subject to Disclosure and Barring Service checks along with other relevant employment checks.

This post is covered by the Childcare Disqualification Regulations 2018. The school will need to ensure that they are not knowingly employing a person who is disqualified under the 2018 Regulations in connection with relevant childcare provision. Accordingly, the successful candidate will be required to demonstrate to the school, by completing a self-declaration form as part of the pre-employment checks process, that they have not been disqualified under the 2018 Regulations. If the preferred candidate is found to be disqualified under the 2018 Regulations, the offer of employment will be subject to the application by the preferred candidate to Ofsted for a waiver and the receipt of a waiver from Ofsted.

Additional information

 

Work Permits: we may be able to obtain a Work Permit for this post but this is subject to meeting the requirements of the UK Border Agency’s Points-based Immigration System.

Due to the restrictions we cannot guarantee that individuals that meet the requirements of the Points-based Immigration System will be issued with clearance to obtain work permits.

 
This authority is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All staff will be expected to hold or be willing to obtain Enhanced DBS check or Enhanced check for Regulated Activity with the Disclosure & Barring Services (previously the Criminal Records Bureau). For further information about what is required in this process please go to www.gov.uk/disclosure-barring-service-check.

All school based staff have the responsibility for promoting the safeguarding and welfare of children.  All school staff should be aware of the school’s Child Protection and Safeguarding Policy and work in accordance with this document at all times.

 

Company information

East Sussex County Council is an equal opportunities employer. We welcome applications from all suitable candidates, regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation, disability or age. All applications are treated on merit.