Principal

This is a unique opportunity to join a vibrant and values-driven community of thirty-plus schools across Yorkshire and Lincolnshire and to lead our vision for an exceptional Secondary education for young people in Bradford. Parkside School in Cullingworth, Bradford, is at the start of a new and exciting phase in its history and in its journey with the Trust. We are looking for a like-minded, driven and passionate school leader to join us on this journey, leading what is only the second Secondary school in our Trust.

Parkside School joined the Wellspring Academy Trust in September 2023. The Trust holds itself accountable to providing high quality education for all young people in its care. We are distinctively an Inclusive Trust. We count Special Schools, Alternative Academies, mainstream Primary Academies and mainstream Secondary Academies amongst our number. We are proud of the work of them all. The theory of Unconditional Positive Regard lies at the heart of our culture.

We seek to influence culture, thinking and behaviour through building strong relationships at all levels. We are passionately committed to our goal of making a positive difference to the lives and life chances of all our children and young people. We believe that the key to this is a vibrant school environment that values everyone and celebrates the differences between us all.

Our ambition for Parkside is that it becomes a Centre of Excellence that is prized by its community, a school where high expectations and high standards thrive within an atmosphere of tolerance, respect, empathy and acceptance. To take up this mission, you will need to be courageous. You will need to be a professional prepared to try new things, you will need to be open to change and have the mindset required to challenge not only your own Comfort Zone but also potentially those of others.

Crucially, you will not be expected to do this alone. You will be fully supported by an experienced and ambitious pool of Trust colleagues and expert external partners. This is an incredible opportunity to work within a very successful School Improvement system dedicated to values-driven, future-focused, inclusive schools that provide exceptional value-for-money for the public.

We are looking for the right person to join us. This role would suit an experienced Principal/ Headteacher who relishes a new challenge with a team around them who can get things done in turning vision into reality. Equally, we would welcome the right candidate were it their very first Headship. What any candidate can be certain of is the unwavering support of a dedicated team and the time required to create legacy and embed lasting change.

If this exciting opportunity speaks to you, and you are sure that your values align with ours, then please make contact via the email address below to book an initial conversation with Dave Whitaker (Wellspring Director of Learning). Dave would welcome a virtual meeting first, ideally followed by a visit to Parkside School.

Please contact Karen Davis by email: k.davis@wellspringacademies.org.uk to make an appointment.

To apply, please visit the Wellspring Academy Trust careers page.

Closing date: 9.00am on Monday, 15 April 2024.

Wellspring Academy Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of our pupils. All posts are offered subject to enhanced DBS checks. As this role involves working with children in regulated activity, please note that it is an offence to apply for the role if barred from engaging in regulated activity with children.

References will be requested, and an online search carried out for shortlisted candidates, prior to attendance at interview. Further pre-employment checks, including prohibition from teaching, childcare disqualification and section 128 checks, if deemed relevant for the role, will be completed for the successful candidate upon acceptance of the post.

We are committed to equal opportunities and to promoting diversity. We want our people to reflect the diversity of our communities, and we welcome applications from people from all backgrounds, especially from under-represented groups, including those from Black, Asian and minority ethnic communities.

If you are currently living overseas or have lived / worked overseas in the last five years please be aware that you will be required to provide an overseas criminal records check from the country/countries you have resided in, if you are the preferred candidate for the post.