Job Description
The Executive Headteacher provides strategic leadership and holds overall accountability for the direction, performance, and long-term sustainability . Working through the Improve, Innovate, Inspect model, the postholder ensures the highest standards of education, safeguarding, wellbeing, and operational effectiveness across the group.The role operates in close collaboration with Heads of School, the Governing Body, Directors, and the Strategic Leadership Team (SLT), ensuring continuous improvement, system-wide leadership capacity, and high-quality learning outcomes for all pupils
Key Responsibilities
Strategic Leadership & Accountability
Provide clear strategic direction and professional leadership across all schools in line with the FST vision, values, and priorities.
Work collaboratively with Heads of School, the Governing Body, Directors, and SLT to secure sustained school improvement and success.
Translate the FST vision into coherent school objectives and operational plans.
Secure long-term sustainability through effective use of resources, economies of scale, and future-focused planning.
Ensure accountability to Directors and the Governing Body for outcomes, performance, and statutory compliance.
Leadership & People Development
Promote staff wellbeing and a culture of high professionalism and trust.
Develop and sustain distributed leadership models across schools.
Build leadership capacity at all levels through talent spotting, coaching, succession planning, and professional development.
Establish staffing structures that enable rapid support, improvement, and innovation across schools.
Ensure all staff have access to high-quality professional development aligned with school and group priorities.
Teaching, Learning, Outcomes & Standards
Ensure consistently high-quality teaching underpinned by evidence-informed practice.
Establish innovative and effective approaches to curriculum design and delivery across schools.
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Monitor pupil achievement and progress using robust data, benchmarks, and national comparisons.Set and monitor ambitious targets for pupils and staff, addressing underperformance swiftly and robustly.Ensure continuity of learning at key transition points across phases.Report accurately and regularly on school performance to the CEO and Directors.
Curriculum & Assessment
Ensure a broad, enriched, coherent, and ambitious curriculum entitlement for all pupils.
Guarantee effective assessment frameworks that inform teaching and drive educational standards.
Ensure systematic synthetic phonics is used for early reading where appropriate.
Oversee the quality, validity, and reliability of assessment practices.
Promote extracurricular opportunities that enhance personal development and pupil experiences.
School Culture, Behaviour & Wellbeing
Establish and sustain a positive, inclusive and aspirational school culture.
Promote positive behaviour through consistent, fair, and respectful systems.
Ensure high standards of conduct and relationships across the school community.
Foster a culture where pupil and staff wellbeing are actively promoted.
Uphold equality, diversity, inclusion, and British values in line with the Equality Act 2010.
SEND & Inclusion
Maintain ambitious expectations for all pupils with SEND.
Ensure effective identification, support, and partnership working with parents, carers, and professionals.
Ensure statutory compliance with the SEND Code of Practice.
Embed inclusive practice across all policies, priorities, and initiatives.
Organisational & Financial Management
Ensure effective strategic management of human, financial, and physical resources.
Oversee efficient organisational structures aligned with FST values and future growth.
Ensure financial stability and probity across schools.
Establish and oversee robust systems, policies, and risk management processes.
Ensure school buildings are safe, compliant, well-maintained, and fit for purpose.
Continuous School Improvement & Accountability
Lead evidence-informed evaluation processes to identify priorities for improvement.
Ensure improvement plans are well-targeted, realistic, and effectively implemented.
Secure external validation through inspection and quality assurance.
Clearly define and monitor individual and team accountabilities.
Partnership & Community Engagement
Promote strong community links and collaborative partnerships.
Challenge discrimination and promote equality through leadership practice.
Work collaboratively with other schools, agencies, and education partners to improve outcomes.
Share best practice and contribute positively to the wider education system.
Safeguarding
Ensure safeguarding and child protection are central to all aspects of school leadership.
Ensure full compliance with Keeping Children Safe in Education and safeguarding legislation.
Actively promote the welfare, safety, and personal care of children and young people.
Report safeguarding concerns promptly to the Designated Safeguarding Lead.
Professional Conduct
Uphold the highest standards of ethical and professional behaviour at all times.
Maintain public trust in school leadership.
Respect diversity and uphold British values.
Act within statutory frameworks and take responsibility for ongoing professional development.
Delegation & Governance
Delegate operational leadership to Heads of School as appropriate while retaining accountability.
Work constructively with the Governing Body, recognising accountability to Directors.
