Headteacher Primary School and Nursery

Interview dates:
Thursday 26 and Friday 27 March 2026

For a recruitment pack please contact:
Leadership.

R

Sandown Primary School and Nursery
The Ridge, Hastings, East Sussex, TN34 2AA

Phone:
Email: officeool
Website:(Use the "Apply for this Job" box below)..school

Please note, we do not accept CVs.

Sandown Primary School and Nursery is seeking to appoint an ambitious and values-driven Headteacher to lead our two-form entry (Group
3) Local Authority maintained school, serving a diverse community in Hastings, East Sussex.

Judged ‘Good’ by OFSTED in January 2025, Sandown is well placed for its next phase of development. We are not part of an academy trust, valuing instead the professional autonomy and local accountability this brings, while working in close partnership with ten local schools through the East Hastings Alliance, supporting collaboration, shared practice and system leadership.

Set within 12 acres of extensive grounds, including a diverse, wooded environment, Sandown provides exceptional opportunities for sport, outdoor learning and our distinctive Sandown Outdoors approach — learning in, about and through our natural environment. This forms a key pillar of our curriculum intent and our commitment to developing children’s Cultural Capital.

We are proud of our experienced, skilled and committed staff team, who work collaboratively to design and deliver a curriculum tailored to the needs of our children. Staff wellbeing and work‑life balance are genuine priorities, recognised as essential to sustaining high performance and positive culture.

The Headteacher will provide strategic, instructional and operational leadership, ensuring that:

• A clear and compelling vision for the school is articulated and lived
• High-quality teaching and learning are consistently secured
• The curriculum is ambitious, inclusive and responsive to pupil need
• Safeguarding, equality and wellbeing are embedded across the school
• Resources, systems and structures are deployed effectively to support impact
• Strong relationships with governors, the Local Authority and partner schools are maintained

• Demonstrate leadership aligned to the NPQH and Headship Standards
• Set and sustain a culture of high expectations, professional trust and continuous improvement
• Lead curriculum development that builds knowledge, skills and Cultural Capital
• Develop, support and retain staff through effective people and talent management
• Use evidence and data intelligently to inform strategic decision-making
• Engage confidently with accountability, governance and external stakeholders
• Contribute beyond the school through collaboration within the East Hastings Alliance

• A well-established Local Authority school with a strong community identity
• A committed, experienced staff team open to innovation and professional growth
• Extensive outdoor learning provision and a distinctive curriculum offer
• Opportunities for system leadership through local partnership working
• A supportive governing body and Local Authority
• A leadership role where wellbeing and work‑life balance are genuinely valued

This is an exciting opportunity for a Headteacher who is passionate about making a difference through high-quality education, inclusive leadership and a belief in the potential of every child.

Please contact the school office to arrange a school visit.

Visit dates: 26th & 27th February 2026

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.

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  .

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.