Headteacher

About the role

Pinewood School Academy Trust is a vibrant, inclusive specialist SEN school dedicated to pupils with Learning Difficulties, Autism, and Speech, Language, and Communication Needs. We are deeply rooted in the local community of Ware, Hertfordshire, and provide a supportive and engaging environment for both students and staff.

About our school:

Pinewood School is located in a beautiful rural area of East Hertfordshire, within walking distance of Ware town centre and train station. Our campus features extensive landscaped woodlands, providing a serene and stimulating learning environment.

Our vision for our Pinewood community is to “Be the best you can be.”  Our aim is for everyone to engage in learning, activities and events that help them improve as a person. For our pupils we want them to be happy, develop their learning skills, knowledge and independence, so that they are more able and ready to engage in their community and further education. We want them to be able to self-regulate and understand their own behaviour, the difference between right and wrong, celebrate difference and to have their own voice.

The school is currently being completely re-built and is due to complete in mid-2025. Therefore, this is a very exciting time to lead and shape our future.

Our new headteacher will:

• Share and represent our core values as a visible and active member of the community both inside and outside the school.
• Lead the school in a friendly, positive manner, empowering staff and ensuring that they continue to feel valued.
• Manage change effectively at pace to build on existing good practice and implement our strategic and ambitious vision.
• Be progressive, forward-looking, and visionary with the enthusiasm and energy to challenge preconceptions and drive innovation.
• Expect high standards for all and drive practices to secure this.
• Manage school budgets and identify cost-effective solutions to increase resources for the school.

We Offer:

• Students who need to learn and develop their life skills.
• A dedicated, supportive, and enthusiastic staff team.
• A well-resourced school with fantastic facilities in a beautiful, expansive setting.
• A supportive and deeply engaged Board of Trustees passionate about the school with a wide range of expertise.
• Excellent links with local community groups and other local schools.
• A competitive remuneration package.
• Extensive CPD and support to meet your individual needs.

Next steps:

Please contact Chair of Trustees, Mr. Robin Cregan, at governors@pinewood.herts.sch.uk to discuss the role further and arrange a visit. To apply, please send your completed application form to leadership.recruitment@hfleducation.org or apply online on Teach in Herts.

Additional Information:

Pinewood School Academy Trust is committed to excellence and robustness of safeguarding practice and promoting the welfare of children and expects all staff and visitors to share this commitment. Appointment to this post is subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check (DBS) as well as other pre-appointment checks outlined in Keeping Children Safe in Education (September 2024).

We strongly encourage suitably qualified applicants from all backgrounds to apply and join our inclusive and diverse workplace.