Executive Headteacher

Thriftwood Academy is an outstanding, inclusive and forward-thinking specialist academy for young people aged 5-19. The academy caters for young people with a wide range of Special Educational Needs, including MLD, ASC, and additional complex needs. All have an EHCP. The academy is on 2 sites in Chelmsford and student numbers have grown steadily in recent years, with 254 now on roll. That is projected to continue with the total number on roll expected to increase to over 300 in the next few years.

Thriftwood is part of SEAX Trust and is now seeking to appoint a new Executive Headteacher who shares their single-minded ambition to constantly progress and develop the academy so that no limits are placed on the achievements of its young people.

The academy has an excellent reputation locally and beyond and has been graded by Ofsted as being ‘Outstanding’ for a number of years. Key to this sustained success has been a committed team of staff working together to provide the best possible education for each individual student. The school ethos is built on positive relationships, good communication, recognising and celebrating achievement and mutual support. 

This is an exciting time for the academy as it continues to develop and enhance all aspects of its provision and offers you an outstanding opportunity to develop in a forward thinking and outward looking school. The new Executive Headteacher will lead further developments to ensure there is a coherent offering across all key stages while also working strategically to support the needs of a growing and increasingly complex cohort in the area. Alongside this there is a strategic intent from the Trust to invest in ensuring that preparation for adulthood, work related learning and vocational opportunities are central to its development and the academy will be at the core of this work with other schools in the Trust and local area.

Candidates must be able to demonstrate recent, successful and sustained impact as a senior leader along with previous experience in an SEN setting. You must be an inspirational leader of the highest moral integrity, committed to high quality teaching and learning. You should have the creativity and vision to inspire and lead change but also the focus to ensure successful outcomes are reached. Your positive attitude will inspire and engage the young people, parents/carers, staff and the local community and you must be a compassionate and strong leader who can hold staff to account whilst being accountable yourself. You must be confident, approachable and have the skills to build effective teams and also to be a team player. Above all, you will share the academy’s relentless focus on providing the very best for all of its young people with a vision for its continuing success and future development.

To find out more about this exceptional opportunity please visit: https://microcontrib.hays.com/web/thriftwood-academy

Contact Martin Blair at Hays Leadership for a confidential discussion, to arrange a visit to the academy or to discuss making an application.

Martin Blair

T: 07736791138

E: martin.blair@hays.com

Closing date: 8am, Monday 29th March

Interviews: w/c 12th April

Thriftwood Academy values equality and diversity and is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Applicants will be subject to safer recruitment practises including satisfactory references and an enhanced DBS check.