Headteacher

The Children, Staff and Governors of The Mary Bassett Lower School in Leighton Buzzard, Bedfordshire are seeking to appoint a new Headteacher. The successful candidate will be energetic, inspirational and passionate about the importance of an authentic, exciting and relevant educational experience for all our learners.

We are looking for:

• An ambitious and inspirational Headteacher who can uphold our valued school ethos. You will have a child-centred approach and understand that happy, relaxed children learn best. You will understand the importance of teaching children 'Learning Powers' (see MBLS website Vision and Values) so they can become successful and independent lifelong learners.
• A forward thinking Headteacher who recognises the importance of an ambitious plan for the long-term development of the school, bringing new perspectives and initiatives to improve standards. Someone with a good understanding of the local and national contexts in which we operate. We need a Headteacher who will proactively, creatively and effectively represent the needs of the school and the community it serves in the CBC Schools for the Future Programme.
• An understanding and nurturing Headteacher who brings out the best in individual members of the whole school team. You will encourage personal development and have a high regard for staff wellbeing and resilience. A Headteacher who values a culture of collaboration which maximises outcomes for children and satisfaction for staff.
• A Headteacher who understands and is willing to engage with parents, carers and the community at large. You will seek to understand and value the social context of the school and be ambitious about how any challenges can be overcome.
• An innovative Headteacher who understands the value of education outside the classroom and encourages these opportunities. A leader who can uphold an ethos that enables children to see themselves as citizens of the world. You will seek to give the children the skills to succeed in our rapidly changing world through creative teaching and learning opportunities.
• A Headteacher with strong business and financial understanding, who can work collaboratively with our School Manager and Governors to maintain our secure financial position. A Headteacher who has the confidence to take measured risks to get the most out of our budget to maintain the extensive offer to our families.

What we can offer:

• A welcoming, friendly Lower school in the heart of the market town of Leighton Buzzard. An interesting and historic site with outside spaces for children to have a daily diet of play and learning in the open air.
• A thriving school (we were the most oversubscribed lower/primary school in Central Bedfordshire in 2020) with enthusiastic, curious and well-mannered children.
• A school that understands all children have a unique learning journey and deserve an authentic and holistic educational experience. A team of dedicated staff that focuses on maximising individual attainment at the end of their MBLS experience and contributes to long term success.
• A school with excellent pastoral care and robust Safeguarding procedures. We have a whole school approach to develop physical and emotional wellbeing and positive mental health in all our pupils.
• A school with an open, honest and supportive, yet professionally challenging, relationship with its Governing Body, who bring a breadth of experience and expertise to the table.
• A school that promotes CPD opportunities and the development of all staff. We have strong links with local schools who we collaborate with, pooling resources to improve pupil experience across the full school age journey.

Visits to school

Visits to the school should be possible depending on up-to-date COVID guidance. Please

arrange these via the School Manager – schoolmanager@marybassett.co.uk

Closing date

The closing date for applications is 9.00 am on Friday 10 September 2021. Please return your completed application form to: headship@epm.co.uk

Selection

Selection of candidates for interview will take place on Wednesday 15 September 2021.

Interviews

Interviews will take place on Wednesday 22 September and Thursday 23 September.

Role commencement

Start date will be the beginning of the Spring term 2022, 1 January 2022.

Safeguarding

The Mary Bassett Lower School is committed to the principles of safer recruitment, safeguarding and the promoting the welfare of all children. The post is subject to an Enhanced DBS check and excellent professional references.

Salary

The Mary Bassett Lower School is a Group 3 school. The salary offered will be within this range and dependent on the experience of the successful candidate.