Headteacher

Headteacher - Westborough High School

Leadership Scale - L31 – L37

Required September 2027    

An exciting opportunity to lead Westborough into its next chapter

Westborough High School is a caring, vibrant and ambitious learning community where relationships matter and pupils are at the heart of everything we do.

As our current Headteacher prepares to retire following a period of dedicated leadership, we are looking for an exceptional leader to take Westborough forward. The successful candidate will inherit a school with strong foundations, committed staff and a positive culture, and will have the opportunity to build on this legacy while shaping the next chapter for the school and its young people.

We are seeking a Headteacher who is passionate about education, inspirational in their leadership and ambitious for every child. Our new Headteacher will combine high expectations with compassion, providing the strategic leadership, energy and determination needed to take Westborough forward whilst retaining the strong relationships and inclusive culture that characterise our school.

Our most recent Ofsted inspection took place in June 2026, achieving the green expected judgement in every category. Inspectors recognised that “pupils are supported well to achieve”and that “leaders and staff have high expectations of pupils”. They highlighted the strong relationships which provide the foundation for highly effective pastoral support. The inspection also recognised the strength of professional learning within the school, noting that staff value the support they receive and recognise how this shapes their practice. Inspectors reported that “staff are proud to work at the school” and that they feel supported by leaders who take workload and wellbeing into consideration.  Candidates are encouraged to read the inspection report and explore our website to gain a fuller understanding of Westborough, our community, our strengths and our priorities for the future.

The opportunity

As Headteacher, you will:

• Provide clear, ambitious and values-led leadership, building on Westborough’s strengths and leading its next stage of development.

• Place pupils at the heart of decision-making, ensuring that every young person has the opportunity to achieve and thrive.

• Set high expectations for curriculum, teaching, learning, attendance, behaviour and achievement.

• Champion inclusion and equity, understanding and addressing the barriers that can affect children and young people.

• Inspire, develop and empower staff and leaders, creating a culture of professional learning, shared responsibility and continuous improvement.

• Build strong relationships with pupils, staff, governors, parents and carers, and the wider community.

• Ensure the school’s people, finances and resources are used effectively to deliver its strategic priorities.

• Maintain an unwavering commitment to safeguarding and the wellbeing of children and young people.

About you

We are looking for an experienced secondary school leader who:

• Has a successful track record of senior leadership and school improvement.

• Is ambitious for children and young people and committed to securing excellent outcomes for all.

• Has a strong understanding of curriculum, teaching, learning and assessment.

• Can articulate a compelling vision and turn it into clear, sustainable improvement.

• Leads with integrity, resilience, warmth and credibility.

• Can inspire people, develop leadership capacity and create a strong sense of collective responsibility.

• Sets high expectations while creating a culture in which staff feel valued and supported.

• Builds strong, trusting relationships and works effectively with governors, families and partners.

• Has the strategic and organisational capability to lead a complex secondary school, including effective management of people, resources and finances.

• Has an uncompromising commitment to safeguarding, inclusion and equality.

Above all, we are looking for someone who will be ambitious for Westborough and its young people, who values what is already strong and has the courage and determination to make it even better.

Why Westborough?

You will be joining a school with much to be proud of, and a community committed to its future.

We can offer you:

• A caring, inclusive and ambitious school community.

• Committed and experienced staff who are proud of their school.

• Strong foundations from which to lead the next stage of improvement.

• A supportive and committed governing body.

• A strong culture of professional learning and leadership development.

• Opportunities to work collaboratively with school and system leaders across Kirklees.

• Most importantly, the opportunity to make a lasting difference to the lives and futures of our young people.

If our values and ambition resonate with you, and you believe you have the leadership to take Westborough forward, we would be delighted to hear from you.

Come and meet us

We warmly encourage prospective candidates to visit the school, meet governors and staff and experience Westborough for themselves. Visits are available on:

5 November 2026, 9.00-11.00 a.m.
13 November 2026, 11.30 am-1.00 p.m.

For further information or to book a visit to the school, please contact Fiona Sharp, PA to the Headteacher on 01924 469549, email: fsharp@w-h-s.org.uk or visit our website.

How to apply

Closing date: 3.00 pm, Friday 13 November 2026

Interviews: Monday 7 and Tuesday 8 December 2026

Completed applications should be returned to:

Completed application forms and letters of application should be emailed to us at headteacher.recruitment@kirklees.gov.uk

CVs will not be accepted.

Based on the quality and quantity of applications received, Westborough High School reserves the right to interview sooner than the dates above. Early applications are therefore encouraged.

Safeguarding

Westborough High School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff, workers and volunteers to share this commitment.

The successful candidate will be subject to satisfactory pre-employment checks, including references and an Enhanced DBS check with Children’s Barred List information. Please refer to our child protection and safeguarding policy.

This role involves regulated activity with children and is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. It is an offence for an individual who is barred from engaging in regulated activity relevant to children to apply for this position.

All shortlisted candidates will be subject to online searches as part of due diligence checks and will be required to complete a self-declaration form prior to interview.