Key Role Information

Salary
£83,860.00 - 97,136.00
Job type
Full Time
Contract type
Permanent
Closing
12/07/2026 00:00
Interview
17 July 2026
Start
1 January 2027
Pay grade
Pay Grade 21A - 27A
Department
Senior Leadership
Key stage
Not Applicable
Hours per week
37.50
Weeks per year
52.143
Visa sponsorship
No

Your Role

Unique opportunity for an outstanding leader

Hardwick Primary School

Salary Grade: L21a - L27a (£83,860- £97,136)

Contract Type: Permanent, Full-Time

Provisional Interviews: 17th July 2026

Start Date: 1st January 2027

Derby Diocesan Academy Trust (DDAT) is a Multi Academy Trust that comprises of thirty-three schools, including primary, infant, junior, secondary, sixth form and nursery provision, across Derbyshire and within Derby City. Established in 2014 by the Diocese of Derby, DDAT is committed to providing high quality education for all children in their academies based on clearly established Christian values and principles. As the leader of our primary school, the Headteacher for Hardwick Primary School will play a pivotal role in the next stage of the Trust’s development.


Providing strategic leadership for the school, you will ensure that the Trusts' vision for Hardwick Primary School is embedded and will:

- continue to provide a balanced and broadly-based education designed to enable all students to discover their strengths and to make the most of their talents.

-engender respect for individuality, difference, the importance of teamwork and the contribution that each student makes to the life of the school and local community.

-secure & sustain excellence in safeguarding students’ health and wellbeing.

-embed the ethos of the school as a Community school with an inclusive and supportive ethos which welcomes, values and nurtures all students regardless of background and of faith/no faith.

-develop the school’s value added curriculum in order to establish a centre of curriculum and scholastic excellence in the focus subjects which is also capable of leveraging whole-school performance.

-achieve Ofsted inspection judgements that reflect our ambition for this school to be a beacon of excellence

-act successfully as a community hub, including through appropriate use of school facilities by community groups, and promoting community cohesion.


You will be motivated to release talent from each and every student, regardless of aptitude or background aiming for the strongest outcomes and full engagement in programmes of sport, the arts, interests and study in compulsory extended provision. You will fully support the Christian ethos of the school and Multi-Academy Trust, sharing our mission For every child and young person to embrace "life in all its fullness" (John 10:10).


In return, DDAT will offer you:

• Support from experienced DCEO/CEO to ensure that the post-holder receives the necessary professional development to be successful in the role, and have impact across the Trust

• Support from a dedicated team of school improvement officers with substantial and current experience of inspection and adding value to our schools

• An opportunity to work as part of a supportive wider team.

• A competitive salary and TPS pension contributions.

• Benefits including but not limited to; Free onsite parking, Cycle to Work Scheme, free eye tests and a contribution towards a pair of glasses for employees using VDU’s, Employee Assistance Programme.


School visits: To arrange an informal enquiry and/or to request a visit to the school Please email hr@ddat.org.uk.

Closing date: Sunday 12th July 2026

Interviews are scheduled for: Friday 17th July 2026


Please apply via the link provided on the application.


Derby Diocesan Academy Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. We particularly welcome applications from under represented groups including ethnicity, gender, transgender, age, disability, sexual orientation or religion.


Qualifications

essential
Evidence of significant and relevant Continuing Professional Development (CPD)
essential
DFE recognised qualified teacher status

Skills

Experience

Significant recent and relevant experience as a Headteacher, Head of School, Deputy Headteacher (at least 3 years). essential
A proven track record of either raising attainment or sustaining good or outstanding attainment and progress in a whole school environment. essential
Successful experience of leading and managing significant change in a school. essential
Working with and engaging the involvement of external partners and the local community. essential
Planning, determining and organising major curriculum areas. essential
Track record of promoting and managing safeguarding procedures in school. essential
Successful teaching of pupils in the Primary phase.essential
Satisfactory Enhanced DBS and Barred List Check. essential

Personal Attributes

Safeguarding children and staff including Prevent, FGM, CSE. essential
Knowledge and understanding of what makes a good/outstanding school. essential
Processes of strategic planning and school self-evaluation. essential
Different ways to communicate and translate a shared vision into practice. essential
Application of new technologies to teaching, learning and management. essential
Effective use of comparative data and performance indicators to establish targets for achievement and improvement. essential
National policy frameworks and current legislation and initiatives. essential
Principles of effective teaching and assessment for learning. essential
Roles and responsibilities of the Local Trust Committee, Diocese, the Local Authority and the requirements for accountability.essential
Knowledge and Understanding of school budget management and financial responsibilities. essential
People management strategies to maximise the effectiveness of the schools staffing resource. essential
Strategies for fostering effective school improvement, including attendance and behaviour for learning. essential
Knowledge and understanding of issues that schools in challenging circumstances face. essential
Strong personal motivation and drive for continued good results. essential
Exceptional communication skills in a variety of media to a range of audiences including LTC members, pupils, parents/carers, colleagues and the wider school community. essential
The ability to (i) gain and maintain credibility. and (ii) inspire and motivate staff, children and the wider community to engage their active commitment to the shared vision. essential
A genuine enthusiasm for, and commitment to, the development of the whole child. essential
Commitment to own personal and professional development and that of all staff. essential
Commitment to developing positive relationships across the Trust for the benefit of all pupils across DDAT. essential
A commitment to the wellbeing and work/life balance of all staff. essential
High order analytical and problem-solving skills and the ability to make informed judgements. essential
The ability to present oneself confidently and professionally in all situations. essential
The ability to communicate effectively (both written and verbal) in a timely way and be receptive to other peoples’ opinions. essential
Commitment to personal integrity, the values of the school and Trust, an ethical, open and collaborative style of management. essential
The ability to form and maintain appropriate relationships and personal boundaries with children. essential
The ability to project the school in a positive way and establish the school at the heart of the community. essential
The ability to fill the role of lead professional in classroom practice. essential
Evidence of collaborative working and networking with others, within and beyond the school, to sustain a learning community. essential
The ability to engage parents in supporting children’ s learning.essential
The ability to understand and appreciate the school’s current strengths and the ways in which these might be further developed. essential
A commitment to understand the mechanisms of inclusion and principles of diversity and access. essential
Understanding of and commitment to the pursuit of inclusion and equality in respect of pupils, LTC members, staff and the wider community. essential
Legal issues relating to school management.
Experience of school budget management & financial responsibilities
Demonstrate genuine drive & aspiration for Outstanding results.

Qualifications

DFE recognised qualified teacher status. essential
Evidence of recent continuing professional development. essential
Successful completion of NPQH
Postgraduate qualification

About Us

The vision and values that DDAT is built upon are Christian in nature and represent values and principles that are important to people of all faiths and no faith. There is a focus on individuality, collaboration and unity; there is a real sense of belonging within DDAT. This is well-balanced with a sense of autonomy and empowerment enabling schools to flourish as separate and unique entities.


Derby Diocesan Academy Trust

HR Team

hr@ddat.org.uk

Unit 3 Endcliffe Mount, Deepdale Business Park
Ashford Road
Bakewell
Derbyshire
DE45 1GT
HR Team
hr@ddat.org.uk

Safeguarding Information

DDAT welcomes a diverse population of both children and staff and is committed to promoting and developing equality of opportunity in all its functions.


DDAT is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All appointments are subject to satisfactory references, online checks, pre-employment and Disclosure Barring Service checks. The possession of a criminal record will not necessarily prevent an applicant from obtaining this post, as all cases are judged individually according to the nature of the role and information provided.


This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and therefore applicants are required to declare any cautions, convictions, reprimands and final warnings that are not protected (i.e. that are not filtered out) as defined by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (as amended in 2013 and 2020).