Buckingham
Join a community where relationships drive success. Job Title: Headteacher Location: Akeley Wood School, Akeley, Buckingham Salary: Up to £85,000 Per Annum Hours: 40 hours per week Contract: Permanent | Term Time Only Start Date: Available for immediate start Please note, early applications are recommended. We reserve the right to commence interview and offer for this role prior to the role closure date stated within this advertisement. Join Our School Community as a Headteacher Akeley Wood, part of Blenheim is a thriving, co-educational independent school set across three beautiful campuses in the Buckinghamshire countryside. We educate pupils from 12 months to 18 years, offering a warm, inclusive and ambitious environment where every child is known and supported to achieve their best. We provide inspiring spaces for learning, from woodland outdoor areas to specialist classrooms, creative arts studios and modern sports facilities. We are proud of our strong pastoral culture, our focus on individual strengths and our commitment to helping pupils grow into confident, curious and compassionate young people. Joining Akeley Wood School means becoming a part of a dedicated collaborative team who believe in high expectations, meaningful relationships and the transformative power of education. The Role As Headteacher, you will have the chance to: • Shape the vision, culture, and values of the school, • Lead and inspire a multidisciplinary team to deliver innovative, personalised education, • Develop a safe, nurturing, environment where pupils can flourish academically, socially, and emotionally, • Champion a culture of confidence, self-discovery, and personal growth If you are driven by impact and motivated by the opportunity to make a meaningful difference in the lives of children and young people, this role offers the chance to leave a lasting legacy. What You’ll Do • Provide strategic leadership with clarity, ambition, and heart, • Embed a trauma-informed, inclusive, and aspirational culture, • Lead operational delivery, safeguarding, quality, and compliance, • Recruit, develop, and inspire a highly skilled staff team, • Collaborate closely with therapy colleagues to design personalised, pupil-centred pathways, • Deliver a broad and innovative curriculum complemented by co-curricular opportunities that challenge, support, and celebrate every learner, • Build strong, collaborative relationships with parents, carers, and local authorities, • Drive continuous improvement and innovation in specialist education About You We are looking for a leader who brings both expertise and heart: • Experienced Headteacher or Deputy Head ready for headship, • Strong knowledge of Ofsted frameworks and/or ISI, • Proven ability in budget, resource, and change management, • Deeply committed to inclusive education and aspirational outcomes for every pupil, • Qualified Teacher Status (QTS/QTLS) with senior leadership experience, • NPQH or working towards, • Full UK Driving Licence You are passionate about creating a nurturing environment where every pupil is known, valued, and encouraged to thrive — academically, socially, and personally. Why Join Akeley Wood Senior School? You will join a collaborative, supportive and forward‑thinking team who share a passion for excellent teaching and a belief in the transformative power of science education. Our beautiful setting, strong pastoral culture and commitment to staff development make Akeley Wood a rewarding place to teach and grow. Safeguarding Commitment We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. All staff are expected to follow safeguarding policies and engage in relevant training. Any safeguarding concerns must be reported in line with school procedures. This post is subject to an enhanced DBS check. Why Join Us? At Blenheim Schools, you will make a real difference every day, positively impacting the lives of pupils and vulnerable young people. We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all children and young people. All applicants will be subject to social media checks and successful candidates to an enhanced DBS. We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive a high volume of suitable applications. Blenheim Schools are committed to a fair, thorough, and efficient recruitment process in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education. While we aim to keep applicants informed throughout, we do not accept liability for any loss of earnings or other costs incurred as a result of delays or compliance processes.
