Headteacher
This is a Permanent, Full Time vacancy that will close in {x} days at {xx:xx} BST.
About this Role
Are you a visionary leader ready to inspire excellence?
Initio Learning Trust is seeking a dynamic and professional Headteacher to lead Bridport, St Mary's CE Primary School into its next chapter of success. We are looking for an individual who is passionate about delivering high-quality education and can empower a whole school community to achieve the highest possible standards.
Salary: £64,691 - £71,330 per annum (Leadership scale L10 - L14)
Contract: Full time, permanent - required from 1st September 2026
Reporting to: Director of Education
Located in the vibrant market town of Bridport, amidst the stunning landscape of the West Dorset Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, St Mary’s Church of England Primary School is a place where children truly flourish. We are seeking an exceptional leader to take the helm of our "Good" rated school (Ofsted 2024) and build upon a foundation of academic ambition and deep-rooted pastoral care.
At St Mary’s, our vision—"Building a caring community, where all can learn and shine!"—is more than just a motto; it is the heartbeat of our daily life. Inspired by the parable of the mustard seed, we believe that from small beginnings, great things can grow.
Your Core Responsibilities:
As Headteacher, you will provide the strategic leadership necessary to secure continued school improvement. You will be responsible for:
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Leading teaching and learning: Raising the quality of classroom practice and ensuring a consistent focus on pupil achievement and progress.
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Developing people: Coaching and mentoring staff to identify emerging talent and build a climate of excellence.
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Community engagement: Building strong, effective relationships with parents, carers, and the wider community to enrich the lives of our students.
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Operational excellence: Managing financial and human resources effectively to meet the school’s educational goals.
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Inclusion: Develop the inclusion strategy and to further develop the successful inclusion hub (Communication and Interaction).
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Safeguarding: Acting as the Designated Safeguarding Lead and ensuring the highest priority is given to the welfare of children.
About You
We are looking for an experienced leader who can demonstrate:
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Proven impact: Evidence of driving rapid and sustained improvement in teaching, learning, and children outcomes.
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Visionary leadership: The ability to create a shared vision that motivates students and staff alike with the school's Christian distinctiveness as the foundation.
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Integrity: High personal standards of moral integrity and the ability to foster an inclusive culture that challenges inequality.
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Communication: Excellent skills in building relationships with staff, children, parents, and local governance.
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Collaboration: Desire to work with the school community and wider trust community.
Essential Requirements
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Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) and a degree-level qualification (NPQH is desirable).
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Substantial leadership experience in a relevant educational phase.
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Thorough understanding of OFSTED/SIAMS frameworks and current national educational priorities.
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A deep commitment to safeguarding and the welfare of children.
Why Join Initio Learning Trust?
You will be part of a collaborative trust that values professional development and the wellbeing of its staff. We offer a supportive environment where you can work alongside the Executive Team to develop new ideas and initiatives that shape the future of education in our region.
The Trust offers a welcoming and supportive environment and provides:
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a genuine commitment to supporting professional development
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a supportive and flexible working environment which offers equal opportunities for all
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free onsite parking
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access to the local government or teachers pension scheme
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a range of employee benefits including Cycle to Work and Health Cash Plan
How to Apply
Please apply online via the Trust’s recruitment portal, using the Apply button.
Closing Date: Friday 24th April, 12 noon
Interview Date: Wednesday 29th April
Please refer to the attached recruitment pack and job description for more details about the role.
We welcome visits to our school. To arrange a confidential conversation about the role, and/or a visit to the school, please contact Laura Thomas, Director of Education - info@initiolearning.org
If you have any questions regarding application process, please contact Sarah Elliott on 01308 422846 or by emailing recruitmentwest@initiolearning.org
Further Information About our School
St Mary's is located on the edge of Bridport, just a short walk from West Bay and the beautiful Jurassic coastline! Once located across three sites in the town the current school was opened in 1991 by Dick King Smith. Visitors regularly comment on the friendly, family feel that is tangible when you spend time in the school.
Our vision at St Mary's is to 'build a caring community where all can learn and shine!' We are very blessed to have a highly experienced and dedicated team of staff who care deeply about nurturing and encouraging children to achieve their very best. We aim to work in partnership with parents, to ensure all the children in our care achieve their full potential.
Each child is unique and our staff work together to deliver a broad curriculum with many varied and exciting opportunities to enable children to learn in different ways, achieve their best and develop their talents and abilities. We want children to be proud of, and enthusiastic about, being part of our school.
We hope that by visiting our school and looking at our website you will feel this is a team that you want to join, bringing your strengths and experience to St Mary's. If you would like to arrange a visit please refer to the contact details above.
For more information please visit our school website: https://www.stmarybridport.co.uk/
About Initio Learning Trust
Initio Learning Trust comprises 19 schools across Dorset, with our head office based in Wimborne. Formed in February 2023 from the merger of The Minerva Learning Trust and Wimborne Academy Trust, we offer outstanding education through every stage of schooling, from nursery through to upper sixth form. We believe in enabling every person to thrive within their role, and our core values of Ambition, Collaboration and Respect underpin the pride we take in offering genuine professional development opportunities for all our staff; and in our focus on staff wellbeing.
Working for Us
Initio Learning Trust is a Disability Confident Committed Employer and aims to provide an inclusive, barrier-free recruitment process. If you would like to discuss any changes or support you may need as part of this process, please call or email the recruiting manager (see contact details above).
Initio Learning Trust values and respects the diversity of our workforce, and encourages employees to be their unique selves. Having a diverse and inclusive workforce underpins our core values of collaboration, ambition and respect, and we welcome applications from all sectors of the community regardless of age, gender, race, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, social background, religion or belief. Applicant shortlisting is done without reference to any personal data including your name.
Applying for a job with us - other things you need to know
This role is UK based and your Right to Work will need to be verified.
Initio Learning Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
In line with current safer recruitment guidance, we may collect further information for applicants who are shortlisted for interview including criminal record and social media checks, references and verification of qualifications.
All offers of employment are subject to an Enhanced DBS check, and, where applicable, a prohibition from teaching check will be completed for all applicants.
We are covered by the ‘Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975’, which means that we are allowed to ask all candidates to disclose both spent and unspent cautions and criminal convictions to us when applying for a vacancy (except for those which are considered ‘protected’ under the Act).
Anyone who is barred from engaging in regulated activity with children should not apply for any of our vacancies, as doing so may be an offence—which we will report to the Police.
If shortlisted for an interview you will be required to disclose cautions and criminal convictions (except for those which are considered ‘protected’ under the Act).
Please refer to this Caution and Conviction checker for guidance on what needs to be disclosed:
Caution or conviction - Check when to disclose cautions or convictions - GOV.UK
Further information can be found on the Ministry of Justice website:
Guidance on the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the Exceptions Order 1975 - GOV.UK
Fluency in English is required for all student and public-facing roles, in accordance with the “fluency duty” (Immigration Act 2016). Please refer to the Job Description for further details.
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