Headteacher

We are seeking an ambitious, inclusive leader with existing headship experience to lead Frederick Bird Academy through its next phase of improvement, ensuring every child belongs, thrives and achieves.

Working with the Executive Leader, Trust colleagues and governors, you will strengthen teaching, develop leadership capacity and build positive partnerships with families and the wider community.

We are looking for someone who:

Has existing headship experience and a strong track record of primary school improvement.

Brings expertise in curriculum, teaching and inclusive education.

Leads with integrity, clarity and high expectations.

Develops others and builds effective relationships across the school community.

For the right candidate, there may be opportunities to take on executive leadership responsibilities across the Trust.

All staff are expected to know what to do if they have concerns about a child, take on the responsibility for providing a safe environment and promoting children’s welfare, undertake regular safeguarding and child protection training and, familiarise themselves with KCSIE part 1 and local policies and procedures as directed by the trust/academy.

About us

Frederick Bird Academy is a large, four-form entry primary school serving the vibrant Hillfields community in Coventry. We celebrate our pupils’ individuality and heritage, combining high aspirations with a strong commitment to inclusion.

The academy joined Inspire Education Trust in January 2024. Ofsted visited the school at the beginning of November 2026. Our new Headteacher will build on the school’s strengths and lead its continuing improvement with the support of our collaborative Trust.

Why work for us?

A career at Inspire Education Trust offers the opportunity to make a real difference, with staff wellbeing and professional development at the heart of our offer.

As such, we offer a portfolio of benefits designed to enhance and support the working lives of our staff. These include, but are not limited to:

A bespoke professional development package, including leadership coaching, mentoring and opportunities to learn alongside other Trust headteachers.

Dedicated Executive Leader support, specialist school improvement expertise and a range of central services including HR, finance, estates and legal support.

For the right candidate, relocation support of up to £5,000 towards eligible, reasonably incurred costs, subject to Trust approval and agreed terms.

A highly supportive and committed executive leadership team

Employee Assistance Programme which offers 24/7 confidential advice and support on a range of matters and free access to accredited counsellors

A focus on staff wellbeing including a network of wellbeing champions and a supportive working environment

Opportunity to join a committed and forward-thinking team of staff

Employee Benefits platform providing staff access to a range of benefits such as shopping discounts

How to apply:

Please read the recruitment pack and apply through MyNewTerm via https://www.ietrust.org/vacancies/.

For an informal conversation or to arrange a school visit, please contact Helen Hastilow, Executive Leader, at [email removed].

Closing date: 9am, Thursday 7 January 2027

Interview date: Tuesday 12 and Wednesday 13 January 2027

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and appointments will be subject to rigorous safeguarding checks including enhanced DBS and references. The postholder must share our commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. Candidates who have been successfully shortlisted will be asked to complete a self-declaration to confirm any (non-protected) criminal disclosures or information that would make them unsuitable to work with children.

The post is exempt from the rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the amendments to the Exceptions Order 1975, 2013 and 2020. Which means that when applying for certain jobs and activities certain spent convictions and cautions are ‘protected’, so they do not need to be disclosed to employers, and if they are disclosed, employers cannot take them into account. Further information about filtering offences can be found in the DBS filtering guide.

We aim to recruit the very best staff and welcome those from all backgrounds, communities and faiths (including non-faith individuals). Inspire Education Trust is clear about its responsibilities in embracing diversity and ensuring we recruit people of a high calibre based on their skills, abilities, and experience. As such, we welcome applications from a diverse range of candidates.

The role of Headteacher will be classed as regulated activity. Any offer of employment will be conditional until satisfactory completion of all mandatory pre-employment checks. It is an offence to apply for this role if barred from engaging in regulating activity relevant to children.

Following recommendations from Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE) for an additional pre-employment check, with effect of 1st September 2022, please note an online search may form part of this recruitment process.