Ark King Solomon Academy

Primary Headteacher

Reports to: Principal

Start date: April 2024 or as soon as reasonably possible

Location: Westminster, central London

Salary: £85,000-£105,000 per annum (depending on experience), plus potential relocation bonus

Contract: Permanent, full-time

Closing date: 9am, Monday 15 January 2024

(NB: applications will be reviewed on an on-going basis and candidates may be shortlisted and invited for interview before the closing date. Early applications are advised.)

School visits: To be arranged when suitable for the candidates

Ark King Solomon Academy is excited to be looking for a new Primary Headteacher to lead the large primary phase of our all-through school. Consistently ranked as one of the highest-performing non-selective schools in the country, we serve a community of pupils with 60% on free school meals. Achieving exceptional primary and secondary results, Ark King Solomon Academy has shown the impact of high expectations, an excellent school culture and excellent teaching.

The new Primary Headteacher will lead the primary school, from nursery to year 6. As a three-form entry primary, with a large nursery, six primary senior leaders and a split site, this role offers significant scale and opportunity.

We are looking for an experienced and proven leader who will have the opportunity to influence every part of our all-through school, right up to 18 years. This headship is well-suited to an existing head who is seeking to make impact on a larger scale and who would thrive as part of a diverse, central London, all-through school. We also welcome applications from first-time heads with broad leadership experience.

Our school and trust:

We are a popular and over-subscribed, all-through school based across two sites in Marylebone, Westminster. The school opened in 2007 and is made up of a three-form entry Younger Years site (including a purpose-built nursery with classes up to year 4) and an Older Years site (from year 5 to year 13) serving 1,300 pupils.

Ark King Solomon Academy is part of the Ark network, one of the country’s most successful multi-academy trusts. Our primary school is one of Ark’s 23 primary schools, and the successful candidate will join a community of collaborative primary headteachers who work closely together to share good practice, provide support for one another, and improve what we do as a school and a network. This year Ark’s 2023 primary SATs results saw our key stage 2 pupils achieve 16 percentage points higher than the national average, a phenomenal achievement from all our primary heads and a testament to their collaboration.

What we offer:

Influence across network-wide issues through our principal meetings and regional collaboration

Support from an experienced and supportive Principal and Regional Directors

On-hand expertise from our dedicated network education and operations teams who are ready to support you and your school

Bespoke teacher development programmes supported by the Great Teacher Rubric

Excellent career development opportunities across both the region and wider Ark network

Access to excellent senior leadership training

Highly competitive remuneration

How to apply:

We warmly welcome and encourage confidential conversations about the role and visits to our school for suitable candidates. If you are interested in finding out more about this opportunity, please contact the Principal Designate, Beth Humphreys, on e.humphreys@kingsolomonacademy.org or our Senior Recruitment Advisor, Shevonnae Sokoya, on shevonnae.sokoya@arkonline.org or 020 3116 0727

To apply, please submit an application via the Ark recruitment portal by 9am on Monday 15th January. If you have any questions, concerns or time constraints with applying please contact us directly.

(NB: applications will be reviewed on an on-going basis and candidates may be shortlisted and invited for interview before the closing date. Early applications are advised.)

For more information about the role, the school and Ark, please view the full job pack.

Ark is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people in its academies. In order to meet this responsibility, its academies follow a rigorous selection process to discourage and screen out unsuitable applicants.

Ark requires all employees to undertake an enhanced DBS check. You are required, before appointment, to disclose any unspent conviction, cautions, reprimands or warnings under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975. Non-disclosure may lead to termination of employment. However, disclosure of a criminal background will not necessarily debar you from employment - this will depend upon the nature of the offence(s) and when they occurred.

Ark Schools are committed to attracting, developing and retaining a diverse workforce, with a broad range of backgrounds, experiences and perspectives. To read more about Ark’s diversity and inclusion statement, please click this link.