23 Jun Headteacher
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
Job outline
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.
Application information
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 – Headteacher | SAMpeople Recruit
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).
