Head of School at Ruskin Academy and Ruskin Infants
LOCATION: Wellingborough
SALARY: L16-21
TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT: Permanent
START DATE: 1st September 2025
We are looking for an exceptional candidate to become our Head of School across Ruskin Academy and Ruskin Infants from September 2025. Although these are two separate schools in terms of DFE registration, they are very much run as one school for the common benefit of the whole ‘Ruskin’ community. The successful candidate will work closely with the Executive Trust leaders to lead this wonderful school community on the next steps of its rapid improvement journey.
Ruskin Academy is a three-form entry junior school within a diverse and exciting area of Wellingborough, and next door, Ruskin Infants is a three-form entry infant school with a nursery. Since joining Lion Academy Trust, a high-performing MAT, in September 2018, the school’s educational offer has been revolutionised. With a clear vision to get the simple, basic elements of education right for all children, all of the time, we have developed a learning environment in which our children thrive.
Following successful Ofsted inspections in 2023, both schools received a very well-deserved overall rating of Good with areas of outstanding in both Behaviour and Attitudes & Personal Development. Ofsted Inspectors noted that pupils are enthusiastic, and their positive attitudes are infectious, and also that Ruskin Academy and Infant School are educational environments where pupils flourish. We are looking for someone to build on this and to successfully lead the school's next steps.
We have unapologetically high standards for all staff, parents, and children - after all, our children only get one shot at their education, and we have the responsibility to make sure it is excellent!
The Lion Academy Trust is a non-profit educational charity with over twenty years of experience in running schools in London, Essex, and more recently in Northants. The Trust is made up of ten primary schools. The Trust exists to support and assist schools to build upon their present strengths and to achieve rapid educational transformation. Our membership comprises both traditionally sponsored academies and schools that have chosen to convert to academy status.
Through a range of low-cost central services to our academies, we achieve significant savings, which are invested back into teaching and learning. The Executives Forum, made up of Executive Heads and Heads of Schools, works alongside the CEO and Director of Schools as the key decision-making group for the Trust. We have secured a number of high-profile senior executive advisors who support schools with specific development projects and monitor impact outcomes.
LAT has high expectations and engages ambitious and hardworking staff and, above all, happy and enthusiastic children with a thirst for learning which is ‘good or better, every day’. For more information about our school, please visit our school website where you will find a wealth of information about our school and trust.
We can offer you:
* A supportive and forward-thinking Executive Body who can support and coach your career
* Truly excellent opportunities for further professional development through the Lion Academy Trust on your leadership journey with many rewards and opportunities
* Lively, friendly, and aspirational children who are determined to make the most of their educational experience
* Dynamic and dedicated teams of teachers and support staff who want the best for the children
* Employee assistance programme to offer confidential and free support to employees and their families
* A working environment that focuses on consistency, allowing school-to-school support within our trust to be powerful, straightforward, and time-saving for our leaders
* Colleagues who share the same belief in all children deserving the best education possible - we remove barriers that get in the way of our head teachers focusing on the delivery of this!
We are incredibly proud of both schools, Ruskin Academy and Ruskin Infant School, and how they have become, and we are looking forward to hearing from candidates who are as passionate as we are about providing every child with the best educational offer possible.
To talk about taking your next career step with Lion Academy Trust, please contact Nicky Kingsnorth, Executive Headteacher (nicky@lionacademytrust.net) to discuss this role.
Deadline for applications: 13 May 2025
Interviews to be held: 19 May 2025
The Lion Academy Trust is an equal opportunities employer and is committed to the safeguarding and protecting the welfare of children. The successful candidate will require two positive references from current and previous employers. The position is subject to an enhanced DBS and medical checks.
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