Headteacher - High Wycombe Church of England Combined School
Location: High Wycombe
Overview
High Wycombe Church of England Combined School are looking to appoint a new Headteacher. Our current Headteacher is retiring after 22 years of dedicated service, and we are seeking a strong, spiritual, and inspirational leader who shares our passion and values to join our school community.
Salary Details: Level 16 - 21 (£75,049 - £84,699)
Contract type: Permanent
Hours: Full-time
Closing date: 04/03/2026
Interviews to be held: 13/03/2026
About us
High Wycombe Church of England Combined School ("HWCE") is a maintained voluntary-aided one form entry primary school serving a culturally diverse area of High Wycombe.
We are situated to the south of the town centre and we draw our pupils from a wide area. As a church school, the school promotes a strong Christian ethos and has close links with All Saints' Church and the other churches in the High Wycombe benefice, both through school activities and the Governing Body.
We are an incredibly popular and oversubscribed school.
Website: www.hwce.co.uk
About the role
Role Purpose
The Headteacher will provide strategic leadership and vision, ensuring high standards of teaching and learning, and pupil outcomes. They will foster a culture of inclusion, diversity and equality, in which all children and staff are empowered to flourish, while proactively promoting the Christian ethos and values that define HWCE. This is a non-teaching post.
Job purpose
• To provide vision and inspiration for the school.
• To provide leadership, organisation and management of the school.
• To work with the governing body and staff to develop and implement the school's strategic plan.
• To work with the governing body to manage the school within the available resources.
• To ensure continual improvement and high quality, creative and fulfilling education across all age groups and abilities to maximise educational, social and emotional development for all.
• To develop standards of teaching, learning and achievement both in accordance with statutory requirements and in keeping with the Christian vision and values of this school.
Please see the Headteacher's full job description in the attached Headteacher Pack.
About you
A candidate will only be considered for shortlisting and move forward to the interview stage if they meet the initial essential criteria under qualifications, knowledge and experience.
We are looking for someone who;
- Demonstrates an awareness of the wider education context with an understanding of the distinctive nature of R.E. and Collective Worship in a Church school.
- Passion for education, coupled with ability and enthusiasm to see every child fulfil their potential
- Experience of working with stakeholders including governors, school improvement partners, other schools and organisations to improve outcomes for pupils.
Please see the full person specification in the attached Headteacher Pack.
Other information
Visits to the school are warmly welcome. To arrange a visit or to find out more about the role, please contact our school office on the number below. Please send completed application forms to the email address below:
Tel No: 01494 524220
Email: [email protected]
HWCE is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. We expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All applicants will be subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. References will be taken up prior to interview. The appointment will be subject to all relevant safer recruitment checks in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education.
This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and therefore applicants are required to declare:
• All unspent convictions and conditional cautions
• All spent convictions and adult cautions 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 2020).
For further information on filtering please refer to Nacro guidance and the guidance issued by the Ministry of Justice (see, in particular, the section titled ‘Exceptions Order’).
It is an offence to apply for the role if you are barred from engaging in regulated activity relevant to children. All shortlisted applicants will be required to complete self-disclosure form and return prior to interview.
