Sheddingdean Headteacher Recruitment
About Us
Sheddingdean Community Primary School is “the small school with big ideas”. We are a one-form entry primary school situated in the north of the market town of Burgess Hill, which is at the foot of the South Downs and is 10 minutes from the main M23/A23 road between London and Brighton. The school is located within a 15-minute walk of two mainline railway stations both of which have direct rail access to London (1 hour), Gatwick Airport (20 minutes) and Brighton (15 minutes) with easy access to the Sussex coast.
The Governing Body seeks a highly ambitious, inspirational Headteacher with fresh ideas and a clear strategic vision, who also values the strong progress made over the last four years. The ideal candidate will listen to staff, parents, and students, using their insights to shape the school’s next steps.
Working closely with the Senior Leadership Team, the Headteacher will strengthen the school’s direction and foster a positive, connected community. We are looking for someone supportive, approachable, and visible, who values staff contributions and champions their achievements.
Job Details
Role: Headteacher
School: Sheddingdean Community Primary School, Burgess Hill, West Sussex
Contract: Permanent, Full time
Salary scale: L11-L17
Start date: September 2026
Website: www.sheddingdean.co.uk
Email: office@sheddingdean.co.uk
Telephone: 01444 246532
The successful candidate will be dynamic, engaging, and experienced, with integrity, strong communication skills, and a collaborative approach. They will model excellent primary practice, motivate staff, and inspire the whole school community.
We seek a passionate leader with strong teamwork skills who can drive excellence in our small, joyful school guided by our vision: Discover, learn and achieve together.
Visiting the school: Visits to the school are warmly welcomed and encouraged. Please contact the school on 01444 246532 or email office@sheddingdean.co.uk to arrange a mutually convenient time to visit.
Closing date for applications: Wednesday 8th April 2026 at 12:00 (BST)
Interviews: Monday 20th and Tuesday 21st April 2026
What You Need to Succeed
The successful candidate will be someone who:
- Demonstrates strong strategic vision and provides inspiring, dynamic leadership.
- Leads by example with high expectations and delivers meaningful school improvement.
- Builds on existing work in curriculum, SEND, inclusion and safeguarding.
- Shows integrity, is reflective and accountable, and is an approachable, visible leader with strong communication skills and the ability to act as a critical friend.
In return, we can offer you:
- Happy, motivated children who love learning.
- A dedicated, supportive staff team.
- A well‑maintained school with large outdoor spaces and a Forest School garden.
- An active Governing Body that supports strategic leadership
- A strong partnerships with Friends of Shedding School Association (FOSSA) and committed parents who play a key role in school and community life.
Further Information
Sheddingdean Primary School and West Sussex County Council are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. We will ensure that all our recruitment and selection practices reflect this commitment. All successful candidates will be subject to an appropriate Disclosure and Barring Service check along with other relevant employment checks, including satisfactory references.
Please note that, as part of our recruitment due diligence, online searches may be conducted on shortlisted candidates.
How to Apply
To apply for this role please download the job description and Headteacher application form below.
The supporting statement in your application should be no longer than 2 sides of A4 with a minimum of Arial 11.
It should address the selection criteria detailed in the person specification and should be supported by examples to demonstrate your suitability for this role.
Please note that covering letters and other additional material will not be accepted as part of the application.
Your application should be returned by email to: HRSchoolAdverts@westsussex.gov.uk using reference SCHO01786