Head Teacher - Haverfordwest High VC School

Salary: Pay Scale Within: L37 £122,634 - L43 £140,685

Job Advert: Secondary Headteacher

Location: Haverfordwest High VC School
Salary: [L37-L43] plus a relocation package to be determined on offer of appointment.
Contract Type: Full-time, Permanent
Start Date: September 2025

About the School:

This is an exciting opportunity for a dynamic and visionary leader to become the new Headteacher of Haverfordwest High VC School. Haverfordwest High VC is a forward-thinking, dynamic secondary school, dedicated to providing a first-class education for students aged 11 to 19 with a thriving sixth form. We are proud of our academic performance, inclusive ethos, and commitment to the personal and social development of every child.

Following the successful amalgamation of two schools and a move to a brand new building two years ago, we are seeking an inspirational and visionary Headteacher to lead our school into its next phase of growth and success. Our school has a strong sense of community, excellent pastoral care and a commitment to high aspirations for every pupil.

The Role:

As Headteacher, you will be responsible for leading the strategic direction of the school, ensuring the highest standards of teaching, learning, and pastoral care. You will work closely with senior colleagues, staff, students, parents, and governors to shape the school's culture and values, fostering a positive, inclusive environment where students aspire to achieve high standards. Your leadership will be pivotal in continuing to promote our vision and drive improvement across all aspects of school life. You will bring a proven track record of successful leadership, demonstrating the vision and capacity to lead a large secondary school. You will be an effective communicator, inspiring and uniting staff, pupils, parents, governors and other stakeholders.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead and inspire staff to deliver high-quality education with aspirational expectations and create a positive, supportive learning environment for all students.
• Develop and implement the school's strategic vision, ensuring alignment with the school's values and priorities.
• Oversee academic progress and outcomes, ensuring all students achieve their full potential.
• Lead on safeguarding, welfare, and student well-being, ensuring a safe, respectful and supportive environment for all.
• Work collaboratively with governors, staff, students, parents, and the wider community to evaluate progress effectively and successfully address any key areas identified in need of improvement.
• Ensure effective management of the school's resources, including staffing, budget, and facilities.
• Promote professional development for all staff, encouraging continuous improvement and innovation in teaching and learning.

The Ideal Candidate:

We are looking for a Headteacher who:

• Has a proven track record of successful leadership in secondary education.
• Is passionate about providing an outstanding education for all students.
• Has a clear vision for the future of education and is committed to continuous school improvement.
• Demonstrates strong interpersonal skills and is able to build effective relationships with staff, students, parents, and the community.
• Has excellent communication, decision-making, and strategic planning skills.
• Is a strong advocate for diversity, inclusion, and equality.
• Holds QTS (Qualified Teacher Status), NPQH and has significant experience in senior leadership.

What We Offer:

• A supportive and enthusiastic staff team.
• A well-resourced and forward-thinking school with strong links to the community.
• Opportunities for professional development and career progression.
• A leadership team committed to creating an environment where staff and students thrive.
• A competitive salary and relocation package.

How to Apply:

If you are an ambitious and inspirational leader with a passion for education and the development of young people, we would love to hear from you. Please complete an application form (including personal statements of no more than 3 sides of A4) outlining your vision for Haverfordwest High VC School and your suitability for the role.

The closing date for applications is 31st March 2025 at 12.00 midday. The interview process will take place on 8th April to 10th April.

Schedule

8th April - arrive at 1.15 for a walkabout the school from 1.30 - 3.00. This will be followed by a short break and then a short oral presentation to staff. There will be an opportunity to meet informally with staff following the presentations, with light refreshments.

9th April - arrive at 8.15 for a series of interviews, as follows, Leadership and Management, Teaching and Learning, Safeguarding, Wellbeing and Pastoral, Pupil and Staff panels. There will also be a lesson observation activity and a written task linked to the school budget.

10th April - for those candidates taken forward they will be asked to prepare and deliver a presentation, followed by an interview.

Haverfordwest High VC School - Recruitment Video

Teach Pembrokeshire Video: Video - Pembrokeshire County Council

Please refer to the job description above for more details on this vacancy and the person specification.

Employment Checks

This post is subject to a DBS disclosure check.

Where it is appropriate for your role and responsibility, the personal information we have collected from you will be shared with Cifas who will use it to prevent fraud, other unlawful or dishonest conduct, malpractice, and other seriously improper conduct. If any of these are detected you could be refused certain services or employment. Your personal information will also be used to verify your identity. Further details of how your information will be used by us and Cifas, and your data protection rights, can be found by visiting https://www.cifas.org.uk/fpn.

Applicants should ensure they have the right to work in the UK before applying for a vacancy.

Please note that at this point, Pembrokeshire County Council is not accepting applicants who require a Skilled Worker visa as a prerequisite to a right to work in the UK. Applicants should ensure they have the right to work in the UK before applying for a vacancy.

Safeguarding

Safeguarding and protecting children and adults at risk is a high priority for Pembrokeshire County Council. We aim to support vulnerable children and adults at risk to ensure they are as safe as they can possibly be. We are committed to ensuring their safety and will take action to safeguard their well-being. The Council's Corporate Safeguarding Policy provides a framework for every member of staff and Service within the Council, setting out responsibilities in relation to safeguarding and protecting children and adults at risk as well as the methods by which the Council will be assured that it is fulfilling its duties.

This policy applies to all Council employees and workforce, councillors, volunteers and also service providers that are commissioned by the Council. Safeguarding is everyone's business whether they work for, or on behalf of, the Council.

Support & Additional Info

• Please contact the HR Systems Team as early as possible if you're unable to apply online by emailing hrsystemsteam@pembrokeshire.gov.uk .
• Please contact the Recruitment Team if you have any queries relating to this vacancy by emailing Recruit@pembrokeshire.gov.uk .
• Local Government Employees on National Joint Council (NJC) terms are subject to national pay bargaining; all salaries currently stated in our adverts are as 01/04/2023.
• Please note, we have a legal obligation to consider employees for suitable alternative employment if their posts are at risk; therefore prior consideration will be given to existing employees who meet the person specification and are registered on our redeployment pool.

Welsh language skills are desirable. Applications may be submitted in Welsh and will not be treated less favourably than applications submitted in English.