Executive Headteacher

• The Beacon Federation 
• Address: Diss, Norfolk IP21 4NL and IP22 2SE
• Salary: £73,105 - £84,699 per annum
• Hours: Full Time
• Contract: Permanent, required from 1 September 2026
• Reference: 8523

Due to the retirement of the current Executive Headteacher, St Benet’s Multi Academy Trust (MAT) are looking for an experienced and motivated Executive Headteacher to lead the two schools in The Beacon Federation from September 2026.

Consisting of Dickleburgh Church of England Primary Academy and Garboldisham Church of England Primary Academy, the Beacon Federation is a proud member of St Benet’s MAT, a Church of England Multi Academy Trust for schools in Norfolk.

Dickleburgh is a 4-11 primary school and nursery with 177 pupils that was judged Outstanding in all areas in its 2024 Ofsted Inspection; Garboldisham is a 5-11 primary school with 74 pupils which was judged Outstanding or Good in all areas in its 2023 inspection.  Both are rural schools based in small villages in South Norfolk. 

Both schools in the Beacon Federation have strong visions rooted in Christian tradition. 

Dickleburgh: “Living and learning together, celebrating life at its fullest.”

Garboldisham: “Shine like a beacon of light.”

As Executive Headteacher, you will be at the forefront of maintaining and developing relationships and collaborations with our staff and wider communities, developing our provision and, above all, ensuring that we meet the needs of all our children.

In an ever-changing educational environment, there will be many exciting challenges ahead. You will be supported by St Benet’s MAT and their central team of school improvement professionals.

We are looking for an Executive Headteacher who:

• possesses the experience, motivation and resilience to move us forward and embrace any further challenges
• understands that thriving schools can be the beating heart of a rural community and that their success or otherwise affects the wider community
• can ensure that personal virtues and organisational values enhance outcomes
• has the passion to focus relentlessly on what’s best for pupils in their context
• is an inspirational leader who is committed to delivering the schools’ vision for the children, staff and communities we serve
• has the initiative to promote new and innovative ideas whilst sustaining what already works
• can develop outstanding educational provision that results in outstanding outcomes
• has the willingness to understand what the team has to offer and get the best from them
• has the ambition to drive a rich and varied curriculum which engages and inspires every child.

We can offer you:

• peer to peer networking, collaboration, challenge and support
• geographically focused development opportunities including dedicated support from a key professional
• the security of working in a climate of shared accountability
• investment in your professional development and future career
• a research-based approach to academy improvement that builds capacity from within
• opportunities to contribute to the development of a growing organisation and trust-wide improvement initiatives
• access to a suite of core services that enables you to focus more on leading, teaching and learning
• a values-led approach that underpins the attitudes and behaviour of individuals and the family of Church academies.

Our culture and ethos:

• Proactively promote and demonstrate the Diocese’s vision and values in all aspects of work.
• Challenge, motivate and empower others to set high aspirations and attain ambitious outcomes.
• Treat everyone as a valued individual who is loved by God.
• Promote and demonstrate a culture of continuous improvement which includes keeping abreast of educational developments and best management practice.
• Work collaboratively developing the concept of family across the Trust and their academies.
• Ensure regular open and honest communication in all professional duties.
• Recognise the importance of serving the wider community and promoting inclusivity.
• Undertake such other reasonable duties as may be required from time to time as are consistent with the responsibilities of the grade.

This is an amazing opportunity to join a progressive MAT. We can offer a proactive working environment, in which we actively encourage CPD, offer a real sense of family, and are led by Christian ethos and trust values of courage, compassion, honesty and hope.

For more information 

Please read the Recruitment Pack (pdf).

Visits to the school are welcome, please contact The Beacon Federation’s office by either calling 01379 740080 or by emailing dpaoffice@beacon.stbenets.org to book an appointment or to arrange an informal conversation with the Headteacher. 

The duties and responsibilities highlighted in this job specification are indicative and may vary over time. You are expected to undertake other duties and responsibilities relevant to the nature, level and scope of the post and the grade has been established on this basis.

How to apply

Please complete your application by visiting the Education JobFinder website. 

Closing date: 9am, 7 April 2026

Interview date: Week commencing 13 April 2026

We reserve the right to close this vacancy earlier if sufficient applications have been received.

References may be requested prior to interview and may be contacted on receipt of your application form.  Please contact us to discuss this further if you have any queries.

Within the Trust we use AI to help review applications. If we spot that AI has been used in a misleading way, such as copying unedited AI created answers, exaggerating previous job experience, or pretending to be someone else, we may choose to reject the application without feedback. 

The Diocese of Norwich St Benet’s Multi Academy Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all its children and expects all staff to share this commitment. All appointments will be subject to full safeguarding checks as well as satisfactory references. The Trust's safeguarding policy can be found on our website.

This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act and you will be required to undergo an Enhanced DBS check or Enhanced DBS check with barred list. If you have information to declare it may be protected under the Exceptions Orders and you may not be required to declare it. You will be asked to make a criminal conviction declaration if you are shortlisted for the post. Guidance about whether a conviction or caution should be disclosed can be found on the Ministry of Justice website.

This post is covered by Part 7 of the Immigration Act (2016) and therefore the ability to speak fluent English is an essential requirement for this role.

This post is likely to come under the requirements of the Childcare (Disqualification) 2009 Regulations, and the successful applicant will be required to complete a declaration form to establish whether they are disqualified under these regulations.