Executive Head of Small Schools - Academies for Character and Excellence
- Somerset
- Full Time
- Group 2 banding
Start Date: 1st September 2026
Reporting to: Excellence Director
Ashill Primary, Buckland St Mary C of E Primary, Hatch Beauchamp C of E Primary, Stockland C of E Primary Academy and Winsham C of E Primary.
We are seeking to appoint an experienced, inspirational leader to develop the ACE Small schools group on the Somerset border. Comprising five village schools, each with between 20 and 80 pupils, every school sits at the heart of its community while working in partnership to provide exceptional experiences for their pupils. The Executive Head will oversee the school lead teachers and directly manage a small cross-group team that provides support in areas such as SEND, safeguarding and other shared functions. This role offers a significant opportunity for innovation, enabling the development of approaches that allow small schools and their pupils to flourish at the centre of their communities.
Employment Vetting Checks
It is a condition of employment at The Academies for Character and Excellence that every applicant who accepts the offer of a job will be subject to legally required safer recruitment checks. This will include criminal background checks, documentary evidence to confirm their identity and right to work in the UK and checks to ensure they are not prohibited from working in such a position within a school environment. The checks will be carried out at the Trust’s expense. References will be taken up, including those from previous employers.
Safeguarding Children
It is the post-holder’s responsibility to promote and safeguard the welfare of children and young persons for whom they are responsible or with whom they come into contact. The post-holder will adhere to and ensure compliance with the Safeguarding Policy Statement at all times. If, in the course of carrying out the duties of the post the post holder becomes aware of any actual or potential risks to the safety or welfare of children in the school they must report any concerns to the Safeguarding and Inclusion Lead, the Headteacher and/or DSL/DDSL.
We will ask you to bring documents with you to your interview, as this supports our pre-employment checks.
We would welcome and encourage you to visit our school, and you can arrange this by contacting Andrea Johnson at recruitment@acexcellence.co.uk.
We look forward to hearing from you!
Please see the full recruitment pack attached.
An application form is available to download from our website www.acexcellence.co.uk/ace-trust-vacancies
If you decide to apply please complete our application form and return it to Andrea Johnson at recruitment@acexcellence.co.uk by 9am Friday 24th April 2026.
Interview Date: To be held on Wednesday 29th April 2026.