Job Description

LEARN - LOVE - LAUGH: at Sandford St Martin's CE VA Primary.



This is a fantastic opportunity for a school leader who has integrity, is inspirational, approachable and resilient.



The governors of Sandford St Martin's are looking for someone who:


Has a clear, ambitious and strategic vision for the education of all children in a church school context. Has evidence of successful school leadership and experience in bringing about school improvement. Has excellent interpersonal skills and who wishes to build positive working relationships within our school, church and local community. Places safeguarding at the heart of the school. Values Relational Practice, Therapeutic Thinking and inclusivity in all aspects of school life. Will lead children and staff by example and with compassion and integrity.
A full information pack, including the job description and person specification, is attached for your information when applying for the role.



Applications close at midday on Friday 12 December 2025 and shortlisting will be held in the week commencing Monday 15 December. Successful candidates will be informed by Friday 19 December 2025. Interviews will be held on Tuesday 13 and Wednesday 14 January 2026.

How to Apply:

Please follow the instructions on the website. If you have any questions please e-mail the school on office@sandfordprimary.dorset.sch.uk and we will be happy to help you. We warmly encourage you to visit our school and this can be arranged by e-mailing the chair of governors via the above address or by contacting the school office on 01929 552949.



All applicants will be notified of the shortlisting decisions by email. References for shortlisted candidates will be requested before interview. Further details about the interview process will be emailed to the candidates in good time.



Sandford St Martin's Primary School values the diversity of our workforce and welcomes applications from all sectors of the community.



We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people; this is a commitment which we expect all staff and volunteers to share. The successful candidate will be required to have a Disclosure and Barring Service check in line with the Governments safer recruitment guidelines.



This role is UK based and your Right to Work will need to be established as part of the appointment process.

This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (ROA) 1974. The amendments to the ROA 1974 (Exceptions Order 1975, (2013 and 2020)) provide that when applying for certain jobs and activities, certain spent convictions and cautions are 'protected', so they do not need to be disclosed to employers, and if they are disclosed, employers cannot take them into account. The MOJ's guidance on the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the Exceptions Order 1975, provides information about which convictions must be declared during job applications and related exceptions and further information about filtering offences can be found in the DBS filtering guide.



Keeping Children Safe in Education



Our school will conduct online searches of shortlisted candidates. This check will be part of a safeguarding check, and the search will purely be based on whether an individual is suitable to work with children. All aspects of social media and internet searches will be conducted. As care must be taken to avoid unconscious bias and any risk of discrimination, a person who will not on the appointment panel will conduct the searches and will only share information if and when findings are relevant and of concern.