Headteacher

Job Introduction

Role Summary

“This is a happy and inclusive school where pupils thrive. Pupils love coming to school and are enthusiastic about their learning” – Ofsted, 2024

The Governing Body of Rucstall Primary School is seeking a visionary, compassionate, and driven individual to lead our school into its next exciting chapter.

This is a unique opportunity to lead a vibrant, inclusive one-form entry Primary School that sits at the heart of the Black Dam community of Basingstoke. We are proud of our welcoming ethos, high expectations, and our commitment to ensuring that all pupils grow as confident, happy learners who are well-prepared for the future.

We are looking for a Headteacher who will:

• Lead the school in delivering its 2024–2030 Strategic Plan and School Development, ensuring that the vision, aims and values evolve in response to the needs of the community, and national educational challenges.
• Sustain and further develop a rich, inclusive, and ambitious curriculum that reflects the school’s values and meets the needs of all learners, including those with SEND, EAL and those working at greater depth.
• Cultivate a professional culture where staff feel valued, supported, and empowered to grow. Prioritise wellbeing, collaboration, and leadership development at all levels.
• Promote Rucstall as a school of choice within and beyond its catchment, aligned with its ambition to grow and evolve as a forward-thinking, outward-looking organisation.
• Embed a culture of reflective practice and continuous improvement by using high-quality research and robust data analysis to inform decision-making, evaluate impact, and drive progress across all areas of school life.

What Rucstall Can Offer:

• A strong, cohesive team of skilled and dedicated staff who support one another and strive for excellence.
• The opportunity to join an existing Senior Leadership Team consisting of Deputy & Assistant head
• Well-behaved, kind and enthusiastic children who love learning and demonstrate our values every day.
• A supportive and ambitious Governing Body, committed to your professional growth and wellbeing.
• Strong relationships with families and the wider community, and a culture of mutual respect.
• A commitment to your continued professional development, including mentoring and leadership support.
• A forward-thinking strategic plan, shaped by robust school self-evaluation and recent Ofsted feedback, which praised our inclusive ethos, safeguarding culture, and pupils’ enthusiasm for learning.

Application Procedure:

• Visits to the school are warmly welcomed. Please contact the school office to arrange via email adminoffice@rucstall.hants.sch.uk. We are able to facilitate visits on the following dates: 8th July 2025 at 9:30am; 15th July 2025 at 9:30am or 8th September 2025 at 1:30pm.
• A full and detailed Person Specification and Job Description is included in our Information Pack and more information on our school can be found on our website. 
• Applications will need to be returned to electronically to htrecruitment@hants.gov.uk no later than 12:00 on 11 September 2025.
• When submitting your application, please use the following format as the email subject heading: School Name – Position – Your Name.
• Applications are acknowledged within 2 working days of receipt. If you do not receive an acknowledgement within this time, please contact the recruitment team immediately at htrecruitment@hants.gov.uk

Safer Recruitment

Rucstall Primary School and Hampshire 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 Disclosure and Barring Service checks along with other relevant employment checks.