Headteacher in Leeds

Following the retirement of our highly respected Headteacher, the Governing Body is seeking an exceptional leader with the vision, integrity, and energy to lead Allerton High School into its next era of success.

This is a rare opportunity to inherit a school in an enviable position. Your role will not be to reinvent the wheel, but to creatively build upon our outstanding foundations. You will sustain our high academic benchmarks, champion evidence-based teaching, and lead a dedicated staff team, while actively participating in local authority school-to-school support networks.

Job title and organisation: Headteacher - Allerton High School
Salary: L28-34 (£104,059 - £120,532)
Hours: Full time
Contract: Permanent
Location: Allerton High School, King Lane, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS17 7AG
Closing Date and Time: Monday 23rd November 2026

Allerton High School is a highly successful, inclusive 11-18 local authority maintained secondary school with 1,200 pupils, including a vibrant Sixth Form. Judged Ofsted 'Outstanding' in November 2024, our school is renowned for its exceptional academic standards, rich extra-curricular offer, and deeply embedded pastoral care. We work closely with Leeds City Council, our family of schools and local partners, to ensure that every young person, regardless of background, achieves their full potential.

The successful candidate will demonstrate:

• Sustained Excellence: Proven experience as a Headteacher or Deputy Headteacher with a track record of maintaining or achieving consistently high student outcomes at Key Stages 4 and 5.
• System Leadership: The ability to look beyond our gates, collaborating effectively with the Local Authority, primary feeders, and regional education partners.
• Inspirational Culture: A leadership style that inspires confidence, balances high expectations with staff wellbeing, and preserves our positive, inclusive school community.
• Strategic Oversight: Strong financial and operational management to navigate local authority frameworks and resource allocations efficiently.
• Qualifications: Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) and NPQH (completed or currently undertaking).

• The opportunity to lead an established, high-performing, and financially sound Ofsted 'Outstanding' school.
• A highly articulate, motivated, and exemplary student body.
• A stable, skilled and collaborative teaching and support staff team.
• A supportive, legally compliant, and strategically focused Governing Body.
• Robust professional network ties within Leeds Local Authority.

We encourage prospective applicants to visit the school and experience our warm and vibrant community. Informal and confidential discussions with the Chair of Governors can be arranged through the school office.

Please contact Kate Dove, HR Manager and Headteacher's PA at dovek@allertonhigh.org.uk or call 0113 203 4770 to arrange an appointment to visit the school.

Closing date: 23rd November 2026

Shortlisting: 26th November 2026

Assessment and interviews: 12th & 13th January 2027

To request an application pack please email educ.headteacher@leeds.gov.uk

A Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check against the Children's barred list will be carried out on preferred candidates. Read our recruitment of ex-offenders policy.

We welcome applications from everyone and actively seek a diverse range of applicants from all backgrounds and cultures. We particularly encourage applications from, but not limited to, women, carers, veterans as well as LGBT+, ethnically diverse, disabled and care experienced people.

This role is based in the UK. Home Office guidance states that candidates must evidence their right to work in the UK prior to commencing employment, either as a UK or Irish citizen, under the EU Settlement scheme or having secured any other relevant work visa.

If you do not have the right to work in the UK, you must consider your own eligibility for sponsorship for a particular role through the Skilled Worker visa route before applying. To be eligible for sponsorship you'll usually need to be paid the standard salary rate of at least £41,700 per year or meet one of the other eligibility criteria. Please ensure you are eligible before applying.

The above post is not a Leeds City Council vacancy and has been advertised on behalf of the relevant organisation. To apply please follow their application instructions.
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