Desborough College is on a mission to become the school of choice for boys throughout the area. We believe it has never been more important to deliver a life-enhancing education for boys through a dual focus on both academic achievement and personal development, equipping our boys to be confident in their ability to make a positive impact on the world.
With our current Headteacher moving on, we are thrilled to invite an inspiring leader to join Desborough College’s school community and help shape an amazing future for our boys – a leader who is excited about developing the leaders of tomorrow.
Desborough College has been on a journey of transformation in recent years since we joined Pioneer Educational Trust in 2023. We achieved a ‘Good’ Ofsted in 2024, significant improvements have been made to the buildings and wider estate (including a £1.5m investment into our new dining hall) and strong relationships have been developed with other local schools. We have also been hard at work boosting the school’s reputation with families, building an excellent personal development programme for students and driving improvements in outcomes year on year.
This year, we launched our innovative Six Horizons project, reflecting our commitment to preparing post-16 students for an increasingly digital world. Through carefully planned collaboration with Upton Court Grammar School and the use of digital platforms, Six Horizons enables subject specialists across the Trust to work together, enhancing both academic outcomes and personal development.
As much as we have already achieved, our transformation is only just beginning. We want to continue our upwards trajectory in outcomes and improve pupil numbers further – a challenge facing schools around the country. Leadership at Desborough is never dull and often demanding, but always purposeful and deeply rewarding. It’s an exciting and extraordinarily worthwhile and fulfilling place to be. The team is passionate, professional and deeply committed to its students and the vision to develop ethical future leaders the Desborough way. We are looking for a Headteacher with the energy, passion and dedication needed to harness this momentum and build an even stronger experience for our boys.
At Desborough College, you’ll be part of Pioneer Educational Trust, where we believe in taking education further. This means providing an exceptional, inclusive education to all children and young people and preparing our learners to thrive at intrapersonal, interpersonal, societal and global levels.
Being part of Pioneer means you’re never on your own – you will have the support of the whole Trust alongside you, including specialists in education, HR, finance and operations.
If you want to be part of a community that is knowledgeable, empowered and committed to taking principled action in service to others, we would welcome your application. If you want to lead ethically and work with local, national and international educational communities, then this role is for you.
You will have the opportunity to:
* Deliver an exceptional school culture where all pupils thrive and reach their full potential
* Implement and sustain a consistent and effective behaviour policy that fosters a respectful and safe learning environment.
* Build strong partnerships and work collaboratively with both internal and external stakeholders
* Be part of a wider Trust team and bring your expertise and knowledge to ensure all pupils thrive and reach their full potential
And when you join us, you will have access to a number of excellent benefits:
Professional development: We are committed to the growth of all our colleagues. With our CPDL Wednesdays, staff have dedicated time for professional development and collaborative working, ensuring continuous improvement and shared best practices.
Flexible Working: We have been at the forefront of pioneering a flexible working in schools since 2019 focusing on the presumption that flexible working can work unless there is a genuine operational reason that it cannot. This is achieved through our unique, transparent and inclusive flexible job design process. As a Department for Education Flexible Working Ambassador MAT, we share our expertise regionally and nationally.
Positive work environment: Enjoy a supportive and enriching working environment with free refreshments, free annual flu vaccinations, an Employee Assistance Programme and more.
Exceptional leadership opportunities: Our vertical leadership principles provide exceptional trust-wide leadership development opportunities enabling you to flourish and be fulfilled.
Pioneer Summit: All staff attend our collaborative annual Pioneer Summit. A fun packed day of keynote speakers, workshops and activities. It’s a fantastic opportunity to connect with colleagues across the Trust and to recognise and celebrate our achievements.
If you are an innovative leader passionate about raising standards in teaching and learning whose values align with ours, then bring your authentic self to your application.
If our vision and values resonate with you, then apply now to be part of a community that is knowledgeable, empowered and committed to taking principled action in service to others. Join us on our mission to take education further and transform lives.
Assessment & interview dates (two-day process): 11th and 12th February 2026
Start date: April or September 2026