Headteacher – Keyham Lodge School, Discovery Trust
Salary: L23-L28 (£85,529-£96,673)
Location: Leicester
Start date: September 2025 or January 2026
Do you have the vision and passion to lead our dedicated team and drive our mission forward?
About Discovery Trust
Discovery Schools Trust is dedicated to ensuring that all pupils realise their potential, regardless of the barriers they face. Our mission is to provide limitless learning opportunities and to achieve excellence in all areas of our work. By joining us, you'll be part of a forward-thinking organisation that values creativity, collaboration, and excellence in education. You'll have the chance to shape the future of our schools, inspire our educators, and contribute to the success of our vibrant learning community.
Keyham Lodge School
Keyham Lodge School is a vibrant and successful City Special School committed to making a positive difference for every child. Keyham is a co-educational setting currently welcoming Key Stage 3 & 4 pupils with social, emotional and mental health needs (SEMH). All pupils have an Education, Health & Care plan (EHCP). We are also excited to be welcoming Year 5 and 6 pupils in September 2025. Keyham Lodge has exceptional facilities for pupils in our purpose-built school, providing specialist classrooms to support our exciting curriculum, which includes an E-sports classroom, Construction, Mechanics and a Hair and Beauty Salon.
We place each child at the centre of everything we do. Our curriculum is ambitious for every pupil to achieve their personal best and is designed to help pupils develop, grow, and progress. Keyham has been rated Outstanding by Ofsted in November 2024. We are proud to be part of the Discovery Trust, known for its commitment to excellence in education, providing robust support and resources to its member primary, secondary and special schools.
At Keyham we focus on building resilience, self-esteem, and positive behaviour, integrating real-world experiences into learning, helping pupils connect their education to life beyond school.
Role Overview
You are likely to be an inspirational and ambitious Deputy or Head Teacher looking for a new challenge. You will share our belief that every young person should have the opportunity to discover their true potential and will bring an exemplary track record of leadership in schools. Our new Headteacher will most likely to be working in a specialist setting, ideally with experience of SEMH needs, but you could also be an experienced secondary leader in mainstream school who has a commitment to inclusive education and strong experience in SEND.
As part of Discovery Trust, you’ll be given the autonomy to lead and shape the school, as well as every opportunity to work collaboratively with talented leaders across the trust and grow in your career.
In return, we can offer you exceptional support and an exciting career within a supportive and dynamic organisation.
How to Apply:
If you are a dedicated, inclusive and driven senior leader, then do get in touch. For an informal (and confidential) conversation and to find out more about the stages of the application process, please contact Rosalind Hopkins (Director of Specialist Provision) - Rosalind's email address can be found in the apply section. You can also visit discovery.our-careers.co.uk for more information on how to apply.
Closing date for applications: Thursday 15th May, 10am
Interviews: 22nd and 23rd May
As part of the selection and interview process candidates should submit a video of themselves answering these 2 questions:
1. Why do you want to be the new Headteacher of Keyham Lodge School?
2. What skills and experience can you bring to the school and Discovery Schools Trust?
Please send your two-minute clip via email to: Rosalind Hopkins (Director of Specialist Provision).
Responses to each question should last no more than 1 minute.
The videos will solely be used for the recruitment process, and they will only be shared to Discovery Trust employees who are directly involved in the recruitment of this role.
If you have any questions or would welcome a conversation with Rosalind about the role, please contact her on the email provided.
Please find attached Job Description and Person Specification to support with your application.
What we offer
• Support for continuous professional development in the role
• Opportunities to visit other organisations for professional learning
• Highly committed and motivated Team
• A role where you will have the opportunity to make a real difference
• Play a pivotal role in continuing to develop our school and inclusive practice
• Be part of a wider community of Discovery Schools Trust
• Excellent opportunities for personal and career development
• An established Central Services Team who supports schools and wider colleagues
• A defined benefit pension scheme
• Employee Assistance Programme - EAP
• Employee self-service portal.
We encourage interested applicants to submit their applications promptly.
Safeguarding Statement:
We are committed to safeguarding our pupils; therefore, the successful applicant will require an Enhanced Disclosure from the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) and references.
While we acknowledge the advantages of AI in crafting personal statements for applications, we strongly encourage and expect applicants to personalise and tailor responses. Please note that the Trust may utilise AI checking solutions during the application review process and will be considered when shortlisting.
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