Headteacher - The Royal Spa Nursery School
| Posting date: | 06 February 2026 |
|---|---|
| Hours: | Full time |
| Closing date: | 27 February 2026 |
| Location: | Brighton, East Sussex, BN2 0BT |
| Company: | Teaching Vacancies |
| Job type: | Permanent |
| Job reference: | 63027f60-c79a-4150-887c-2b358fc8b8a2 |
Summary
What skills and experience we're looking for
The skills and experience we are looking for:
We are looking for an exceptional early years leader who is passionate about nursery education and committed to championing the very best outcomes for young children. Our Headteacher will be a visible, trusted ambassador for nursery-aged children, advocating for their needs, wellbeing and right to high-quality, inclusive early education.
You will bring the skills, knowledge and personal qualities needed to lead with warmth, clarity and ambition, including:
• A deep understanding of the EYFS curriculum and best practice for children aged 2–5, with the ability to model high-quality teaching and support continuous improvement across the team.
• Proven leadership and management skills, with the confidence to inspire, motivate and challenge staff while valuing their wellbeing and professionalism.
• A strong commitment to inclusion, equality and safeguarding, with ambitious expectations for all children, including those with SEND.
• The ability to communicate a clear vision for the school and build strong, trusting relationships with families, governors, the local authority and partner professionals.
• The skills to use data, reflection and self-evaluation to inform planning, decision-making and sustained school improvement.
• Sound understanding of school finance and resource management, ensuring decisions are responsible, transparent and focused on children’s best interests.
• Calm, resilient and reflective leadership, with strong organisational skills and the ability to plan, prioritise and delegate effectively.
• Integrity, professionalism and discretion, with a clear commitment to ethical leadership and public service values.
Above all, you will be someone who believes deeply in early childhood education, who can act as a confident advocate for nursery provision, and who will protect and strengthen the distinctive ethos of Royal Spa Nursery School while leading it into its next chapter.
What the school offers its staff
What we can offer you
We offer a rare and rewarding opportunity to lead a highly regarded, local authority–maintained nursery school with a strong reputation for excellence, inclusion and kindness.
In this role, you can expect:
• The opportunity to lead an Outstanding nursery school with a deeply embedded child-centred ethos and a clear, shared vision.
• A committed, skilled and reflective staff team who value collaboration, professional development and high-quality early years practice.
• Supportive and engaged governors who work in close partnership with the Headteacher and value strong, ethical leadership.
• The chance to shape the future of nursery education, acting as a visible advocate for young children and early years provision locally and beyond.
• A nurturing school community with strong relationships with families, the local authority and partner professionals.
• Exceptional outdoor learning spaces that are integral to the curriculum and daily life of the school.
• A role that balances strategic leadership with meaningful teaching, allowing you to remain closely connected to children and practice.
This is an opportunity to lead with purpose, protect what makes Royal Spa special, and make a lasting difference in the lives of young children at a formative stage of their learning journey.
Further details about the role
Recruitment process and key dates
We encourage applicants to engage fully with the recruitment process and, where possible, to visit the school ahead of submitting an application.
• School visits: 23, 26 and 27 February. Applicants are warmly encouraged to visit the school. To arrange a visit, please contact the school office in advance.
• Closing date for applications: Friday 27 February, 11.59pm. Applications must be submitted using the Brighton & Hove application form and received by the closing time.
• Shortlisting: 6 March Shortlisted candidates will be contacted by phone or email.
• Interview days: 19 and 20 March. Candidates should be available to attend interviews on both days. Following the first interview day, selected candidates will be invited to attend a further interview on day two.
• Outcome: Candidates will be informed of the outcome either on the evening of the final interview day or as soon as possible thereafter. Appointment is subject to satisfactory references and safeguarding checks.
Commitment to safeguarding
Our organisation is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. We expect all staff, volunteers and trustees to share this commitment. Our recruitment process follows the keeping children safe in education guidance. Offers of employment may be subject to the following checks (where relevant): childcare disqualification Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) medical online and social media prohibition from teaching right to work satisfactory references suitability to work with children You must tell us about any unspent conviction, cautions, reprimands or warnings under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975.
The skills and experience we are looking for:
We are looking for an exceptional early years leader who is passionate about nursery education and committed to championing the very best outcomes for young children. Our Headteacher will be a visible, trusted ambassador for nursery-aged children, advocating for their needs, wellbeing and right to high-quality, inclusive early education.
You will bring the skills, knowledge and personal qualities needed to lead with warmth, clarity and ambition, including:
• A deep understanding of the EYFS curriculum and best practice for children aged 2–5, with the ability to model high-quality teaching and support continuous improvement across the team.
• Proven leadership and management skills, with the confidence to inspire, motivate and challenge staff while valuing their wellbeing and professionalism.
• A strong commitment to inclusion, equality and safeguarding, with ambitious expectations for all children, including those with SEND.
• The ability to communicate a clear vision for the school and build strong, trusting relationships with families, governors, the local authority and partner professionals.
• The skills to use data, reflection and self-evaluation to inform planning, decision-making and sustained school improvement.
• Sound understanding of school finance and resource management, ensuring decisions are responsible, transparent and focused on children’s best interests.
• Calm, resilient and reflective leadership, with strong organisational skills and the ability to plan, prioritise and delegate effectively.
• Integrity, professionalism and discretion, with a clear commitment to ethical leadership and public service values.
Above all, you will be someone who believes deeply in early childhood education, who can act as a confident advocate for nursery provision, and who will protect and strengthen the distinctive ethos of Royal Spa Nursery School while leading it into its next chapter.
What the school offers its staff
What we can offer you
We offer a rare and rewarding opportunity to lead a highly regarded, local authority–maintained nursery school with a strong reputation for excellence, inclusion and kindness.
In this role, you can expect:
• The opportunity to lead an Outstanding nursery school with a deeply embedded child-centred ethos and a clear, shared vision.
• A committed, skilled and reflective staff team who value collaboration, professional development and high-quality early years practice.
• Supportive and engaged governors who work in close partnership with the Headteacher and value strong, ethical leadership.
• The chance to shape the future of nursery education, acting as a visible advocate for young children and early years provision locally and beyond.
• A nurturing school community with strong relationships with families, the local authority and partner professionals.
• Exceptional outdoor learning spaces that are integral to the curriculum and daily life of the school.
• A role that balances strategic leadership with meaningful teaching, allowing you to remain closely connected to children and practice.
This is an opportunity to lead with purpose, protect what makes Royal Spa special, and make a lasting difference in the lives of young children at a formative stage of their learning journey.
Further details about the role
Recruitment process and key dates
We encourage applicants to engage fully with the recruitment process and, where possible, to visit the school ahead of submitting an application.
• School visits: 23, 26 and 27 February. Applicants are warmly encouraged to visit the school. To arrange a visit, please contact the school office in advance.
• Closing date for applications: Friday 27 February, 11.59pm. Applications must be submitted using the Brighton & Hove application form and received by the closing time.
• Shortlisting: 6 March Shortlisted candidates will be contacted by phone or email.
• Interview days: 19 and 20 March. Candidates should be available to attend interviews on both days. Following the first interview day, selected candidates will be invited to attend a further interview on day two.
• Outcome: Candidates will be informed of the outcome either on the evening of the final interview day or as soon as possible thereafter. Appointment is subject to satisfactory references and safeguarding checks.
Commitment to safeguarding
Our organisation is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. We expect all staff, volunteers and trustees to share this commitment. Our recruitment process follows the keeping children safe in education guidance. Offers of employment may be subject to the following checks (where relevant): childcare disqualification Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) medical online and social media prohibition from teaching right to work satisfactory references suitability to work with children You must tell us about any unspent conviction, cautions, reprimands or warnings under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975.