Commencement: 1st September 2026
A unique time to join our committed and passionate team wanting the best for the pupils they teach and to secure rapid improvement working with our school community. You are welcome and encouraged to contact school to discuss the vacancy / look around and meet our Headteacher.
Letter from our recently appointed Headteacher:
Thank you for taking the time to look at this application pack. We are seeking a highly motivated and committed leader who can join our dedicated school team on our school improvement journey.
John Clifford is a two-form entry school in central Beeston, it is a very welcoming place and the school is a proud member of the White Hills Park Trust. As Headteacher, I am relatively new to role (January 26) and we are embarking on an exciting next chapter for the school alongside the existing positive and skilled team. It is a school that serves a great community, with wonderful children at the heart of our work.
We are looking for a Deputy Headteacher who has high expectations for behaviour and attainment for all learners and who can work effectively across our primary school. Experience in curriculum design and highly effective teaching and learning practice is desirable.
Our school is focused on strengthening our quality-first teaching offer, ensuring our curriculum is purposeful and impactful to ensure greater consistency and improved outcomes for all our pupils. Our vision at John Clifford is:
“Be your best, celebrate success!”
Alongside the expectation that children follow John Clifford Promises:
• Be kind and caring.
• Take care of myself and others.
• Make everyone welcome.
• Be positive and proud.
• Take care of my community and my world.
• Take care of my work.
At John Clifford School, building relationships with our pupils and their families is vital to our success. We celebrate being able to offer an inclusive education to a diverse community and it is what makes our school special and unique.
As we move forward, we want to strengthen our curriculum offer to further inspire our children to be ambitious for their futures, providing opportunities for their academic and personal development. We are focused on engaging in research-informed practice and implementing the most effective approaches to teaching and learning. We strive for every individual to be on a journey with their learning, developing their curiosity of character and their spirit of contribution enabling them to be change makers.
Our staff team is friendly, supportive, and committed. Our school site offers an outdoor learning area, nurture facilities and spacious learning environments.
The Deputy Headteacher we appoint will be someone with initiative, experience of school improvement, strong interpersonal skills, and the ability to work as part of a team to make a significant impact on the direction of our school.
This post would include the Deputy Head ‘acting up’ one day a week in the role of Headteacher. This will be an excellent opportunity for an individual who is aspiring for future Headship.
I would be very happy to speak with you and we welcome you to visit the school if you are interested in the post or have any questions.
Kind regards,
Hannah Roberts
Headteacher
Application Details:
White Hills Park Trust White Hills Park Trust comprises of nine successful schools across Nottinghamshire, six primary, two secondary (one including a sixth form) and one special school. It’s an exciting time as the Trust is embarking on a period of steady growth with further schools joining us soon. We are committed to supporting the wellbeing and career aspirations of our staff team.
Our partnership of schools is united by shared ethos and values, working in deep collaboration to give all our children the best possible start in life. Our mission is to provide the very best opportunities and outcomes for young people. Our staff work closely together to deliver high quality teaching and learning, share good practice, pool resources and participate in joint projects for the benefit of pupils.
Further information about the Trust can be found at About Us (whptrust.org)
If you’re an aspiring school leader with a passion for raising standards, developing outstanding teaching and leading, and inspiring children through our curriculum, we’d love to hear from you.
About the Role
As our Deputy Headteacher, you will play a pivotal role in shaping the strategic direction of our school, with a particular focus on standards, assessment, and curriculum leadership, to develop exceptional teaching and learning. You’ll work in close partnership with the Headteacher, acting as a trusted ‘critical friend’ and supporting the wider leadership team to drive school improvement.
The role includes a teaching commitment (0.4) and leadership time, balanced to support our school's continuous improvement and your own development. This is a key role for someone with a relentless drive to improve outcomes, who is ready to lead across the school and contribute to its long-term vision.
We Can Offer You:
• A commitment to your professional development and growth through recognising achievements, inclusivity, collaboration and wellness
• A clear leadership development pathway, including access to the full suite of National Professional Qualifications (NPQs)
• Access to high-quality CPD at every stage of your career, including preparation for future headship
• Strategic responsibility across curriculum, teaching and learning, and assessment
• Opportunities for career progression across the White Hills Park Trust
• A balance of class responsibility and leadership time
• Access to the Schools Advisory Service (SAS), offering counselling, health advice and wellbeing clinics
• A fantastic workplace where happiness happens every day for both children and staff
We Are Looking for Someone Who:
• Is a consistently strong classroom practitioner with high expectations
• Has experience in whole-school leadership and improvement with clear impact
• Understands whole-school evaluation and can use it to inform strategy
• Puts children’s wellbeing and success at the heart of all decisions
• Embraces creativity and maintains a positive outlook
• Is fascinated by the learning process and seeks new ideas and research
• Is willing to take informed risks to help every child thrive
• Is committed to their own development as a facilitator of learning
• Inspires and supports fellow staff and children
• Has great ideas and is eager to share them
• Values every member of the school community
• Believes in each child and has high aspirations for their achievement
• Brings energy, enthusiasm, and a passion for inclusive, values-led education
• Will go the extra mile to ensure every child gets an exceptional offer
Application Details
We strongly encouraged interested applicants to ring our office to arrange a tour of the school with the Headteacher.
Applications for the post must be submitted by Midday on Monday 11 May 2026 via our online application form, which can be found at Careers | The White Hills Park Trust or by clicking the ‘apply now’ link.
Interviews to be held: Monday 18 May 2026
Early application is strongly encouraged, as we reserve the right to close the advert ahead of the closing date.
White Hills Park Trust welcomes applications from all, irrespective of age, disability, sex, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief and marriage and civil partnerships.
The Trust is a Pathfinder for the Framework for Ethical Leadership in Education and expects all leaders to embody these values in their daily work.
All posts are subject to safeguarding responsibilities (relevant to the role), including the duty to protect and promote the welfare of children and young people, and to adhere to the Trust’s safeguarding policies and procedures. You will be subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. References will be called prior to interview and online searches may be carried out on shortlisted candidates as part of due diligence checks. It is an offence to apply for the role if an applicant is barred from engaging in regulated activity relevant to children (where the role involves this type of regulated activity).
Claire Shaw
CEO
