Headteacher

• Address: Sprites Primary Academy, Ipswich, Suffolk IP2 0SA
• Salary: £78,702 - £91,158 pro rata (L18 - L24)
• Hours: Full Time
• Contract: Permanent. Required from April 2026
• Reference: 8195

Are you an experienced, passionate educational leader looking for an exciting opportunity to make a real difference in the lives of our children? Sprites Primary Academy is a thriving and exceptional two-form entry primary school, with a nursery, serving a local community in Ipswich. 

Our Vision: 

A fun and exciting centre of excellence that nurtures and inspires young minds to be fearless and change the world 

Our Aims: 

• Provide an environment that is safe, joyful, fair and full of hope 
• Nurture our children to become kind, caring, polite citizens of the world 
• Break down barriers, smash ceilings, ignite belief so that our pupils become highly aspirational learners 
• Deliver a relevant curriculum that tackles the big issues of our times, fearless and filled with controversy and debate so that we motivate our pupils to become passionate, lifelong learners with a truly global outlook
• Place our children at the centre of our world, all of our thinking revolves around their needs 
• Create a culture of high expectations, high enjoyment and high challenge 
• Become a beacon school where others come to learn; a school that transcends its perceived barriers 

Our Values: 

Our school crest, proudly created by our pupils, encapsulates all of our values. The central images represent our three 'Life Values' – Safe, Polite, Aspirational – named so as they are universal and go beyond the school gates into every aspect of our lives. They are ways of 'being' rather than a set of 'rules', helping to shape us into positive citizens of the world. 

Our school motto is simple, yet powerful: Fearless 

If there is one quality we want to instil, it is to be fearless. We have a strong sense of self and belief. We are strong in our moral purpose and will therefore be resolute in our actions. We will not accept any tag, label or ceiling and our children can achieve anything they want. They have no fear. They are fearless 

What we are looking for in our next Headteacher:  

We are seeking an outstanding senior leader with the passion and drive to build on our strengths. You will lead, motivate, develop, and inspire a team of staff and governors who are committed to providing pupils with a wide range of enriching experiences. We welcome applications from existing headteachers and talented deputy headteachers who have the knowledge and expertise to help us raise outcomes and consistently deliver excellence.  

You will have a clear understanding of what it takes for a school to maintain the highest standards of teaching and learning, whilst having the expertise to embed a culture of continuous improvement. Additionally, you will demonstrate the ability to manage, prioritise, and organise your workload, show flexibility and resilience, and recognise the need for pastoral care for all members of the school community.  

Community engagement and outreach are important at Sprites Primary Academy, and we seek a headteacher who will work to further raise the school's profile in the local community to improve family engagement and pupil attendance.  

A commitment to supporting wellbeing and mental health is essential.  

We are a caring employer who invests in the future of our employees, as only through their excellence can we deliver excellence for the children and families we serve.   

As a member of REAch2 Academy Trust, a national family of primary academies, Ranikhet Academy is committed to raising standards and achieving excellence for all pupils, regardless of their background or circumstances. The trust provides a strong culture of collaboration and support, with high expectations for staff and pupils alike.   

Key Responsibilities:  

• Lead, motivate, and inspire a dedicated team of educators  
• Drive excellence in teaching and learning  
• Foster strong relationships with parents and the wider community  
• Ensure the delivery of an exciting, broad, and engaging curriculum  
• Uphold and promote our core values: high expectations, integrity, nurturing, always learning, working together, and taking responsibility, guide us daily
• Supporting our vision: Aim high and achieve together

Requirements:  

• Proven track record of excellence in educational leadership  
• Experience in managing highly effective teams  
• Commitment to providing exceptional educational opportunities for all children  
• Rela tional and proactive approach with parents and the community  
• Ability to inspire, challenge, and motivate 

Why Work with REAch2 Academy Trust? 

Join REAch2 Academy Trust, one of the UK's largest primary academy trusts, with a mission to unlock the potential of every child, regardless of their background. Here's why joining our team can be an exciting and fulfilling career choice: 

• Excellence and Development: We prioritise high standards and offer extensive professional development and career growth opportunities. 
• Supportive and Collaborative: Be part of a strong, collaborative community of over 60 schools where every voice is valued, and best practices are shared. 
• Well-being Focus: We promote a healthy work-life balance and offer robust well-being support for all staff. 
• Diversity and Inclusion: We celebrate diversity and believe that varied perspectives strengthen our schools. 
• Innovation and Impact: Bring creativity to the classroom and make a real difference in children's lives. 
• Making a difference: Working with REAch2 means contributing to something bigger than yourself. You will be helping to shape the lives of young learners, making a meaningful impact on communities and future generations.

Join us to grow your career, collaborate with passionate educators, and make a lasting impact on future generations. 

Benefits 

Join REAch2 for a rewarding career with great benefits We offer a range of benefits to support your career and well-being: 

• Generous Annual Leave: healthy work-life balance. 
• Professional Development: Access diverse CPD and training opportunities to grow your skills. 
• Flexible and Family-Friendly: We are committed to supporting flexible working and requests will be considered on an individual basis, including options such as part time, term-time, home working, and other options that work for both the employee and the trust.   
• Exclusive Discounts: Benefit from Blue Light Card offers and employee perks. 
• Well-being Support: Receive comprehensive well-being and employee assistance for you and your family. 

At REAch2 we recognise that those who work in an academy are in a unique position in their care of children. The responsibility for all staff to safeguard pupils and promote their welfare, as stated in Section 175 of the Education Act is one that is central to our ethos, our policies and our actions. All children are deserving of the highest levels of care and safeguarding, regardless of their individual characteristics or circumstances, and we are committed to applying our policies to ensure effective levels of safeguarding and care are afforded to all our pupils.   

How to apply

Please read the Headteacher Recruitment Pack (pdf)

School visits are encouraged, please contact Sinead Harper, Deputy Director of Education: to arrange an informal discussion or a school visit. 

Please feel free to contact the HR team by either calling or emailing:

To find out more, please visit our website (My New Term)

Closing date: 18 December 2025.

Interview date: 15 January 2026.

The candidates selected for interview will be informed after shortlisting and full details of the interview programme will be provided. 

We will seek to recruit the best applicant for the job based on the abilities, qualifications, experience as measured against the job description and person specification. The recruitment and selection of staff will be conducted in a professional, timely and responsive manner and in compliance with current employment legislation, and relevant safeguarding legislation and statutory guidance. An enhanced DBS disclosure will be requested for all successful candidates, including a Children's Barred List check if the role meets the criteria for regulated activity. 

For more information about our safer recruitment processes, please click here for our Safer Recruitment Policy. 

All information is stored securely, and any information supplied by unsuccessful candidates will be destroyed through a confidential waste system six months after the decision has been communicated, in accordance with our information and records retention policy.  

The trust ensures all applicant data is stored and processed appropriately. For further details on how your information will be managed during the recruitment process please refer to our Privacy Notice for Job Applications.