Headteacher - Full-time

Selsted CEP School, Near Hawkinge

• Ref:KCC886-3160-32L
• Posted:01/06/2026
• Pay:£58,569 - £65,000
• Start Date:January 2027
• App Close Date:01/09/2026 at 12:00
• Interviews:24th and 25th September 2026

Advert

Are you an inspirational, outward‑looking leader with the ability to build on a school’s strengths, delivering a compelling Christian vision where every pupil can flourish?

The Governors of Selsted Church of England Primary School are seeking to appoint a new Headteacher to lead this much‑loved rural primary school, set within the beautiful countryside near the village of Selsted. Though small in size, the school has a strong identity, deep community roots, and a distinctive Christian ethos.

Selsted is a nurturing, relationship‑centred school where every child is known, valued, and supported to thrive. Each day begins with a breakfast minibus pick‑up and a warm welcome as staff greet children in the car park. A daily ritual that strengthens trust and belonging.

The school offers a distinctive and enriching educational experience, including:

• A strong commitment to outdoor learning
• Forest School sessions for all pupils
• A flock of friendly school chickens, giving children hands‑on responsibility
• A spacious field with an all‑weather Daily Mile track
• Close links with local churches especially of the Elham Valley Benefice and heritage sites

The Governors are looking for a Headteacher who:

• Leads with warmth, clarity, and a deep commitment to Christian values
• Builds strong relationships with pupils, staff, families, and the wider community
• Values outdoor learning, creativity, and the natural environment
• Champions inclusion and understands the opportunities and challenges of a small rural school
• Inspires and develops staff, nurturing a culture of collaboration and excellence
• Strengthens partnerships with churches, local organisations, and community groups

What Selsted Can Offer

A unique professional environment

• A close‑knit, dedicated staff team
• A setting where leadership has visible, meaningful impact
• A community that values tradition, innovation, and strong relationships

Career development and growth

• The chance to lead a school with a clear identity and strong Christian ethos
• Opportunities to innovate in outdoor learning, wellbeing, and curriculum design
• Experience working with church partnerships, sports networks, and heritage organisations
• A role that allows a leader to develop and showcase their leadership philosophy in a highly personalised setting

A school that has a strong community feel

• Children who are enthusiastic, kind, and eager to learn
• Supportive governors who will champion the Headteacher’s vision
• A community that takes pride in its school and works together to help it flourish

If you are a leader who believes in the power of relationships, community, and Christian values, and you are ready to make a lasting difference in a school with more than 150 years of history, the Governors warmly invite you to apply.

Information about the school

From its Victorian foundation to its 21st-century innovations, Selsted School has spent more than 150 years at the heart of its community, growing, adapting, and continuing its mission to educate, inspire, and serve.

Here at Selsted, in our unique, rural setting, we provide a happy, safe stimulating environment where children develop their love of learning. Through mutual respect and trust, children are given a voice and responsibility. We are brave, resilient and committed to making the impossible possible through God’s loving care.

Outdoor learning is central to our identity. Children benefit from:

· Forest School, encouraging resilience, teamwork, and curiosity

· Our much-loved school chickens, giving pupils hands-on responsibility and care

· A rich natural environment that supports exploration and wellbeing

These experiences form part of the unique offer that makes Selsted special.

Every child at Selsted takes part in at least one sports competition each year, ensuring inclusive access to physical activity and teamwork. We maintain a strong partnership with the Shepway Sports Trust, enhancing our PE provision and widening opportunities for pupils.

We support a small number of families through Flexi-schooling, working closely with parents to provide a tailored approach that meets individual needs while keeping children connected to school life.

The school has a nurturing reputation in both the local and wider community. Parents actively seek this school out due to their nurturing ethos, in March 2025 we were achieved the Nurture UK award here is a small snippet from the report.

At Selsted the Six Principles of Nurture dovetail with the ethos of the school. The school motto is: ‘From tiny acorns, mighty oaks grow within the love of God’. We believe in doing everything we can to help our children grow physically, socially, emotionally and academically to prepare them for the next stage in their lives. We use a nurturing approach to ensure success in this area. We provide a happy, safe, nurturing environment where children develop a love of learning. Our children are given a voice and encouraged to develop a sense of resilience and responsibility.

This year we have won Bronze at 2025-2026 Wilder Kent Awards, which was all thanks to the hard work of Mrs Hawkes and the children. There were 90 other organisations shortlisted with 25,000+ individuals recorded as having acted for nature. Their efforts resulted in a staggering 400,000+ people across the county receiving the nature benefits from the actions taken by the entrants. In total, almost 70 hectares were improved or restored for nature - that’s the size of 98 football pitches.

We are also part of the 'Folkestone, Ethos, School, Improvement, School, Limited' (FESI). This is a group of 6 other schools who we work closely with to support school improvement and pupil progress.

We encourage you to come and see the school for yourself. We are offering tours between: 22nd June - 25th June or 30th June - 3rd July

Job Contact Information

• Name:Mrs Clarke-Green
• Address:Selsted Church Of England Primary School, Selsted, Nr Hawkinge, Kent, CT15 7HH
• Telephone: 01303 844286
• Email: Office@selsted.kent.sch.uk

Documents

Below are documents that have been added to this vacancy.

• Selsted NNSP Report
• Child Protection Policy
• Year 5 Students Job Description
• Person Specification
• History , vision and daily life at Selsted
• Job Description
• Chair of Governors Letter