Vacancy: Headteacher - New Horizons Primary School in Portsmouth


New Horizons Primary School in Portsmouth is seeking to appoint an experienced individual to become its Headteacher. 

The Headteacher of New Horizons Primary School will provide leadership and management for the school ensuring a continual improvement and the delivery of a high quality, engaging and fulfilling cognitive education for all students.

The Headteacher will lead on further development in standards of teaching, learning and achievement.

The Headteacher will promote and safeguard the welfare of all children for whom the school and the Academy's Governing Board are responsible, and those with whom they come into contact.

Start date: May 2026

Closing date of advert: 26th October 2025

Interviews to be held: 4th & 5th November 2025 

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More about New Horizons Primary School

Teaching pupils to be their best

At New Horizons Primary School, the headteacher will play a central role in shaping a culture where kindness and striving to be your best are at the heart of everything.

They lead a school where children are taught that their individual efforts matter, that even small actions can have a powerful impact on others.

This message is brought to life through the school’s use of the Starfish Story, adapted from Loren Eiseley’s The Star Thrower, which inspires pupils to believe that every positive choice counts.

The head will ensure this ethos runs through daily school life, empowering both staff and pupils to make a difference, one meaningful action at a time.

Values led

The headteacher of New Horizons Primary School will work with the school community to uphold three core values that guide the work they do:

1. Are you ready?

  • Look, listen, and always give your best effort.

2. Are you being respectful?

  • Use kind words and actions.
  • Follow instructions.

3. Are you being safe?

  • Walk carefully around the school and in lessons.
  • Stay calm.
  • If there is a problem, tell an adult.

These values help us create a positive and supportive learning environment for everyone.

Attendance focused

The headteacher of New Horizons Priamry School will need to promote good attendance by creating a school culture where every day counts and every pupil feels seen, supported, and inspired to learn.

They lead by example – setting high expectations, celebrating success, and ensuring attendance is everyone’s responsibility.

With a clear focus on relationships, the head will work in partnership with families, staff, and the wider community to remove barriers and build trust.

By making school a place where children belong and want to be – safe, stimulating, and full of opportunity – the head will foster a sense of belonging that drives pupils to turn up, take part, and thrive.

Working with our Trust

Professional Development

Our Trust-led CPD provision offers pathways for professional development that each cater to different aspirations for how you wish to advance your career.

Staff are encouraged to reflect upon short-term and long-term goals through 'Think Ahead' fortnightly check-ins with line managers. We as a trust also offer subsidies to encourage staff to discover and attend courses that will enrich their knowledge of learning practices.

Transforming Life Chances

Everything we do, is centred around 'Child First'. We truly believe in the necessity of providing equal opportunity for all our students and young people; to be part of our trust is to be part of a collective that seeks to Transform Life Chances and ensure students have the opportunity to achieve their aspirations. 

The work we do is transformative for young people, and if you are passionate about having a positive impact, then a career in our trust might be the one for you. 

We Are One

As a family of schools we have an abundance of resources and accumulated knowledge; our collaborative network brings together experts within education as well as across our support staff divisions. 

We have a shared journey with a common goal of providing a transformative education to all our students. To this end, we enhance teaching and learning through our regional hubs, and across the trust.