Headteacher
Sandringham School · AL4, East of England
- Closing date
- 14 days left
- Salary
- Leadership scale L37-43
- Role
- Headteacher
- Posted
You apply on the DfE Teaching Vacancies service advert, not here.
Job description
Headteacher - Sandringham School, St Albans Location: St. Albans, Hertfordshire Role type: Full-time, Permanent Salary: Leadership scale L37-43 Required: September 2027 An Invitation to lead and learn Sandringham School is an outstanding, co-educational secondary school in St. Albans. While we are very proud of our inclusive culture, pastoral care, academic tradition and strong reputation, we remain a grounded learning community that constantly seeks to learn, adapt, and refine the craft of teaching. We are looking for an intelligent, thoughtful leader with a genuine passion for education to guide our school into its next chapter. Whether you are an ambitious Deputy Headteacher ready for your first headship or an experienced Headteacher seeking a dynamic setting to add further value through your leadership, Sandringham offers a wonderful environment in which to lead, grow, and make a lasting impact. Why Sandringham? At Sandringham, we view education as a continuous journey of improvement, for both our students and our staff. Our school culture is built on mutual respect, curiosity, and a shared dedication to professional development. Joining us means working alongside: Highly motivated and curious students who develop significant independence and are well-supported by parents who deeply value the school and its staff. A collaborative team of teachers and support staff who care deeply about their subjects or area of work, and highly inclusive and who constantly seek to refine their skills. A vibrant sixth-form community that measures a third of the school population, and delivers an exceptional curriculum and extra-curriculum provision. Staff who enjoy a rich extra-curricular life, with strong performing arts provision, sporting tradition and established Post-16 partnership work through the local BeauSandVer consortium. Leaders and senior executives from across our family of schools in the Ambition Education Trust to lead strategic development; an inspiring cross-phase multi-academy trust where we strive for excellence in everything we do. An even wider group of professionals across the Alban Teaching School Hub, hosted at Sandringham, including the significant ITT programme training over 70 new teachers each year. Similarly minded professionals who see research and evidence-based practice as an everyday feature of our working. The Opportunity We do not believe in standing still. We want a Headteacher who will build on our strong foundations while bringing fresh perspective, humility, and strategic insight. In this role, you will: Develop the craft of teaching by maintaining a clear focus on evidence-informed pedagogy, curriculum design, and teacher development across all career stages. Drive continuous improvement by identifying practical ways to enhance provision and raise aspirations for every student. Serve our community by adding meaningful value to our immediate St. Albans community and contribute actively across the eleven schools in the Ambition Education Trust. Lead with warmth and humility to foster an open, supportive culture where high expectations go hand-in-hand with care for student and staff wellbeing. Who we are looking for We welcome applications from both experienced Deputy Headteachers ready to step into headship and serving Headteachers looking for a new leadership challenge. Our ideal candidate will demonstrate: A deep commitment to learning and the continuous development of teaching. Intellect, authenticity, and the humility to collaborate with and learn from others. Strategic vision paired with practical, sound operational judgment. An unyielding commitment to the achievement, wellbeing, and personal development of all young people. A clear passion for working within the AET to drive networking and collaboration for the benefit of all. If you would like to know more Prospective candidates are welcome to visit the school. Visits can be arranged through Sarah Kemp, executive PA KempSa@sandringham.aetrust.uk . Further details, including the application pack, are available on our website https://sandringham.herts.sch.uk/ Closing Date for applications: Monday 16th November 2026 at 9am Interview Date: Monday 30th November and Tuesday 1st December 2026 Ambition Education Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Appointment to a post at AET is subject to a satisfactory enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check, as well as other pre-appointment checks including an online check, as outlined in Keeping Children Safe in Education. We are committed to the aim of ensuring that everyone who applies to work for us receives fair treatment and we positively encourage applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates regardless of age, disability, race, sex, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, religion or belief, marriage and civil partnership and caring status. We expect all our staff to demonstrate a commitment to advancing equality of opportunity and fostering good relations.
School at a glance
Sandringham School
- Type
- Academy converter
- Phase
- Secondary
- Age range
- 11 to 18
- Local authority
- Hertfordshire
- Region
- East of England
- Religious character
- Does not apply
The school's record on Get Information About Schools (opens in a new tab)
Published school data
Showing 6 of 32 retained publications in source order, newest editions first within each source. Open the published files for values and definitions.
| Publication | Period and coverage |
|---|---|
| DfE: Devolved formula capital allocations Edition b82db944-44bb-421e-ad2c-11aa1c5ccbd1 · https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6a0330cdcd2e0e8b5b20b4ae/school-capital-funding-allocations-for-2026-to-2027.xlsx:2026-05-14T11:00:06+01:00 Published file | 2026/27 · Financial year · source dated 14 May 2026 Schools listed by URN in the 2_Schools DFC sheet; excludes NMSS and SPI sheets Published school-level DFC allocation for capital projects. Excludes responsible-body SCA and CIF awards. |
| DfE: Devolved formula capital allocations Edition 4a6546b8-8677-4193-9f09-6af01ab6072c · https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6a0330cdcd2e0e8b5b20b4ae/school-capital-funding-allocations-for-2026-to-2027.xlsx:2026-05-14T11:00:06+01:00 Published file | 2026/27 · Financial year · source dated 14 May 2026 Schools listed by URN in the 2_Schools DFC sheet; excludes NMSS and SPI sheets Published school-level DFC allocation for capital projects. Excludes responsible-body SCA and CIF awards. |
| DfE: Pupil absence in schools in England Edition d589d60a-7f48-4951-8da9-7db6c499aa60 · bc053a9f-7963-4523-9e7b-08df18a929bb:2026-10-15T08:30:05.2587515+00:00: Published file | 2025/26 · Autumn and spring term · source dated 15 October 2026 {"geographic_level":"School","filters":null,"source":"DfE: Pupil absence in schools in England"} · sess_possible (absence); enrolments (persistent absence) sess_overall_percent; enrolments_pa_10_exact_percent; enrolments; sess_possible; sess_overall; enrolments_pa_10_exact |
| DfE: Pupil absence in schools in England Edition d589d60a-7f48-4951-8da9-7db6c499aa60 · bc053a9f-7963-4523-9e7b-08df18a929bb:2026-10-15T08:30:05.2587515+00:00: Published file | 2024/25 · Autumn and spring term · source dated 15 October 2026 {"geographic_level":"School","filters":null,"source":"DfE: Pupil absence in schools in England"} · sess_possible (absence); enrolments (persistent absence) sess_overall_percent; enrolments_pa_10_exact_percent; enrolments; sess_possible; sess_overall; enrolments_pa_10_exact |
| DfE: Pupil absence in schools in England Edition d589d60a-7f48-4951-8da9-7db6c499aa60 · bc053a9f-7963-4523-9e7b-08df18a929bb:2026-10-15T08:30:05.2587515+00:00: Published file | 2023/24 · Autumn and spring term · source dated 15 October 2026 {"geographic_level":"School","filters":null,"source":"DfE: Pupil absence in schools in England"} · sess_possible (absence); enrolments (persistent absence) sess_overall_percent; enrolments_pa_10_exact_percent; enrolments; sess_possible; sess_overall; enrolments_pa_10_exact |
| DfE: Pupil absence in schools in England Edition 79b26d03-8e91-4acf-9a3a-ab13e78aea0a · bc053a9f-7963-4523-9e7b-08df18a929bb:2026-10-15T08:30:05.2587515+00:00: Published file | 2025/26 · Autumn and spring term · source dated 15 October 2026 {"geographic_level":"School","filters":null,"source":"DfE: Pupil absence in schools in England"} · sess_possible (absence); enrolments (persistent absence) sess_overall_percent; enrolments_pa_10_exact_percent; enrolments; sess_possible; sess_overall; enrolments_pa_10_exact |
Local area context
Showing 6 of 25 retained publications in source order, newest editions first within each source. Open the published files for values and definitions.
| Publication | Period and coverage |
|---|---|
| DfE: Local authority pupil forecasts and planning areas Edition 040dd40c-1a68-4474-8216-3e2c2132e8f7 · 960750dd-6ed7-4e32-a9df-3cc9132bb1a4:2026-03-20T13:51:55.6118651+00:00 Published file | 2031/32 · Academic year · source dated 20 March 2026 Local authority · E10000015 · education_phase: Secondary · nc_year_group: Secondary total · Published primary and secondary phase totals by local authority or planning area Local authority pupil forecasts, with 2024/25 actuals, for the published phase total. Future periods are forecasts, not observed pupil counts. Planning area codes belong to this SCAP edition and are not assumed stable across editions. |
| DfE: Local authority pupil forecasts and planning areas Edition 040dd40c-1a68-4474-8216-3e2c2132e8f7 · 960750dd-6ed7-4e32-a9df-3cc9132bb1a4:2026-03-20T13:51:55.6118651+00:00 Published file | 2030/31 · Academic year · source dated 20 March 2026 Local authority · E10000015 · education_phase: Secondary · nc_year_group: Secondary total · Published primary and secondary phase totals by local authority or planning area Local authority pupil forecasts, with 2024/25 actuals, for the published phase total. Future periods are forecasts, not observed pupil counts. Planning area codes belong to this SCAP edition and are not assumed stable across editions. |
| DfE: Local authority pupil forecasts and planning areas Edition 040dd40c-1a68-4474-8216-3e2c2132e8f7 · 960750dd-6ed7-4e32-a9df-3cc9132bb1a4:2026-03-20T13:51:55.6118651+00:00 Published file | 2029/30 · Academic year · source dated 20 March 2026 Local authority · E10000015 · education_phase: Primary · nc_year_group: Primary total · Published primary and secondary phase totals by local authority or planning area Local authority pupil forecasts, with 2024/25 actuals, for the published phase total. Future periods are forecasts, not observed pupil counts. Planning area codes belong to this SCAP edition and are not assumed stable across editions. |
| DfE: Local authority pupil forecasts and planning areas Edition 040dd40c-1a68-4474-8216-3e2c2132e8f7 · 960750dd-6ed7-4e32-a9df-3cc9132bb1a4:2026-03-20T13:51:55.6118651+00:00 Published file | 2029/30 · Academic year · source dated 20 March 2026 Local authority · E10000015 · education_phase: Secondary · nc_year_group: Secondary total · Published primary and secondary phase totals by local authority or planning area Local authority pupil forecasts, with 2024/25 actuals, for the published phase total. Future periods are forecasts, not observed pupil counts. Planning area codes belong to this SCAP edition and are not assumed stable across editions. |
| DfE: Local authority pupil forecasts and planning areas Edition 040dd40c-1a68-4474-8216-3e2c2132e8f7 · 960750dd-6ed7-4e32-a9df-3cc9132bb1a4:2026-03-20T13:51:55.6118651+00:00 Published file | 2028/29 · Academic year · source dated 20 March 2026 Local authority · E10000015 · education_phase: Primary · nc_year_group: Primary total · Published primary and secondary phase totals by local authority or planning area Local authority pupil forecasts, with 2024/25 actuals, for the published phase total. Future periods are forecasts, not observed pupil counts. Planning area codes belong to this SCAP edition and are not assumed stable across editions. |
| DfE: Local authority pupil forecasts and planning areas Edition 040dd40c-1a68-4474-8216-3e2c2132e8f7 · 960750dd-6ed7-4e32-a9df-3cc9132bb1a4:2026-03-20T13:51:55.6118651+00:00 Published file | 2028/29 · Academic year · source dated 20 March 2026 Local authority · E10000015 · education_phase: Secondary · nc_year_group: Secondary total · Published primary and secondary phase totals by local authority or planning area Local authority pupil forecasts, with 2024/25 actuals, for the published phase total. Future periods are forecasts, not observed pupil counts. Planning area codes belong to this SCAP edition and are not assumed stable across editions. |
Showing 15 of 28 published figures, up to three per group. Open each source for the full published data.
Pupils
- School places (SCAP)
- 1,8102024/25
Source and value: School places (SCAP), 2024/25, Academic year, 960750dd-6ed7-4e32-a9df-3cc9132bb1a4:2026-03-20T13:51:55.6118651+00:00
Published value: 1810. Display values may be rounded.
Published school capacity survey places, including sixth form and excluding nursery places; not the current GIAS capacity.
Source dated 20 March 2026.
Publication version: 960750dd-6ed7-4e32-a9df-3cc9132bb1a4:2026-03-20T13:51:55.6118651+00:00
Academic year
- Pupils on roll (SCAP)
- 1,8152024/25
Source and value: Pupils on roll (SCAP), 2024/25, Academic year, 960750dd-6ed7-4e32-a9df-3cc9132bb1a4:2026-03-20T13:51:55.6118651+00:00
Published value: 1815. Display values may be rounded.
Source dated 20 March 2026.
Publication version: 960750dd-6ed7-4e32-a9df-3cc9132bb1a4:2026-03-20T13:51:55.6118651+00:00
Academic year
- Unfilled places (SCAP)
- 02024/25
Source and value: Unfilled places (SCAP), 2024/25, Academic year, 960750dd-6ed7-4e32-a9df-3cc9132bb1a4:2026-03-20T13:51:55.6118651+00:00
Published value: 0. Display values may be rounded.
Source dated 20 March 2026.
Publication version: 960750dd-6ed7-4e32-a9df-3cc9132bb1a4:2026-03-20T13:51:55.6118651+00:00
Academic year
Attendance and behaviour
- Overall absence
- 5.3%2025/26 · Autumn and spring term
Source and value: Overall absence, 2025/26 · Autumn and spring term, Autumn and spring term, bc053a9f-7963-4523-9e7b-08df18a929bb:2026-10-15T08:30:05.2587515+00:00:
Published value: 5.32871%. Display values may be rounded.
DfE: Pupil absence in schools in England
Source dated 15 October 2026.
Publication version: bc053a9f-7963-4523-9e7b-08df18a929bb:2026-10-15T08:30:05.2587515+00:00:
Autumn and spring term
- Persistent absence
- 10.3%2025/26 · Autumn and spring term
Source and value: Persistent absence, 2025/26 · Autumn and spring term, Autumn and spring term, bc053a9f-7963-4523-9e7b-08df18a929bb:2026-10-15T08:30:05.2587515+00:00:
Published value: 10.33058%. Display values may be rounded.
DfE: Pupil absence in schools in England
Source dated 15 October 2026.
Publication version: bc053a9f-7963-4523-9e7b-08df18a929bb:2026-10-15T08:30:05.2587515+00:00:
Autumn and spring term
- Permanent exclusions
- 12024/25
Source and value: Permanent exclusions, 2024/25, Academic year, 0e388e4d-3748-49a4-984c-08dece27c222:2026-07-09T08:30:02.0602325+00:00:
Published value: 1. Display values may be rounded.
DfE: Suspensions and permanent exclusions in England
Source dated 9 July 2026.
Publication version: 0e388e4d-3748-49a4-984c-08dece27c222:2026-07-09T08:30:02.0602325+00:00:
Academic year
Staff
- Teachers (headcount)
- 1292025/26
Source and value: Teachers (headcount), 2025/26, Academic year, 32476c77-5ff3-4efb-ad1e-a2173e74a4d4:2026-08-17T14:32:16.1351756+00:00:
Published value: 129. Display values may be rounded.
DfE: Size of the school workforce
Source dated 17 August 2026.
Publication version: 32476c77-5ff3-4efb-ad1e-a2173e74a4d4:2026-08-17T14:32:16.1351756+00:00:
Academic year
- Teachers (FTE)
- 114.02025/26
Source and value: Teachers (FTE), 2025/26, Academic year, 32476c77-5ff3-4efb-ad1e-a2173e74a4d4:2026-08-17T14:32:16.1351756+00:00:
Published value: 113.99. Display values may be rounded.
DfE: Size of the school workforce
Source dated 17 August 2026.
Publication version: 32476c77-5ff3-4efb-ad1e-a2173e74a4d4:2026-08-17T14:32:16.1351756+00:00:
Academic year
- Leadership (headcount)
- 82025/26
Source and value: Leadership (headcount), 2025/26, Academic year, 32476c77-5ff3-4efb-ad1e-a2173e74a4d4:2026-08-17T14:32:16.1351756+00:00:
Published value: 8. Display values may be rounded.
DfE: Size of the school workforce
Source dated 17 August 2026.
Publication version: 32476c77-5ff3-4efb-ad1e-a2173e74a4d4:2026-08-17T14:32:16.1351756+00:00:
Academic year
Results
- KS4: Attainment 8
- 65.72025/26
Source and value: KS4: Attainment 8, 2025/26, Academic year · Provisional, 5f2cbd6f-3524-4947-8c2c-08df1a222654:2026-10-15T08:30:04.8585722+00:00:
Published value: 65.7. Display values may be rounded.
DfE: Key stage 4 performance tables
Source dated 15 October 2026.
Publication version: 5f2cbd6f-3524-4947-8c2c-08df1a222654:2026-10-15T08:30:04.8585722+00:00:
Academic year · Provisional
- KS4: English and maths at grade 5 or above
- 84.4%2025/26
Source and value: KS4: English and maths at grade 5 or above, 2025/26, Academic year · Provisional, 5f2cbd6f-3524-4947-8c2c-08df1a222654:2026-10-15T08:30:04.8585722+00:00:
Published value: 84.4%. Display values may be rounded.
DfE: Key stage 4 performance tables
Source dated 15 October 2026.
Publication version: 5f2cbd6f-3524-4947-8c2c-08df1a222654:2026-10-15T08:30:04.8585722+00:00:
Academic year · Provisional
- 16–18: A level points per entry
- 42.112024/25
Source and value: 16–18: A level points per entry, 2024/25, Academic year · Final, a918dd51-e050-4e34-9179-d7e9ccc7b15b:2026-07-24T14:11:22.0308999+00:00:
Published value: 42.11. Display values may be rounded.
DfE: 16 to 18 performance tables
Source dated 24 July 2026.
Publication version: a918dd51-e050-4e34-9179-d7e9ccc7b15b:2026-07-24T14:11:22.0308999+00:00:
Academic year · Final
Money
- Published deprivation FSM6 pupil premium
- £102,3002026/27
Source and value: Published deprivation FSM6 pupil premium, 2026/27, Financial year, https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6ab0f5733f8e4e96a6a66a8e/pupil-premium-allocations-for-the-2026-to-2027-financial-year-september-2026.xlsx:2026-09-23T12:00:01+01:00
Published value: 102300. Display values may be rounded.
Published school-level deprivation FSM6 allocation only; excludes looked-after and previously looked-after children, alternative-provision census allocations and service pupil premium. This is not total pupil premium.
DfE: Published school deprivation FSM6 pupil premium
Source dated 23 September 2026.
Publication version: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6ab0f5733f8e4e96a6a66a8e/pupil-premium-allocations-for-the-2026-to-2027-financial-year-september-2026.xlsx:2026-09-23T12:00:01+01:00
Financial year
- Devolved formula capital
- £38,0822026/27
Source and value: Devolved formula capital, 2026/27, Financial year, https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6a0330cdcd2e0e8b5b20b4ae/school-capital-funding-allocations-for-2026-to-2027.xlsx:2026-05-14T11:00:06+01:00
Published value: 38081.879999999997. Display values may be rounded.
Published school-level DFC allocation for capital projects. Excludes responsible-body SCA and CIF awards.
DfE: Devolved formula capital allocations
Source dated 14 May 2026.
Publication version: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6a0330cdcd2e0e8b5b20b4ae/school-capital-funding-allocations-for-2026-to-2027.xlsx:2026-05-14T11:00:06+01:00
Financial year
- Income per pupil
- £8,6192025
Source and value: Income per pupil, 2025, Reporting year ending, response-sha256:56a139ba319ace3391fd6e4cbfc6339489d0331e95e383dddb9e2089d19d4ff5
Published value: 8618.831117226197. Display values may be rounded.
DfE Financial Benchmarking and Insights Tool: CFR/AAR income per pupil
Publication version: response-sha256:56a139ba319ace3391fd6e4cbfc6339489d0331e95e383dddb9e2089d19d4ff5
Reporting year ending
Official school links
- Sandringham School · Predecessor · 2011-04-01GIAS · 2 November 2026
These are separate school records. Their figures are not combined.
Part of AMBITION EDUCATION TRUST (Multi-academy trust)
- Sandringham School (opens in a new tab)
- Verulam School (opens in a new tab)
- St Albans Girls' School (opens in a new tab)
- Alban City School (opens in a new tab)
- The Adeyfield Academy (opens in a new tab)
- Beech Hyde Primary School and Nursery (opens in a new tab)
- Ridgeway Academy (opens in a new tab)
- Wheatfields Junior Mixed School (opens in a new tab)
- Wheatfields Infants' and Nursery School (opens in a new tab)
- Garden Fields Junior Mixed and Infant School (opens in a new tab)
- and 1 more
Latest Ofsted inspection
Graded inspection (previous framework)
Inspected , published · S5 Inspection · number 10242350
- Overall effectiveness
- Outstanding
- Quality of education
- Outstanding
- Behaviour and attitudes
- Outstanding
- Personal development
- Outstanding
- Leadership and management
- Outstanding
- Safeguarding is effective
- Yes
- Sixth form
- Outstanding
Ofsted's inspection reports for this school (opens in a new tab)
Sources
- Get Information About Schools (Department for Education) (opens in a new tab) · 2 November 2026
- Ofsted monthly management information: state-funded schools, latest inspections (opens in a new tab) · 30 September 2026
- DfE: Devolved formula capital allocations (opens in a new tab) · 2026/27 · Financial year · 14 May 2026
- DfE: Pupil absence in schools in England (opens in a new tab) · 2025/26 · Autumn and spring term · 15 October 2026
- DfE: School capacity — school (opens in a new tab) · 2024/25 · Academic year · 20 March 2026
- DfE: Schools, pupils and their characteristics (opens in a new tab) · 2025/26 · Academic year · 4 June 2026
- DfE: Suspensions and permanent exclusions in England (opens in a new tab) · 2024/25 · Academic year · 9 July 2026
- DfE: Pupil to teacher ratios (opens in a new tab) · 2025/26 · Academic year · 17 August 2026
8 further sources are not listed here; displayed figures retain their own source links.
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
Prepare for your interview
Vacancies are from the DfE Teaching Vacancies service (opens in a new tab), as the school published them. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.