Headteacher

Swaffham Meadow Primary School · PE37, East of England

Closing date: 2 December 2026 at midnight29 days left
Salary: Leadership Salary; L6-L10
Role: Headteacher
Posted: 3 November 2026

4 Sporle Road

Swaffham

Norfolk

PE37 7HL

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You apply on the DfE Teaching Vacancies service advert, not here.

Job description

Part of the Sapientia Education Trust Salary: Leadership Salary; L6-L10 Permanent Full Time Required Spring Term 2027 Lead a school. Shape its future. Are you ready for the next stage in your career? This is a rare opportunity to become Head of School at Swaffham Meadows Primary School during an exciting period of transformation and growth. Having recently joined Sapientia Education Trust, the school has embarked on a new chapter with a refreshed identity, ambitious vision, and plans to expand from its current small-school setting towards one-form entry, including the development of a new school building. We're seeking an inspirational and ambitious leader who is passionate about school improvement, committed to achieving the very best outcomes for children, and excited by the opportunity to shape the future of a growing school community. What you'll bring: Successful leadership experience within a primary setting A proven track record of driving school improvement High expectations for pupils, staff and outcomes A passion for developing outstanding teaching and learning The ability to build a positive, inclusive school culture Strong collaboration and relationship-building skills Why join Sapientia Education Trust? Extensive leadership support from experienced education professionals Access to specialist expertise in curriculum, SEND, safeguarding and school improvement Strong professional development opportunities across a growing trust of schools Teachers' Pension Scheme and Sodexo staff benefits package The opportunity to make a lasting impact on a school with enormous potential If you're a visionary leader ready to build on strong foundations and help create something truly special, we'd love to hear from you. Apply today and be part of the next chapter at Swaffham Meadows Primary School. How to apply: A recruitment pack is available from ‘Attachments’. For this vacancy, if you click on the ‘Apply for Job’ button, you will be redirected to our Trust’s website to apply via the online application form. Applications will be considered upon receipt; therefore, early applications are encouraged. Closing Date: 02 December 2026, 12 noon Interview Date: 07 December 2026 Sapientia 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. All staff must be prepared to undergo several vetting checks to confirm their suitability to work with children and young people. The Trust reserves the right to withdraw offers of employment where checks or references are deemed to be unsatisfactory The Trust welcomes applications from all sectors of the community. This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act and you will be required to undergo an Enhanced DBS check or Enhanced DBS check with barred list. If you have information to declare it may be protected under the Exceptions Orders and you may not be required to declare it. You will be asked to make a criminal conviction declaration if you are shortlisted for the post. Guidance about whether a conviction or caution should be disclosed can be found on the Ministry of Justice website.

School at a glance

Swaffham Meadow Primary School

Type: Academy sponsor led
Phase: Primary
Age range: 4 to 11
Local authority: Norfolk
Region: East of England
Religious character: Roman Catholic
Website: www.shcprimary.co.uk⁠ (opens in a new tab)

The school's record on Get Information About Schools⁠ (opens in a new tab)

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Published school data

Showing 6 of 24 retained publications in source order, newest editions first within each source. Open the published files for values and definitions.

Published school data: retained periods and publication files
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 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
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	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

Local area context

Showing 6 of 23 retained publications in source order, newest editions first within each source. Open the published files for values and definitions.

Local area context: retained periods and publication files
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 · E10000020 · 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 · E10000020 · 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 · E10000020 · 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 · E10000020 · 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 · E10000020 · 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 · E10000020 · 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): 2102024/25
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: 210. Display values may be rounded.
Published school capacity survey places, including sixth form and excluding nursery places; not the current GIAS capacity.
DfE: School capacity — school
Source dated 20 March 2026.
Published file
Publication version: 960750dd-6ed7-4e32-a9df-3cc9132bb1a4:2026-03-20T13:51:55.6118651+00:00
Academic year
Pupils on roll (SCAP): 802024/25
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: 80. Display values may be rounded.
DfE: School capacity — school
Source dated 20 March 2026.
Published file
Publication version: 960750dd-6ed7-4e32-a9df-3cc9132bb1a4:2026-03-20T13:51:55.6118651+00:00
Academic year
Unfilled places (SCAP): 1302024/25
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: 130. Display values may be rounded.
DfE: School capacity — school
Source dated 20 March 2026.
Published file
Publication version: 960750dd-6ed7-4e32-a9df-3cc9132bb1a4:2026-03-20T13:51:55.6118651+00:00
Academic year

Attendance and behaviour

Overall absence: 15.8%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: 15.76697%. Display values may be rounded.
DfE: Pupil absence in schools in England
Source dated 15 October 2026.
Published file
Publication version: bc053a9f-7963-4523-9e7b-08df18a929bb:2026-10-15T08:30:05.2587515+00:00:
Autumn and spring term
Persistent absence: 42.4%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: 42.37288%. Display values may be rounded.
DfE: Pupil absence in schools in England
Source dated 15 October 2026.
Published file
Publication version: bc053a9f-7963-4523-9e7b-08df18a929bb:2026-10-15T08:30:05.2587515+00:00:
Autumn and spring term
Permanent exclusions: 02024/25
Source and value: Permanent exclusions, 2024/25, Academic year, 0e388e4d-3748-49a4-984c-08dece27c222:2026-07-09T08:30:02.0602325+00:00:
Published value: 0. Display values may be rounded.
DfE: Suspensions and permanent exclusions in England
Source dated 9 July 2026.
Published file
Publication version: 0e388e4d-3748-49a4-984c-08dece27c222:2026-07-09T08:30:02.0602325+00:00:
Academic year

Staff

Teachers (headcount): 42025/26
Source and value: Teachers (headcount), 2025/26, Academic year, 32476c77-5ff3-4efb-ad1e-a2173e74a4d4:2026-08-17T14:32:16.1351756+00:00:
Published value: 4. Display values may be rounded.
DfE: Size of the school workforce
Source dated 17 August 2026.
Published file
Publication version: 32476c77-5ff3-4efb-ad1e-a2173e74a4d4:2026-08-17T14:32:16.1351756+00:00:
Academic year
Teachers (FTE): 4.02025/26
Source and value: Teachers (FTE), 2025/26, Academic year, 32476c77-5ff3-4efb-ad1e-a2173e74a4d4:2026-08-17T14:32:16.1351756+00:00:
Published value: 4. Display values may be rounded.
DfE: Size of the school workforce
Source dated 17 August 2026.
Published file
Publication version: 32476c77-5ff3-4efb-ad1e-a2173e74a4d4:2026-08-17T14:32:16.1351756+00:00:
Academic year
Leadership (headcount): 22025/26
Source and value: Leadership (headcount), 2025/26, Academic year, 32476c77-5ff3-4efb-ad1e-a2173e74a4d4:2026-08-17T14:32:16.1351756+00:00:
Published value: 2. Display values may be rounded.
DfE: Size of the school workforce
Source dated 17 August 2026.
Published file
Publication version: 32476c77-5ff3-4efb-ad1e-a2173e74a4d4:2026-08-17T14:32:16.1351756+00:00:
Academic year

Results

KS2: expected standard in reading, writing and maths: 0.0%2024/25
Source and value: KS2: expected standard in reading, writing and maths, 2024/25, Academic year · Final, 18790b4d-31f8-4884-80b6-6a2bb35c16a3:2026-05-21T12:58:37.2090547+00:00:
Published value: 0%. Display values may be rounded.
DfE: Key stage 2 performance tables
Source dated 21 May 2026.
Published file
Publication version: 18790b4d-31f8-4884-80b6-6a2bb35c16a3:2026-05-21T12:58:37.2090547+00:00:
Academic year · Final
KS2: published eligible pupil number: 152024/25
Source and value: KS2: published eligible pupil number, 2024/25, Academic year · Final, 18790b4d-31f8-4884-80b6-6a2bb35c16a3:2026-05-21T12:58:37.2090547+00:00:
Published value: 15. Display values may be rounded.
Published eligible pupil number (telig) from DfE's Key stage 2 institution level - Schools (School information), for the same release, year and period as the results; not the whole-school roll.
DfE: Key stage 2 performance tables
Source dated 21 May 2026.
Published file
Publication version: 18790b4d-31f8-4884-80b6-6a2bb35c16a3:2026-05-21T12:58:37.2090547+00:00:
Academic year · Final
KS2: higher standard in reading, writing and maths: 0.0%2024/25
Source and value: KS2: higher standard in reading, writing and maths, 2024/25, Academic year · Final, 18790b4d-31f8-4884-80b6-6a2bb35c16a3:2026-05-21T12:58:37.2090547+00:00:
Published value: 0%. Display values may be rounded.
DfE: Key stage 2 performance tables
Source dated 21 May 2026.
Published file
Publication version: 18790b4d-31f8-4884-80b6-6a2bb35c16a3:2026-05-21T12:58:37.2090547+00:00:
Academic year · Final

Money

Published deprivation FSM6 pupil premium: £15,5002026/27
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: 15500. 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.
Published file
Current conditions of grant
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: £5,0012026/27
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: 5001.25. 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.
Published file
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: £10,8792025
Source and value: Income per pupil, 2025, Reporting year ending, response-sha256:81e5c486526fc4281597edd63b952212216364711d018cccec3993dfc7fcb9a2
Published value: 10878.67808988764. Display values may be rounded.
DfE Financial Benchmarking and Insights Tool: CFR/AAR income per pupil
Published file
Publication version: response-sha256:81e5c486526fc4281597edd63b952212216364711d018cccec3993dfc7fcb9a2
Reporting year ending

Official school links

Sacred Heart Catholic Voluntary Aided Primary School · Predecessor · 2024-08-31GIAS · 3 November 2026

These are separate school records. Their figures are not combined.

Part of SAPIENTIA EDUCATION TRUST (Multi-academy trust)

Latest Ofsted inspection

Graded inspection (previous framework)
Inspected 7 February 2024, published 18 March 2024 · S5 Inspection · number 10295112
Ofsted's file records this inspection under URN 147290.
Category of concern
Serious Weaknesses
Overall effectiveness
Inadequate
Quality of education
Inadequate
Behaviour and attitudes
Requires improvement
Personal development
Good
Leadership and management
Requires improvement
Safeguarding is effective
Yes
Early years
Requires improvement
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) · 3 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

7 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.

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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.