Headteacher
Vacancy
Blackmarston School

Dear Applicant,

Thank you for your interest in applying for the post of Headteacher of Blackmarston School, the newest member of Accordia Academies Trust.

Blackmarston School is a well-established and much-loved school in Hereford, serving children aged 2 to 11 with a range of complex learning needs, including PMLD, SLD and autism. Our school is built on a foundation of strong relationships, inclusive practice, and a commitment to helping every child thrive. It is a wonderful place where there is a genuine, friendly and welcoming atmosphere which you will feel as soon as you enter the school. This is because one of our fundamental aims is to ensure we provide a calm, supportive and safe environment for everyone.

The school has fantastic facilities, including extensive grounds which provide incredible learning opportunities. The wonderful staff are caring, and together we make a strong, dedicated team where every child and young person is treated with the proper respect to ensure that their rights, needs and aspirations, personal preferences and pathways remain central to the school’s organisation. To achieve this, we are committed to ensuring that we work in partnerships with our families, and also in collaboration with a wide range of professionals who can guide and support us in meeting the individual needs of our pupils, and therefore together contribute to enabling them all to learn, thrive and achieve.

We also recognise that by further developing strong links with the community we are promoting positive attitudes towards our pupils and the social inclusion of all, whilst developing access and opportunities, to continuing lifelong learning beyond Blackmarston and into adult life. In unison we are also enhancing the opportunities available to our pupils to make a unique contribution to their family, school and local community. Blackmarston is on a journey of transformation. Following an Ofsted inspection in June 2023, the school was judged to have serious weaknesses, prompting a period of reflection and renewal, resulting in it joining our Trust in March 2025. We are seeking a visionary and compassionate Headteacher who can build on the early progress made, lead curriculum development, and inspire excellence across the school. This is a fantastic opportunity to shape the future of a school that is deeply committed to its pupils and community.

Accordia Academies Trust, established in 2022, is a growing Multi-Academy Trust of 3 special schools, all in the Hereford area. The recruitment of the headteacher post is an important appointment for us in preparation for further schools joining in the near future as the right candidate will also be working within the Executive Leadership Team to fulfil the future vision for the Trust as well as the school. We are looking for a leader who is able to demonstrate their commitment to our vision and values for all our learners. We are certain that you will find the position both professionally and personally rewarding and will support you and your development.

We very much encourage you to visit the school where you will be warmly welcomed. To arrange this, for further information or to discuss making an application please contact Martin Blair at Hays Recruitment on 07908268091 or martin.blair@hays.com.

I wish you all the very best with your application.

Lisa Appleton
CEO, Accordia Academies Trust