Book your 2026 Secondment
Our secondment programme will run this year during w/c 22nd June 2026. We have opportunities to get a taste of leadership in a wide variety of schools, see below for an outline of the roles offered and a pen portrait of the school.
What does it involve?
The secondment programme is an opportunity for aspiring leaders to experience leadership in a different team and a different school. For more information click here.
How do I take part?
Complete the attached form where you can select your preferred school. Applications will be on a first come first served basis!
Alpington and Bergh Apton CE VA Primary School – POSITION FILLED
Secondment Role: Headteacher or Deputy Headteacher
Secondment Opportunity: Cross curricular approach to teaching and learning. Small school with mixed age classes.
About the School:Located in the village of Alpington, South Norfolk, this “Outstanding” church school serves children aged 4–11. It has a Number on Roll (NOR) of 140 pupils, taught in five mixed-age classes. The school serves a relatively affluent catchment, with Pupil Premium at 7%, well below national levels. Similarly, EAL is low at approximately 2%. The school maintains a strong inclusive ethos with SEND support at 11%. Known for its “Let every light shine” vision, Alpington provides a creative, high-attaining environment that draws families from both local villages and the wider Norwich area.
Ashleigh Primary School & Nursery
Secondment Role: Headteacher
Secondment Opportunity: To look at and be part of a highly performing SLT culture
About the School: Ashleigh Primary School and Nursery is an Outstanding community school in Wymondham, Norfolk. Serving ages 3 to 11, it has a Number on Roll of approximately 487 pupils. The school’s demographic includes 13.8% eligible for Pupil Premium and 8.4% with English as an Additional Language (EAL). Furthermore, 12.5% of pupils receive Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) support. Renowned for its inclusive ethos and high standards, Ashleigh provides an inclusive, ambitious environment where targeted interventions ensure all children, regardless of background, achieve progress aligned with or exceeding their peers.
Bure Valley School – John of Gaunt Infant – POSITION FILLED
Secondment Role: Deputy Headteacher
Secondment Opportunity: Cross-phase working from nursery-Y6. Strong CPD offer
About the School: Bure Valley and John of Gaunt schools are a federation located in the market town of Aylsham, and are part of the Aylsham Learning Federation. Bure Valley has a Number on Roll (NOR) of approximately 320. The school serves a broad demographic with Pupil Premium levels at 21%. EAL percentages are low at 3%. As a community-centric school, it provides strong SEND support to 16% of its pupils. Known for its “Care, Creativity, Challenge” framework, Bure Valley benefits from close links with Aylsham High School, offering pupils enriched facilities and a dynamic, collaborative curriculum.
Fred Nicholson School
Secondment Role: Any Senior Leadership role
Secondment Opportunity: To understand the running of a complex needs school and/or to look at transition for pupils through an all through school
About the School: Currently based in Dereham – with a planned move to a new purpose-built site in Swaffham – Fred Nicholson is a specialist school for children aged 7–16 with complex learning needs. It has a Number on Roll (NOR) of 197. As a specialist provider, 100% of students have SEND requirements. The school supports a high proportion of disadvantaged learners, with Pupil Premium eligibility at 52%. EAL percentages are low at 3%. The curriculum is deeply vocational and therapeutic, focusing on cognition, interaction, and social-emotional development to prepare students for independent adult futures within the Norfolk community.
Lakenham Primary School –
POSITION FILLED
Secondment Role: Headteacher or Deputy Headteacher/Inclusion Lead
Secondment Opportunity: Shadowing a Headteacher/Deputy Headteacher – Inclusion in a very mixed catchment school
About the School:
Located in inner-city Norwich, Lakenham is a bustling, two form entry inclusive school serving 440 pupils aged between 3–11. The school has established a creative culture, which ensure that the fantastic start the receive in Nursery and Reception (Ofsted Outstanding) is built on through the school. The learning environment both inside and outside school is highly effective, play based and enables children to think deeply. This includes Nature School where learning is taken outside for all children, from Nursery to year 6. What is grown in the school allotment is used in school dinners, which are cooked by the school chef, who also works with the London based charity Chefs in Schools. At lunchtime, the children are involved in the OPAL play strategy.
The school has a significantly diverse and changing community, including more children coming from leafy streets, significant EAL population of 43% who speak 52 different languages, supporting 23% who require extra support for SEND and large proportion of children who face significant social challenges, including 42% of the pupils being entitled to support from the Pupil Premium. Ofsted identified the school as a place where pupils thrive and subsequently judged Personal Development Outstanding – the report states “Personal Development is exceptional.” Matilda the school labrador supports the school community. It is a School of Sanctuary and a Rights Respecting School, with the motto “Enjoy, Aspire, Achieve”, Lakenham is a true community school.
Pilgrim Federation
Secondment Role: Headteacher
Secondment Opportunity: To see how four small rural schools can operate successfully in a Federation, what we make consistent and how the schools retain their identities.
About the School: The Pilgrim Federation comprises four small Church of England primary schools across North Norfolk. Combined, the federation has a Number on Roll (NOR) of approximately 155 pupils, allowing for small, nurturing class sizes. Across the sites, Pupil Premium averages 22%, though this varies between the individual villages. EAL is very low at under 2%. Given the rural nature and small cohorts, SEND percentages are around 20%, with a shared SENCo working across the four schools. The federation provides a unified, “irresistible” learning community rooted in Christian values and the unique coastal landscape.
Queen’s Hill Primary School
– POSITION FILLED
Secondment Role: Headteacher or Deputy Headteacher
Secondment Opportunity: An opportunity to have a taste of working in senior leadership team. Queen’s Hill Primary School is a large setting with opportunities to work across multiple year groups. We use a relational approach to behaviour management, focusing on positive relationships and restorative practices. Staff have access to a structured CPD and coaching programme to support professional development. The school also maintains strong links with families and the wider community.
About the School: Situated in the Costessey area of Norwich, Queen’s Hill is a large, modern primary serving a diverse community. It has a high Number on Roll (NOR) of approximately 550 pupils. The school’s profile reflects its urban setting, with Pupil Premium eligibility at 24% and a significant EAL population of 28%, representing many different languages. SEND provision is a core strength, supporting around 15% of pupils. Ofsted recently praised its “harmonious environment.” The school focuses on maximise potential through a nurturing, well-organised curriculum that celebrates its multicultural identity and high aspirations for every child.
Rackheath Primary School
Secondment Role: Headteacher
Secondment Opportunity: An opportunity to have a taste of working in senior leadership team
About the School: Located in the expanding village of Rackheath near Norwich, this one-form entry school serves children aged 3–11. With a Number on Roll (NOR) of approximately 210, it maintains a close-knit, community feel. The school’s demographic profile includes a Pupil Premium rate of around 14%, which is below the national average. English as an Additional Language (EAL) is low at approximately 3%. The school is highly inclusive, with SEND support at roughly 12%. Known for its “Inspiring Learning, Valuing All” ethos, Rackheath provides a vibrant environment with an on-site pre-school and strong local partnerships.
South Wootton Infant School
– POSITION FILLED
Secondment Role: Deputy Headteacher
Secondment Opportunity: Infant/Junior Federation – 2 form entry. To look at the Development of Teaching, Learning and Assessment Policy for Federation. Using VNET Teaching and Learning Audit – development of Teaching Triads to support staff development and coaching ethos.
About the School: South Wootton Infant school is in a quiet suburb of King’s Lynn although less than half children come from the catchment area. It is two form entry school with 156 pupils on roll currently. Pupil Premium (10%), SEND (17%) and EAL (13%). Many children start school below age related expectations from a variety of pre-school settings. At the end of Year 2, the majority of children leave having achieved age related expectations. Phonics and early reading is a strength as is Maths. Nearly all children move to South Wootton Junior School, with whom we have been federated since September 2024. Since September 2025 school has introduced provision for children with more complex needs. Currently this is used by 3 children.
Suffield Park Infant and Nursery School
Secondment Role: Headteacher
Secondment Opportunity: SEND and Inclusion, Nurture, Supporting complex needs children in mainstream, EYFS, mixed age management/school improvement planning/data analysis/leadership opportunities, shadowing, co-production of CPD, leading staff meeting etc./transition planning etc.
About the School: It has a Number on Roll (NOR) of approximately 130 pupils. The school is a hub for inclusive early years education, featuring a dedicated Speech and Language Special Resource Base (SRB) and two Enhanced SEND provisions (ESPs). SEND percentages are very high at roughly 50%, reflecting its specialist intake. Pupil Premium eligibility is around 18%, indicating a community with pockets of deprivation. EAL learners make up about 6% of the population. The school recently received a National Nurturing School Award, highlighting its commitment to social and emotional well-being.
Tas Valley Federation (Preston and Saxlingham)
Secondment Role: Executive Headteacher or Head of School
Secondment Opportunity: Opportunity to work across 2 successful small schools and see a successful Federation in operation. This includes key staff, including Executive Headteacher, Heads of School, SENCO, SBM and Subject Leaders working across the Federation. Opportunities to see how a shared curriculum is implemented and monitored. Opportunities to see what is distinctive about working in church school federation.
About the School: The Tas Valley Federation comprises Preston CE VC Primary and Saxlingham Nethergate CE VC Primary in South Norfolk. Operating as a unified partnership, the federation serves a combined Number on Roll (NOR) of approximately 190 pupils.
Across the two sites, the demographic profile remains relatively consistent: Pupil Premium eligibility is around 12-14%, significantly below the national average. English as an Additional Language (EAL) numbers are low, typically under 3%. However, the federation is strongly inclusive, supporting a SEND population of roughly 15%. Together, these village schools provide a nurturing, high-attaining environment rooted in Christian values.
The Parkside School – POSITION FILLED
Secondment Role: Any role!
Secondment Opportunity: Specialist provision
About the School: Located in the heart of Norwich, The Parkside School is a specialist setting for pupils aged 7–19 with complex learning and intellectual disabilities. With a Number on Roll (NOR) of 200, the school provides highly personalised pathways focusing on independence and communication rather than traditional GCSEs. Reflecting its specialist nature, 100% of pupils have an EHCP (SEND). Approximately 50% of pupils are eligible for Pupil Premium, significantly higher than the national average, ensuring targeted support. English as an Additional Language (EAL) remains low at around 4%, allowing for a concentrated focus on specialist speech and language provision.
Trowse Primary
Secondment Role: Headteacher
About the School: Tucked away in the unique “model village” of Trowse on the edge of Norwich, this popular school serves children aged 4–11. It has a Number on Roll (NOR) of 210. Founded by the Colman family originally, but now in a new building, it maintains a traditional yet modern feel. Pupil Premium eligibility is lower than average at 16%. EAL learners make up only 2% of the cohort. The school is oversubscribed and inclusive, with SEND support at 12%. Trowse has an excellent local reputation, particularly for its calm learning environment, high expectations, and high achievement, where pupils are encouraged to “Be Safe, Be Happy, Learn.”
Woodland View Junior School
Secondment Role: Headteacher, Deputy Headteacher or Head of School
Secondment Opportunity: Pupil Premium: analysis of impact including case sampling to inform next steps
About the School: The Care Federation brings together three schools in the Spixworth and Sprowston areas. Combined, the federation has a Number on Roll (NOR) of approximately 480 pupils. Across the sites, Pupil Premium eligibility averages 18%, while EAL numbers are relatively low at around 5%. The federation is characterized by its collaborative approach to SEND, which supports roughly 14% of the student population. By sharing resources and leadership, the federation ensures a consistent, high-quality educational journey from nursery through to Year 6, focusing heavily on emotional wellbeing and community spirit.
