Headteacher

This is a Foundation School which is part of a Trust; the employer will be the Governing Body of the School.

Gosforth East Middle School
Harewood Road
Newcastle Upon Tyne
NE3 5JT

Required for September 2026

Gosforth East Middle School (GEMS) is a warm, caring and ambitious school for pupils aged 9 to 13, offering a rich, happy and stimulating environment where children learn, grow and thrive. GEMS is a high achieving four form middle school with over 550 pupils. The school has a real family feel to it, with staff, pupils, parents and governors working together. Our staff stay with us developing their skills and growing with us, as well as being hugely committed to the academic and personal development of our pupils.

The happiness and wellbeing of all pupils and staff is really important to us. Help us maintain GEMS as a school that pupils want to come to, teachers are proud to work in and the governing body is pleased to support. Due to the retirement of our current Headteacher, we have a rare and exciting opportunity for an experienced and inspirational educational professional to join our community as our new Headteacher.

We believe that while developing academically is important, and we have a long history of academic excellence across Key Stage 2 and 3 in school, it is also just as important to develop children holistically and GEMS actively promotes a school that is inclusive of all children and celebrates children’s uniqueness; we believe in developing the personality of the child including spiritual, moral, social, cultural and academic aspects of development.

We have amazing outdoor areas incorporating a large playground, a vast playing field, a multi-use games area and outdoor classrooms including our Eco-classroom. We have invested in OPAL play which allows pupils to benefit from outdoor activities, often to the accompanying musical instruments and singing coming from the music room! While lunchtime inside GEMS sees a wide variety of clubs taking place from Drawing to Warhammer, Lego Club and Pondbusters. Pupils at GEMS also benefit from an extensive range of trips and enrichment activities, which are recognised as a significant strength of the school.

Our ethos places great importance on high expectations, positive relationships and a well-planned curriculum that prepares pupils well for their next stage of education. As a role model for our values and ethos we would expect to see you, and the leadership team, in the playground at the start and end of the day making yourself available to both pupils and parents, being a visible presence at all times of the day, including providing support where required in lessons and supporting school events.

You will join with us to develop and promote a strategic vision for the future which builds on the progress we have made, encompasses our values, recognises changes and developments in education and celebrates who we are at GEMS.

As well as having excellent teaching and professional credentials, you will be an inspirational leader with the ability to motivate and empower all pupils and staff at GEMS.

You will be able to demonstrate exciting whole school changes you have introduced from creative sparks to effective operational plans and will be able to evidence effective management of resources and finances.

We warmly welcome potential applicants to visit the school and experience our community firsthand. You will have the opportunity to tour the school with the Chair of Governors and other staff members.

Friday 27th March 9.00-11.00am
Wednesday 1st April 1.30-3.00pm

To arrange your visit, please contact our School Business Manager, Jenny Ward, at [email protected]

A completed application form must be submitted by Monday 20th April at 4pm to [email protected]

Candidates will be advised if they have been shortlisted for interview by Thursday 23rd April.

If you have any questions, our Chair of Governors can be contacted at: [email protected]

Interview will take place on Monday 27th and Tuesday 28th April .

Gosforth East Middle School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all children and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. The successful candidate will be subject to an enhanced DBS check and all other required vetting processes.