DISS is set to become the latest place where one 'super-head' takes on the running of two schools.Diss Infant and Nursery with Children's Centre and Diss Junior are looking for an executive headteacher to end many years of having one leader each.
DISS is set to become the latest place where one 'super-head' takes on the running of two schools.
Diss Infant and Nursery with Children's Centre and Diss Junior are looking for an executive headteacher to end many years of having one leader each.
The move comes in the wake of a failed attempt by Diss Infant to recruit a suitable head - a problem that is growing across the country as baby boomers retire and fewer people put themselves forward for the top jobs.
The 201-pupil infant school is currently being led by acting headteacher Lyn Schug, while the junior school, with 218 students, will have a vacancy from July. Headteacher Keith Ridgway is on long-term sick leave.
The Rev Tony Billett, chairman of governors at Diss Infant, said: 'Our school is an outstanding school and we want to make sure we can recruit a strong leader to maintain our high standards of achievement and care.
'We have been working with Diss Junior to look at the possibility of creating a partnership, with an executive headteacher leading both schools.
'We believe this will enable us to attract a high calibre of candidates and will give both schools the opportunity to benefit from each other's strengths. The schools will continue to maintain their individual identities but will work together for the benefit of all of the children.'
There are currently 26 headteachers across Norfolk who run two or more schools, including two who have taken on a high school and a neighbouring junior school.
The advert for the executive headteacher in Diss says the two schools are seeking to come together in a 'vibrant partnership from Easter 2011'.
It adds: 'We can offer the challenge of one school which has been consistently deemed outstanding over the last six years and another which looks to become outstanding and is strongly linked to the church.
'There are many strong teachers and governors willing to be taken further. Have you a vision for such a challenge?'
The closing date for applications is June 7, with interviews scheduled for July 8 and 9.
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