Executive Headteacher

Job Role: Executive Headteacher of Greengate Junior School and Ramsden Infants and Nursery

Start Date: Wednesday 1st April 2026

Visa Sponsorship: Visas cannot be sponsored

Key Stage: Early Years, Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2

Working Pattern: Full Time

Contract Type: Permanent

Leadership Pay Range £78,702 - £91, 158

What Skills and Experience we're looking for

Central Barrow Schools Federation have a unique opportunity to appoint a new Executive Headteacher working across two separate sites at Greengate Junior School and Ramsden Infants and Nursery. Both are currently heading through a transition period where a positive reshaping of the schools' structure and strategy will be crucial to maintain and build on the successes of the previous long serving headteacher. We are looking for a visionary Executive Headteacher who can lead experienced staff through the transition, ensuring that our values, standards and community spirit remain strong while we adapt to change.

The Executive role is across two good schools within a deprived area, so most pupils start in the Nursery and Infant school below the national expectations but with excellent work from experienced staff leave Key Stage 2 in line of above national average. This is visible through excellent attainment results.

The combination of both schools leads to a higher than national average of SEND and EHCPs therefore experience in working with and managing Resource Provision and Alternative Provision is necessary. This is currently a success through the staff structures of the schools. Ramsden Infants and Nursery has an Assistant Headteacher working alongside the Executive Headteacher and Greengate Junior School has 2 Assistant Headteacher working alongside the Executive Headteacher. They individually lead in the following.

1. SEND – Resource Provision and Alternative Provision

2. Curriculum and Staffing

Alongside the Assistant Heads the schools are supported by experienced enthusiastic staff and supportive hardworking Governors which together provides a collaborative, inclusive and caring environment for all children to develop and flourish both academically and personally.

You’ll have a proven track record of forging strong relationships across the school community and beyond, working collaboratively with families, local services and council teams to improve outcomes for all pupils. This is crucial with the current AP and RP that both schools currently attain. You’ll uphold ambitious educational standards, using effective evaluation to identify barriers to progress and lead targeted improvements.

Above all, you’ll be a people-focused leader who inspires trust, supports professional development, and carries staff with you, ensuring that Greengate Juniors and Ramsden Infants and nursery remains a nurturing, inclusive, and high performing schools.

You are a strategic and compassionate leader, ready to guide both schools through a period of significant change. With strong managerial skills, you’ll oversee the schools transition to a smaller PAN. You’ll bring experience to the schools through this period, with a thoughtful and strategic approach to organisational development. As the school transitions to a smaller intake and other changes, you’ll ensure that staffing structures and responsibilities are aligned with the evolving needs of the school, balancing financial sustainability with a continued focus on high-quality teaching and learning. Throughout the process the pupils development and learning is required to be maintained at the highest level with minimal effects or impact on the pupils.

Your ability to manage budgets and reduce deficits will be critical and you’ll work closely with the Assistant Heads and Governors’ to make informed, transparent decisions. You’ll be a skilled communicator, able to keep staff, parents, and carers informed and engaged throughout this journey, creating opportunities for them to contribute to the decision-making process and feel part of the school’s future.

What the school offers its staff

• A happy and friendly school at the centre of its community, with children who respect each other and have a desire for learning through hard work from staff.

• A culture which allows all staff to thrive and develop. This is visible through the number of long serving staff.

• An opportunity to unlock the immense potential at Greengate Juniors and Ramsden Infants School through a period of significant change.

• Significant levels of support from the Local Authority, Governing Board and a staff team who are experienced, committed and passionate about our school.

• A Governing Body committed to providing support on all matters including more sensitive or difficult issues and including the wellbeing of all staff members.

Further Information about the Job

The candidate will be required to undergo a full enhanced DBS check and must be eligible to work in the UK.

Application packs are available from admin@greengate-jun.cumbria.sch.uk and at the school office and returnable FAO Elaine Jamieson, Chair of the Selection Panel, Greengate Junior School, 98 Greengate St, Barrow-in-Furness LA14 1BG or via email admin@greengate-jun.cumbria.sch.uk

Key dates

Closing Date: Tuesday 9th December at 9am

Shortlisting: Tuesday 16th December 2025

Interviews: Wednesday 14th and Thursday 15th January 2026

Visits

Informal visits of both schools with the current headteacher are advised and are available on the following dates:

Thursday 20th November 2025 - PM

Friday 21st November 2025 – AM

Wednesday 3rd December 2025 – PM

Friday 5th December 2025 – AM

Please contact the school office to arrange a convenient time.

When applying please take into account the following supporting documents:

• Person Specification

• Job Description

Application guidance, including policy statement on the recruitment of ex-offenders

The supporting information section of your application should clearly evidence your ability to meet the requirements we have outlined in the person specification. This will be used to shortlist applicants for this role and therefore it is imperative that you provide evidence as requested.

References

When completing your application, please provide two employment referees

Commitment to safeguarding

This post is subject to the Childcare (Disqualification) Regulations 2009 and as such shortlisted candidates will be asked to complete a Disqualification Declaration. Any information supplied will be discussed at interview.

Applying for the job

Contact admin@greengate-jun.cumbria.sch.uk to receive further information.

CVs will not be accepted for this application.