Executive Headteacher (3116 )

Westmorland & Furness Council; Barrow-in-Furness; Hybrid; GBP 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Westmorland and Furness Council seeks an Executive Headteacher to lead Greengate Junior School and Ramsden Infants and Nursery across two sites during a transition period. The role requires a visionary leader who can maintain values, standards and community spirit while guiding staff through change.

The successful candidate will manage resources, partner with Governors and local services, and drive attainment and inclusion for pupils across Early Years to Key Stage 2.

Qualifications

• Experience in leading across two schools and managing transitions during restructuring.
• Experience working with diverse SEND/CAP provisions and resource provision.
• Proven ability to build relationships with families, local services and council teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Executive model across Greengate Junior School and Ramsden Infants and Nursery during a period of change.
• Uphold educational standards and drive improvements while ensuring community values and inclusivity.
• Provide strategic, people-focused leadership and support professional development of staff.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Change management

Staffing structure design

Financial stewardship

Communication

Stakeholder engagement

Job description

• Closing date for applications: Tuesday 9 December 2025
• Employer:Westmorland and Furness Council

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

Visa Sponsorship: Visas cannot be sponsored

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

Working Pattern: Full Time

Contract Type: Permanent

Due to imminent retirement of our current successful headteacher, Central Barrow Schools Federation have a unique opportunity to appoint a new Executive Headteacher working across our 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.

What Skills and Experience we\'re looking for:

Our schools have above national averages of SEND and EHCPs therefore experience in working with and managing Resource Provision (RP) and Alternative Provision (AP) is necessary. This is successfully supported through the senior staffing 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.

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

You\u2019ll have a proven track record of forging strong relationships across a school community and beyond, working collaboratively with families, local services and council teams to improve outcomes for all pupils; this is crucial in maintaining the current successful practice and outcomes for AP and RP pupils that both schools currently attain. You\u2019ll uphold ambitious educational standards, using effective evaluation to identify barriers to progress and lead targeted improvements.

Above all, you\u2019ll 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.

Your skills and attributes:

• a strategic and compassionate leader with ability to manage significant change and organisational development.
• ability to ensure staffing structures and responsibilities are aligned with the evolving needs of the school,
• ability to balance financial sustainability whilst maintaining a focus on high-quality teaching and learning.
• are a skilled communicator, able to keep staff, parents, and carers informed to create opportunities for them to contribute to decision-making and to 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 [e-mail] 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 [e-mail]

Key dates

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

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: