Headteacher

TRAFFORD COUNCIL; Trafford; On-site; GBP 93,000 - 103,000; Full time

Job summary

Lostock High School in Trafford is seeking a transformative Headteacher to lead with a clear strategic vision, ensuring high standards of education and a focus on wellbeing for students and staff. The role requires inspirational leadership, collaboration with governors, and a commitment to an inclusive, SEND-aware curriculum.

We seek an experienced leader with a proven track record, excellent communication, and the ability to develop high performing teams while strengthening links with parents

Qualifications

• The successful candidate will have a creative and ambitious vision of education with high expectations.
• Proven senior leadership experience as a Deputy Headteacher.
• Ability to communicate clearly with staff, students, parents and the wider community.
• A track record as an outstanding practitioner with a focus on student wellbeing.
• Commitment to inclusive education and SEND provision.
• Ability to build high performing teams and promote staff development.
• Strong relationship-building with parents and carers.
• Strategic curriculum leadership and development.
• Energetic, compassionate and collaborative leadership style.

Responsibilities

• Lead with a creative and ambitious strategic vision for education.
• Provide inspirational leadership to a Deputy Headteacher and senior team.
• Set high expectations and communicate them effectively to staff, students and parents.
• Demonstrate a proven track record as an outstanding practitioner.
• Promote inclusion and remove barriers to education and activities for SEND students.
• Inspire and develop a committed, high performing staff team.
• Build strong relationships with parents, carers and the local community.
• Lead a creative, systemic and inclusive curriculum across the school.
• Demonstrate compassion, resilience and a supportive leadership style.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic vision

Communication

Outstanding practitioner

Staff wellbeing

People leadership

Inclusion SEND

Stakeholder relations

Curriculum leadership

Job description

LOSTOCK HIGH SCHOOL
Selby Road
Stretford
Manchester
M32 9PL
Phone [phone]
Fax [phone]
Email [e-mail]
Website www.lostock.trafford.sch.uk

HEADTEACHER - Start date: 1st January 2027 (later by negotiation)
Leadership Scale L25 to L29 / £93,424.00 to £103,030.00
Full time 1.0 FTE
Permanent

This is a rare opportunity to lead Lostock High School as our new Headteacher, shaping the future of the school where every decision, every innovation and success potentially changes the lives of children and young people.

Lostock High School is a secondary school located in the thriving Metropolitan Borough of Trafford in Greater Manchester.

Due to the retirement of the current Headteacher, we are looking for an inspirational and ambitious leader who is passionate about delivering excellent education, building high performing teams and creating an environment where students and staff can flourish. We have a loyal, talented and committed team of professionals who need a leader with the skills to inspire and lead them.

We are a student-centred school and believe that children come first and are at the heart of everything we do. Staff and governors work hard to meet the needs of our students and community.

We highly recommend a visit to the school where you will feel our positive, supportive atmosphere, strong sense of community, have the opportunity to meet some of our excellent staff and be engaged by our young people.

Visits are available: week beginning Monday 14 September 2026, 9.30 am – 3.00 pm.

To arrange a visit please contact Sarah Buckley (Headteacher's PA) on 0161 864 5709 or email [e-mail]

The successful candidate will:

• have a creative and ambitious strategic vision of education
• have successful senior leadership experience as a Deputy Headteacher
• have high expectations and be able to communicate them to recipients
• have a proven record as an outstanding practitioner
• be a nurturing leader who can promote resilience and can demonstrate a firm commitment to student and staff wellbeing
• have the leadership skills to inspire a committed and dedicated staff team
• promote inclusion and remove all barriers to education and extracurricular activities with a positive focus on SEND students
• be able to develop strong relationships with parents and carers
• have a clear vision in leading a creative, systemic and inclusive curriculum
• be a confident communicator who can strengthen links with the local community
• be energetic and able to demonstrate compassion and kindness

We can offer:

• a strong ethos where all members of the school community have ownership of the school’s mission
• a motivated, talented, and hardworking staff
• students who are supportive of one another and keen to do well
• an established Parent Forum which meets termly
• an active local schools’ network of support
• a committed and involved Governing Body

This post is also subject to satisfactory references, proof of right to work in the UK in accordance with the Asylum and Immigration Act 1996 and other pre-employment checks where applicable.

Lostock High School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff to share this commitment. The post you are applying for is covered by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1074 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (as amended in 2013).

All appointments will be subject to an enhanced DBS check including Children's barred list check and satisfactory references, including your suitability to work with children. Information provided by you or the Disclosure and Barring Service will be dealt with in a confidential manner in accordance with the DBS's Code of Practice. You may view the Code of Practice on the DBS website at www.gov.uk/dbs . An online search may be performed on shortlisted applicants in accordance with the school's safeguarding procedures and Keeping Children Safe in Education statutory guidance. All shortlisted applicants will be required to complete a form for self-disclosure of cautions and convictions.

Closing date for applications - Monday 28 September 2026 at 9.00 am

Shortlisting of applicants will take place on - Thursday 1 October 2026

Interviews will be held at the school on - Thursday 8 October 2026 and Friday 9 October 2026