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Teaching Vacancies; Wigton; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Supportive Governing Body

Headteacher wellbeing & workload

Continued professional development (CP

Experienced staff team

Job summary

Blennerhasset School in rural Cumbria is seeking an inspirational Headteacher to lead our small, community-focused primary from January 2027. The post offers an outstanding opportunity to shape strategic vision in consultation with governors, staff and families.

We seek a reflective leader who can sustain high expectations, nurture every child, and raise standards across teaching, learning and achievement. Visits are encouraged and supported by the Governing Body.

Qualifications

• Reflective, compassionate, courageous and collaborative leadership qualities.
• Ability to work with governors, staff and families to pursue ambitious educational standards and opportunities for all pupils.
• Understanding of the unique character of a small, rural school and strategic vision informed by local and national context and educational research.
• Upholds inclusive ethos and strengthens links with the wider community.
• Provide inspirational leadership and a clear strategic vision.
• Secure excellent outcomes for all pupils both academically and personally.
• Continue to raise standards of teaching, learning and achievement.
• Foster an inclusive, nurturing culture where staff and pupils flourish.
• Encourage and support staff development and sharing of skills.
• Strengthen partnerships with parents, governors and the community.
• Lead the school confidently through its next phase of improvement and inspections.

Responsibilities

• Lead the school through its next phase of improvement and inspections.
• Secure excellent outcomes for all pupils, academically and personally.
• Raise standards of teaching, learning and achievement.
• Foster an inclusive, nurturing culture where staff and pupils flourish.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic vision

Collaboration

Inclusion

Community engagement

Educational research awareness

Job description

What skills and experience we're looking for

• Is reflective, compassionate, courageous and collaborative.
• Is able to work closely with governors, staff, and families to pursue ambitious educational standards and opportunities for pupils of all backgrounds, aptitudes and abilities.
• Understands the unique character of a small, rural school where every child is known and nurtured and has strategic vision for the school, informed by a thorough knowledge of local context, national context and developments in educational research.
• Will uphold and further develop the school's strong, inclusive and distinctive ethos and links with the broader community.
• Provide inspirational leadership and a clear strategic vision.
• Secure excellent outcomes for all pupils, both academically and personally.
• Continue to raise standards of teaching, learning and achievement.
• Foster our inclusive, nurturing culture where every child and member of staff can flourish.
• Encourage, motivate and support the experienced staff team, providing opportunities to share skills and develop.
• Continue to foster strong partnerships with parents, governors and the wider community.
• Lead the school confidently through its next phase of improvement and future inspections.

What the school offers its staff

• Supportive and experienced Governing Body
• Commitment to Headteacher wellbeing and workload
• Continued professional development opportunities
• An experienced and successful staff team

Further details about the role

Are you an enthusiastic, child-centred and confident leader, committed to inspiring and supporting pupils, staff and the wider school community to build on the successes of our school?

Due to the resignation of our highly successful and inspirational Headteacher, who has led our small school for 14 years, Governors are seeking to recruit a new Headteacher from January 2027.

Blennerhasset School is situated between the beautiful villages of Blennerhasset and Baggrow in rural Cumbria. We are a short distance from the Lake District and the Solway Plains.

"Leaders have high expectations of pupils' learning and behaviour. Their values, 'believe, achieve, succeed', encourage pupils to be confident and aspirational." Ofsted Inspection Report, March 2023

"Pupils enjoy coming to Blennerhasset School. They value the positive relationships that they have with staff and with each other. They understand why it is important to be kind and caring towards others. They try their best to be considerate of each other. They have adults in the school who they can talk to if they have any concerns or worries." Ofsted Inspection Report, March 2023

Walk through our school gates and you will soon become aware that this is a special place, loved by children, parents and staff. Alongside a broad curriculum, we offer a wide range of opportunities for our children, including music, drama, after school clubs and sports events. We would love to show you what you could be part of.

Visits to the school by prospective candidates as welcomed. Visits are available on the following dates and time –

Please contact school on 016973 20677 or email [e-mail] to arrange a visit.

Blennerhasset School is committed to safeguarding, safer recruitment and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. This post is subject to screening including an enhanced disclosure from the Disclosure and Barring Service and also the past employment checks. We are an equal opportunities employer. References and a Self-Disclosure Form will be sought prior to interview. In accordance with KCSIE 2026, online searches may be carried out as part of the recruitment process.

The closing date for applications is Friday 2nd October 2026 at 10am.

Shortlisting will take place on Wednesday 7th October 2026.

Interviews will be held on Wednesday 21st and Thursday 22nd October 2026.

Commitment to safeguarding

Our organisation is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. We expect all staff, volunteers and trustees to share this commitment. Our recruitment process follows the keeping children safe in education guidance. Offers of employment may be subject to the following checks (where relevant): childcare disqualification Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) medical online and social media prohibition from teaching right to work satisfactory references suitability to work with children You must tell us about any unspent conviction, cautions, reprimands or warnings under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975.