Head Teacher

Required 1st January 2026
Permanent Full-Time Headteacher
Teaching Commitment: up to 0.4 (FTE)

Bowness on Solway Primary School offers a unique opportunity to join an exciting family school of enthusiastic children, supportive families and talented staff.  We are now seeking an inspirational new headteacher who can build on the success of our outgoing head and become part of a close and supportive school community.  

The school is situated in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and as such, our curriculum fully embraces the opportunities offered by the location.  We aim to nurture a compassionate, inclusive community where every individual is empowered with confidence and self-belief, achieves their potential through shared effort, and finds peace, contentment, and love for themselves, others and life.

The children say – “Our School has a friendly, family feel; it develops kind, creative and clever pupils; is unique; we like our education and our outdoor learning; “Our teachers help us learn and go above and beyond”; “Our school is small, but has a big family feel”.

Our Ofsted report (1st May 2025) highlighted the positive behaviour of our children that they relish opportunities to extend their academic learning through numerous enrichment opportunities and our ambitious and inclusive curriculum.  Ofsted rated the school as GOOD.

We are looking for an inspiring and enthusiastic Headteacher who understands the unique context of working in a small school to:
-    Provide an enriched and high quality, creative curriculum, which expects continuing high standards and enables excellent outcomes for all pupils.
-    Lead by example, actively modelling and embedding the school ethos into all areas of life.
-    Promote and enhance the wellbeing of the staff team, trusting them as talented professionals and encouraging staff development.
-    Build and maintain strong partnerships and relationships with our pupils, staff, families and the wider community.
-    Be a strategic thinker, problem solver and outward looking, working with other schools in our Cluster to share best practice.
-    Encourage the children to celebrate their individual achievements through our weekly sharing assemblies.
-    Who can lead strategically and manage operational responsibilities effectively.

What we can offer:

-    Happy, able and enthusiastic children who thrive in a creative, caring and exciting learning environment.
-    An ambitious, exciting curriculum that aims to give every pupil a lifelong love of learning and offers them enriching opportunities to discover their unique talents.
-    A warm, friendly school which has a tradition of treating everyone with kindness and respect.
-    Well-equipped school premises, outside classroom and forest area.
-    Significant levels of support from both experienced staff and an active forward thinking and committed Governing Body.

The school is committed to the safeguarding of its pupils and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. The successful applicant will be appointed on completion of an enhanced DBS check and receipt of professional references.  Please note that in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education 2023 an online search will be carried out as part of our due diligence on shortlisted candidates.

Application forms and further details are available on the school website: www.bowness-on-solway.cumbria.sch.uk.  Completed applications along with a personal statement of no more than 2 sides of a4 (font size 12) should be emailed to Applications@bowness-on-solway.cumbria.sch.uk.  Please note that during the school holidays this email will not be monitored.  

Informal visits to the school by potential candidates are warmly welcomed. We have set aside Monday 7th July 1-3pm; Tuesday 8th July 9-12noon and Wednesday 9th July 1-3pm for these to take place. Please email the school on office@bowness-on-solway.cumbria.sch.uk to arrange.  

Closing date for applications:     Midnight Sunday 31st August 2025
Shortlisting: Tuesday 2nd September 2025
Interviews will be held: Tuesday 9th and Wednesday 10th September 2025