Executive Headteacher
Mortimer St. John's C.E. Infant School, Reading, Berkshire, RG7 3RD18 days remaining to apply
Start date details
1/9/2026
Closing date
15 March 2026 at 11:59pm
Date listed
25 February 2026
Job details
Job role
- Headteacher
Visa sponsorship
- Visas cannot be sponsored
Key stage
- Early years, Key stage 1, Key stage 2
Working pattern
- Full time: 32.5 hours per week
Contract type
- Permanent
Full-time equivalent salary
- £78,702 - £91,158
What skills and experience we're looking for
THE MORTIMER FEDERATION OFST. JOHN’S AND ST. MARY’S
The Street, Mortimer, Berkshire,
RG7 3PB
Tel: 0118 933 2491
email: officemsm@mortimerschools.org
Executive Headteacher: Mrs C Beswick
EXECUTIVE HEADTEACHER
A wonderful opportunity has arisen to lead The Mortimer Federation of St. John’s Infant and St. Mary’s Junior Church of England schools. The Governing Board is seeking to appoint an experienced, motivated and creative leader to fill the post of Executive Headteacher from September 2026. We are seeking a leader who will provide inspirational leadership to both our schools.
We seek an EHT to further develop the Governing Board’s aspirations and ambitions for academic excellence to raise the schools to the next level of academic achievement. The Governing Board is looking for an EHT who can further develop a stable environment and structure in Teaching and Learning, SEND and PPG, and Behaviour and Attendance.
We want to build on the firm foundations of nurturing and enriching the school experience that is evident at each of our schools. As Church of England schools, we are looking for someone with energy and enthusiasm who is an experienced strategic thinker, with a vision to develop our federation.
Essential Attributes:
Experience/Requirements
- Degree or higher degree equivalent and requirement to complete DSL safeguarding courses. Evidence of a commitment to continual professional development.
- Experience as a Teacher and a Head Teacher in a primary school setting
- A high level of pedagogical expertise and a clear record of developing and implementing visions/strategies that have demonstrably improved academic and non-academic performance.
- A leader of Christian values, with commitment to upholding the Church of England’s values, namely “Strive for Excellence”, “Show Compassion”, “Respect Others”, “Collaborate”, “Act with Integrity”.
Leadership Competencies
- JUDGEMENT. Strong critical thinking skills and the ability to develop and implement strategies, including
- Developing appropriate objectives and managing resources to achieve objectives that improve school academic and non-academic performance.
- Setting vision and developing objectives in a new School Strategic Plan with an aim to improve pupil outcomes
- Proven leadership abilities in an infant and primary setting to work with staff, parents and children
- OPERATIONAL MANAGEMENT
- Competence in managing school finances, administrative procedures and health and safety. The ability to identify, analysis and use data to drive insight and performance. Flexibility and openness to leading change and continuous improvement
- Collation and presentation of key pupil attainment data trends to the Governing Board.
- RESILENCE The ability to adapt to adversity, manage stress, and recover from setbacks while maintaining a positive, proactive, and constructive approach.
- INTERPERSONAL SKILLS The ability to effectively interact, communicate, and build relationships with others through empathy, active listening, and collaboration. The ability and mindset not to negatively react to the bad behaviour of others but be driven by strong personal values that seek understanding and solutions to problems that arise. A sense of humour that encourages smiley happy faces and lifts the mood of those around.
- DRIVE Self-motivated, resourceful with a determination to drive performance. Ability to prioritise and delegate work effectively. Excellent organisational skills.The ability to foster collaboration, trust, and cohesion among individuals to work as a unified, high-performing team toward shared goals.
- COMMUNICATION SKILLS The ability to communicate effectively one to one, one to many and in writing. That is to effectively and appropriately exchange information, ideas, and emotions, both verbally and non-verbally, to achieve specific goals in diverse social and professional contexts.
- LEADING AND SUPPORTING CHILDREN
- The ability to create a culture where children feel safe, where there is a clear commitment to the highest standards of safeguarding via an understanding of child protection legislation and policies.
- To deliver teaching and learning of the highest quality.
This is an exciting opportunity for both the schools and the successful candidate. The Governing Board wishes to appoint an individual who will lead our schools with a clear- and forward-thinking vision for primary education in 2026 and with the drive to develop standards, increase our achievements and strive to raise the aspirations of all our children.
Closing date: Midnight Sunday 15th March 2026
Interview dates: 26TH AND 27TH March 2026
Salary range: L18 (£78,702) to L24 (£91,158)
Visits to the school are warmly welcomed by appointment only.
Please contact finance@mortimerschools.org for an application pack.
The Mortimer Federation of St. John’s and St. Mary’s is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All recruitment and selection practices reflect this commitment. All successful candidates will be subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check, along with all other relevant pre‑employment checks. As part of our safer recruitment practices, an online search will be conducted on shortlisted candidates. We are an equal opportunities employer and are committed to providing equality of opportunity to all. Our aim is to treat all employees and prospective employees with integrity, respect and consideration. This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the amendments to the Exceptions Order 1975, 2013 and 2020. It is an offence to apply for the role if you are barred from engaging in regulated activity relevant to children.
What the school offers its staff
We offer:
- Ofsted and SIAMS rated good schools which are set in the village of Mortimer, with close links to the Parish and Community
- a warm Christian environment which is underpinned by our inclusive vision and values
- inquisitive children who have a love for learning and are keen to achieve their best
- a committed and hardworking staff team who are open to new ideas and believe in the potential of every child within a well-resourced village learning environment
- commitment to expanding your professional development, with a supportive Governing Board.
Further information about the job
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.
Applying for the job
Apply for the job by following the link below.
CVs will not be accepted for this application.
View advert on school website (opens in new tab)About Mortimer St. John's C.E. Infant School
- School type
- Local authority maintained school, Church of England, ages 4 to 7
- Education phase
- Primary school
- School size
- 165 pupils enrolled
- Age range
- 4 to 7
- Ofsted report
- View Ofsted report
- School website
- Mortimer St. John's C.E. Infant School website
- Email address
- officemsm@mortimerschools.org
- Phone number
- 01189332491
Arranging a visit to Mortimer St. John's C.E. Infant School
To arrange a visit and increase the chance of a successful application email officemsm@mortimerschools.org.
School location
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