Head of School
Lorton School, Cockermouth, Cumbria, CA13 9UL3 days remaining to apply
Job start date
1 September 2026
Closing date
14 May 2026 at 9am
Date listed
1 May 2026
Job details
Job role
- Teacher
- Headteacher
Visa sponsorship
- Visas cannot be sponsored
Key stage
- Early years, Key stage 1, Key stage 2
Working pattern
- Full time
Contract type
- Permanent
Pay scale
- L1 to L3
What skills and experience we're looking for
A rare opportunity has arisen to join Lorton School, available from September 2026, as our new full time Head of School - could this be the perfect next step in your leadership journey?
Lorton School is located in the beautiful village of Lorton in the Lake District National Park. Its exceptional grounds face down the Lorton valley, framed by the western fells, looking towards Buttermere and Loweswater. Our pupils come from the village and wider valley area, along with those who choose the school from out of the catchment area, including from the nearby town of Cockermouth. We have 44 pupils currently on roll. The school was established in 1809 and has good links with the village and the local church community. Most children move onto Cockermouth School, with some to Keswick School, and Lorton School has effective links with both. The most recent OFSTED inspection (July 2025) confirmed our school to be Good.
The Local Governing Body of Lorton Primary School are looking to recruit a permanent Head of School to work with the experienced Executive Headteacher. This role includes a 0.7 teaching responsibility. This vacancy is an opportunity for an ambitious and energetic leader with a passion and a joy for outstanding teaching and learning. The successful candidate will continue to develop an engaging and ambitious curriculum and be an inspirational ambassador for our school. Our children are looking for someone who is fair, friendly and understanding, someone who likes outdoor learning and makes lessons fun. We have a dedicated staff team, supportive parents, and motivated pupils. Our school has made strong progress in recent years, and we are now seeking a Head of School who can build on this momentum, further raise standards, and inspire a culture of continuous improvement. The main purpose of the role is to:
- promote and support the vision and direction of the school by providing the day-to-day leadership that will enable it to build success and provide high quality education for its children
- manage the school on a day-to-day basis and be the first point of contact for all stakeholders and external agencies
- be an ambassador for the school and both promote its distinctiveness and raise its profile in the local and wider community.
We are looking for:
- A dynamic person who can be involved in leading the school through its next phase of development
- An excellent teacher who leads by example
- A superb communicator who can inspire the whole school community
What the school offers its staff
We can offer you:
- A brilliant location in which to progress your career, with a friendly team
- An exciting opportunity to be involved in shaping the future of the school
- Children who are enthusiastic learners in a school with a real family feel and that is part of a thriving and supportive local community
- An opportunity to work within the supportive network of The Good Shepherd Trust, to lead a school with the support of an Executive Headteacher
Further information about the job
For an application pack, please go to https://www.lorton.cumbria.sch.uk/about-us/vacancies.html . If you have any difficulties downloading this please contact Sally Jackson by email: secretary@lorton.cumbria.sch.uk or telephone the school Mon-Fri 8am - 12noon. Completed forms should be returned to the Executive Headteacher by post, email or via the online application route on this site.
For an informal discussion about the post contact Jo Laker, Executive Headteacher. Visits to the school are warmly encouraged and can be offered on Tuesday 5th May at 1:30pm or 4:30pm or on Tuesday 12th May at 2:30pm - please book via the school office by phone or email.
Closing Date for applications: Thursday 14th May 9am with interviews planned for 19th & 20th May. Please make sure you can be available on these two dates.
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
This job requires you to download an application form, you will be able to upload the application once complete.
CVs will not be accepted for this application.
About Lorton School
- School type
- Academies, ages 4 to 11
- Education phase
- Primary school
- School size
- 45 pupils enrolled
- Age range
- 4 to 11
- Ofsted report
- View Ofsted report
- School website
- Lorton School website
- Email address
- executivehead@lorton.cumbria.sch.uk
- Phone number
- 01900 85919
Lorton Primary School is a small rural school of 44 pupils and is part of the Good Shepherd Trust. The school dates back to 1809. Over the years it has been updated, improved and new buildings added. It is located in the heart of the village of Lorton and in one of England’s most beautiful valleys. It serves a wide catchment area from the head of Buttermere to include the whole Lorton Vale and Embleton; some children from Cockermouth also choose to attend the school. The majority of children transfer to Cockermouth School for their secondary education, with some to Keswick, and we have well-established links with Cockermouth in particular. The Local Governing Body is supportive, involved in the life of the school and is supported by The Good Shepherd Trust. The Good Shepherd Trust oversee the work that we do and all of the schools in the Trust benefit from a wealth of knowledge and expertise and a close working relationship. Parents are extremely supportive and Friends of Lorton School (FOLS) play a key role including raising money and helping the school in appropriate ways. Funds raised are used to provide many enrichment opportunities for the children. Our last Ofsted Inspection held in the Summer Term of 2025 was successful and recognised that the school continued to be a ‘good school’. The school has a strong 'personal development' offer including '60 things to do whilst you are at Lorton School' which recognises the unique opportunities the school provides for its pupils.
Arranging a visit to Lorton School
To arrange a visit and increase the chance of a successful application email executivehead@lorton.cumbria.sch.uk.
School location
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