Headteacher
St Mary's Catholic Primary School, Whitehaven, Cumbria, CA28 9PG55 days remaining to apply
Job start date
1 September 2026
Closing date
11 February 2026 at 12pm (midday)
Date listed
17 December 2025
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
Contract type
- Permanent
Pay scale
- L15 - L21
What skills and experience we're looking for
The Governors of St. Mary’s Catholic Primary School invite applications for the post of Headteacher, following the forthcoming retirement of our current Headteacher in August 2026. This is an exceptional opportunity for a practising Catholic leader to guide our school community in its next chapter.
At St. Mary’s, our mission is to “grow and learn in the footsteps of Jesus.” We are proud of our strong Catholic ethos, our commitment to Gospel values, and our dedication to ensuring that every child is nurtured to achieve their full potential academically, spiritually, and personally.
We seek to appoint a Headteacher who will:
- Be a committed practising Catholic with a clear vision and strong dedication to Catholic education.
- Demonstrate proven leadership skills and a passion for making a difference in children’s lives.
- Inspire, motivate, and support staff and pupils, while fostering positive relationships with parents, governors, parish, and the wider community.
- Continue to raise aspirations and achievement through challenge and support.
- Secure and sustain high‑quality teaching and learning, with a focus on long‑term improvement.
- Uphold the highest standards of safeguarding and welfare for pupils and staff.
What the school offers its staff
St Mary's School can offer:
- Enthusiastic and motivated pupils who are proud of their school.
- A welcoming and caring ethos rooted in the Catholic faith.
- A dedicated and talented staff team, committed to working in partnership with families.
- A supportive Governing Body and strong parish links.
- Opportunities for professional development through collaboration with the Diocese of Lancaster and wider networks.
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)Upload additional documents
If you need these documents in an accessible format, please contact the school.
About St Mary's Catholic Primary School
- School type
- Local authority maintained school, Roman Catholic, ages 3 to 11
- Education phase
- Primary school
- School size
- 190 pupils enrolled
- Age range
- 3 to 11
- Ofsted report
- View Ofsted report
- School website
- St Mary's Catholic Primary School website
- Email address
- clerk@kells-stmarys.cumbria.sch.uk
- Phone number
- 01946 66356
Group 2
NOR 172 Main School + 33 Nursery Class.
St Mary’s Catholic Primary School is situated on the West side of Whitehaven, overlooking the Irish Sea, with views to the Isle of Man and the Scottish Galloway coastline to the North and West, and views to Ennerdale in the Western Lake District National Park to the East.
The area served by the school, which coincides with the Roman Catholic Parish of
St Mary’s Kells, comprises the areas of Kells, Woodhouse, Greenbank and Sandwith.
The staffing levels at present are: the Head teacher, 7 full time teachers, 3 part time teachers, one Senior Learning Mentor, 2 HLTAs and 7 Senior Teaching Assistants.
Nursery and reception classes are taught as a Foundation Stage unit and places are available for children whose parents are entitled to 30 hours nursery provision.
Additional staff employed by the school are the school business manager and 3 cleaners.
The cook, kitchen assistants and five midday supervisors serve meals to the nursery and main school pupils, which are freshly prepared on site.
Each member of teaching staff has responsibility for co-ordinating at least one area of the curriculum and applicants are invited to state their specialist areas, strengths and interests in their supporting statement.
The staff, governors and parents of the school work in close partnership towards our Mission Statement: “Working together to make sure all our children achieve their best”
Our last OFSTED Inspection in May 2025 rated St Mary’s School as follows:
The quality of education Good
Behaviour and attitudes Outstanding
Personal development Outstanding
Leadership and management Good
Early years provision Outstanding
Inspectors commented that ‘Pupils love attending this school. They beam with happiness as they arrive’ and ‘The school has high expectations for pupils’ achievement. It ensures that they learn a rich curriculum. Pupils achieve well across a range of subjects. Children in the early years get off to a flying start, making rapid gains in their learning’.
We have an open-door policy where governors and parents are always welcome in the school and are encouraged to play an active role.
The school involves itself in parish events such as celebrations in church and preparation for First Holy Communion and strong links also exist with St Benedict’s Catholic High School.
The school can offer a friendly, supportive working environment, pleasant surroundings and children who are well behaved and eager to learn.
If you require further information or would like to visit the school, please do not hesitate to telephone the school office.
Arranging a visit to St Mary's Catholic Primary School
To arrange a visit and increase the chance of a successful application email clerk@kells-stmarys.cumbria.sch.uk.
School location
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