Job title and organisation: Headteacher - Swinnow Primary School
Salary: L15 - L21
Hours:  Full Time 
Contract: Permanent
Location: Swinnow Primary School, Swinnow Road, Bramley, Leeds LS13 4PG
Closing Date: Friday 17 April 2026 at Noon

Start Date: September 2026

The Governors, staff, children, and families of Swinnow Primary School are seeking to appoint an inspirational leader with a passion for education and aspiration.  

Swinnow Primary School is a welcoming and inclusive school in the west of Leeds. We are proud of our positive ethos and child-centred approach to everything we do. In addition to being a one form entry school, Swinnow Children’s Centre is on site, which provides services for families with children aged 0 - 5. Our nursery takes children from the age of 2. We also host Meadow – a provision to support children with SEMH needs from schools within the West of Leeds. This brings additional expertise and opportunities for collaboration to support both our staff and children. 

Our school is a caring and nurturing environment where relationships between staff and pupils are strong and children feel safe, supported and encouraged to succeed. We are proud of our inclusive ethos, our commitment to the whole child and the strong partnerships we have built with families and the wider community.

Our current headteacher is retiring, so we are now looking for a Headteacher who shares our belief that every child deserves the absolute best opportunities, who will build on our existing strengths, while also generating new ideas to lead the school forward with ambition, clarity and compassion.

Our new Headteacher will be someone who:

• Can provide proven, effective leadership with a strong strategic vision for whole-school improvement.
• Has high expectations for pupil attainment, behaviour and attendance, ensuring sustained success from early years onwards.
• Is committed to nurturing students’ personal development and championing a strong meaningful student voice across the school community.
• Is an inspiring, inclusive leader who motivates, challenges and supports staff to perform consistently at a high level and champions staff wellbeing and professional development.
• Is a collaborative and highly effective communicator who builds strong partnerships with parents, carers and the wider community.
• Has a proactive, resilient and forward-looking attitude, with the ability to respond effectively to challenge and change.
• Has a strong commitment to safeguarding, statutory responsibilities and resource management.
• Has a passion to continue the collaborative and effective relationship between the school and the Governing Body fostering a positive school culture. 

At Swinnow Primary School, we are proud to offer: 

• Enthusiastic and engaged children who are full of character, love to learn, and are taught to show respect and consideration for others.
• A committed, caring and experienced staff team with a passion for raising standards and improving the lives of all children.
• The opportunity to continue to develop our caring and nurturing ethos and the wide range of opportunities we provide to support pupils’ personal development.
• Supportive parents and carers who want to be partners in the education of their children.
• A supportive and pro-active Governing Body who recognise the importance of continued professional development.
• Outstanding school grounds, including expansive green space, a dedicated outdoor learning area and well-maintained facilities.
• A well-established local cluster of primary schools who work together at key points throughout the year.

This is an exciting opportunity for a candidate who is passionate about inclusive education, to work in close partnership with an experienced and committed Governing body to lead the next phase of improvement at Swinnow Primary School.

We strongly encourage prospective candidates to visit our school to gain a full understanding of our values, ethos, and vision for the future.

Please contact our School Business Manager, Paula Cusack, to arrange an appointment: recruitment@swinnowprimary.com.   

School visit dates:

• w/c 23 March 2026
• w/c 30 March 2026

Alternative days may also be available.

Key Dates:

• Closing date for applications: Friday 17^th April 2026 (12 noon)
• Shortlisting: Tuesday 21st April 2026
• Assessment Day & Interviews: Tuesday 28^th and Wednesday 29^th April 2026 (shortlisted candidates will be required to attend in person) 

For an application pack, please email:  educ.headteacher@leeds.gov.uk

A Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check against the Children’s barred list will be carried out on preferred candidates. Read our recruitment of ex-offenders policy.

We welcome applications from everyone and actively seek a diverse range of applicants from all backgrounds and cultures. We particularly encourage applications from, but not limited to, women, carers, veterans as well as LGBT+, ethnically diverse, disabled and care experienced people. 

This role is based in the UK. Home Office guidance states that candidates must evidence their right to work in the UK prior to commencing employment, either as a UK or Irish citizen, under the EU Settlement scheme or having secured any other relevant work visa.

If you do not have the right to work in the UK, you must consider your own eligibility for sponsorship for a particular role through the Skilled Worker visa  route before applying. To be eligible for sponsorship you'll usually need to be paid the standard salary rate of at least £41,700 per year or meet one of the other eligibility criteria. Please ensure you are eligible before applying.

The above post is not a Leeds City Council vacancy and has been advertised on behalf of the relevant organisation. To apply please follow their application instructions.

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