Salary: Leadership Scale L18-L24
Contract: Permanent | Full-time
Start date: 1st September 2026 

A once-in-a-career leadership opportunity

The Governing Body of Lydiate Primary and Nursery School are seeking to appoint an 
exceptional, visionary Headteacher to lead our school through an exciting and transformative 
period of growth, expansion and strategic change.

This vacancy has arisen following the forthcoming retirement of our current Headteacher, who 
has led Lydiate Primary and Nursery School with dedication and distinction for nine years. Under 
her leadership, the school has gone from strength to strength, creating a strong platform from 
which our next Headteacher will lead the school into its next exciting chapter.

This role offers a rare opportunity to shape the future of a thriving school community as we 
prepare to build a brand-new, state-of-the-art school building, due to be ready in 2027, expanding 
from a one-form entry to a two-form entry school. The salary being offered reflects this. 

In addition, the Governing Body has formally voted to transition Lydiate Primary School to 
academy status, with the intention of joining Southport Learning Trust. This marks an important 
next step in securing long-term sustainability, collaboration and opportunity for our pupils, staff 
and wider community. Our new Headteacher will play a pivotal role in shaping and leading the 
school through this transition, working closely with governors, Trust colleagues and stakeholders 
to ensure continuity, stability and ambition.

About Lydiate Nursery and Primary School

Lydiate is a happy, inclusive and ambitious school at the heart of its community. Children join us 
from Nursery, flourish through Primary, and leave us as confident, articulate learners who are 
well prepared for the next stage of their education and for life beyond our gates.

Everything we do is guided by our motto: Inspire. Achieve. Prepare for Life.

This philosophy underpins our curriculum design, teaching and leadership. Our curriculum is 
carefully sequenced from Nursery onwards, building knowledge, vocabulary, confidence and 
independence year on year, with a strong emphasis on oracy, reading, creativity and real-world 
relevance.

We are proud of:

• our nurturing and inclusive culture
• our strong focus on wellbeing and pupil voice
• a broad, ambitious curriculum that excites and challenges
• committed staff who are passionate about continuous improvement

The role

As Headteacher, you will provide strategic, inspirational and visible leadership, guiding the school 
confidently through a period of significant change while protecting and strengthening its core 
values.

You will:

•  Lead the school through expansion to two-form entry, ensuring standards remain high 
  and continue to rise
• Play a central role in the design, planning and transition to a new school building, 
  creating a learning environment fit for 21st-century education
• Lead the school through academy conversion, helping to establish strong foundations 
  within Southport Learning Trust while retaining Lydiate’s unique identity and ethos
• Champion high-quality provision from Nursery onwards, with a clear understanding of 
  progression through to secondary readiness and Key Stage 3 transition
• Embed and live the school’s motto: Inspire. Achieve. Prepare for Life. in every aspect of 
  school life
• Foster a culture where pupils, staff and families feel valued, heard and empowered

Who we are looking for

This role will suit an experienced and ambitious school leader who:

• Is passionate about early years, primary education and transition into Key Stage 3
• Has the vision, resilience and credibility to lead a school through growth, academisation and organisational change
• Can inspire trust, confidence and ambition in staff, children, governors and Trust partners
• Has a proven track record of raising standards while nurturing wellbeing and inclusion
• Is excited by the opportunity to shape a new building, new structures and new ways of working

We can offer you

• A unique opportunity to lead a school at a defining moment in its history
• The chance to influence both school design and strategic direction
• Highly committed, skilled and welcoming staff
• Supportive and engaged governors and future Trust colleagues
• Enthusiastic pupils who are proud of their school
• The opportunity to leave a lasting legacy for generations to come

Safeguarding

Lydiate Nursery and Primary School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of 
children and young people and expects all staff to share this commitment. The post is subject to 
an Enhanced DBS check and all relevant pre-employment checks in line with Keeping Children 
Safe in Education.