Headteacher
Permanent, Full Time
Start date: 1st January 2027
Salary: L12 – L17 - £67,898 - £76,772 per annum
Thomas Russell Junior School is a mixed community junior school in the centre of Barton under Needwood village, providing a vibrant and engaging learning environment for children aged 7 to 11. With a broad, enriched and inspiring curriculum, the school ensures children have the knowledge, skills and attitude they need to thrive at secondary school.
This is a unique time to join the school at a pivotal point in its journey. From 1st November 2026, the school will join the John Taylor MAT family of schools, and with the current Headteacher retiring, this post will be the first JTMAT appointment. JTMAT was founded in 2014 in the same village as Thomas Russell Junior School and has since grown to twenty-one schools. The Trust has a strong track record and excellent reputation. We are looking for someone with the passion, motivation and vision to lead the school into its next phase, adopting all the hallmarks that make JTMAT schools successful.
Qualifications & Skills
- Lead with clarity of purpose and vision
- Have extensive experience in the primary phase with a solid track record of delivering results
- Understand what exemplary teaching looks like, through our own practice, and setting high expectations for others
- Have the attitude, interpersonal skills and gravitas to lead others, holding staff to account, empower pupils, and manage stakeholders
- Bring a solid understanding of the inclusion and safeguarding agendas
- Have a working knowledge of financial and budget management
With an active Local Governing Body and the Trust’s Central Team, the new Headteacher will benefit from professional support challenge, access to a network of colleagues across JTMAT, and the opportunity to build on all aspects that have made the school a success so far.
If you are interested in this next step in your career, we would welcome your application. Please see the recruitment pack for more information about this role.
If you would like to discuss the role, please email and you will be contacted to arrange a time to speak with Mike Donoghue, JTMAT CEO.
Closing date
7th September 9am
Selection / Interview process
17th & 18th September 2026
Legal and safeguarding information
This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order and 2020). This means that certain convictions and cautions are considered ‘protected’ and do not need to be disclosed to employers, and if they are disclosed, employers cannot take them into account.
Guidance about whether a conviction or caution should be disclosed can be found on the Ministry of Justice website
Please note if you are shortlisted, an online search will be carried out before interview which may identify any incidents or issues that have happened, and are publicly available online, which we might want to explore with you at interview. Please review our Privacy Notice for Job Applicants for the lawful basis for processing and retention.
John Taylor MAT is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people/vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Pre-employment checks include an enhanced disclosure and barring service check as a requirement of this post. Our Safeguarding Policy is available on our website, and we encourage applicants to review it before applying.
Please review our Recruitment Pack on the school website before submitting your application.
#J-18808-LjbffrHeadteacher - Thomas Russell Junior School employer: John Taylor MAT
John Taylor Multi Academy Trust (JTMAT) is an exceptional employer that prioritises the growth and well-being of its staff while fostering a supportive and collaborative work environment. Located in Blythe Bridge, this role as Attendance & SEND Officer offers the opportunity to make a meaningful impact on students' lives, with access to professional development and a commitment to maintaining high standards in education. With a focus on teamwork and community engagement, JTMAT ensures that employees feel valued and empowered in their roles.
