DescriptionSupporting documentsEmployerLocation
Llysfaen Primary School
Address: 7 Rowan Way
Lisvane
Cardiff
CF14 0TB
3 – 11 Years
Number on Roll: 419 Full Time Pupils
48 Part-Time (Nursery)
Chair of Governors: Nicholas Barber
Post Title: HEADTEACHER
Job Ref: ED50051920
Contract: Permanent
Salary: Group 3 ISR – L14-L20
£72,579 - £84,100 (2025/26 Pay Award)
Hours: Full Time
Start Date: September 2026
We seek an inspirational, progressive, and values‑driven Headteacher to lead Llysfaen Primary School, a highly successful and happy school set in the heart of Lisvane, North Cardiff. Our current Headteacher, appointed in 2013, has provided exceptionally strong leadership that has contributed to the outstanding standards, thriving culture, and deeply embedded community ethos the school enjoys today. With their retirement, we now look for an individual who will embrace this solid foundation and guide the school confidently into its next exciting chapter.
Llysfaen Primary School is widely recognised for its high standards, rich curriculum, and nurturing environment, where pupils consistently achieve very strong progress academically, socially, and personally. Our school motto, “Learn, Play, Laugh – Dysgu, Chwarae, Chwerthin,” reflects the joyful, stimulating and inclusive atmosphere that permeates the school community.
Our School Community
We are extremely proud of our commitment to ensuring that every child thrives, both academically and in their wellbeing. Estyn describes Llysfaen as “a highly successful and happy school with high standards permeating all aspects of its life and work”, where pupils behave impeccably and develop as confident, resilient and highly motivated learners.
Our curriculum is ambitious, relevant, and exciting, offering authentic learning experiences, enriched by a wide variety of trips, visitors, creative opportunities, and pupil leadership groups. Pupils are encouraged to influence planning and take an active role in shaping school life, developing strong leadership skills in the process.
The school also places a strong emphasis on the Welsh language, culture, and cynefin, with highly effective provision that enables pupils to develop well-rounded Welsh skills and a deep appreciation of Welsh heritage.
As a community, we pride ourselves on warm relationships, inclusivity, and the belief that partnership with parents and families is essential for pupil success.
Our Vision and Ethos
At Llysfaen, we work together to create a safe, inspirational, and stimulating environment where all children are motivated to become independent, lifelong learners who understand their place in the world and the value of belonging to a community. We aim to develop each child’s moral, social, intellectual, emotional, and cultural growth, encouraging them to be respectful, responsible and compassionate citizens.
Our values include:
•High expectations for all learners
•Recognition of each child as an individual
•Commitment to a broad and balanced curriculum accessible to all
•Respect, tolerance, and understanding of others and the wider world
•A strong partnership between home, school, and the wider community
Who We Are Looking For
First and foremost, our new Headteacher must care deeply about children. Their decisions, leadership, and vision must always place pupils and their wellbeing at the centre of the school’s work.
We are seeking someone who:
Personal Values & Leadership Approach
•Lives by strong moral values and leads with compassion, honesty, fairness, and integrity
•Embraces and celebrates diversity, nurturing trusting relationships and an inclusive, vibrant school community
•Leads with courage, vision, and resilience, especially in times of challenge or change
•Innovates with purpose, encourages collaboration, and inspires enthusiasm across the whole school community
•Reaches beyond the school gates to strengthen partnerships with parents, carers, governors, the local community, and neighbouring schools
Professional Knowledge & Skills
The successful candidate will demonstrate proven success and capability in:
•Strategic leadership, including data‑informed decision‑making, self‑evaluation, and school improvement planning
•Leading, motivating, and developing staff and pupils to achieve the highest standards
•Articulating a clear and ambitious vision for high‑quality education aligned with the Curriculum for Wales
•Communicating effectively with all stakeholders and strengthening the strong relationships already in place
•Embedding and building upon high‑quality teaching, including further development of pupil‑led learning—identified by Estyn as the school’s key area for continued improvement.
What We Offer You
Joining Llysfaen Primary means becoming part of a vibrant, deeply committed and high‑performing school community. We offer:
•Exceptional pupils who are enthusiastic, motivated, and a joy to teach, with impeccable behaviour and a passion for learning
•A highly skilled, dedicated, and forward‑thinking staff team who demonstrate professionalism, creativity, and a commitment to continual improvement
•A supportive and effective Governing Body, praised by Estyn for its ability to both support and challenge leaders strategically and rigorously
•A culture of wellbeing, inclusion, and strong safeguarding, ensuring all members of our school feel valued and cared for
•A thriving programme of creative, physical, digital, and cultural learning, including strong Welsh provision, extensive leadership opportunities for pupils, and rich enrichment activities across sport, the arts, and community events
•A highly engaged parent and community network, with strong relationships at the heart of school life
This is a rare and exciting opportunity for an exceptional leader to build upon a school described as outstanding in leadership, culture, curriculum, wellbeing, and academic outcomes—and to shape the next stage of Llysfaen Primary School’s development.
This post is subject to an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service Check.
Under the Education (Wales) Act 2014, all School Learning Support Workers must be registered with the Education Workforce Council (EWC).
This vacancy is suitable for post share.
Please download or print off the application form and Equal Opportunity Form by selecting the “Apply Now” button.
Completed application forms to be returned by 12 noon, Thursday 9th April 2026 by email only. We understand you might use AI and other resources for your application; however, please ensure all information you provide is factually accurate, truthful, original and does not include ideas or work that is not your own.
Closing Date: 9th April at 12.00 noon.
Shortlisting: 14th April 2026
Interview Dates: 20th & 21st April 2026
All shortlisted applicants will be offered the opportunity to visit the school prior to the interview dates.
Safeguarding Statement
Safeguarding and Child Protection are key priorities for our School and Council. We aim to support children and vulnerable adults to ensure they are as safe as they can possibly be. Our services and schools are committed to ensuring the safety and protection of all children and vulnerable adults, and will take action to safeguard their well-being, and acknowledge that children and vulnerable adults have a right to protection. This is supported in the general ethos of the Council and all schools.
As an equal opportunities employer, we value diversity. Therefore, although not a requirement for application, we welcome and encourage applications from underrepresented individuals including those:
• aged under 25;
• not in employment, education or training;
• from our local communities including in particular disabled individuals, carers and those from the Cardiff BAME and LGBT+ communities;
• ability to communicate fluently in Welsh.