Job Advert EXECUTIVE HEADTEACHER BIG LIFE SCHOOLS - LONGSIGHT COMMUNITY PRIMARY WELCOME FROM THE CHAIR OF GOVERNORS Thank you for your interest in the position of Headteacher at Longsight Community Primary, with an executive function across Big Life Schools Multi Academy Trust. We are a warm, ambitious, single‑form‑entry primary school, part of a Multi Academy trust, Big Life Schools, and are based in the heart of our community. As we look to the future, we seek an Executive Headteacher who can build on our strong foundations while bringing a fresh vision, energy, and strategic leadership. This recruitment pack provides an overview of our Trust, school, the role, and the qualities we are looking for. We hope it gives you a genuine sense of what makes our school a special place to learn and work. We look forward to receiving your application. ABOUT OUR TRUST Big Life Schools was founded in 2015, following the successful opening of Longsight Community Primary as our first school. Our first school grew out of the community-led Longsight Children’s Centre. Families were frustrated with the lack of primary school places locally and were having to travel out of area to find schools for their children. Big Life helped them grow their own school, and families have continued to be at the heart of the way our schools have developed. We opened our second school, Unity Community Primary, in 2015, a two-form primary, adopting the same approach as Longsight, building on established links within the community. We have recently taken over management of the Manchester Sensory Support, a commissioned service from the Local Authority, supporting children with vision and hearing impairment, working in partnership with all education settings (aged 0 to 19), parents and families to improve access to appropriate education. As a Trust we work as part of the wider Big Life Group, a social enterprise which works in partnership with communities to build on local strengths, develop resilience and widen opportunities. Big Life is a values-led group, and Big Life Schools shares those values of being courageous, creative, honest, inspiring, thoughtful and valuing difference. ABOUT LONGSIGHT COMMUNITY PRIMARY Since opening in 2013, we have continued to work in partnership with our community. We share our building and land with Manchester Children’s Centre, Longsight Nursery, both managed by The Big Life Group, and the Family hub, a service run by Manchester Local Authority. Our dedicated workforce, and leaders, have supported the positive journey we have been on to date. In 2024 we became a Voice 21 Oracy Centre of excellence, driven by our passionate and skilled leadership team supporting the ongoing development of pupils’ oracy skills. TRUST STRATEGIC PRIORITIES Our Trust strategic priorities are rooted in our pupils, families and community focusing on: * School Improvement: Continue to improve the quality of teaching and learning, creating a culture of learning. * People and partners: Recruit and develop high performing, happy workforce. * Engagement: be anchors in our communities, engaging parents, families and the wider community. * Financial and Operational Sustainability: Be financially and operationally sustainable, managing and investing resources effectively. * Effective Governance: High quality governance across all levels of the Trust, adhering to the seven principles of public life. SCHOOL STRATEGIC PRIORITIES * Continue to improve outcomes in reading, writing, and maths. * Continue to enhance the Early Years provision * Deepen the quality of teaching & learning with effective CPD and staff wellbeing support. * Continue to embed a broad, rich curriculum * Re-design the learning environments to maximise learning opportunities. WHAT WE OFFER At Big Life, work is more than a job – it’s about standing shoulder-to-shoulder with people and communities, making a difference every day. We fight for equity in health, in wealth and in life, and that commitment starts with our staff. You can expect: * Adherence to the STPCD * A warm and welcoming school community * Skilled and committed staff * A supportive governing committee and Trust Board * Enthusiastic, curious children * Strong reputation in the community. BE YOURSELF We want you to feel safe, respected and able to bring your whole self to work. Difference is celebrated here, and our staff networks - from menopause to neurodiversity, LGBTQI and more - create space to connect and support each other. BENEFITS THAT MATTER We offer more than a payslip - you’ll find wellbeing support through LifeWorks, Simply Health, mindfulness sessions and regular learning opportunities. Everyday perks include Blue Light Card discounts, savings schemes, cycle-to-work, free eye tests and more - little extras to make life easier inside and outside of work. RECOGNISED AS OUTSTANDING We’re proud to be ranked by Best Companies as one of the UK’s outstanding places to work, with a two-star accreditation in 2024. JOB DESCRIPTION: EXECUTIVE HEADTEACHER THE BASICS Salary Leadership scale 19 to 23 Start date September 2026 (Secondment opportunity considered) Responsible to CEO of MAT and Chair of the Local Governing Committee Closing date for applications Monday, 2 March Interview date Week commencing 9 March THE ROLE As Headteacher of Longsight Community Primary, you’ll lead the operational and strategic development of the school, working alongside an experienced senior leadership team. You’ll build on our strong foundations to foster a positive, inclusive learning environment where both staff and pupils can thrive. You’ll be an inspirational and visible leader across the school and the wider Big Life Schools Trust, driving excellence in teaching, learning and curriculum design. You’ll coach and support colleagues to improve practice and ensure strong progress and attainment for all pupils. You’ll ensure that the school remains rooted in its local community, listening to families, responding to their needs, and providing a broad, enriching range of opportunities for all learners. MAIN DUTIES 1. Fulfil all duties of a Headteacher as set out in the School Teachers’ Pay and Conditions Document (STPCD). 2. Work closely with the Longsight Local Governing Committee to lead school improvement and secure excellent outcomes for children. 3. Lead in line with the Trust’s vision and values, developing a strong leadership team and ensuring effective CPD, supervision and appraisal. 4. Drive improvements in teaching, learning and curriculum using robust data, self-evaluation (SEF) and a clear School Improvement Plan (SIP). 5. Manage the school budget effectively, ensuring resources are deployed to the greatest impact. 6. Embed high standards of behaviour, wellbeing and inclusion across the school. 7. Ensure seamless services for families through effective partnership working within the Longsight Hub. 8. Support initiatives that improve the physical, emotional and mental wellbeing of children and families. 9. Ensure appropriate support for all pupils, including children in care and those with SEND. 10. Oversee effective contract management and delivery against agreed targets. 11. Promote strong parental engagement and ensure families can access appropriate local services. 12. Act as Designated Safeguarding Lead, ensuring the highest standards of safeguarding, health and safety, and information governance. 13. Work with pastoral teams to ensure robust attendance strategies aligned with national expectations. 14. Contribute to the development of the school building and site to meet evolving community needs. 15. Support other schools within the Trust, coaching leaders and modelling best practice. 16. Work with Trust leaders to ensure curriculum delivery reflects national policy and maximises opportunity for all pupils. 17. Act as an ambassador for Big Life Group, Big Life Schools Trust and the Longsight Hub. For the full recruitment pack, which includes the job description and person specification, please go to: Vacancies Archive - The Big Life Group [https://www.thebiglifegroup.com/work-volunteer/opportunities/] For more information about the post please contact: keith.smith@thebiglifegroup.com