Headteacher

NAVIGATION PRIMARY SCHOOL
Hawarden Road
Altrincham
WA14 1NG
Headteacher: Ms. J Patterson
Tel: 0161 711 0149
Website: www.navigationprimary.com
Email: admin@navigationprimary.com
WORKING TOGETHER LEARNING TOGETHER

HEADTEACHER Start Date: September 2026 (or January 2027 will be considered for the right candidate)
L18-L24

Navigation Primary School is a popular, friendly and diverse school which delivers a broad curriculum designed to maximise the potential of every pupil.

The school is highly regarded because of its close-knit and welcoming community, which the current headteacher has developed and nurtured over a number of years. It has a dedicated and talented staff, many of whom are longstanding and have played key roles in its progress and all-round supportive culture. The school is well supported by parents and carers who actively participate in all aspects of school life and raise significant funds for the school. The dedicated Governing Body provides appropriate level of challenge as well as support.

The school is proud of its academic progress, which was recognised by Ofsted in March 2025 (Quality of Education - Good, Behaviour & Attitudes - Outstanding, Personal Development - Outstanding, Leadership & Management - Good, Early Years Provision - Good). Its staff drive educational excellence across a wide range of curriculum areas, recognised by achieving the Primary Science Quality Mark, Primary Geography Quality Mark, Primary History Quality Mark, the Music Mark and School Games Mark Gold Award. The children are front and centre of everything which goes on at Navigation and the school prioritises supporting their social, emotional and moral development, alongside academic achievement and pupil progress. Staff want every child to be excited about coming to school each day and to leave having enjoyed their learning and been challenged to acquire new skills.

The school’s values are learning, collaboration, caring and respect. Staff work tirelessly to instil these into the children on a daily basis. The school celebrates children when they show the values through a weekly celebration assembly and through a house point system and it wants children to leave school reflecting these Navigation values.

The school’s capacity (at time of writing) is 420 pupils plus a 26 place nursery and it currently has 439 on roll (including nursery, from which the majority go on to take up a place in reception), which shows the school’s popularity. The PAN is 60 pupils.

In short, staff, pupils and the wider community are proud of Navigation Primary School. It is therefore looking for an outstanding candidate to embrace the school’s ethos and values and work with staff to deliver high academic standards and ensure each and every one of its pupils achieves their social, emotional and moral potential.

The successful candidate will:
Have extensive experience in primary education in a leadership position and
demonstrate a proven track record of successful leadership and management.
Have a strong personality and be a visible, energetic and approachable leader.
Develop a clear and compelling strategic vision to drive the school forward with buy in from staff and the wider school community.
Lead staff, pupils and the wider school community with integrity alongside being a nurturing leader who can promote resilience and demonstrate a firm commitment to staff and pupil well-being.
Take an inclusive approach to leadership and have the ability to listen to others and make balanced decisions.
Prioritise and take a collaborative approach to staff welfare and development.
Be a great communicator who can develop and maintain relationships and
partnerships with a wide range of stakeholders.
Possess strong pedagogy skills, a desire to continue to develop their own practice and to develop others, along with a good awareness of current national education policy and strategy.
Be able to deliver strong strategic financial planning, analysis and effective budget management to ensure long term fiscal stability for the school.
Have experience in preparing schools for Ofsted and be able to communicate
expectations so that these are understood and acted upon.
Have experience as a senior leader responsible for child protection and safeguarding.

In return we offer:
A popular, vibrant and well-respected school which has enjoyed years of strong leadership.
An experienced, stable, and dedicated staff committed to the best outcomes for the children.
Supportive parents and carers who work together with staff to ensure the best
outcomes for the children.
Pupils who are eager to learn and demonstrate excellent standards of behaviour.
A school which has a supportive culture and prioritises staff and pupil well-being.
A financially stable school.
Modern and adaptable facilities which encourage interaction and high quality
learning.
A committed and supportive Governing Body.

Application packs are available in person from the school office or by accessing the ‘Vacancies’ page on the school website, or by the following URL: https://www.navigationprimary.com/page/vacancies/137853

Visits to the school are warmly welcomed during the time slots indicated below. To make an appointment email the school business manager
rachelpleasant@navigationprimary.com or call the school office on 0161 711 0149.

Tuesday 24 March 2026 - 9.30 to 11.30 or 13.20 to 15.20
Thursday 26 March 2026 - 9.30 to 11.30 or 13.20 to 15.20
Monday 30 March 2026 - 9.30 to 11.30 or 13.20 to 15.20
Wednesday 1 April 2026 - 9.30 to 11.30 or 13.20 to 15.20

Completed application forms should be returned ‘FAO Mrs Amy Johnson, Chair of Governors’ by email to Jane.Bryan@trafford.gov.uk

Applications should be made on the Trafford Schools Teaching Staff Application Form, which is included as part of the job pack. Please note that CVs will not be accepted.

Navigation Primary School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Enhanced checks through the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) will be required for this post.

This post is also subject to satisfactory references, proof of right to work in the UK in accordance with the Asylum and Immigration Act 1996 and other pre-employment checks where applicable, including online and social media accounts.

The closing date for applications is - Monday 20 April 2026 at 9.00 am
Shortlisting will take place on - Thursday 23 April 2026
Interviews will take place on - Thursday 30 April 2026 and Friday 1 May 2026