All posts involving direct contact with children are exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (ROA) 1974 and the successful applicant will be required to hold or undergo a suitable enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service disclosure at the appropriate level.  However, amendments to the ROA 1974 (Exceptions Order 1975 (2013 & 2020)) provide that certain spent convictions and cautions are considered 'protected'.  This means that they 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 or see here.

Short-listed candidates will be asked to complete a criminal record and other sanctions self-disclosure form to provide details of all unspent convictions and those that would not be filtered or protected, prohibitions and disqualifications, to be returned to the school prior to the date of the interview.  You may be asked for further information about your criminal history during the recruitment process.  If your application is successful, this criminal record self-disclosure information will be checked against information from the Disclosure & Barring Service before your appointment is confirmed. 

In addition to the above, as part of our due diligence checks, the school reserves the right to carry out an online search on short-listed candidates.  This will only include a search for information which is publicly available online.

Please note it is an offence to apply for the role if the applicant is barred from engaging in regulated activity relevant to children.

Headteacher Recruitment for September 2026

Dear Prospective Candidate,

On behalf of the Governing Body, I am delighted to thank you for your interest in becoming the next Headteacher of St Mary’s Catholic Primary School, Kells. This is a wonderful opportunity to lead a caring, inclusive, and ambitious school that sits proudly at the heart of our community in Whitehaven.

At St Mary’s, we believe every child is unique and capable of achieving great things. Our Catholic values underpin everything we do — fostering kindness, respect, and a love of learning. Visitors often comment on the warm, family atmosphere in our school, where children feel safe, valued, and inspired to do their best.

We are proud of our dedicated and talented staff team, who work tirelessly to provide a rich and engaging curriculum that nurtures curiosity, creativity, and resilience. Our pupils are enthusiastic learners who embrace challenges and take pride in their achievements, both in and beyond the classroom.

We are seeking a Headteacher who will share our vision, build on our strong foundations, and lead us with integrity, energy, and compassion. You will be someone who can inspire staff, engage with families, and strengthen our links with the parish and wider community. Most importantly, you will be committed to ensuring that every child at St Mary’s flourishes academically, socially, and spiritually.

In return, you will find a welcoming and supportive governing body, a dedicated staff team, and a community that values and respects the role of our school in shaping young lives.

If you feel you have the passion, skills, and vision to lead our school into its next exciting chapter, we would be delighted to receive your application.

Yours sincerely,

N Pettitt

Chair of Governors

St Mary’s Catholic Primary School

Please find the relevant information for the vacancy below: