Johanna Donnellan
Birmingham
Summary
I am a graduate of the Future Leader “fast track to headship” program and have supported countless schools, both primary and secondary, “at risk” to make significant improvements in a short time span. Although this has been highly rewarding, I now need a new challenge - a role where I can apply my skills and experience to meaningfully impact the disadvantaged and improve social mobility not just on a local level, but nationally.
Overview
25
25
years of professional experience
Work history
Headteacher
The Meadows Primary School & Resource Base
Birmingham
09.2024 - 05.2025
- Positive external reports from school improvement professionals
- Coordinated successful school events, enhancing student engagement and participation.
- Encouraged parental involvement in school functions, strengthening community ties.
- Developed a culture of continuous learning for staff development.
Interim Headteacher
Dunchurch Boughton CoE Junior School
Warwickshire
01.2024 - 08.2024
- Transformed pupil behaviour across the school
- Impressive academic outcomes summer 2024 (70% RWM, national 61%)
- Managed school budget efficiently, ensuring optimal use of resources.
- Collaborated with local community organisations for student enrichment programmes.
- Created a safe learning environment, prioritising student safety and comfort.
- Promoted student wellbeing by introducing mental health support services in the school.
School Improvement Support
Lyndon Green Junior School
Birmingham
09.2023 - 12.2023
- Leading on new approach to attendance (Inclusive Attendance)
- Deputy DSL
- Leading on whole school behaviour
- Overseeing Personal Development
- Supported headteacher through section 5 Ofsted visit
Interim Headteacher
Deykin Avenue JI School
Birmingham
01.2023 - 08.2023
- Led this school to provide vastly improved provision (Ofsted 2023)
- Created vastly improved provision in EYFS, working alongside an external specialist
- Commissioned an external SEND review to tackle embedded weaknesses in this area
- Provided refresher training to all staff teaching phonics (RWI)
- Launched a new English curriculum across the school
- Launched new humanities curriculum
Interim Headteacher
Bloxham CE Primary School
Oxfordshire
06.2022 - 12.2022
- Led the school through a very turbulent period
- Supported the school to prepare for imminent SIAMs inspection
- Introduced robust performance management procedures across the school
- Supporting the Deputy Headteacher to lead T&L effectively
- Reversed a deficit position in April 2025 through a restructure of support staff
Principal
Seva School (all-through school)
Coventry
09.2020 - 05.2022
- School moved to Ofsted “good” (from requires improvement) for the first time in school history
- A leadership and staffing re-structure ensured we ended 2020 / 2021 with a £70,000 surplus (from a projected deficit position when I took up role Sep 2020)
- Numbers on roll rose from 512 when I started to 600 today (with more waiting to join)
- New staffing appointments secured far stronger leadership capacity across secondary (evident in improvements in both student data and student work)
- 2021 teacher assessed grades strong across all subjects, carried out with honesty and integrity (all externally moderated)
- High quality virtual learning provision during January 2021 lockdown (across primary and secondary)
- Strong partnership work with other schools (resulting in grants to improve T&L and high quality CPD for single department teachers)
Headteacher
Chivenor Primary School
Birmingham
09.2017 - 08.2020
- School moved to Ofsted “good” (from requires improvement) under the work of my team (the school last rated “good” 14 years previous)
- Personal recognition from the Regional Schools Commissioner following the 2019 Ofsted inspection
- School served the suburb of Castle Vale; a very socially deprived area of Birmingham with 80% of pupils disadvantaged
- RWI phonics support worth £14k secured (TILF); year 1 outcomes rose to 94% in 2019 (giving outstanding progress)
- Strong financial management secured new play facilities (outdoor gym and running track, improved EYFS outdoor provision and improved interior facilities for whole community)
- Commitment to the arts secured The Arts Mark gold award
- Strong staffing appointments and use of “leverage leadership” coaching transformed the quality of teaching (and subsequently attainment and progress)
Interim Headteacher
Faringdon Junior School
Oxfordshire
06.2016 - 08.2017
- RWM rose from 56% to 73% in the year I led (97% reached expected in mathematics and 92% in SPaG)
- Safeguarding procedures overhauled, addressing significant Ofsted concerns I inherited
- Finances heading into deficit addressed through strategic staffing re-structure and income generation
- SEN provision overhauled as this was identified as the main school priority
- Premises vastly improved
Vice Principal
Bexhill High
09.2014 - 08.2016
Strategic Intervention Manager
Buckinghamshire Learning Trust
09.2012 - 08.2014
Assistant Headteacher
Light Hall School
09.2009 - 08.2012
Head of mathematics
Lyndon School
09.2006 - 08.2009
Head of mathematics
The International School of Turin
09.2003 - 08.2006
Teacher of mathematics
Rhodesway School
09.2000 - 08.2003
Education
NPQH - Educational Leadership
Future Leaders
Birmingham 09/2014 - 01/2016
PGCE - Mathematics
University of Leeds
09.1999 - 07/2000
BEng (Hons) - Civil Engineering 2ii
University of Bradford
09.1994 - 06/1998
3 A-levels - Chemistry (C), Biology (C), Maths (D)
Bournville College
Birmingham 09.1987 - 08/1994
GCSEs - English Language A, English Literature A, Maths B, Science AA, RE A, French A, German B, Art B
St Paul's RC School for Girls
Birmingham 09.1987 - 08/1994
Skills
- Strategic visioning and planning
- Leadership expertise
- Project management experience
- Financial budgeting and reporting
- School marketing strategies
- School culture building
- Change management
- Advanced organising
- Crisis handling
- Conflict Resolution
- Collaborative networking
- Resilience and perseverance
- Recruitment and hiring
- Resource delegation
- Staff motivation
- Health and Safety Compliance
- Interpersonal communication
- Public speaking
- Cultural awareness
- Staff performance evaluation
- Knowledge of Ofsted standards
- Experience with inspection procedures
- Curriculum Development
Timeline
Headteacher
The Meadows Primary School & Resource Base
09.2024 - 05.2025
Interim Headteacher
Dunchurch Boughton CoE Junior School
01.2024 - 08.2024
School Improvement Support
Lyndon Green Junior School
09.2023 - 12.2023
Interim Headteacher
Deykin Avenue JI School
01.2023 - 08.2023
Interim Headteacher
Bloxham CE Primary School
06.2022 - 12.2022
Principal
Seva School (all-through school)
09.2020 - 05.2022
Headteacher
Chivenor Primary School
09.2017 - 08.2020
Interim Headteacher
Faringdon Junior School
06.2016 - 08.2017
Vice Principal
Bexhill High
09.2014 - 08.2016
Strategic Intervention Manager
Buckinghamshire Learning Trust
09.2012 - 08.2014
Assistant Headteacher
Light Hall School
09.2009 - 08.2012
Head of mathematics
Lyndon School
09.2006 - 08.2009
Head of mathematics
The International School of Turin
09.2003 - 08.2006
Teacher of mathematics
Rhodesway School
09.2000 - 08.2003
PGCE - Mathematics
University of Leeds
09.1999 - 07/2000
BEng (Hons) - Civil Engineering 2ii
University of Bradford
09.1994 - 06/1998
3 A-levels - Chemistry (C), Biology (C), Maths (D)
Bournville College
09.1987 - 08/1994
GCSEs - English Language A, English Literature A, Maths B, Science AA, RE A, French A, German B, Art B
St Paul's RC School for Girls
09.1987 - 08/1994
NPQH - Educational Leadership
Future Leaders
09/2014 - 01/2016
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