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
2024.09 - 2025.05
- 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
2024.01 - 2024.08
- 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
2023.09 - 2023.12
- 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
2023.01 - 2023.08
- 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
2022.06 - 2022.12
- 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
2020.09 - 2022.05
- 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
2017.09 - 2020.08
- 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
2016.06 - 2017.08
- 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
2014.09 - 2016.08
Strategic Intervention Manager
Buckinghamshire Learning Trust
2012.09 - 2014.08
Assistant Headteacher
Light Hall School
2009.09 - 2012.08
Head of mathematics
Lyndon School
2006.09 - 2009.08
Head of mathematics
The International School of Turin
2003.09 - 2006.08
Teacher of mathematics
Rhodesway School
2000.09 - 2003.08
Education
NPQH - Educational Leadership
Future Leaders
Birmingham 09/2014 - 01/2016
PGCE - Mathematics
University of Leeds
1999.09 - 07/2000
BEng (Hons) - Civil Engineering 2ii
University of Bradford
1994.09 - 06/1998
3 A-levels - Chemistry (C), Biology (C), Maths (D)
Bournville College
Birmingham 1987.09 - 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 1987.09 - 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
2024.09 - 2025.05
Interim Headteacher
Dunchurch Boughton CoE Junior School
2024.01 - 2024.08
School Improvement Support
Lyndon Green Junior School
2023.09 - 2023.12
Interim Headteacher
Deykin Avenue JI School
2023.01 - 2023.08
Interim Headteacher
Bloxham CE Primary School
2022.06 - 2022.12
Principal
Seva School (all-through school)
2020.09 - 2022.05
Headteacher
Chivenor Primary School
2017.09 - 2020.08
Interim Headteacher
Faringdon Junior School
2016.06 - 2017.08
Vice Principal
Bexhill High
2014.09 - 2016.08
Strategic Intervention Manager
Buckinghamshire Learning Trust
2012.09 - 2014.08
Assistant Headteacher
Light Hall School
2009.09 - 2012.08
Head of mathematics
Lyndon School
2006.09 - 2009.08
Head of mathematics
The International School of Turin
2003.09 - 2006.08
Teacher of mathematics
Rhodesway School
2000.09 - 2003.08
PGCE - Mathematics
University of Leeds
1999.09 - 07/2000
BEng (Hons) - Civil Engineering 2ii
University of Bradford
1994.09 - 06/1998
3 A-levels - Chemistry (C), Biology (C), Maths (D)
Bournville College
1987.09 - 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
1987.09 - 08/1994
NPQH - Educational Leadership
Future Leaders
09/2014 - 01/2016