06/10/2026
Spotlight on School Principal:
Ahead of the Victoria Park Primary School Open Day on Tuesday 8th December we caught up with new Principal Jonathan Bleakley.
Tell us about your own personal or professional background
I have been teaching for over 15 years and have had the privilege of working in a wide range of primary and preparatory schools across Belfast, Lisburn and Bangor, as well as spending a short period teaching internationally in New York.
For the past ten years, I have been part of the Victoria Park Primary School community, and I am absolutely delighted to have now taken on the role of Principal. Having worked alongside our wonderful children, families and staff for so many years, I already have a very strong connection with the school and the wider community it serves.
It is a real privilege to lead Victoria Park into its next chapter, building upon the excellent foundations already established while continuing to develop a school where every child feels valued, supported and inspired to achieve their very best.
Qualifications
I hold a First Class Honours degree in Primary Education, having studied History as my main subject alongside specialising in Primary Languages.
I also hold a Master of Education degree, which I completed with Distinction in 2025. As part of my Master's degree, I undertook research exploring the impact of Artificial Intelligence on primary education, with a particular focus on teachers' attitudes towards AI and its ethical, critical and innovative use to enhance teaching and learning. This research is now being prepared for publication.
Alongside my role as Principal, I have also had the privilege of working as an Associate Lecturer at Stranmillis University College promoting innovative approaches to teaching and learning for educators as part of their Master’s programme, and I have also worked with the Education Authority for the last six years, supporting the professional learning and development of both aspiring and experienced senior teachers in primary schools across Northern Ireland. I have also carried out work developing curriculum guidance and frameworks with CCEA.
Specialist Training
Throughout my career, I have been passionate about developing my own professional knowledge and skills, particularly in school leadership, curriculum development, digital learning and supporting the professional development of others.
I have undertaken professional learning in educational leadership and school improvement, and have had opportunities to support other school leaders through my work with the Education Authority. I have also worked extensively in digital learning, supporting schools and teachers to use technology effectively to enhance teaching and learning.
My postgraduate research has further developed my interest in evidence-informed practice and educational innovation. However, effective school leadership is about much more than qualifications: it is about building strong relationships, listening to others and creating the conditions in which children and staff can thrive to fulfil their potential.
Tell us about an average day in your post?
One of the things I love most about being a Principal is that no two days are ever quite the same! Each day brings new opportunities and challenges, and there is certainly never a dull moment.
The best part of my day is spending time with our wonderful children, whether that is welcoming them into school in the morning, visiting classrooms, celebrating their achievements or simply having a chat throughout the school day.
I also thoroughly enjoy working alongside our dedicated and passionate staff and building positive relationships with our families. Our children, families and staff are what make Victoria Park such a special place to be. It is a tremendous privilege to lead a school that means so much to me personally and to the community at large.
Tell us a little about the school Philosophy and why that resonates with pupils and teachers?
At Victoria Park, we believe that every child deserves the very best start in life and that children learn best when they feel safe, happy, valued and supported.
As a nurturing school, providing the highest quality of pastoral care is fundamental to everything we do. We recognise that children need a genuine sense of belonging so they can engage with learning, develop confidence and achieve their potential. Our vision is for every child to be inspired to learn, nurtured to grow and ready to flourish.
This means combining high-quality teaching and learning with strong relationships, inclusive support and high expectations for every child. We want children to leave Victoria Park not only with knowledge and skills for the next stage of their education, but also with the confidence, kindness, resilience and curiosity that will help them throughout their lives. Our five core values of belonging, nurture, respect, curiosity and achievement, help bring this philosophy to life in each classroom, every day.
Tell us about teaching methods and strategies used?
At Victoria Park, we are committed to providing high-quality, creative and engaging learning experiences which inspire children to develop a genuine love of learning.
Our teachers use a range of approaches to meet the individual needs of pupils, recognising that every child has their own strengths, interests and areas in which they may need additional support. We place a strong emphasis on developing secure foundations in literacy and numeracy, alongside opportunities to develop creativity, curiosity, independence and problem-solving skills across the wider curriculum.
We also recognise the importance of outdoor and digital learning and of providing meaningful opportunities for children to explore the world around them. Our approach combines high expectations with nurture and appropriate support, ensuring children are both challenged and encouraged to experience success.
Detail any recent School Achievements
Victoria Park has a proud tradition of providing high-quality education and has been recognised through a wide range of awards and achievements across many aspects of school life over the years. In 2019, under my leadership of ICT, the school was recognised as one of the top 50 schools from across the United Kingdom for its innovative use of technology. This was a wonderful recognition of the commitment and creativity of all our staff and children.
Some of the achievements that give us the greatest sense of pride, however, are those we see every day in our classrooms, corridors and playground. Whether it is a child overcoming a personal challenge, developing confidence, showing kindness to others or making progress in their learning, we believe that every achievement deserves to be recognised and celebrated.
Tell us about your teaching team?
I feel incredibly fortunate to work alongside such a dedicated, talented and caring team of teaching and non-teaching staff. Our staff are passionate about the children in their care and work tirelessly to ensure that every child feels known, valued and supported throughout their time at Victoria Park.
One of our greatest strengths is the relationships between staff, children and families. There is a genuine sense of community, and our staff go above and beyond to provide a positive and nurturing environment in which children can thrive.
As Principal, I am passionate about supporting the professional development of our staff, recognising their individual strengths and providing opportunities for everyone to continue learning and developing together.
Tell us about your premises and facilities?
Victoria Park is fortunate to have a modern, welcoming school environment which supports a broad range of learning experiences. Our accommodation includes the addition of a dedicated nurture room, The Den, that ensures that our nurturing ethos is firmly established in our school.
We are very conscious of the importance of creating spaces in which children feel safe, comfortable and a genuine sense of belonging. However, what really makes Victoria Park special is not simply its excellent facilities, but the children, families and staff who bring our school to life every day.
What is the school's overall philosophy and vision?
For me, what makes Victoria Park special is its people. We are a welcoming, nurturing and inclusive school community where relationships really matter and the child as an individual is at the heart of everything we do. Our staff genuinely care about the children they work with, and we place a strong emphasis on ensuring that every child feels known, valued and supported.
We are fortunate to have strong relationships with our families and the wider community. From the moment a child joins us in Primary 1 until they leave at the end of Primary 7, we want them to experience a genuine sense of belonging, develop a love of learning and grow into confident, kind and capable young people. That sense of family and community, combined with our ambition for every child, makes Victoria Park such a special place to be.
What is your leadership style?
I would describe my approach to leadership as collaborative, supportive and firmly focused on doing what is best for our children. I believe that successful schools are places where everyone feels valued, listened to and empowered to make a positive contribution.
Having worked at Victoria Park for the past ten years, I have seen first-hand the tremendous knowledge, experience and commitment of our staff. I want to build upon these strengths, encouraging staff to share ideas, develop their leadership skills and work together to continually improve the experiences we provide for our children. I am also conscious of the importance of being visible and approachable as a Principal, whether that is spending time in classrooms, talking with children, supporting staff or engaging with parents and the wider community.
Victoria Park Primary School is holding an Open Day on Tuesday 8th December from 10-11am www.victoriaparkprimaryschool.co.uk
