Our Senior Leaders

Welcome to Braithwaite School.  We are proud to work together as Executive Headteacher and Head of School of this wonderful school and hope that this website gives you a flavour of our school.  Our aim is to keep parents, children and staff up to date with useful information and events, as well as to provide information for prospective parents and visitors, to draw you to come and visit us for yourself. 

Mrs Laker has been Headteacher here for 17 years and has taught in every class.  In September 2019, she became Executive Headteacher over 2 schools (Braithwaite and Dean Primary Schools) and in January 2024 took on Executive Head duties at Lorton School as well. The leadership structure means Mrs Laker works closely with Mrs Todhunter, who as Head of School, is responsible for the day to day management of the school.   Mrs Laker oversees the strategic leadership direction, working closely on this with the Local Governing Body and Good Shepherd Trust.  Mrs Laker comments, "I first visited Braithwaite on honeymoon over 25 years ago, not realising I would return here when I was fortunate enough to move to the Lake District and become a Headteacher."  

Mrs Todhunter joined the school in January 2024.   She brings a wealth of leadership experience from previous schools.

Our school is situated in the attractive village of Braithwaite. It has a wonderful setting in the northern heart of the Lake District, nestling between Skiddaw, Grisedale Pike and Derwent Water. We are surrounded by some of Britain’s most beautiful mountains, lakes, woods, streams and valleys. With have 44 children currently on roll, we pride ourselves on our friendly, caring atmosphere, where staff know children well. We have modern facilities and plenty of room to play and learn in our spacious school building and grounds.  We provide a rich, varied and exciting curriculum for our children (including Forest Schools for every pupil every fortnight) and maintain high standards in both work and behaviour.  We see ourselves as a family school at the centre of the community and have close links with the church.  We can provide up to 30 hours free Nursery provision (for eligible families) and an extended day from 8:00am to 5:30pm at reasonable costs and with consistent staff.

The school is part of the Good Shepherd Multi Academy Trust and there is more information about this here. 

You will find many photos of our spacious school and happy children on the website and on our school Facebook page, but please do come and see for yourself!

We hope you will find this website both useful and interesting, but please do not hesitate to contact us if you require any further information.  

Mrs Jo Laker                                    Mrs Laura Todhunter
Executive Headteacher                       Head of School