- School type
- Local authority maintained school, Church of England, ages 4 to 11
- Education phase
- Primary
- School size
- 44 pupils enrolled
- Age range
- 4 to 11
- Ofsted report
- View Ofsted report
- School website
- Spennithorne Church of England Primary School website
Executive Headteacher
More than one location, North Yorkshire local authority49 days remaining to apply
Job start date
1 January 2026
Closing date
7 September 2025 at 11:59pm
Date listed
18 July 2025
Job details
Job role
- Headteacher
Visa sponsorship
- Visas cannot be sponsored
Key stage
- Early years, Key stage 1, Key stage 2
Working pattern
- Full time: Monday - Friday
Contract type
- Permanent
Full-time equivalent salary
- Between £58,959 - £68,400
Pay scale
- (L10-L16)
What skills and experience we're looking for
Our Opportunity:
The Federation of Middleham and Spennithorne is a federation of two small village schools with enthusiastic and engaged pupils and dedicated staff. We have been rated Good in our last Ofsted report and aspire to be exemplary in the future. Our new Executive Headteacher will continue building on the school’s reputation and be able to develop the school to “future-proof” the school and its student body.
A defining feature of the school is its deeply embedded Christian vision: “Fruitful lives, rooted in love, A place to learn, love and grow.” The Executive Headteacher will need to ensure that this is actively lived out through worship, relationships, curriculum, and community work, while also promoting inclusion, respect, and diversity in a multi-faith society.
Leading a split-site federation requires effective coordination, communication, and consistency in expectations. The Executive Headteacher will need to ensure that pupils, staff, and parents across both locations experience the same high-quality provision, while maintaining the unique strengths and context of each setting. Part of this role will be to lead growth in pupil numbers, which is a positive reflection of the school’s reputation, but will also bring pressures on staffing, infrastructure, and resources. Additionally, changes to local transport eligibility criteria may affect accessibility for some families within catchment. Our future Executive Headteacher must respond flexibly and strategically to these shifts.
In a small school, staff frequently go above and beyond. The Executive Headteacher must recognise, support, and protect this commitment, ensuring that workload is manageable, wellbeing is prioritised, and all staff feel valued. Staff buy-in and retention will depend on a leadership style that is inclusive, empathetic, and transparent.
About You:
As Executive Headteacher of a small, rural Church of England primary school operating across two sites—Spennithorne CE VC and Middleham CE VA—the successful candidate will provide strategic, operational, and spiritual leadership for both school communities. This is a hands-on role that requires visibility, adaptability, and strong organisational and people leadership skills, ensuring consistency, collaboration, and high standards across both locations.
The successful candidate will be a proactive and hands-on leader, fully embedded in the daily life of the school. They will be expected to plan ahead with clarity and purpose, ensuring that systems and processes run smoothly and efficiently, while also remaining flexible enough to adapt when challenges arise. This is not a role for someone who leads from behind a desk; the Executive Headteacher must be visible, involved, and lead by example, supporting staff, engaging with pupils, and modelling the school's values in practice. They must be open, approachable, and empathetic, building strong relationships with parents, staff, pupils, governors, and the wider community. A natural problem-solver, they should approach unexpected issues with a calm, creative, and solutions-focused mindset—able to balance immediate operational needs with the bigger strategic picture.
To lead effectively across a two-site, values-driven Church of England primary school, the new Executive Headteacher will need a well-rounded blend of strategic, relational, and operational leadership skills, underpinned by a deep commitment to inclusion, excellence, and our school’s Christian distinctiveness
What the school offers its staff
We can offer you:
- A positive and supportive culturethat encourages all staff to grow, flourish, and reach their full potential.
- A unique opportunity to unlock the schools’ full potentialand lead Middleham and Spennithorne Primary Schools toward becoming a shining example of excellence in primary education.
- Strong and consistent supportfrom the Local Authority, the Diocese, a dedicated Governing Board, and a team of experienced, passionate, and committed staff.
- A Governing Body that is actively engaged and supportive, including in navigating sensitive matters and prioritising staff wellbeing.
- A collaborative local network, offering a valuable forum for sharing ideas, challenges, and best practice.
Further information about the job
The candidate will be required to undergo a full enhanced DBS check and must be eligible to work in the UK.
Visas cannot be sponsored.
If you're interested in teaching or training to teach in England as an international citizen, we can help you understand your next steps.
Read more about our schools and this opportunity by visiting our dedicated microsite: https://nyresourcing.co.uk/federation-of-middleham-va-and-spennithorne-v-primary-schools/
Commitment to safeguarding
This post is subject to satisfactory references and enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service criminal records check for work with children. An online search may be undertaken as part of the recruitment process on information available in the public domain. Candidates should disclose anything that may be relevant in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education.
North Yorkshire County Council (NYCC) advertise vacancies on behalf of schools and external organisations (third parties) in North Yorkshire. NYCC are not responsible for the recruitment/employment practices of third parties and accept no liability in relation to the vacancy and any subsequent recruitment/employment processes.
Applying for the job
Apply for the job by following the link below.
CVs will not be accepted for this application.
View advert on school website (opens in new tab)Upload additional documents
If you need these documents in an accessible format, please contact the school.
About the schools
- Email address
- ashley.benford@northyorks.gov.uk
School Details
Spennithorne Church of England Primary School
Middleham Church of England Aided School
- School type
- Local authority maintained school, Church of England, ages 4 to 11
- Education phase
- Primary
- School size
- 51 pupils enrolled
- Age range
- 4 to 11
- Ofsted report
- View Ofsted report
- School website
- Middleham Church of England Aided School website
Arranging a visit to North Yorkshire local authority
To arrange a visit and increase the chance of a successful application email ashley.benford@northyorks.gov.uk.
School locations
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