Executive Headteacher

Melsonby Methodist Primary School, Richmond, North Yorkshire, DL10 5ND

30 days remaining to apply

• Job start date

  1 September 2026

• Closing date

  12 April 2026 at 11:59pm

• Date listed

  13 March 2026

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
• Contract type: Permanent
• Pay scale: L6 - L12 (£58,569 - £67,898)

What skills and experience we're looking for

We are seeking an exceptional leader with strong knowledge of SEND who can establish and sustain inclusive practices that enable all pupils to access the curriculum and learn effectively. You will bring pedagogical excellence, with the ability to embed high‑quality, evidence‑informed teaching across all subjects and phases, rooted in a clear understanding of how pupils learn.

You might be a current Headteacher looking to take on the challenge of Executive Headship, oran Assistant or Deputy Head wanting to move up in your Leadership career.

As a highly collaborative and reflective practitioner, you will engage confidently with a wide range of stakeholders, working openly and productively to strengthen the Federation. You will have the ability to motivate and empower others, drawing on your experience of focused, successful, and sustained school improvement. Personally, you will be adaptable, calm under pressure, empathetic, and able to think strategically, qualities that will enable you to lead with clarity, compassion, and vision.

What the school offers its staff

This is an exciting time to join our Federation. Both Melsonby and North and South Cowton are welcoming and friendly village schools where pupils feel safe, behave well and support one another. Our dedicated staff team, strong early reading provision, embedded curriculum and rich enrichment offer provide a solid foundation for the next chapter of the federation’s development.

You will join us with healthy cumulative budgets, “Good” Ofsted ratings and clear priorities for improvement. Key areas such as maths, writing, SEND adaptations, and progression in mixed‑age classes offer meaningful opportunities for you to shape teaching and learning across both schools.

The role also presents the chance to influence the long‑term sustainability of two small rural schools.

You will help guide decisions about future leadership and staffing structures, explore potential partnerships and growth, including collaboration with other local Methodist schools, and strengthen each school’s position as the school of choice in its community.

We can offer you:

• A happy and friendly school, with delightful children who respect each other and have a thirst for learning.
• A culture which allows all staff to thrive and develop.
• An opportunity to realise the clear potential of both schools and shape their path towards excellence in primary education.
• Significant levels of support from the Local Authority, Diocese, Governing Board and a staff team who are experienced, committed and passionate about our school.
• A Governing Body committed to providing support on all matters including more sensitive or difficult issues and including the wellbeing of all staff members.
• The school is part of a Cluster where the Headteachers meet regularly. This provides a support network for sharing ideas and best practice.

Most importantly, you will be leading schools with heart: places where children thrive, families feel connected, and staff are committed to making a difference. If you are ready to lead with empathy, ambition, and strategic clarity, this is a role where your leadership will have a lasting and positive impact.

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.

For further information about our opportunity, please visit our dedicated recruitment microsite: https://nyresourcing.co.uk/fednscmms-headteacher/

Commitment to safeguarding

Our organisation is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. We expect all staff, volunteers and trustees to share this commitment.

Our recruitment process follows the keeping children safe in education guidance.

Offers of employment may be subject to the following checks (where relevant):
childcare disqualification
Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS)
medical
online and social media
prohibition from teaching
right to work
satisfactory references
suitability to work with children

You must tell us about any unspent conviction, cautions, reprimands or warnings under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975.

Applying for the job

Apply for the job by following the link below.

CVs will not be accepted for this application.

About Melsonby Methodist Primary School

• School type: Local authority maintained school, Methodist, ages 4 to 11
• Education phase: Primary school
• School size: 28 pupils enrolled
• Age range: 4 to 11
• Ofsted report: View Ofsted report
• School website: Melsonby Methodist Primary School website
• Email address: ashley.benford@northyorks.gov.uk
• Phone number: 07814 932 389
• See more jobs: teaching-vacancies.service.gov.uk/organisations/melsonby-methodist-primary-school

The Federation of North & South Cowton CP School and Melsonby Methodist Primary School

Arranging a visit to Melsonby Methodist Primary School

To arrange a visit and increase the chance of a successful application email ashley.benford@northyorks.gov.uk.

School location

Get a job alert when similar jobs are listed

Find more school jobs in Richmond Upon Thames and North Riding Of Yorkshire