Headteacher

Dorchester St Birinus Church of England School, Wallingford, Oxfordshire, OX10 7HR

10 days remaining to apply

• Job start date

  1 September 2026

• Closing date

  18 May 2026 at 12pm (midday)

• Date listed

  8 May 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: L8 to L14

What skills and experience we're looking for

The Role

The Headteacher will be a visible, compassionate and strategic leader who champions excellence in teaching and learning and embodies the school’s Christian values.

Key Responsibilities

• Leading, supporting and developing a committed and caring staff team
• Ensuring the delivery of a high quality, inclusive and ambitious curriculum
• Creating a culture where all children feel safe, motivated and able to flourish
• Strengthening partnerships with parents, Dorchester Abbey and the wider community
• Upholding and promoting the school’s Christian ethos in daily practice
• Please note there will be a teaching commitment.

Who We’re Looking For

We are seeking a leader who is:

• Inspirational and resilient – able to motivate staff, pupils and families through both successes and challenges
• Values‑driven – modelling the Christian principles that underpin our school
• Ambitious for every child – committed to inclusion and high expectations for all
• Experienced in primary school leadership- committed to leading on professional development.

This is a meaningful opportunity to shape the future of a cherished village school.

What the school offers its staff

What We Offer

• A welcoming, nurturing and purpose driven school community
• A dedicated staff team who cares deeply about children’s outcomes
• Strong support from the school’s Governing Board and wider community.
• Close partnership with Dorchester Abbey
• Engaged families who value the school’s ethos and vision
• The opportunity to lead a school with a strong identity and deep community roots
• Opportunities for professional development

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.

Closing date: midday Monday 18th May 2026

Interviews: Candidate interviews will be held on Wednesday 20th of May 2026

Alternative dates may be available depending on staff availability.

Start date: 1 September 2026

School Visits

We strongly encourage prospective candidates to visit St Birinus.

To book a visit, please contact the school office: office@st-birinus-pri.oxon.sch.uk Tel: 01865 340081

Please see our school website www.st-birinus-pri.oxon.sch.uk

Application Requirements

Applications should include a personal statement addressing the person specification, with particular emphasis on:

• Leadership of teaching and learning
• High expectations for all pupils
• Commitment to the Christian ethos of the school

Applications should be made using the Oxfordshire County Council application form

https://oxfordshire.education-jobs.org.uk/

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.

Additional documents

If you need these documents in an accessible format, please contact the school.

Headteacher Candidate Pack.pdf - 608 KB (opens in new tab)

About Dorchester St Birinus Church of England School

• School type: Local authority maintained schools, Church of England, ages 4 to 11
• Education phase: Primary school
• School size: 75 pupils enrolled
• Age range: 4 to 11
• Ofsted report: View Ofsted report
• School website: Dorchester St Birinus Church of England School website
• Email address: office.3186@st-birinus-pri.oxon.sch.uk
• Phone number: 01865340081
• See more jobs: teaching-vacancies.service.gov.uk/organisations/dorchester-st-birinus-church-of-england-school

About St Birinus CE Primary School


St Birinus is a small, friendly and inclusive Church of England primary school at the heart of Dorchester‑on‑Thames in Oxfordshire. We are a Voluntary Controlled Local Authority school. We pride ourselves on:

• A caring, family centred ethos where relationships matter


• A broad, ambitious curriculum that nurtures compassion, knowledge and diversity.


• A strong Christian character expressed through daily practice, collective worship and our partnership with Dorchester Abbey


• A commitment to inclusion and the belief that every child can thrive


• A dedicated staff team who goes above and beyond for pupils and families

We benefit from strong professional networks, leadership support and opportunities for collaboration, while retaining our distinctive village school identity.

Arranging a visit to Dorchester St Birinus Church of England School

To arrange a visit and increase the chance of a successful application email office.3186@st-birinus-pri.oxon.sch.uk.

School location

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