Welcome, and thank you for your interest in our Headteacher opportunity

Located in the heart of North Yorkshire, Alverton Community Primary School is based in Northallerton, a vibrant market town with good road and rail links. The nearby A1(M) and A19 provide excellent connectivity, while regular services on the East Coast Main Line and TransPennine network offer easy travel to surrounding areas and beyond. Newcastle, Leeds and York are all within comfortable travelling distance, and the Yorkshire Dales and coast are close by.

For candidates considering relocation, Northallerton's central location presents excellent employment prospects for partners and family members, with accessible commuter routes to Teesside, Darlington, Harrogate, York, Newcastle and Leeds.

Our school is made up of 7 classes (Nursery, FS2/ Year 1, Year 1/ Year 2, Year 3, Year 4, Year 5, Year 6, TMP class) with 1 form entry a PAN of 20.  There is also our Governor-led nursery.  We have a Targeted Mainstream Provision with spaces for 8 pupils on our KS1 site. We are currently going through the process to expand this to our KS2 site with another 8 places.  We are a split site school, connected by a path across playing fields.

Our Pupils

At Alverton Community Primary School, our pupils are at the heart of everything we do. They are enthusiastic, welcoming and proud of their school, thriving in an environment where every child is known, valued and encouraged to succeed. The strong relationships between pupils and staff create a culture where children feel safe, supported and ready to learn.

Our pupils embrace the school's values of Responsibility, Determination, Respect, Kindness, Inclusivity and Aspiration. They learn to celebrate differences, care for one another and contribute positively to both the school community and the wider world.

Behaviour across the school is generally good, with calm and purposeful classrooms where positive learning behaviours are evident.  In recent years, leaders have strengthened behaviour systems and routines to ensure greater consistency for pupils. These changes have had a positive impact both in lessons and during less structured parts of the school day. The number of suspensions has reduced- there have been 14 this school year, mainly for children with SEMH needs. There has been 1 permanent exclusion this year.  While some children require additional support due to social, emotional and mental health needs, the school is committed to providing the interventions and nurturing approaches that help every child succeed.

Attendance remains an important priority for the school with overall attendance at 92.9% (June 2026). Encouragingly, sustained work with pupils and families has led to significant improvements, with persistent absence reducing considerably over the past two years. Persistent absence has reduced from 33% (April 2024) to 19% (June 2026).  Leaders recognise that there is more to do, but the direction of travel is positive and reflects the school's determination to ensure every child benefits from regular attendance and engagement in learning.

Inclusion is a defining strength of Alverton. The school has a higher-than-average proportion of pupils with SEND, and The Hive, our Targeted Mainstream Provision, provides tailored support for children with additional needs. This inclusive culture helps foster a strong sense of belonging, ensuring that every pupil feels valued and able to thrive.

Alverton has a strong community feel, which contributes greatly to pupils' sense of belonging. Pupil surveys show that the vast majority of children feel happy and safe in school, reflecting the warm, supportive environment that staff work hard to create every day. As Ofsted recognised:

"This is an inclusive school. Pupils' individuality is celebrated. Relationships between staff and pupils are highly positive throughout school." – Ofsted 2024

Our pupils are the greatest ambassadors for our school, kind, resilient and full of potential.  They inspire us every day to strive for the very best.

Our Staffing Team

We are proud of our dedicated, experienced and highly committed staff team, who work together to create a nurturing, inclusive and ambitious environment for every child. Staff share a genuine belief that all pupils can succeed and are united by a commitment to ensuring that every child feels valued, supported and able to thrive.

Our team benefits from a strong culture of collaboration and mutual support. Teachers, support staff and leaders work closely together, sharing expertise and contributing to a positive professional environment where relationships are built on trust, respect and a shared sense of purpose. This cohesive approach helps ensure consistency for pupils and enables staff to continually develop their practice.

Our staffing structure reflects the school's commitment to meeting the needs of all learners. Alongside our teaching staff and classroom support teams, we have a well-established Targeted Mainstream Provision (The Hive), supported by specialist staff who work closely with pupils with additional needs. Inclusion is central to our work, and staff are passionate advocates for ensuring that every child receives the support they need to achieve success.  We will be looking for our next Headteacher to have SEND experience with a positive and inclusive attitude to continue to support the large proportion of SEND children in school as well as The Hive.

Staff wellbeing is an important consideration in decision-making across the school. Leaders strive to ensure that workload is manageable and that colleagues feel supported professionally and personally.

Leadership capacity within the school is strong, with experienced senior and middle leaders who have played an important role in recent developments and school improvement.  The school is fortunate to have excellent staff retention, with many colleagues choosing to build long and fulfilling careers at Alverton. This stability provides continuity for pupils and families.  For a new Headteacher, this presents an exciting opportunity to lead a loyal, skilled and committed team with a shared determination to deliver the very best outcomes for the children and families we serve.

Current Staff Structure

Headteacher and Deputy Head (both non-teaching) with 3 Senior Leaders with TLR.  In the interim there will be an Acting Head with 2 Acting Assistant Heads.

9 Teachers. - Mix of Full Time and Part Time Staff. There will be 1 ECT in September 2026.

11 Teaching Assistants in mainstream classes - mix of full and part time

3 Teaching Assistants in TMP

Our Governing Body

The school benefits from the strong support and constructive challenge provided by a dedicated Governing Body. Governors work closely with school leaders to ensure the continued success and development of the school, meeting regularly to shape its strategic direction and make decisions that are in the best interests of pupils, staff, and the wider community.

The Governing Body plays a vital role in setting the school's strategic vision, overseeing financial management and resource allocation, ensuring high standards of education are maintained, and holding the Headteacher to account for the school's performance and outcomes. Through their commitment and expertise, governors provide both support and challenge, helping to drive continuous improvement across the school.

Read more about our Governing Body here

At Alverton Primary School, every individual is valued for who they are and what they contribute to the school. Values are intended to support the personal and social development of every pupil throughout the school.

Following feedback from the whole school community (pupils, staff and parents) we have developed a new set of values that reflect the people we want Alverton children to be:

• Responsibility – Everyone at Alverton learns the important of being responsible, for their actions, their families, their peers, their community and their planet. They understand the significance of duty and that responsible people are successful people.
• Determination – At Alverton, we never give up. We encourage our children to keep going when things get tough, to learn from mistakes, and to take pride in their progress. Determined learners become confident achievers.
• Respect – Everyone at Alverton is valued for who they are. We know that respect builds feelings of trust, safety and well-being so we create an atmosphere of mutual respect, where we value ourselves, each other and our environment.
• Kindness – From Nursery to Year 6 and beyond we care for Alverton children inside and outside the classroom. We expect them to show the same kindness to others, treating them as they would wish to be treated, because we’ve learned that kindness creates happiness.
• Inclusivity – Everyone belongs at Alverton. We celebrate our differences and make sure every voice is heard. By being inclusive, we create a community where everyone feels safe, valued and able to thrive.
• Aspiration – At Alverton, we aim high. We help our children to dream big, believe in themselves and work hard to reach their goals. With aspiration, anything is possible.

Learning at Alverton Community Primary School

At Alverton Community Primary School, we are committed to providing a high-quality education that enables every child to achieve their potential. Our curriculum is designed to be ambitious, engaging and inclusive, ensuring that pupils develop the knowledge, skills and confidence they need to succeed both now and in the future.

Reading is a key strength of the school. Little Wandle, our systematic phonics programme, is firmly embedded across the early years and primary phases, helping children develop strong foundations in reading and contributing positively to pupil outcomes. Staff have developed consistent approaches that ensure pupils become confident, fluent readers who develop a lifelong love of books.

Alongside this, the school has introduced a new approach to writing which is already demonstrating encouraging signs of impact. Developing writing outcomes remains a priority for the school, and there is an exciting opportunity for the next Headteacher to build on this momentum and lead the next stage of improvement.

Curriculum leadership is another strength at Alverton. Subject leaders have a strong understanding of their areas of responsibility and work collaboratively to ensure that the curriculum is carefully planned, regularly reviewed and continually refined. Our whole-school curriculum provides clear progression of knowledge and skills, giving pupils the opportunity to build understanding over time and achieve success across a broad range of subjects.

Assessment is used thoughtfully to support learning and inform teaching. Through the school's assessment systems, including Insight, staff are able to identify pupils' strengths, target support effectively and plan the next steps in learning. This helps ensure that pupils receive the right level of challenge and support at every stage of their education.

For our next Headteacher, Alverton offers strong educational foundations, an experienced team of curriculum leaders and a clear opportunity to drive further improvements in outcomes, particularly in writing, while continuing to strengthen the excellent learning experiences already on offer for our pupils.

Learn more about our long term curriculum plan here and our different classes in Alverton here.

Wellbeing of Staff and Pupils

We believe that children learn best when they feel safe, valued, supported and understood, and we are committed to creating an environment where every member of our community can flourish.

Our school has a higher-than-average proportion of pupils with SEND, something we see as a defining strength of our community. Inclusion is woven through every aspect of school life, and we are proud of the way we celebrate individuality and ensure that every child has the opportunity to thrive. The Hive, our Targeted Mainstream Provision, provides carefully tailored education and support for pupils with additional needs, reflecting our commitment to meeting children where they are and helping them achieve their full potential.

Wellbeing and emotional literacy are key priorities throughout the school.  As part of our ongoing commitment to supporting pupils' wellbeing, we are continuing to develop and embed the Thrive approach across the school. This presents an exciting opportunity for our next Headteacher to build on existing strengths and further enhance our provision for emotional wellbeing, ensuring that every child is equipped to succeed both in school and beyond.

We are seeking a leader who shares our passion for inclusion and has experience of supporting children with SEND. The successful candidate will recognise the importance of creating a culture where all pupils feel a strong sense of belonging and where individual needs are understood, respected and championed.

Just as we prioritise the wellbeing of our pupils, we are equally committed to supporting our staff. Staff wellbeing is a key consideration in decision-making across the school, with leaders striving to ensure workloads are manageable and that colleagues feel professionally and personally supported. This has helped to create a positive working environment characterised by strong relationships, collaboration and excellent staff retention.

For our next Headteacher, Alverton offers the opportunity to lead a caring and compassionate school community that places equal importance on achievement, inclusion and wellbeing, ensuring that both pupils and staff can be their very best.

Relationships with parents, carers and the local community

At Alverton Community Primary School, we are proud of the strong relationships we have built with our parents, carers and the wider community. We recognise that children achieve their best when school and home work together in partnership, and we actively encourage families to be involved in school life.

Our pupils benefit from a wide range of opportunities beyond the classroom through strong links with local organisations, charities and community groups. From environmental initiatives and community projects to learning from visiting professionals and volunteers, these experiences enrich the curriculum and help children develop confidence, compassion and a sense of social responsibility.

School events are well supported by families, and we continue to strengthen opportunities for parental engagement. Together, we are creating a welcoming and inclusive community where every child is valued, every voice is heard and everyone belongs.

Relationship with LA and Wider networks

Alverton enjoys strong and supportive partnerships that help drive continuous improvement and provide valuable opportunities for collaboration. We work closely with the Local Authority (North Yorkshire Council), accessing high-quality school improvement support, governor services, professional development and specialist guidance.

The school is also an active member of respected professional networks; the Beacon Partnership and Swaledale Alliance. These partnerships enable staff and leaders to share best practice, learn from others and remain outward-looking in their approach, ensuring that Alverton continues to develop and provide the very best for its pupils and community.

Ofsted

Our most recent Ofsted inspection took place in April 2024, which found we continued to be a “Good” school. The report recognised the school's inclusive culture, positive relationships and strong sense of community, whilst also identifying key areas for further development.

Since the inspection, leaders, staff and governors have taken decisive action to address these priorities. New assessment systems have been introduced in foundation subjects and are monitored regularly by senior leaders and subject leaders to ensure pupils' knowledge is accurately assessed and gaps in learning are identified promptly.

Improving attendance remains a key focus for the school. Robust systems have been implemented to support pupils and families, resulting in significant improvements in attendance and a reduction in persistent absence.

The school has also strengthened its approach to behaviour, with consistent expectations and routines now embedded throughout the school day, including during unstructured times such as playtimes. These improvements have helped to create a calmer environment that supports pupils' wellbeing and learning.

For our next Headteacher, there is an excellent opportunity to build on this positive progress, continue driving school improvement and lead Alverton confidently into its next chapter.

Read our most recent Ofsted report here

Budget position

Like many schools nationally, Alverton is operating within a challenging financial landscape. The school has identified the potential for a significant budget deficit over the next two years; however, proactive action has already been taken to address this and strengthen long-term financial sustainability.

Through careful financial planning, staffing has been restructured and spending on resources has been reviewed to ensure that investment remains focused on delivering the best outcomes for pupils. As a result of these measures, the school is currently operating without a deficit and has a clear strategy in place to reduce financial pressures in the years ahead.

For our next Headteacher, this presents an opportunity to work alongside supportive governors, the Local Authority and specialist finance colleagues to continue implementing the school's recovery plan, ensuring that Alverton remains financially sustainable while maintaining its commitment to high-quality education, inclusion and pupil wellbeing

Short and Mid-term Priorities

• To improve outcomes for all children in writing to ensure that they are in line with those at a national level
• Work with the local authority to devise a plan to reduce the financial deficit

Long term Ambitions

• To reduce disparities in outcomes between pupils eligible for Pupil Premium (PP) and/or with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), and their peers.
• To ensure systems are embedded to improve outcomes for pupils with SEND.
• To fully embed the Thrive approach across school to support pupil wellbeing

North Yorkshire

North Yorkshire is England's largest county and one of the most rural. The area comprises the Yorkshire Dales and North York Moors, three Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty and a stunning coastline around Scarborough and Whitby. There are ruined castles and abbeys, serene gardens, unique breweries, thrilling rides and industrial heritage. The area hosted the phenomenal Tour de France ‘Grand Depart’ in 2014 and has since created the Tour de Yorkshire, an annual event with global recognition. Our success in supporting these events led to Harrogate hosting the UCI Cycling World Championships in 2019.

North Yorkshire has plenty to offer the outdoor enthusiast. From the hard gritstone of Almscliff and Brimham rocks to the limestone of Malham, Gordale and Kilnsey climbing venues are in abundance. The Yorkshire Dales is the premier area for caving and for mountain biking; there are the bridleways of the Dales and North York Moors as well as the renowned trail centre at Dalby Forest. There are a small number of sailing clubs on reservoirs around the county and fantastic surfsport venues and sea kayaking on the east coast.

While the county is rightly known for its wide open spaces, it also incorporates attractive market towns including Pickering and Helmsley, traditional seaside towns, the Spa town of Harrogate and the ancient city of York - the most visited city outside of London. There are a wide range of shopping, leisure and cultural facilities as well as excellent schools, universities, road and rail links, there really is everything to offer you and your family as a place to work, live and enjoy!

Travelling further afield we have convenient connectivity, with close proximity to metropolitan cities of Leeds and Newcastle, with little over two hours commute on the main train line to London. We border the Lake District, Lancashire, County Durham, and Yorkshire & Humber regions with all they have to offer.

You can find out more about what North Yorkshire has to offer on the Visit North Yorkshire website.

North Yorkshire Local Authority

North Yorkshire Council has a strong reputation for delivering high-quality services. Our Children’s Services are nationally recognised for excellence and routinely share best practice across the sector. Our teams are proud of what has been achieved and are committed to continuous improvement, ensuring services deliver real impact for children, young people and families while making effective use of public money. North Yorkshire serves a diverse and dispersed population of around 615,400 people, including 151,000 children, across more than 8,000 square kilometres. Our relationship-based “Strength in Relationships” practice model is embedded across the workforce, underpinned by strong partnership working at all levels.

We are deeply committed to ensuring children and young people are safe, happy, healthy and able to achieve within inclusive, high-quality services that value diversity and individuality. This vision is shaped by children and young people themselves, who told us that what matters most to them can be summed up in one word: Opportunity. We want life chances to be shaped by aspiration and potential, not circumstance or geography.

As the Headteacher of a North Yorkshire Local Authority (LA) maintained school, you will benefit from a comprehensive school improvement offer from the CYPS Education Standards and Inclusion team and access to a wide range of traded services designed to support you in your role. This includes:

• Participation in our ‘Welcome to North Yorkshire’ programme for new headteachers and those new to North Yorkshire, led by the School Improvement Team. The welcome team will ensure you have a clear understanding of working as a headteacher within North Yorkshire and will guide you through key aspects of headship, including Human Resources, School Finance, Governance, Health and Safety, SEND and inclusion, and safeguarding.
• Support from an experienced mentor headteacher who will work alongside you as you establish yourself into your role.
• A named Senior Education Adviser (SEA) from the School Improvement Team, who will support your school improvement journey through our core and enhanced offer. Your SEA will act as your first point of contact, helping you navigate and access wider services as needed.
• Access to specialist school improvement advisers, including experts in Safeguarding, Early Years, Religious Education, Health and Wellbeing and Governance.
• A wide range of specialist teams, traded services, training courses and resources available through North Yorkshire Education Services (NYES), including our recently launched Inclusive Mainstream Toolkit.
• Participation in termly CYPS briefings, offering opportunities to network with colleagues across both LA-maintained and academy sectors in North Yorkshire.
• Weekly LA updates via our ‘redbag’ communications, alongside comprehensive guidance available on the CYPS-info website.
• Access to the biennial Growing Up in North Yorkshire (GUNY) survey, enabling your school to gather valuable pupil voice on health, wellbeing, and educational experiences.
• Opportunities to participate in our Healthy Schools programme, supported by specialist advisers.