Executive Headteacher
The Federation of Follifoot and Spofforth CofE Primary Schools
Welcome, and thank you for your interest in the Executive Headteacher at The Federation of Follifoot and Spofforth CofE Primary Schools.
Dear Applicant,
Thank you for taking the time to find out more about our opportunity of Executive Headteacher at the Federation of Follifoot and Spofforth CofE Primary Schools. We have gathered together a great deal of useful information to help you understand the schools, their culture and our children. We believe that the position is one in which you can make a lasting difference to the lives of our children, their families and our staff alongside developing your own career.
We promote a warm, caring and supportive family atmosphere and place great emphasis on working in partnership with parents/carers, children, stakeholders and our communities. We aim to achieve our vision by providing a quality first education in a safe and caring environment, where our pupils enjoy their learning and social experience.
We are incredibly proud of the uniqueness of each school and the rich and varied curriculum on offer to children.
We are now an established federation, retaining the benefits of village schools whilst working effectively together ensuring children’s personal development, wellbeing and wider curriculum opportunities are valued as highly as academic progress. We have one governing body across both schools and subject leaders who co-ordinate teaching and learning across both schools. We want to continue to work as a Federation to bring the greatest benefits to the children of both communities. We have a single Early Years class serving both schools at Spofforth where we have also just seen the completion of a building project which has provided new classrooms.
Situated in the beautiful countryside to the south east of Harrogate, the schools have close contacts with their communities as well as the local churches. We are well supported by both our North Yorkshire County Council Senior Education Advisor and the Diocese of Leeds.
We are always looking for ways to improve. We want your skills as a passionate leader to make a difference, to enhance teaching and learning across the curriculum, to enrich the personal and social development of our children and to join with everyone - staff, governors and pupils – to promote and further develop the vision for our schools.
It is important to all at Follifoot and Spofforth that our new Executive Headteacher has a cheerful, outgoing personality with a positive outlook, respects difference and is passionately committed to enabling all learners to aim high and achieve their potential. We want our children to leave Year 6 well equipped for the next stage of their learning and life.
For an informal, confidential conversation about the role please call Grant Hopkins on 07971837589 or email grant.hopkins@northyorks.gov.uk. Grant has been engaged to support us with recruitment to this key role. Visits to the Schools are invited, please contact Grant Hopkins to make arrangements.
On behalf of the governing body, thank you again for your interest in The Federation of Follifoot and Spofforth CE Primary Schools and we look forward to receiving your application.
Yours faithfully,
David Harrington
Chair of Governors
The future of our schools requires a strong leader with a clear vision, with the ability to communicate that vision to others to make an instant impact. This opportunity gives a new leader scope to shape how the schools move forward.
Our new leader will be able to:
- Model the school values and demonstrate a commitment to the Christian ethos
- Consider and shape how we can adapt our practices innovatively to promote and enhance the wellbeing of our staff team.
- Show practical knowledge and experience in raising standards
- Inspire others to develop their full potential and work as a team player
- Be an enabler who is not afraid to allow others to develop in leadership and who leads by example
- Develop a more distributed leadership through nurturing opportunities for all staff to learn and grow.
- Be a strategic thinker and have the ability to plan in the long, medium and short term
- Further develop the relationships we have with parents and how they can contribute to school life. This also includes opportunities to bring the wider community into the school.
- Grow our relationships with local communities to ensure strong communication are maintained and developed.
- Within our financial resources to look at how we invest in our school, for example in staffing, resources or through development of our learning spaces.
With a relatively small team, the leader needs to be confident with children, staff and parents. Peer support may be more distant than in an urban context so the leader needs to be self-motivated and able to work alone as well as making good use of any available peer support and networking opportunities
An understanding of and thoughtful approach to the significance of a thriving school in a rural community is needed. A thriving school can be their beating heart and its success or otherwise affects the wider community.
We are a Federation of two schools, one governing body, 2 budgets.
Follifoot: 56 Pupils
Spofforth:110 Pupils (including 8 Nursery)
The Reception children from both schools are taught in one Early Years class at Spofforth School. At the end of Reception Year, the children either stay at Spofforth (if on roll) or transfer to Follifoot (if on roll). A school bus (staffed by Early Years) transports Follifoot Early Years children between the Follifoot site and Spofforth site, this allows parents to drop off and pick up more conveniently in line with their siblings.
Both schools are situated in the centre of each village and serve their local communities as well as Harrogate, Knaresborough and Wetherby.
There is a large, new housing development at Spofforth Hill.
The Governing Body Role
All the governors actively support our schools and take their link responsibilities seriously. During Covid, they have continued these virtually with a focus on Child and staff well-being. Governors are involved in the local community in different roles, which brings a breadth of skill and knowledge to the table. They seek to challenge, question at a strategic level, and are keen to develop their knowledge and keep their training up to date.
The Foundation governors are fully involved in the Christian life of the school – in helping to lead collective worship in normal times.
The Chair of Governors meets regularly with the Executive Headteacher and this again has continued online during lockdowns.
Support and Collaboration
HART Alliance – Schools are part of the Alliance which come with a range of valuable CPD, school to school networks and joint projects for the Headteacher and leaders/ staff at all levels.
From September 2021, the schools have been supported by two NLEs provided by HART who offer regular contact/advice to the head and complete HTPM.
Letters from our Children
Some of our children have written about what they want to see in a new Headteacher. Please see below:
Our staff are our greatest resource and are incredibly committed, loyal and dedicated. They always have the best interests of the pupils at heart and are determined to find something at which every child can shine. Staff get to know the children in the school very well and use this information to personalise opportunities for learning.
"Pupils flourish in this close-knit community. They learn a great deal about diverse peoples.
For example, they are knowledgeable about different faiths. Teachers help them to
develop open-minded attitudes. Pupils are polite and respectful. They behave very well in
and out of class"– Ofsted November 2019 (Follifoot)
2021/2022 - Currently 3 KS1/KS2 classes across both sites and a shared EYFS Class:
- Federation Early Years Class (both Follifoot and Spofforth children)
Parallel Class structure in each school:
Year 1/2
Year 3/4
Year 5/6
Staff structure 21/22
Currently the Headteacher splits their time between the two schools in the federation. The Headteacher is the DSL for both Schools. Each School has an administrator (37 hrs at Follifoot and 31 hrs at Spofforth). On Friday, the Follifoot Administrator spends most of the day at Spofforth. There is a senior teacher in each school (with own class) who acts as deputy DSL.
1 of the senior teachers is Full-time (Spofforth), the other is 0.8 (Follifoot). Each Senior Teacher has TLR2. One of the Senior Teachers receives half day leadership time per week (Spofforth)
The Federation SENCO is non class based and has recently been increased from 0.2 to 0.4 in light of growing workload and higher than local/ national number of children with SEND across the Federation
Follifoot School
3 classes: 5 teachers (2 classes have part time teachers and 1 has a full-time teacher (ECT)
There are two HLTAs which make up 1FTE (these are shared amongst the three classes and carry out PPA which spans several days due to the part time nature of teachers and extra PPA for ECT)
There are also 2 FT GTA (SEN) who work specifically with children with EHCPs.
Spofforth School:
4 classes: 7 teachers (3 classes have part time teachers and 1 has a full-time teacher)
There are 8 support staff this is made up of:
EYFS (2 part time TAs (0.9 each) and 1 GTA SEND who works specifically with a child with an EHCP
KS1 – 1FTE GTA
LKS2 1-FTE GTA
UKS2-1FTE GTA plus 1 GTA SEND who works specifically with a child with an EHCP (0.5)
Whole Federation:
7 classes, 12 teachers (10 part time and 2 full time, one of which is an ECT)
12 support staff across 7 classes (HLTA/GTA/ SEND)
Each teacher leads a subject across the federation, this is an attempt to decrease workload and increase consistency across the Federation. Subject leadership on the whole is a challenge due to the expectations of the 2019 Ofsted Framework and the high levels of part time staff.
Staff relationships are very strong in each school and increasingly strong across the Federation where parallel class teachers work together to plan units of work, lead a subject across the federation. Weekly staff meetings are joint as are INSET days.
| Together we Love, Learn & Thrive
LOVE We nurture each individual, build positive relationships with everyone and value their uniqueness. LEARN We inspire children to have a lifelong love of learning. They develop wisdom, knowledge and skills and become fluent learners. THRIVE We develop children socially, emotionally, physically and spiritually, help them to be the best versions of themselves and prepare them well for their future lives in a diverse world.
Follifoot School: Very Small, family feel – village school, old traditional stone building village centre Spofforth School – small, village school, old traditional stone building with brand new wing, purpose built wing housing KS1 and EYFS Relationships, both pupil and adult, are strong and rooted in Christian care. Children feel safe. Parents talk positively about the school which they regard as a welcoming family. They recognise the role the school has played in holistically developing their children. In particular they are grateful for the time taken by all staff to get to know and support each child individually. One parent said that they were part of ‘one big family’.
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Ofsted Follifoot School November 2019 (new schedule) – Section 8 – Good but possibility of standards in decline
Ofsted Spofforth School February 2017 (old schedule)– Section 8 Good
In the SIAMS review of 2021 which took place for Follifoot School, key strengths included:
Relationships, both pupil and adult, are strong and rooted in Christian care. Children feel safe.
Parents talk positively about the school which they regard as a welcoming family. They recognise the role the school has played in holistically developing their children. In particular they are grateful for the time taken by all staff to get to know and support each child individually. One parent said that they were part of ‘one big family’.
Governors are fully committed to the community they serve. Together they strive to live out the vision and values and could evidence how the vision has driven their decision making.
The two schools are central to their communities. Many parents and older residents attended the schools themselves and continue to support them. It is in this way that all are able to feel active participants in the functioning and development of the School, which can only have positive implications for the children.
Our children are encouraged to think of others and give back to their community for example: ; harvest food bank collection; Christmas play; Both School play an active and growing role in their local communities.
Church events and Church services across both school’s catchment areas encourage community attendance. The schools have also reached out to the wider community with carol singing, local activity days and their charity fundraising supports both local, national and international charities.
Pre - Covid: Open for Collective Worship, church assemblies at both sites; end of term/ year services in church/ Harvest/ Christmas/ Easter.
Associated Teaching School Alliance and relationship
Member of HART Alliance – Schools are part of the Alliance which come with a range of valuable CPD, school to school networks and joint projects for the Headteacher and leaders/ staff at all levels.
From September 2021, the schools have been supported by two NLEs provided by HART who offer regular contact/advice to the head and complete HTPM.
Relationship with the Diocese
There is in place a supportive relationship with the Diocese of Leeds which we are seeking to strengthen . Critical friend visits, performance management and training offered by the Diocese are all accessed.
Local Authority and School Improvement
We have strong relationships with our contacts at the LA and are able to access support. Staff are also made aware of training opportunities through the LA and our leaders and designated safeguarding lead attend LA organised meetings/training/networking sessions.
Follifoot is a picturesque village set in rolling farmland just to the south-east of Harrogate. Amenities include a post office with shop, a church, village hall, primary school, wildlife and play area, a regular bus service to Harrogate and Wetherby, and two public houses.
First mentioned in the Domesday book in 1086 - Spofforth is a delightful award winning floral village at the heart of North Yorkshire.
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. 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 surf sport 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 and with a 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.
Advert
‘As I have loved you, so you must love one another’ John 13.34 NIV
Federation of Follifoot and Spofforth, near Harrogate, North Yorkshire
Post: Executive Headteacher
Number on Roll: Follifoot – 56, Spofforth -110.
Commencing: September 2022
Salary: L8-L14
Contract Term: Permanent
We are a friendly, welcoming, child-centred, Church of England federation of two primary schools located near Harrogate, our schools are found within picturesque villages of Follifoot and Spofforth, set in rolling farmland just to the south-east of Harrogate. Our schools have close contacts with their community and have a thriving PTA who support the schools. We are well supported by our North Yorkshire County Council Senior Education Advisor and additionally we are part of the HART Alliance: Schools are part of the Alliance which come with a range of valuable CPD, school to school networks and joint projects for the Headteacher and leaders as well as staff at all levels.
The children, staff, parents, our governing body and our community are proud of our schools where children are engaged in their learning and despite the recent pandemic are enthusiastic learners with the potential to make increased progress. Our schools share a Foundation Stage at Spofforth School and we bus the children from the drop off site at Follifoot to make it easier for the parents with siblings at that school. Excising relationships between the schools are strong
In an ever-changing educational environment, there will be many exciting challenges ahead. Our school needs to continue to develop ever-stronger links with the governing body, parents and staff who actively support the school and you will need to maintain and develop the relationships which the school has built with the wider communities.
Our Opportunity
This is a rewarding headship; you will be able to lead our two rural schools on to the next stage of their journeys, to understand what that journey will look like. You must exhibit confidence, empathy and a clear focus on building a healthy workplace culture to benefit the wellbeing of the staff and pupils.
It is an exciting opportunity for the new Headteacher to develop and implement effective strategies to raise standards and continually improve pupil attainment and progress. With a meticulous eye for detail, you will must be able to support the diverse needs of pupils, their progress and attainment and the provision that each individual requires, whilst maintaining the ability to balance budgetary constraints.
While we have many strengths, we know that we need to continue to build a love of reading across school, but we’ve seen improved outcomes in phonics across the schools. Maintain and build on the quality of teaching and our expectations on what our children are capable of and further develop our staff team to reach their full potential.
In particular, we are looking for a Headteacher who will;
- Resilience
- Clarity of vision
- Strategic thinking
- Accepts accountability and holding others to account
We can offer you:
- Strength in our Christian Vision and ethos
- An excellent opportunity to provide strategic leadership and direction working with the Governing Body to achieve this.
- Progress towards SIAMS schedule
- A happy, caring and supportive school, with children who respect and care for each other and have a thirst for learning.
- A Governing Body who are committed and passionate about our schools and ensuring our children reach their potential and are committed to providing support on all matters including more sensitive or difficult issues, this includes the wellbeing of all staff members.
- Support from the Local Authority and a dedicated staff team.
If you feel ready to be our next Executive Headteacher and you can bring your experience, enthusiasm, commitment and energy to deliver our vision to our children and motivated staff, we would love to hear from you.
For an informal, confidential conversation about the role please call Grant Hopkins on 07971837589 or email grant.hopkins@northyorks.gov.uk. Grant has been engaged to support us with recruitment to this key role.
Key dates:
- School visits by appointment only – Please telephone Grant Hopkins to make arrangements
- Application closing date: Sunday 13th March
- Shortlisting: Thursday 17th March
- Interviews: Tuesday 5th and Wednesday 6th
When applying please take into account the following:
Supporting Information
The supporting information section of your application should clearly evidence your ability to meet the requirements we have outlined in the person specification. This will be used to shortlist applicants for this role and therefore it is imperative that you provide evidence as requested.
References
When completing your application, please provide two employment references.
Safeguarding
Our school is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. This post will be subject to undertaking an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check.