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Federation of Follifoot and Spofforth


Interim Executive Headteacher

Location: Harrogate area
Contract: Fixed term – 2 terms
Working Pattern: 0.6 Spofforth and 0.4 Follifoot
Salary: L8-L14 (£59,167 – £68,586)

Commencing: January 2025
Closing date: Midnight, Sunday 1st December
Interview date: Thursday 5th December (TBC)

Are you an experienced Headteacher with a strong track record of driving school improvement, eager to take on an interim role where you can make an immediate and meaningful impact?

About us

We are a friendly and welcoming Church of England federation of two primary schools, located in the picturesque villages of Follifoot and Spofforth, near Harrogate. Surrounded by rolling farmland, our schools are deeply rooted in their communities, supported extensively by parents and a committed Governing Body. Our schools are proud of their child-centered ethos, where children are enthusiastic learners with untapped potential for even greater progress.

Our Opportunity

We are seeking an outstanding Interim Executive Headteacher to lead our federation through the next stage of its journey. This fixed-term role (two terms) offers a unique opportunity to provide interim leadership.
This is a rewarding and challenging position where you can make an immediate impact. You’ll lead two rural schools with distinctive strengths and opportunities.  With confidence, empathy, and strategic insight, you will foster a healthy workplace culture that benefits both staff and pupils.
As our Interim Executive Headteacher, you will:
  • Implement strategies to raise standards and improve pupil attainment and progress.
  • Address diverse needs across the federation, ensuring every child receives the support they need to thrive.
  • Strengthen the quality of teaching and learning, while inspiring high expectations for staff and pupils.
  • Balance educational priorities with budgetary constraints and lead change to ensure a sustainable and impactful future.
  • Develop and mentor staff to help them achieve their full potential, providing leadership support where it’s most needed.
We are looking for:
You will be an experienced Headteacher with a proven track record of raising educational standards, driving school improvement, and fostering a culture of high expectations and achievement. Your expertise will enable you to quickly identify areas for development, implement effective strategies, and deliver tangible improvements that benefit both pupils and staff.
With exceptional leadership ability, you will excel in communicating effectively and whether working with pupils, staff, parents, governors, or external stakeholders, you will inspire confidence, trust, and collaboration. Your ability to listen, empathise, and communicate will be essential to engage the school community.
You will relish the opportunity to step into a challenging role, bringing your energy and determination to tackle complex issues head-on. You will thrive in a dynamic environment where your leadership can make an immediate and meaningful impact. Your resilience and adaptability will allow you to navigate the unique challenges of an interim role, while your focus and strategic thinking will lay the groundwork for sustainable improvements. As a skilled leader, you will balance the diverse needs of pupils, staff, and the wider school community, ensuring that every decision aligns with the schools’ ethos, values, and long-term goals.
We can offer you
  • Strength in our Christian Vision and ethos and the ethos this inspires in our community of children, staff and parents.
  • An excellent opportunity to provide strategic leadership and direction in a supportive environment
  • Happy, caring and supportive schools, 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 eager to support your work
  • Significant support from a dedicated staff team ready to grow under your leadership, in addition to ongoing support from the Local Authority and Diocese

Queries 

For an informal, confidential conversation about the role please call Sarah Hunter on 07816 251271 or email sarah.hunter@northyorks.gov.uk. Sarah has been engaged to support us with recruitment to this key role.

Application Process and key documents

Closing date: Midnight, Sunday 1st December
Interview date: Thursday 5th December (TBC)
Due to the urgency of this recruitment, we will be reviewing applications upon receipt, and this role may close early. Therefore early applications are strongly encouraged. Please note We do not accept CV’s.
 
Please apply via NYC Jobs. However, please contact us if your need to apply in a different format. 
We are committed to meeting the needs of our diverse community and aim to have a workforce reflecting this diversity. We are also committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults. We have a robust child protection policy and all staff will receive training relevant to their role at induction and throughout employment at the school. We expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
 
Please note this post is in regulated activity and exempt from the rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and subject to satisfactory references and an enhanced DBS criminal records and barred list 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 Council (NYC) advertise vacancies and process applications on behalf of schools and external organisations (third parties) in North Yorkshire. NYC 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. Further information on how we process your data can be found here.
Posted in Current Vacancies, Senior leadership position, Vacancies