The Opportunity for Our Next Leader

Hertford Vale is a school with a big heart and a bright future. Our next Headteacher will inherit a school with strong community roots, a beautiful rural setting on Ings Lane, and a cohort of well behaved, eager-to-learn children.

We are looking for a leader who will:

• Inspire and innovate while preserving the unique village-school identity we cherish.
• Nurture our staff and continue to drive high standards of teaching and learning.
• Strengthen partnerships across the local community, parents, and the diocese.

Hertford Vale is a hidden gem with incredible potential. While we are immensely proud of our close-knit community of 105 pupils, our school building has a physical capacity for 150 children. A vital priority for our incoming Headteacher will be to act as an energetic ambassador for the school—driving strategic marketing and outreach initiatives to boost student numbers, secure our long-term financial sustainability, and ensure Hertford Vale is the first-choice primary school for families across the area.

To confidently articulate and promote a vision for the school rooted in distinctively Christian values.

Our ideal candidate will possess the drive and commercial awareness to:

• Champion Our On-Site Nursery: Leverage our 15-place, teacher-led pre-school provision as a primary pipeline for Reception intake. By engaging families early, our new leader will ensure a seamless transition into the main school.
• Enhance Our Digital Presence: Modernise and maintain the school’s digital footprint—including an engaging website and active, celebratory social media channels—to showcase the vibrant daily life, outdoor spaces, and academic successes at Hertford Vale.
• Drive Community Engagement: Organise high-profile community events, open days, and outreach programmes that invite prospective families, local businesses, and toddler groups onto our Ings Lane site to experience our unique atmosphere first hand.
• Target Out-of-Catchment Families: Articulate a compelling narrative around the distinct benefits of our smaller class sizes, rural setting, and wrap-around care to attract families from neighbouring communities and nearby Scarborough who are looking for a more nurturing educational environment.

Visits to School

Prospective candidates are warmly encouraged to visit the school to experience first-hand the unique qualities that make Hertford Vale such a special place to learn and work.

Please email Liz Blogg – School Business Manager (admin@hertford-vale.n-yorks.sch.uk) to make an appointment.

To request an application pack please email admin@hertford-vale.n-yorks.sch.uk.

Key Dates:

Window for Candidate School Tours Monday 2 November – Friday 13 Nov2026

Closing Date 12 Noon Friday 13 November 2026

Interview & Assessment Days (2-day process) Tuesday 1 Dec & Wednesday 2 Dec 2026

Key Documents:

Recruitment Pack

Application Form

North Yorkshire Council (NYC) advertise vacancies 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. Enquiries regarding the vacancy or practices should be made directly with the third party.