Welcome, and thank you for your interest in the Stockton-on-the-Forest Primary School's Headteacher opportunity
Dear Applicant,
Thank you for your interest in our exciting Headteacher opportunity. We hope that the information we have provided encourages you to make an application to our welcoming and community minded school.
At Stockton-on-the-Forest Primary school we provide a safe, happy, warm and nurturing learning environment where children are supported to flourish academically, socially and emotionally. Our school life is rooted in our values of kindness, respect, resilience, aspiration and community.
We offer a broad, balanced curriculum with engaging topics and our values are at the root of our learning. We promote a love of reading and ensure our curriculum is literacy rich. Our children are given every opportunity throughout the school day to develop their thinking skills, work collaboratively and develop into respectful, conscientious citizens.
The strength of our school is the friendly, family-like ethos which helps our fantastic young people to feel safe and develop confidence during their time with us. As a village school, community is also important to us. We have a strong parent partnership and links to our local church, who we work with to celebrate festivals such as Harvest, Easter and Christmas.
For an informal, confidential conversation about the role please email Ashley Benford, who has been engaged to support us with recruitment to this key role, or call on 07814 932389. We would encourage you to come and visit in advance of your application and see for yourself the enthusiasm that our pupils have for their education. Such a visit is not part of the selection process, and whether applicants have visited will not influence the outcome. We would also encourage applicants to have a look at the school website here and a recent newsletter here to get a feel for our school.
I hope you find the information provided useful and informative and that it will encourage you to apply. On behalf of the governing body, thank you again for your interest in Stockton-on-the-Forest Primary School.
Yours faithfully,
Joyce Botham
Chair of Governors
Learn more about our Headteacher opportunity
Post: Headteacher
Number on Roll: 98
Commencing: September 2025
Salary: L7 – 13 (£57,831 - £66,919)
Contract Term: Permanent
Our Opportunity:
Stockton-on-the-forest Primary is a friendly, small school, with willing and capable staff. We have been rated Good in our last Ofsted report and aspire to be exemplary in our next one. Our new Headteacher will be able to develop the school to “future-proof” both the school’s buildings and its student body.
The Headship of a village school is unique: you have the benefit of getting to know a tight-knit and caring community and personally build relationships with each child, yet the role is diverse and requires a balanced skill-set, adaptability and forward thinking.
About You:
We are seeking to appoint an outstanding, committed and experienced individual to be our Headteacher to continue to shape our much loved school. The successful candidate will be a talented education practitioner, and communicate a clear vision of how they want the school to thrive with a strategic view of how this can be achieved.
You will be a proven senior leader, ideally possessing a SENCO qualification. You will lead by example, using analytical skills and a keen ability to seek out and interpret information. An excellent communicator and team builder, you should have a thorough knowledge of curriculum along with strong networking skills enabling you to maintain and develop future partnerships.
You will embrace and develop relationships with the community, whilst allowing our pupils to continue to be the very best they can be and our staff to continue to be very highly motivated and cohesive. You will possess a child-centred approach, keeping the best interests of the children as the central guiding principal in any decisions made and actions undertaken. This is a fantastic opportunity for an exceptional leader to take the school to the next level in its journey.
We can offer you:
- A welcoming and friendly school at the heart of the community
- Enthusiastic children who respect each other and have a thirst for learning.
- An opportunity to see the huge potential that exists and the time to make Stockton-on-the-Forest Primary School a beacon of excellence in primary education.
- Significant levels of support from the Local Authority, Governing Board and a staff team who are experienced, committed and passionate about our school.
For an informal, confidential conversation about the role please call Ashley on 07814 932389 or email. Ashley has been engaged to support us with recruitment to this exciting opportunity.
Key dates
Visits
We strongly recommend that you visit us so we can share with you why we are so proud of our school, and you will have the opportunity to see what we have to offer. If you would like the opportunity to visit, please email Ashley.
Application closing date: Applications close on Sunday 2nd March 2025
Shortlisting: Thursday 6th March 2025
Interviews: Assessment days to take place on Tuesday 18th and Wednesday 19th March 2025
Information About Our School
Stockton-on-the-Forest Primary school is a small village school situated approximately four miles from the centre of the City of York, making us close to both the rural beauty of North Yorkshire’s countryside and the city buzz of York. Access to the village is via the A64/A1036/A1037 and is also on the Yorkshire Coastliner bus routes.
With a population of more than 1,300 residents, the community has amenities that include a doctor’s surgery, golf club, village shop and children’s play area. The nearby hamlet of Hopgrove has its own bakery, garden nursery, pub and hotel. There is a wide range of houses in the village bungalows, semidetached and detached and some council houses. Families tend to stay in the village and there is very little mobility. With very little new housing/developments, pupil numbers are a concern and the new Headteacher will need to ensure that pupil numbers are stable.
As well as welcoming children from Reception age to the school, there is also an on-site private nursery which provides wrap-around care.
Our Primary school is at the heart of the local community. We are pleased to have created a friendly and welcoming place for pupils to live out the school’s ethos: ‘happy, healthy, learning for life and caring for all’.
Whilst most children attending the school come from Stockton-on-the-Forest, a number of families from other surrounding areas of the city like to choose a smaller setting for their child, where they know they will be well cared for as an individual with unique potential.
Our Pupils
Our children are enthusiastic learners making up 4 classes (Pines, Willows, Hazel and Oaks). The older children strive to set an example around school for the younger children in terms of behaviour, following school rules and upholding our values of respect, kindness, aspiration and community.
We recognise how important that the first experiences of school are. We want them to be fun and exciting as well as inspiring. We firmly believe in how important it is to give our children the best start on their school journey. Reception class are assigned Year 6 buddies who help and support them on the playground and in the dinner hall to become confident and independent and fostering our family-like learning environment.
Pupils in Year 5/6 enjoy residential visits each year, allowing them to demonstrate teamwork, problem solving, decision making and enhance their social skills and independence. There are also opportunities for pupils to take part in sports clubs and being a school council representative, although this is an area we want to develop further.
Ofsted Recognised – May 2023:
Parents and carers value the family feel of the school. They receive regular communication from leaders which keeps them informed about what is going on. Many parents who provided feedback to inspectors commented positively about both the academic and pastoral support their child benefits from. This helps pupils to learn and develop friendships at school. New pupils settle quickly and enjoy coming to school. Leaders have high expectations of pupils’ behaviour.
Pupils know what is expected of them. Pupils are polite and courteous. They conduct themselves well in lessons and when moving around the school.
At break times, pupils play well with those in different year groups. Older pupils are positive role models to others. Incidents of bullying are rare. Leaders regularly analyse patterns of behaviour and are alert to any potential escalation of incidents which may constitute bullying. Pupils are confident that if they had a concern an adult will quickly deal with it.
Our Staffing Team
We have a loyal, supportive SLT and staff team who understand and embrace the community aspect of our little school. Our collaborative staff share responsibilities across the school.
Current Structure:
- 1 Headteacher; (SENDCO and DSL with a 0.2 teaching responsibility)
- 4 classes (3 with 2 year groups) with 5 teachers (job share)
- 2 full time and 2 part time TA2; 1 HLTA;
- 1 office administrator and 1 Finance Manager
- 2 Sports Specialists (Total Sports – who also organise sports events with other schools)
- 1 Recorder Teacher
Values: Kindness, Resilience, Community, Aspiration, Respect
Ethos: Happy, Healthy, Learning for Life and Caring for All
A strength of our school is the friendly, family like ethos that enables children to feel safe and develop in confidence during their time with us.
Our ethos and values are at the heart of everything we do. They underpin our teaching and learning and enable us to create a learning environment where our pupils will achieve academically, socially and emotionally. It is our aim that our pupils become happy, confident citizens. We endeavour to equip them with the compassion, aspiration and resilience to succeed on the next step of their journey in both their education and in finding their place in the wider world.
Learning at Stockton on the Forest School
Stockton-on-the-Forest Primary school follows the Department for Education’s National Curriculum for Key Stages 1 and 2. We use the Little Wandle Letters and Sounds phonics and early reading programme in EYFS and Key Stage 1.
We follow the City of York Council Locally Agreed Syllabus for Religious Education; a copy is available in school, should you wish to see it, and you can find out more about York SACRE (Standing Advisory Council on Religious Education) on their website.
Ofsted recognised 2023 - Leaders have implemented an ambitious and engaging curriculum for all pupils. They have sequenced the knowledge and skills that pupils should learn well. This helps pupils to deepen their understanding of concepts as they progress through the school. Subject leaders have been empowered to lead and improve the subjects they are responsible for. They have identified ways in which subjects can be developed further. For example, the mathematics leader is developing ways in which pupils record written calculations to support their working out. Leaders are in a strong position to develop the curriculum further.
Relationships with parents, carers and the local community
We recognise the part we play as a school in a small village, and as such there is a strong relationship between parents, staff and the wider community. We have strong links with our local church with the Reverend visiting for school assemblies and holding school events in the nearby church.
We benefit from an active parent partnership, with events including discos, fairs, bake sales and movie nights led by our parents and carers. We enjoy inviting our families in to join us for opportunities such as special curriculum learning days, sharing assemblies and parent coffee mornings.
Thanks to our links with the nursery on site and with Huntington Secondary School, we are able to support a healthy transition to key stages through shared events.
Relationship with LA
The school is very outward looking and works in partnership with Local Authority advisors and external agencies. The SLT is very good at accessing guidance and support from the LA linked to SDP key objectives. As the school has 18% SEN there are close links with SEN support and guidance.
Wider networks
Subject Leaders work with other leads across the York maintained schools group. There are opportunities for moderation events with City of York Council (CYC) schools and CPD from Pathfinder Teaching Alliance and CYC. Find out more about Pathfinder.
There is also support from the Yorkshire Riding Maths Hub.
Ofsted
Our last ofsted report, in 2023, saw us rated “Good”
What the school does well:
- Leaders have implemented an ambitious and engaging curriculum for all pupils.
- Subject leaders have been empowered to lead and improve the subjects that they are responsible for. Leaders are in a strong position to develop the curriculum further.
- Leaders have identified the important knowledge that pupils need to learn. Teachers regularly check what pupils have remembered. They provide pupils with regular opportunities to recap prior learning.
- Children are well prepared for moving into Year 1. Pupils engage well in phonics activities. Leaders have implemented a consistent approach to teaching phonics in the school.
- Pupils enjoy reading. As they progress through the school, they read a range of challenging texts with confidence and enjoyment. Teachers’ strong subject knowledge supports them to provide clear explanations to pupils.
- Pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) are supported well. Clear and established processes are used to identify and address pupils’ needs quickly. Leaders have trained teachers and support staff to meet the needs of pupils with SEND effectively.
- Leaders, including governors, are united in their ambition to provide the very best quality of education for all pupils.
- Pupils know about different faiths and beliefs.
- Leaders have implemented a personal, social and health education curriculum.
Areas for Development:
- In Reception, the outdoor environment does not reflect leaders’ ambition for the curriculum. There are missed opportunities to deepen children’s learning. Leaders should continue to improve the outdoor area to maximise children’s learning opportunities.
- Opportunities to support pupils’ personal development beyond the academic curriculum are not fully realised. Some pupils do not benefit as much as they could from opportunities to enhance their broader development. Leaders should continue to implement a coherently planned programme to support pupils’ broader development.
Pupil achievement, attainment and progress
In EYFS, results are in line with National and Local Authority for EYFS. Similarly to national evidence, data suggests Literacy is an area to strengthen.
Phonics Screen Check results were low this year partly due to a small cohort. Action is needed to support these children to attain their phonics screen check in Year 2 and ensure phonics teaching is strong across EYFS – Y2.
In KS2 SATS, Reading and Maths are usually in line with the National and Local Authority figures. There is a focus to raise attainment in writing as results for expected standard have dipped below in comparisons over time and children should be supported to achieve Greater Depth where appropriate.
Budget position
The school started 2024/2025 in a small deficit which should return to a small surplus for 2025/2026 onwards, however this will need close monitoring and management. Last year the SLT, SBM and Governors worked hard on a Recovery plan and School Reorganisation which resulted in a much stronger budget going forward into 2024/2025. The new Headteacher will need to monitor this closely to ensure budgetary stability.
Short and Mid-term Priorities
Key objectives: To increase attainment in writing so that the majority of children reach expected standard by the end of each key stage. A higher percentage of children reach GDS within the expected standard.
Children with a particular area of weakness or specific SEND are supported to meet their individual (SMART) targets.
The school are currently reviewing the resources that they use to teach spelling. They want to ensure it is progressive, blends with their curriculum and has a manageable workload. They are working with the LA and The English Hub and visiting other schools to observe “best practice”.
Key objectives: To increase attainment in phonics and reading so that the majority of children reach or exceed expected standard.
Key objectives: Develop the learning environment (both inside and outside) in Early Years to reflect leaders’ ambition for the curriculum. Ofsted target
Key objectives: For the whole school behaviour system to reflect the pastoral and restorative practice that supports our vision for children to be accountable for their own actions and a sense of community and belonging.
Long term Ambitions
- To improve outdoor provision for EYFS and also to improve school grounds and outdoor provision for all pupils
- To generate income to subsidise school budget by looking at partnership with onsite private nursery provider, shared use of kitchen space, and other initiatives.
- To complete a feasibility study for solar power heating/green energy as our current heating system is old, antiquated and very expensive.
- To look at ways to increase pupil numbers
- To be exemplary in our next Ofsted inspection and report card
York
Stockton on the Forest is closely located to the beautiful and historic city of York. York is England’s most visited city outside London and is situated in the north east of the country, in the stunning county of Yorkshire, by the River Ouse.
With its many tourist attractions: impressive architecture, museums, riverside walks, cafes and restaurants, York is an ideal place to live and work. The city has the good fortune to be situated approximately two hours by train from London and Edinburgh with frequent direct train services. Once the capital city of England, York is a much-loved destination, offering a mix of a modern, cosmopolitan city in an ancient setting.
The history of York is said to be the history of England. It is an ancient city with Roman walls and Viking remains, and the largest Gothic cathedral in Northern Europe towers over the Medieval streets. Museums illustrate this history. A major tourist destination, York hosts events and festivals all year round, showcasing different types of music, theatre, culture, food and drink.
You can find out more about York here.
North Yorkshire
North Yorkshire is England's largest county and one of the most rural. The area comprises the Yorkshire Dales (opens in a new tab) and North York Moors (opens in a new tab), 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.
Information About Application and Guidance
When applying please consider the following supporting documents:
Person Specification [39kb]
Job Description [29kb]
Application guidance, including policy statement on the recruitment of ex-offenders
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 referees.
Your application plays an important part in your selection. As part of the application process, you may have been asked to demonstrate within this application form how you meet some or all of the criteria or key competencies outlined in the person specification. The supporting information section of your application should clearly evidence your ability to meet these requirements. This will be used to shortlist applicants for this role and therefore it is imperative that you provide evidence as requested. Rather than simply repeating your career history, look at the skills and experience required by the job and provide evidence that you possess them by giving specific and detailed examples which include a focus on outcomes and on your own contribution to the scenario. Try to use different and varied examples wherever possible.
When completing these sections, do not forget the skills and experience you have gained outside full-time work. Outlining your previous work experience or other responsibilities may help you to uncover skills which you have taken for granted and which are clear signs of your ability to do the job.
Should you require the application form in a different format, please contact Resourcing Solutions.
Canvassing
Should your application be for a local authority school, you must not try to influence an elected Council Member, any council employee or a member of the school governing body, to act in your favour, as this will disqualify you. If you are related to a Councillor, a Council employee or a governor you must indicate this in the relevant section of the application form.
Data Protection
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 by reading our privacy notice.
Rehabilitation of Offenders
The post you are applying for requires you to have an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service criminal records check for work with children, with a barred list check if you work in regulated activity. This check for disclosure of criminal history will include spent convictions, pending prosecutions / current court proceeding and police enquiries.
Should you be shortlisted, you will be asked to disclose full details of your criminal history prior to your interview. This includes any information deemed relevant as part of Keeping Children Safe in Education which may arise in an online search undertaken on shortlisted candidates. This information may be discussed with you at your interview in order to assess job related risks, but we emphasise that your application will be considered on merit and ability and you will not be discriminated against unfairly. Failure to disclose this information will result in any offer of employment being withdrawn.
Please also see the policy statement on the Recruitment of Ex-offenders below.
Policy Statement on the Recruitment of Ex-offenders (Source www.gov.uk)
- As an organisation assessing applicants’ suitability for positions which are included in the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order using criminal record checks processed through the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS), this school complies fully with the DBS code of practice and undertakes to treat all applicants for positions fairly.
- This school undertakes not to discriminate unfairly against any subject of a criminal record check on the basis of a conviction or other information revealed.
- This school can only ask an individual to provide details of convictions and cautions that it is legally entitled to know about. Where a DBS certificate can legally be requested (where the position is one that is included in the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) order 1975 as amended, and where appropriate Policy Act Regulations as amended) this school can only ask an individual about convictions and cautions that are not protected.
- This school is committed to the fair treatment of its staff and potential staff, regardless of race, gender, religion, sexual orientation, responsibilities for dependents, age, physical/mental disability or offending background.
- This school has this written policy on the recruitment of ex-offenders, which is made available to all DBS applicants at the start of the recruitment process.
- This school actively promotes equality of opportunity for all with the right mix of talent, skills and potential and welcome applications from a wide range of candidates, including those with criminal records. Candidates are selected for interview based on their skills, qualifications and experience and criminal record information is only requested from short-listed candidates.
- A disclosure is only requested from the DBS after a thorough risk assessment has indicated that one is both proportionate and relevant to the position concerned. For those positions where a criminal record check is identified as necessary, all application forms, job adverts and recruitment briefs will contain a statement that a DBS certificate will be requested in the event of the individual being offered the position.
- This school ensures that all those who are involved in the recruitment process have been suitably trained to identify and assess the relevance and circumstances of offences.
- This school also ensures that they have received appropriate guidance and training in the relevant legislation relating to the employment of ex-offenders, e.g. the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.
- At interview, or in a separate discussion, this school ensures that an open and measured discussion takes place on the subject of any offences or other matter that might be relevant to the position. Failure to reveal information that is directly relevant to the position sought could lead to withdrawal of an offer of employment.
- This school makes every subject of a criminal record check submitted to DBS aware of the existence of the code of practice and makes a copy available on request.
- This school undertakes to discuss any matter revealed on a DBS certificate with the individual seeking the position before withdrawing a conditional offer of employment.
References
When completing your application, please provide two employment referees. One of these must be from your most recent employer.
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.