Interim Executive Headteacher
The Federation of Middleham and Spennithorne is a federation of two small village schools with enthusiastic and engaged pupils and dedicated staff. We have been rated Good in our last Ofsted report and aspire to be exemplary in the future. We are now seeking an Interim Executive Headteacher to build on these strong foundations, providing stability and clear leadership during a key period, while sustaining progress and maintaining the high standards and positive reputation of the federation.
A defining feature of the school is its deeply embedded Christian vision: "Fruitful lives, rooted in love, A place to learn, love and grow." The Executive Headteacher will need to ensure that this is actively lived out through worship, relationships, curriculum, and community work, while also promoting inclusion, respect, and diversity in a multi faith society.
Leading a split site federation requires effective coordination, communication, and consistency in expectations. The Interim Executive Headteacher will need to ensure that pupils, staff, and parents across both locations experience the same high quality provision, while maintaining the unique strengths and context of each setting.
In a small school, staff frequently go above and beyond. The Interim Executive Headteacher must recognise, support, and protect this commitment, ensuring that workload is manageable, wellbeing is prioritised, and all staff feel valued. Staff buy in and retention will depend on a leadership style that is inclusive, empathetic, and transparent.
About You
As Interim Executive Headteacher, you will provide strategic, operational and spiritual leadership across both communities. This is a hands on role requiring visibility, adaptability and strong organisational and people leadership skills, ensuring consistency, stability and continued progress across both sites.
You will be confident in raising standards, leading inclusive practice, and supporting staff to meet the needs of all learners, particularly those with SEND. Just as importantly, you will be a visible and values driven leader, strengthening relationships with pupils, staff, families and the wider community.
We can offer you
- A welcoming and supportive federation with strong relationships at its heart.
- A unique opportunity to guide the federation through a key transition, ensuring stability, consistency and continued improvement.
- Strong and consistent support from the Local Authority, the Diocese, a dedicated Governing Board, and a team of experienced, passionate, and committed staff.
- A Governing Body that is actively engaged and supportive, including in navigating sensitive matters and prioritising staff wellbeing.
- A collaborative local network, offering a valuable forum for sharing ideas, challenges, and best practice.
References
When completing your application, please provide two employment referees. One of these must be from your most recent employer.
Safeguarding
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.
