Headteacher
| Posting date: | 11 December 2025 |
|---|---|
| Hours: | Full time |
| Closing date: | 10 January 2026 |
| Location: | Banbury, Oxfordshire, OX15 5JS |
| Company: | Teaching Vacancies |
| Job type: | Permanent |
| Job reference: | 7a274964-7cad-47ac-9a2a-e6d69b93bceb |
Summary
What skills and experience we're looking for
Qualifications and experience
Essential
• Honours degree (or equivalent)
• Qualified Teacher Status
• Substantial, successful teaching experience in primary education
• Recent successful Leadership and Management experience
• Experience of raising standards for all pupils, including disadvantaged and vulnerable groups, with clear evidence of impact
• Secure knowledge of safeguarding requirements and best practice
• Strong understanding of the primary curriculum and recent developments
• Experience of supporting children with SEND in an inclusive setting
• Understanding of the role of parents as partners in education
• Commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion
Skills and abilities
Essential
• Proven track record of securing high standards in teaching, learning and outcomes
• Strong understanding and application of effective pedagogy and evidence-informed practice
• Ability to lead, inspire and manage change effectively
• Successful experience of developing a positive behaviour culture and inclusive learning environment
• Ability to analyse data, identify priorities and plan strategically
• Strong communication skills – articulate, approachable, an excellent listener
Personal qualities
Essential
• Confident, articulate and able to communicate effectively to all stakeholders
• An excellent role model for all pupils and staff, demonstrating personal integrity and resilience
• Commitment to the Christian ethos and values of Hook Norton C of E Primary School
• Ability to motivate, encourage and empower staff at all levels
• Reflective, visible leader with a genuine love of working with children
• Commitment to staff well-being, collaboration and professional growth. A compassionate leader.
What the school offers its staff
A vibrant, inclusive village school
• Amazing, well behaved pupils who enjoy coming to school, are keen to learn, and who take pride in their school.
• A strong family ethos and positive, respectful relationships.
• A committed, experienced hard working, caring staff team with a clear sense of shared purpose
• An experienced, established leadership team.
• Active and supportive governors and parent community, including Friends of Hook Norton School (FOHNS).
Rich curriculum and opportunities
• A broad, knowledge-rich curriculum with strong foundations in English, Mathematics, Humanities and Science which focus around a termly “Big Question”
• Wide-ranging opportunities in the arts, music, sport, trips and residentials
• Forest School and extensive outdoor learning through Opal Play.
• Close partnership with local schools, particularly through the Chipping Norton School Partnership and international links
Professional fulfilment
As Headteacher you will:
• Shape the strategic direction of a successful school with strong community roots
• Lead a skilled team, developing leadership at all levels
• Work with governors and the local authority to sustain school improvement
• Have opportunities to engage with system leadership through local networks and partnerships
Commitment to safeguarding
Our organisation is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. We expect all staff, volunteers and trustees to share this commitment. Our recruitment process follows the keeping children safe in education guidance. Offers of employment may be subject to the following checks (where relevant): childcare disqualification Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) medical online and social media prohibition from teaching right to work satisfactory references suitability to work with children You must tell us about any unspent conviction, cautions, reprimands or warnings under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975.
Qualifications and experience
Essential
• Honours degree (or equivalent)
• Qualified Teacher Status
• Substantial, successful teaching experience in primary education
• Recent successful Leadership and Management experience
• Experience of raising standards for all pupils, including disadvantaged and vulnerable groups, with clear evidence of impact
• Secure knowledge of safeguarding requirements and best practice
• Strong understanding of the primary curriculum and recent developments
• Experience of supporting children with SEND in an inclusive setting
• Understanding of the role of parents as partners in education
• Commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion
Skills and abilities
Essential
• Proven track record of securing high standards in teaching, learning and outcomes
• Strong understanding and application of effective pedagogy and evidence-informed practice
• Ability to lead, inspire and manage change effectively
• Successful experience of developing a positive behaviour culture and inclusive learning environment
• Ability to analyse data, identify priorities and plan strategically
• Strong communication skills – articulate, approachable, an excellent listener
Personal qualities
Essential
• Confident, articulate and able to communicate effectively to all stakeholders
• An excellent role model for all pupils and staff, demonstrating personal integrity and resilience
• Commitment to the Christian ethos and values of Hook Norton C of E Primary School
• Ability to motivate, encourage and empower staff at all levels
• Reflective, visible leader with a genuine love of working with children
• Commitment to staff well-being, collaboration and professional growth. A compassionate leader.
What the school offers its staff
A vibrant, inclusive village school
• Amazing, well behaved pupils who enjoy coming to school, are keen to learn, and who take pride in their school.
• A strong family ethos and positive, respectful relationships.
• A committed, experienced hard working, caring staff team with a clear sense of shared purpose
• An experienced, established leadership team.
• Active and supportive governors and parent community, including Friends of Hook Norton School (FOHNS).
Rich curriculum and opportunities
• A broad, knowledge-rich curriculum with strong foundations in English, Mathematics, Humanities and Science which focus around a termly “Big Question”
• Wide-ranging opportunities in the arts, music, sport, trips and residentials
• Forest School and extensive outdoor learning through Opal Play.
• Close partnership with local schools, particularly through the Chipping Norton School Partnership and international links
Professional fulfilment
As Headteacher you will:
• Shape the strategic direction of a successful school with strong community roots
• Lead a skilled team, developing leadership at all levels
• Work with governors and the local authority to sustain school improvement
• Have opportunities to engage with system leadership through local networks and partnerships
Commitment to safeguarding
Our organisation is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. We expect all staff, volunteers and trustees to share this commitment. Our recruitment process follows the keeping children safe in education guidance. Offers of employment may be subject to the following checks (where relevant): childcare disqualification Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) medical online and social media prohibition from teaching right to work satisfactory references suitability to work with children You must tell us about any unspent conviction, cautions, reprimands or warnings under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975.