What skills and experience we're looking for
Our Opportunity:
Clifton Green Primary School is at a pivotal moment in its journey, with a falling roll that will reshape the school’s structure and strategy over the coming years. We’re looking for a visionary Headteacher who can lead us through this transition, ensuring that our values, standards and community spirit remain strong while adapting to a smaller intake
About You:
You are a strategic and compassionate leader, ready to guide Clifton Green Primary School through a period of significant change. With strong managerial skills, you’ll oversee the school’s transition to a smaller intake, following the reduction of the PAN from 60 to 45 in September 2025, with the possibility of further reduction. You’ll bring experience in leading teams through periods of change, with a thoughtful and strategic approach to organisational development. As the school transitions to a smaller intake, you’ll ensure that staffing structures and responsibilities are aligned with the evolving needs of the school, balancing financial sustainability with a continued focus on high-quality teaching and learning.
Your ability to manage budgets and reduce deficits will be critical and you’ll work closely with the Deputy Head, School Business Manager, and Governors’ Resource Committee to make informed, transparent decisions. You’ll be a skilled communicator, able to keep staff, parents, and carers informed and engaged throughout this journey, creating opportunities for them to contribute to the decision-making process and feel part of the school’s future.
You’ll have a proven track record of forging strong relationships across the school community and beyond, working collaboratively with families, local services and council teams to improve outcomes for all pupils. You’ll uphold ambitious educational standards, using effective evaluation to identify barriers to progress and lead targeted improvements.
Above all, you’ll be a people-focused leader who inspires trust, supports professional development, and carries staff with you, ensuring that Clifton Green remains a nurturing, inclusive, and high-achieving school.
What the school offers its staff
• A happy and friendly school at the centre of its community, with children who respect each other and have a thirst for learning.
• A culture which allows all staff to thrive and develop.
• An opportunity to unlock the immense potential at Clifton Green Primary School and lead it on a journey to becoming 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.
• A Governing Body committed to providing support on all matters including more sensitive or difficult issues and including the wellbeing of all staff members.
• The school is part of a number of networks where Headteachers meet regularly.
Further details about the role
For further information about our opportunity, please visit our dedicated recruitment microsite.
For an informal, confidential conversation about the role please call Ashley on 07814 932 389 or email. Ashley has been engaged to support us with recruitment to this exciting opportunity.
Key dates
Application closing date: Applications close on Sunday 23rd November 2025
Shortlisting: Wednesday 26th November 2025
Interviews: Assessment days to take place on Tuesday 9th and Wednesday 10th December 2025
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. Dates when we can accommodate visits are detailed below - if these are not possible for you please contact Ashley, as we may be able to offer alternatives.
Wednesday 5th November - 2:15pm and 3:30pm
Wednesday12th November - 1:30pm
Friday 14th November - 10am and 11:30am
Thursday 20th November - 10am and 2pm
Friday 21st November - 10am and 2pm
After school visits could be accommodated on Wednesday 12th or Friday 21st November.
When applying please take into account the following supporting documents:
Person Specification
Job Description
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.
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.
Commitment to safeguarding
This post is subject to the Childcare (Disqualification) Regulations 2009 and as such shortlisted candidates will be asked to complete a Disqualification Declaration. Any information supplied will be discussed at interview.