Post: Headteacher

Location: Richmond, North Yorkshire

Number on Roll: 310 (including 38 in 2/3 year-old nursery)

Commencing: September 2026

Salary: L15 – L21 (£73,105 - £84,699) 

Contract Term: Permanent

Our Opportunity:

This is an exciting opportunity to lead a vibrant, caring and community‑centred school with a strong foundation, rooted in faith and a clear sense of purpose. Richmond Methodist Primary School is proud of its inclusive ethos, dedicated staff team and strong partnerships with families, governors and local organisations. The school is financially stable, forward‑looking and committed to continually improving outcomes for all pupils.

You will join us at a time of positive momentum, with the chance to build on a successful curriculum, further strengthen wellbeing, and shape long‑term ambitions, such as enhancing early years provision and ensuring the school remains well‑placed within the evolving educational landscape. For a leader with vision, compassion and drive, this is a unique opportunity to make a lasting difference to a much‑loved school at the heart of its community.

About You:

You are an inspiring, compassionate and forward‑thinking school leader who is committed to nurturing a thriving, inclusive learning community. You bring clarity, ambition and a strong sense of moral purpose, ensuring that every child, regardless of background or need, can flourish. You value positive relationships, communicate with warmth and transparency, and work collaboratively with staff, governors, families and the wider community. With a passion for high‑quality teaching and a commitment to wellbeing, you lead with integrity, place children at the heart of every decision, and bring the strategic insight needed to guide the school confidently into the future.

Our school Improvement Plan positions RMS as a forward‑thinking, values‑led school committed to excellence in education, strong governance, inclusion, and community. We are looking for a Headteacher who can:

• embody and champion the school’s Methodist values
• lead with warmth, integrity, and ambition
• drive high‑quality teaching and curriculum innovation
• nurture an inclusive culture where all pupils thrive
• collaborate effectively with governors and stakeholders
• ensure strong safeguarding and high standards across the school

This is an exciting opportunity for a leader who wants to make a meaningful and lasting difference in a school community deeply committed to “doing all the good we can."

We can offer you:

·       A happy and friendly school, with delightful children who respect each other and have a thirst for learning.

·       A culture which allows all staff to thrive and develop.

·       An opportunity to see the huge potential that exists and the time to make Richmond Methodist School a beacon of excellence in primary education.

·       Significant levels of support from the Local Authority, MAST, 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 Cluster where the Headteachers meet regularly.  This provides a support network for sharing ideas and best practice.

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.

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 to arrange a time. Please note that while a visit can be helpful for you as an applicant, it is entirely optional and not part of the selection process. Whether or not you visit will have no impact on the outcome of your application.

 Key dates

Application closing date: Midnight on Monday 20th April

Shortlisting: Tuesday 21st April

Interviews: Monday 27th and Tuesday 28th April 

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. Further information on how we process your data can be found here.