Headteacher (Howden Infant School)

Headteacher – Howden C of E Infant School

Roots to grow so together we flourish

Are you an experienced senior leader, dedicated to making a positive impact on young people's lives? 

We are looking to appoint an experienced senior leader to the role of Headteacher at Howden C of E Infant School. This is an exciting opportunity to lead a growing infant school at the heart of the Howden community and to nurture an inspiring, inclusive, and high-achieving environment for children and staff alike.

At Howden C of E Infant School, we are proud of our caring Christian ethos and our commitment to providing an exceptional start to every child’s learning journey. Our dedicated and talented staff work together to create a safe, happy, and stimulating environment where children flourish both academically and personally. As part of our strong network, you will receive ongoing support from experienced primary specialists and leaders across our partnership. This includes access to expert guidance in curriculum development, early years education, and school improvement—ensuring you have the professional backing and collaborative opportunities to succeed in your role.

The role is up to Full Time and will be paid on TEAL’s Leadership pay scale, points L12 to L18 (£67,898 to £78,702 FTE). 

If you are interested in working on a part time basis, we are open to applicants looking for a minimum 0.8 FTE for the role, please get in touch as we would be happy to explore this further with you. 

Why choose us?

Our core purpose is to make great schools and happier, stronger communities so that people have better lives.

We do this by advancing high-quality inclusive education that values all young people equally, through:

• Ensuring all schools in the TEAL family are successful and all our young people thrive.
• Developing the next generation of great teachers and leaders.
• Connecting with civic leaders and influencing the system so that it becomes fairer and more inclusive, sustainable and ethical.

We will always

• Do what is right.
• Stand shoulder to shoulder.
• Focus on quality in everything we do

To support this, we:

• Demand ethical behaviours built on professional trust                                                                                
• Reject fads and ensure our CPD is evidence-informed and predominantly subject specific                                                                                                 
• Do not expect staff to respond to emails outside normal working hours             

We have removed the following:

• Performance management objectives and performance-related pay
• Lesson observations and high stakes, toxic accountability                      
• Onerous marking policies                                                                
• Requirements for daily or weekly lesson plans           

Above all, we recognise that seeking to remove the number of tasks staff undertake will have little effect on improving work/home balance if this happens within a toxic culture.  To support this, we offer training for our leaders to ensure they are able to translate our values into behaviours which are built on the principles of dignity, respect, professionalism and integrity.

What can we offer you? 

• Support from a dedicated primary team that includes 6 other headteachers, a Director of Primary Education and a range of Primary Subject Leads to support school improvement.
• Regular, supportive meetings with members of our central team at the TDC and in school, as well as bi-weekly one to one meetings with the Director of Primary education in your setting
• External School Improvement Partner support from an external CEO of a local trust, focussed on helping you unpick the aspects of your school that you are developing, as well as offering support and advice
• Family friendly policies, including sector leading maternity, adoption and neonatal care pay offers
• Well-being support (including discounted gym membership; free annual flu vaccinations; refund of the cost of the annual NHS prescription prepayment certificate; access to a free employee assistance scheme 24/7, with advice on a wide range of practical issues ranging from legal information and consumer issues to specialist counselling)
• Membership of the Teacher’s Pension Scheme
• Access to our staff benefits platform, which includes big brand discounts and other financial incentives (including a cycle to work scheme offering discounted bike purchase)

What does the role involve?

• The post holder will balance the strategic and operational leadership of the school and assume overarching responsibility for all aspects of functionality, management, performance and improvement.
• The post holder will oversee the schools' leadership team and play a key role in raising standards, both academic and pastoral, to ensure the school continue to build their excellent reputation in the local community.
• With a passion for improving the life chances of young people, the post holder will engage with pupils, staff, parents and carers in an insightful, professional, skilful way, developing positive relationships, and reflecting all aspects of our ethical leadership competencies in everything they do.

Your knowledge, skills and experience:

• Experience of delivering CPD including coaching and mentoring colleagues.
• Experience of leading curriculum development across all primary phases.
• Extensive experience working at Senior Leadership Level
• Proven track record in implementing strategies and interventions to raise achievement and standards, narrowing gaps in attainment and progression
• Extensive knowledge of the principles and practices of effective teaching and learning, monitoring/ assessment and evaluation.

Applicant Information

Further information about the role, our school and TEAL can be found in the applicant information pack. 

If you would like to visit the school, this can be arranged for Friday 14th November at 2:15pm or Monday 17th November at 9:15am. Please email recruitment@theeducationalliance.org.uk to arrange a visit.

Our digital application form is accessed via the “Apply now” button at the bottom of the advert. If you would like an application form in an alternative format, would like to arrange a school tour or to arrange an informal chat about the role please contact recruitment@theeducationalliance.org.uk or alternatively, you can contact a member of our HR team on 01482 631208 ext 2353.

INTERNAL APPLICANTS (already working at a TEAL School) should use the following link to apply https://candidate.theeducationalliancecareers.org.uk/293666INT

All applications must be received prior to the deadline of 9:00am on Monday 24th November 2025.

We envisage that successful candidates will be invited to first stage interviews on 1st December 2025. Second stage interviews will be arranged subsequently. Interviews will involve a variety of tasks with key stakeholders from TEAL and the Diocese of York.

We look forward to receiving your application and we will contact you once your application has been reviewed. 

The Education Alliance is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. Clearance from the Disclosure and Barring Service prior to appointment and we undertake an online check, in line with the Keeping Children Safe in Education 2025 guidance.

The Education Alliance’s Child Protection Policy can be accessed at: https://theeducationalliance.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/Child-Protection-Policy.pdf