Headteacher

What skills and experience we're looking for

The Role

The Headteacher will be a visible, compassionate and strategic leader who champions excellence in teaching and learning and embodies the school’s Christian values.

Key Responsibilities

• Leading, supporting and developing a committed and caring staff team
• Ensuring the delivery of a high quality, inclusive and ambitious curriculum
• Creating a culture where all children feel safe, motivated and able to flourish
• Strengthening partnerships with parents, Dorchester Abbey and the wider community
• Upholding and promoting the school’s Christian ethos in daily practice
• Please note there will be a teaching commitment.

Who We’re Looking For

We are seeking a leader who is

• Inspirational and resilient – able to motivate staff, pupils and families through both successes and challenges
• Values‑driven – modelling the Christian principles that underpin our school
• Ambitious for every child – committed to inclusion and high expectations for all
• Experienced in primary school leadership- committed to leading on professional development.

This is a meaningful opportunity to shape the future of a cherished village school.

What the school offers its staff

What We Offer

• A welcoming, nurturing and purpose driven school community
• A dedicated staff team who cares deeply about children’s outcomes
• Strong support from the school’s Governing Board and wider community.
• Close partnership with Dorchester Abbey
• Engaged families who value the school’s ethos and vision
• The opportunity to lead a school with a strong identity and deep community roots
• Opportunities for professional development

Further details about the role

Vacancy for the role of Headteacher, Dorchester St Birinus CE Primary School.

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Job Start Date

4th of January 2027

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Salary Type

Leadership Group 1 point L8-14

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Salary Details

The indicative pay range is set at LDR

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Hours of Work

Full-time

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Location of Role

School

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Contact e-mail address

cofg@st-birinus-pri.oxon.sch.uk (Chair of Governors) or office.3186@st-birinus-pri.oxon.sch.uk

About St Birinus CE Primary School

StBirinus is a small, friendly and inclusive Church of England primary school at the heart of Dorchester‑on‑Thames in Oxfordshire. We are a Voluntary Controlled Local Authority school.

We pride ourselves on

• A caring, family centred ethos where relationships matter
• A broad, ambitious curriculum that nurtures compassion, knowledge and diversity.
• A strong Christian character expressed through daily practice, collective worship and our partnership with Dorchester Abbey
• A commitment to inclusion and the belief that every child can thrive
• A dedicated staff team who goes above and beyond for pupils and families

We benefit from strong professional networks, leadership support and opportunities for collaboration, while retaining our distinctive village school identity.

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Deadline for Applications

15th of June 2026 (end of day)

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Interview Date(s)

24th June 2026

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Start date

1st of January 2027

School Visits

We strongly encourage prospective candidates to visit St Birinus.

To book a visit, please contact the school office: office@st-birinus-pri.oxon.sch.uk

Tel

01865 340081

Please see our school website www.st-birinus-pri.oxon.sch.uk

Application Requirements

Applications should include a personal statement addressing the person specification, with particular emphasis on

• Leadership of teaching and learning
• High expectations for all pupils
• Commitment to the Christian ethos of the school

Applications should be made using the Oxfordshire County Council application form

https://oxfordshire.education-jobs.org.uk/

Safer Recruitment

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. We will ensure that all our recruitment and selection practices reflect this commitment.All successful candidates will be subject to Disclosure and Barring Service checks along with other relevant employment checks.

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.