Permanent, full time position working all year round. Working hours: 08.00 - 17.00 Monday to Friday with additional hours on occasions to fulfil the requirements of the post
Salary: £60,000 - £65,000 depending on experience
Closing Date for this vacancy: Midnight, Thursday, 20th March 2025
Interview Dates: Week commencing 24th March 2025. The selection process will involve the completion of job specific tasks and activities
Start Date: September 2025, or earlier if possible, to ensure transition with outgoing Headteacher
Please also complete the Schools Application Form alongside a cover letter and up to date CV.
York Steiner School (YSS) is recruiting a new Headteacher from September 2025. YSS is an independent school, offering Steiner Waldorf education to children and young people from age 3 to 16. It is located in York, has a thriving and supportive community, and committed teachers. It is inspected by Ofsted, and currently rated Good. The Upper School is newly established, and offers an innovative and creative Level 2 portfolio assessment, alongside English and Maths GCSEs. This is a small school with huge potential. It has staff and parents who care deeply for this approach to education.
Key requirements for this role are:
* An appreciation of and willingness to learn about the Waldorf approach, which has a unique curriculum and pedagogy. Artistic and academic learning are equally valued, alongside a commitment to developing dispositions for learning, independence and resilience.
* An empathetic, collaborative and decisive leadership style - a headteacher who is able to take difficult decisions whilst maintaining staff morale and agency.
* The ability to build positive relationships with staff, parents, carers and the wider school community.
* Good financial and business understanding.
Waldorf UK are able to offer significant support and resources, particularly to those new to Waldorf education. For more information about Steiner Waldorf education, watch the short film here: Steiner Academy Hereford short film.
Job Description
Please note: This job description is illustrative of the general nature and level of responsibility of the Headteacher role. It is not a comprehensive list of all tasks that the Headteacher will perform. The postholder may be required to undertake other duties appropriate to the level of the role.
Background, context and future vision
The Headteacher is responsible for nurturing our school’s strengths:
* a long-established Steiner Waldorf School whose most recent Ofsted Report rated all areas of the school as Good .
* a highly committed and skilled staff team of teachers, learning support assistants, finance, administration and estates staff.
* a strong, confident parent and carer body able to share voices and views with school leadership to develop and continually improve our school.
* pupils, aged 3-16 years, who are keen to learn, grow and to play their part in our school’s present and future provision so they can positively shape their own lives and those of others.
The Headteacher will be responsible for further developing the school’s vision. By listening attentively to all the school’s stakeholders and observing its strengths in action, while monitoring and keeping abreast of the educational landscape regionally, nationally, and internationally, the Head Teacher will enable York Steiner School to be an outstanding provider of Steiner Waldorf education.
Strategic Planning and Decision-Making
York Steiner School is undergoing an exciting chapter in its history. As well as continuously building on existing strengths, YSS has an exciting and ambitious 5-year Strategy Plan (2024-2029) encompassing the following strands:
* Curriculum
* Staff Development
* Connected Community
* Connection to the Natural World
* Regulatory Compliance
* Marketing and Admissions
* Financial Stability
It will be the responsibility of the new Headteacher to lead delivery of the Strategy Plan 2024 -29. Much has been accomplished already, with the opening of Upper School in September 2024, as well as improving our outdoor spaces, mentoring and training teachers, increasing student numbers, creating an alumni association and developing a parent volunteering model.
The Headteacher will hold a strategic overview and make sure discussions and decisions are made in a timely manner, consulting with relevant individuals and delegating as appropriate. The Headteacher will report to the Board of Trustees on attainment of Strategy Plan goals, and engage in updating these as appropriate.
The Headteacher will:
* articulate our school’s ongoing direction and identity operationally and strategically, as part of a largely collegiate management approach.
* develop the school’s aims and objectives and provide overall strategic leadership.
* develop action plans, for achieving these aims and objectives.
* communicate the school’s vision to all stakeholders through collaborative leadership.
* motivate staff, pupils and families and carers to achieve the school’s vision whilst ensuring ongoing strengthening of the provision of Steiner Waldorf education.
Working with the Trustees
The Headteacher will:
* work with the Board of Trustees to ensure that strategic school objectives are articulated as achievable, realistic, and resourced school operations.
* attend Trustees meetings (currently every 6 weeks), providing the information needed to by Trustees to fulfil their oversight function, including through the provision of a written Headteacher Report and Safeguarding Report.
* meet the Safeguarding, Curriculum and Finance Trustees regularly or as needed to move forward operational and strategic matters.
* develop good working relationships with the Trustees, acknowledging their oversight on strategic matters whilst maintaining ownership of operational matters.
Finances
The Headteacher will:
* work with the Finance Manager to support strategic, curriculum-led financial planning to ensure effective use of budgets and resources, balancing the school’s ambition to be inclusive and accessible with the need for fiscal responsibility.
* provide timely reporting of financial information, including any actual or anticipated variances susceptible to have a material impact on the school’s financial performance.
* identify and oversee opportunities for income generation, grant applications and fundraising.
Marketing and admissions
The Headteacher will:
* be an ambassador for the school, promoting the school in the city and beyond.
* In liaison with the school’s marketing team and marketing trustee, develop the school’s marketing strategy and deliver on its aims and objectives.
* in collaboration with the Admissions Secretary, organise and lead Open Days (currently 2 annually, on Saturday mornings).
* in collaboration with the Admissions Secretary, lead Enquirers’ Mornings (currently 8 a year) for small groups of prospective parents.
* conduct tours and phone calls with prospective parents
* in liaison with the marketing team, oversee the productions of the school’s marketing literature.
* contribute to the school’s newsletter, website and social media pages.
* work strategically to increase student numbers, including within Parent and Child and Kindergarten, by networking with relevant stakeholders, overseeing effective marketing and ensuring the quality of the educational experience within the school.
* build on the recommendations of the recent communications review to ensure all internal and external communications reflect and promote the school based on the agreed branding and messaging.
Operational Coordination and Regulatory Compliance
The Headteacher is a member of (and currently chairs) the School Management Group (SMG), the school’s senior leadership team, to ensure compliance with the full range of external regulatory and inspection requirements.
By facilitating collaboration and coherent decision-making, the Headteacher will ensure our pupils and staff enjoy psychological as well as physical safety and our school enjoys financial stability and further growth.
The Headteacher will:
* ensure that the school is always inspection ready.
* monitor progress towards the achievement of the school’s aims and objectives.
* manage staff and resources so that the school is compliant, for example with regards to Health and Safety, the Charity Commission and Ofsted requirements (including the EYFS and ISS).
* work with the Admin/HR Manager to address concerns, complaints, grievances; and performance, recruitment and disciplinary matters.
* ensure that the school’s systems, organisation and processes are well considered, efficient and fit for purpose.
* maintain and review an up-to-date School Evaluation Form (SEF) and School Improvement Plan (SIP).
* ensure that all statutory policies are reviewed, approved by Trustees and up to date on the school website.
* maintain and develop strong relationships with relevant partners in our local authority and respond effectively to changing local and national policy contexts.
Safeguarding, Behaviour and Attendance
The Headteacher is the school’s Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL), supported by a safeguarding team of Deputy DSLs. Together, DSL and deputy DSLs are responsible for embedding and sustaining a culture of safety and vigilance at the school.
The Head Teacher/DSL will:
* provide supervision of key safeguarding staff (including but not restricted to deputy DSLs) to ensure reflective practice is nurtured, learning and leadership are encouraged, and the school’s safeguarding and child protection continuously improves.
* liaise with outside agencies including MASH, Early Help and Supporting Families and the LADO, if appropriate, and keep accurate records.
* conduct annual staff safeguarding update and maintain training records for all staff.
* attend CYC Safeguarding Briefings and the Independent Schools of York Safeguarding meetings.
* monitor attendance by analysing attendance data in liaison with reception staff, class teachers and communicate any concerns to parents; report attendance data and trends to the Trustees via the Head Teacher’s report.
* Analyse CPoms incidents via incident categories, monitor trends and take action if necessary.
* build positive relationships with all members of the school community, showing positive attitudes to them.
* hold all staff to account for their professional conduct and practice.
* provide a safe, calm, and well-ordered environment for all pupils and staff, focused on safeguarding pupils and developing exemplary behaviour.
* safeguard and promote the welfare of children and young people and ensure school policies and the staff code of conduct are followed.
* Agree and sign off any reduced timetables/flexi schooling agreements and review theses arrangements regularly with the SENDCO.
* Monitor the implementation of the school behaviour policy.
* Record any exclusions (fixed term or permanent).
* be a role model for all in our community.
Staffing and Staff Development
The Headteacher will:
* seek training and continuous professional development to meet their own needs.
* In line with the school’s development plan, identify staff training needs and organize a whole school CPD programme.
* Coordinate staff INSET days (currently 4 a year).
* induct new staff and ensure that all new teachers have a mentor, and that meetings and lesson observations take place consistently.
* Mentor or identify a mentor for ECT teachers (awarding body ISTIP) and PGCE students, conducting observations, mentoring or coaching meetings and completing all necessary paperwork.
* In liaison with the HR manager, interview and recruit all staff according to Safer Recruitment Practices and carry out Induction reviews in the first year.
* Be responsible for staff deployment in Parent and Child, Kindergarten, Main School and Upper School.
* Map out staffing needs well in advance of the next academic year and recruit the right people to the right jobs in a timely manner.
* Approve overtime requests and long-term cover.
* In liaison with the HR Manager, manage long term sickness.
* Have oversight of the school appraisal system, coordinate appraisals of all the teaching staff and conduct appraisals of those admin and support staff who are direct reports
* identify emerging talents, coaching current and aspiring leaders.
Curriculum and Quality of Teaching and Learning
The Headteacher will work closely with Waldorf UK to establish York Steiner School as a provider of outstanding Steiner Waldorf education and an outstanding school in a fast-changing educational context, ensuring Waldorf pedagogy remains at the heart of schooling. Working with the Education Management Group (EMG), the Head Teacher will:
* ensure a high quality of educational provision, having ambitious standards for all pupils, instilling a strong sense of accountability in staff for the impact of their work on pupil outcomes
* ensure excellent teaching in the school, including through training and development for staff.
* ensure Steiner Waldorf pedagogy and culture are at the heart of teaching and learning.
* keep up to date with developments in education, and have a good knowledge of education systems locally, nationally, and globally.
* create an ethos within which all staff are motivated and supported to develop their skills and knowledge.
* create an outward-facing school, which works with other schools and organisations to secure excellent outcomes for all pupils.
* support lead/senior teachers to conduct termly student progress reviews with the Class teacher and SENDCO to identify any interventions/actions necessary for pupils.
* support organisation of a programme of subject lead meetings on a termly basis, have oversights of curriculum documents and ensure that they are kept up to date.
Person Specification
Essential Criteria
Qualified teacher with extensive teaching experience.
Experience of working in senior leadership in the capacity of headteacher, deputy head/lead, head of department, lead or equivalent role (in the case of exceptional applicants, other relevant experience may be considered).
Knowledge or awareness of the principles underlying Steiner Waldorf Principles and commitment to deepen that knowledge, through ongoing professional development.
Successful completion of Child Protection and Designated Safeguarding Lead training.
Demonstrable financial competence, including a good understanding of budget setting, cash flow and fiscally responsible financial management and planning.
An understanding and practical experience of educational compliance and legal obligations, within schools and their application.
Inclusive leadership approach, which recognises the importance of distributive management.
Excellent administration, organisational, planning and analytical skills.
Demonstrable experience of successful line management and staff development
Demonstrable ability to delegate effectively and manage change.
Proven ability to identify and acknowledge excellence, as well as the ability and resolve to respond to underperformance effectively and decisively, holding staff accountable for their professional conduct and practice; ability to challenge decisions and behaviours respectfully and professionally.
Ability to communicate, engage with and cooperate well with colleagues and parents; to forge warm, effective collaborative working relationships both internally and externally in keeping with the school’s ethos and culture.
Ability to maintain a high level of confidentiality, particularly in relation to sensitive HR information.
Ability to maintain discipline, build and maintain positive relationships with pupils, understanding and relating to them perceptively and empathetically.
Aptitude to prioritise and manage a varied and complex workload and meet deadlines.
Resilience and ability to work under pressure and manage stressful situations calmly.
Self-motivation and imagination.
Desirable Criteria
A qualification in Steiner Waldorf education and/or teaching experience in Waldorf Schools.
An appropriate senior leadership qualification, such as NPQH.
Evidence of establishing a collaborative school vision of excellence and equity that sets high standards for every student and the ability to inspire, challenge, motivate and empower others to carry the vision forward.
Proven track record in securing funding through grant applications or other means.
Annual Leave: 28 days (inclusive of bank holidays) in the first year, 31 day in the second year before rising to 33 days after 3 years. There will be a 6 month probationary period.
We implement safeguarding protocols in all aspects of our working practices and we are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. All successful applicants will be required to undertake an enhanced DBS check and this will include social media checks.
York Steiner School is an equal opportunities employer and is committed to ensuring that every job applicant or employee receives equal treatment irrespective of sex, marital status, age, race, nationality, disability, sexuality or religious belief.
Application process and timescales
Application forms can be downloaded from https://www.yorksteinerschool.org/job-opportunities/
To find out more about York Steiner School visit our website https://www.yorksteinerschool.org/
All completed application forms to be emailed: to Sarah Heaton, HR/Admin Manager at sarah.heaton@yorksteinerschool.org alongside a cover letter and up to date CV.