Jobs

HEADTEACHER
Salary: Group: 2, LPR L13 – L19, £69,596 - £80,655
N.O.R. 181
Permanent, Full time
Required for 1 September 2026.  

Are you an experienced and inspirational leader with an uncompromising belief that all children deserve the best education?
The Governors of Kirk Merrington Primary School seek to appoint an inspirational, experienced and highly motivated teacher, with significant senior management experience. 

The successful candidate will be:
- A leader who can ensure that our pupils receive a creative and inspiring education in a stimulating and happy environment with an emphasis on commitment, inclusion, and has the expertise to continue to embed our ethos and values.
- An experienced leader with integrity, enthusiasm, and courage and with high expectations of staff and children.
- A resilient leader who is committed to rigorously instilling the highest standards for all members of our school community, so the children get the very best education and staff are supported in their professional development.
- A Headteacher who can maintain our current high standards of behaviour.
- A strategic thinker with the vision and passion to drive forward curriculum, ensuring the highest levels of teaching and learning.
- An inspiring leader making sure our children leave Kirk Merrington Primary School as mature, rounded, resilient individuals, ready for the next steps in their education.
- A caring leader with the understanding of how to support and nurture the wellbeing of children and staff in our school.
- An outstanding communicator who has the ability to maintain a strong and cohesive wider school community.

In return, we offer:
• A very warm welcome, the opportunity to work with positive, confident and happy children, talented and dedicated staff, an active governing board and supportive parents.
• Children who relish leadership opportunities and actively contribute to the school’s vibrant and diverse culture.
• Hard working, talented, motivated and dedicated staff who like to lead their curriculum areas both inside and out of the classroom.
• Support from our very proactive governors, the Local Authority and the school community.

We highly recommend that you visit our school so that you can get a feel for Kirk Merrington Primary School before applying. Please contact the school office to arrange an appointment on one of the following days:
• Thursday 19 February 2026 – PM 
• Friday 20 February 2026 – PM
• Monday 2 March 2026 – after school

If a visit is not possible, an informal discussion with the Headteacher can be arranged.

Further information about our school can be found on our website – 
https://kirkmerrington.durham.sch.uk 

As a disability confident employer, we are committed to employing disabled people and people with health conditions, making reasonable adjustments to support disabled applicants when required.

Completed application forms should be returned to EDGS.Administration@durham.gov.uk.
Closing date for receipt of applications:  Thursday 5 March 2026 at 12 noon.
Interview date:  26 March 2026

This post is not open to job share.

Durham County Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. We expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment and an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) disclosure will be sought along with other relevant pre-employment checks.  Any offer of employment will be subject to receipt of a satisfactory DBS Disclosure form. In line with the guidance in Keeping Children Safe in Education, schools may carry out an online search as part of their due diligence on shortlisted candidates.

Kirk Merrington Primary School 
South View
Kirk Merrington
Co Durham 
DL16 7JB

Tel:  01388 816230
Email:  kirkmerrington@durhamlearning.net
Website:  https://kirkmerrington.durham.sch.uk 

#VPRS/161

Company: Durham County Council

Salary: £69,596 - £80,655

Location: Spennymoor, Durham

Sector: Education

Job Role: Teaching Assistant