Work at Horspath

Horspath is a co-educational, non-selective primary school for 140 children aged four to eleven.  The school is located in Horspath, an attractive village just east of Oxford which climbs the slope of Shotover Hill.  Although the postcode is OX33, it is only a four mile cycle ride from the city centre, a journey which takes about 20 minutes depending on how fast you pedal!  About half our pupils live in Horspath itself whilst the others travel from the surrounding area.  

The size of the school helps to create a family ethos, with our empathetic and experienced staff quickly getting to know each of the children.  We seek to work closely with families in their children’s best interests.  In a survey in May 2023, 100% of staff stated that they are proud to work at Horspath School and 100% feel they make a positive difference.  

We are fortunate in having lovely grounds, including a generously-sized wildlife area, and we aim to make the most of our location to support the curriculum.  St Giles’ Church is but a short walk away as is Shotover Country Park.  We also benefit from proximity to a variety of local sports clubs that work with us to help inspire our children to live healthy and active lives.  

Whilst we strive to provide the best educational opportunities and outcomes for all pupils, we also encourage and celebrate their wider achievements and interests.  Do watch our short video to glimpse how the children let their light shine.

The phrase let your light shine is regularly heard in school and derives from the school’s Christian vision, which is inspired by Matthew Chapter 5, verses 14-16.  As a Church school we are supported by the Oxford Diocese Board of Education.  The Church of England’s vision is for the common good of the whole community and the school welcomes children from all cultures, faiths and worldviews.  

School Vision

Horspath Church of England Primary School is resolute in providing the best educational opportunities for all individuals in its care.  Our vision is to provide a happy, loving, and nurturing environment where all are valued and recognise their gifts, have the confidence to strive for excellence and make outstanding progress, and can develop and fulfil their hopes and aspirations so they may shine as lights in the world.  We encourage all members of the school community to lead by good example and inspire others; to stand up for what is right, and offer help to all; to be persevering, and to make a positive difference to the world. Through our values of responsibility, courage, kindness, and justice our vision is brought to life in the school community. If you are considering working for us, do arrange a visit and be assured of a warm welcome.

Our Commitment to Staff Wellbeing

We prioritise staff wellbeing not just in theory, but through tangible, actionable initiatives designed to support you throughout your career:

• Dedicated Support and Guidance: All of our schools have Wellbeing Champions and Mental Health First Aiders who are trained and available to provide confidential support, advice, and a listening ear. Every school is linked to a Wellbeing Network Lead who provides practical support for developing and implementing each school’s staff wellbeing action plan.

• Listening to Our Teams: We value your voice. Through our annual stakeholders surveys, we gather vital feedback from all staff members to continually inform and refine our policies, practices, and support structures.

• External Professional Support: All staff have access to a confidential Employee Assistance Program (EAP), which offers 24/7 access to expert advice, counselling, and practical support on a wide range of personal and professional matters.

• Career Growth and Collaboration: We believe in growing together. We provide collaborative Continuous Professional Learning and Development (CPLD) opportunities for staff at all levels, encouraging shared practice and innovation across our network of schools.

• Workload-Sensitive Development: Our appraisal approach is designed to be meaningful and supportive, placing wellbeing and workload at the heart of staff development. We focus on achievable goals and sustainable practices, ensuring that professional growth enhances, rather than burdens, your working life.

If you are looking for an environment where you can thrive professionally while knowing your personal health and happiness are a priority, an RLT school is the place for you. Join us and experience the difference a truly supportive working environment makes.