An Essex primary school is looking for new leadership and “an experienced headteacher looking for a fresh challenge, or an exceptional deputy who is ready for headship.”

A job advert has been listed online by the school and Essex County Council for the new role at Brinkley Grove Primary School in Rawlings Crescent, Highwoods.

Current headteacher, Darren Smith, is set to stand down from the post.

The school and county council were unable to comment on the change of leadership and reasons for Mr Smith stepping down from the role.

The job advert states the salary has a range of between £71,729 and £82,258 and there is set to be a start date of January 1 next year, it also states the role of full time and a permanent position.

The primary school has 402 children on its roll and was previously rated as good by Ofsted in its last inspection in May 2019.

The job advert says it’s an “exciting time to be joining the team at Brinkley Grove Primary School” and that the school is looking for new leadership with “a passionate, experienced and ambitious educator, with the vision to articulate clearly the role that he or she will take in further developing our school.”

It adds: “What we are looking for: proven leadership experience and evidence of a strategic understanding of school life, effective management experience, with the ability to empower, motivate and develop a team of dedicated staff, a passion for delivering a rich and diverse curriculum through high quality teaching for the benefit of all children so they can reach their full potential and the ability to develop and nurture trusting and robust relationships with our children, staff, governors and wider community.”

“We can offer: wonderful, enthusiastic children who are friendly, confident, highly motivated and eager to learn and take on new challenges, a dedicated, talented and hardworking staff team, skilled, supportive and active governing body, open to new ideas and eager to support continued school improvement, a strong partnership with families and the community, membership of a successful and supportive network of local schools which provides professional dialogue and challenge for the headteachers and we warmly welcome and strongly encourage visits to the school.”