An academy trust in the North of England is trying to lure headteachers from London and the South by highlighting cheaper house prices in the region.

Co-op Academies Trust, which now runs 18 schools in the North and the Midlands, says it is using this recruitment approach to counter a shortage of primary heads.

Job adverts for two primary schools in West Yorkshire have specifically mentioned that housing is cheaper in the area in an attempt to attract candidates from the South of England.

The advert for the posts in Bradford and Heckmondwike said: “We would obviously welcome interest from successful headteachers wanting a new challenge or a relocation.

“We cover some of these costs (and housing is much cheaper up north) as well as those from talented and ambitious deputy headteachers, with vigour and verve, looking for their first headship.”

The trust’s director Frank Norris said they had been delighted with quality and quantity of applicants they had received.

He said: “At a time when others are struggling to fill primary headteacher positions we have found that by being creative with our traditional advertising and by maximising social media we can buck the trend.

“We make it clear that while we would obviously welcome interest from successful headteachers wanting a new challenge or a relocation, we would also consider talented and ambitious deputy head teachers, with vigour and verve, looking for their first headship.”

Earlier this year, the trust successfully recruited from Northern Ireland, where there is a surplus of newly qualified teachers, by attending a recruitment event at Ulster University with a view to filling vacancies in a range of subjects including science, maths and geography.

Co-op Academies Trust is planning to expand to take on 40 schools by 2022.

It currently runs schools in Greater Manchester, West Yorkshire and North Staffordshire.