Headteacher s Recruitment Pack

Transcription

1 Headteacher s Recruitment Pack

2 March 2016 Dear Applicant, Thank you for your interest in the post of Headteacher of Willingdon Community School. We believe this is an ideal opportunity for either someone new to headship to build on the school s current success or someone more experienced who also wishes to develop the school but in addition is interested in exploring the wider issues of collaboration and partnership. I hope that the information we have made available to you encourages you to apply for the post as the school is a wonderful place in which to work. You will see from the information that Willingdon Community School is a very successful school, consistently achieving high academic and pastoral standards over many years. In 2015 the school achieved the best GCSE results of the twenty seven state secondary schools in East Sussex. It has also been recently recognised by the DfE as being in the top 100 schools in England for value added. The school has an outstanding reputation for and commitment to inclusion and places great emphasis on the importance of values and good quality relationships across all those who work and attend the school and are part of its wider community. We are seeking to appoint a new Headteacher to build on these successes. The school serves the local areas of Willingdon and Polegate along with the wider community of Stone Cross, Pevensey, Westham and parts of Eastbourne and beyond. The school is over-subscribed and house building in the area is likely to lead to further growth. This is an exciting opportunity for a leader with vision, ambition, drive and enthusiasm to develop the school for the future, whilst sustaining the current success. The new post holder will enjoy the support of a strong, collaborative and dynamic leadership team who have, together, developed the school s high quality reputation. The school enjoys a good level of staffing stability, with staff firmly committed to its vision, aims and ethos. More generally, the leadership of the school is committed to playing a leading role in the wider development of education across the Eastbourne area and East Sussex. We see these as significantly positive attributes in an ever changing and challenging educational landscape. The school also has a strong and experienced governing body that provides a high level of support for the work of the school s leadership. Whilst focusing on the achievement of excellent outcomes for all is important, including closing the gap for SEND and disadvantaged students, the school s aims and ethos are very much to inspire students to believe in themselves, to achieve their potential and develop qualities and values that will serve them well in the future. This appointment is being made on the back of great success in terms of achieving sustained educational excellence whilst continuing to work collaboratively with local schools and colleges. By being at the forefront of collaborative strategic leadership in East Sussex, we believe we can continue to make great strides. The school has long had a reputation for working to support other schools.

3 In light of this, governors would also be interested, but not exclusively so, in candidates, with the appropriate level of experience, who would be interested in developing this area of the school s work, possibly developing a more formal relationship with other schools in need of support. We are particularly keen to receive applications from those who are excited and inspired by the opportunity to take us on the next part of our journey. Please note the dates for the various stages of the recruitment and selection programme. Candidates who are shortlisted will receive more information about the school in order to help them prepare for the interview stage. If after reading the information about the school you have any specific queries, please do not hesitate to contact us during term time or leadership.recruitment@eastsussex.gov.uk during the holiday period. Interested potential candidates are most welcome to arrange a visit to the school. These are scheduled for 2pm on Thursday 17 March 2016; 9am on Monday 21 March and 9am on Wednesday 23 March If you would like to take advantage of this opportunity before you apply, please contact the PA to the Headteacher Sam Rogers on or by SRogers@willingdonschool.org.uk who will make the necessary arrangements. We hope you will decide to submit your application, and look forward to hearing from you. Yours sincerely Sandeep Nighoskar Chair of Governors

4 Headteacher Willingdon Community School, Broad Road, Eastbourne, East Sussex, BN20 9QX Salary range: L29 L35 (negotiable) Relocation expenses available Following the retirement of the present post holder at the end of this school year, the governors, along with the students, staff and parents, of this highly successful Maintained School (NOR:1000), are seeking to appoint a new Headteacher, with effect from September Willingdon Community School is an oversubscribed, high performing school, which regularly achieves GCSE results in the top 20% of non-selective schools nationally for attainment and top 10% for progress. It has a strong commitment to developing outstanding teachers and leaders both within and beyond the school. Senior leaders place great importance on working across the community and with other schools. A strong inclusive ethos is at the heart of the school s approach. Nestling between the coast and the South Downs, Eastbourne offers an excellent quality of life. With easy access to the City of Brighton and strong rail links to London, this post offers a great opportunity for career development. This is an exciting opportunity for a current Headteacher, or ambitious Deputy Headteacher, to build on the school s success and to lead the school through the educational changes and challenges ahead. We are seeking to appoint a Headteacher who is: a high quality leader with the ability to inspire, lead and empower all staff and students to achieve their best. an innovative strategic thinker, able to plan for continuous improvement and manage change with confidence. committed to maintaining and developing strong, positive relationships with parents, other schools and the local authority. committed to the school s existing values but also prepared to challenge and develop current practice. Visits to the school are available, prior to application, on Thursday 17 March 2016 at 2pm; 9am on Monday 21 March 2016 and 9am on Wednesday 23 March Please contact Sam Rogers, PA to the Headteacher on to make arrangements to visit.

5 For further details and an application pack please visit: or Completed applications should be returned by post to: Customer Relations Adviser, Schools Team, East F, County Hall, St Anne s Crescent, Lewes, East Sussex, BN7 1SG. Or by to: leadership.recruitment@eastsussex.gov.uk Closing date for applications: Friday, 8 April 2016 (by noon) Interview date: Shortlisted applicants will be required to attend an evening social event at the school on Tuesday 19 April 2016 between 5.30pm and 7pm where they will have the opportunity to meet staff and governors. The next stages of the interview process will be held on Wednesday 20 & Thursday 21 April East Sussex County Council is committed to equality of opportunity. We positively welcome applications from all sections of the community. This authority is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Successful applicants will need to undertake, or currently hold, a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) clearance for this authority.

6 Job Description Post: ISR: Responsible to: Main purpose of the role is: Headteacher L29 L35 Governing Body The Headteacher of Willingdon Community School will provide professional leadership for the school, which secures its success and improvement, ensuring high quality education for all its pupils and improved standards of learning and achievement. To achieve success, the Headteacher will work with the Governors and other key stakeholders to: 1. Provide vision, leadership and direction. 2. Effectively lead teaching and learning. 3. Promote excellence, equality and high expectations of all students. 4. Deploy resources to achieve the School s aims. 5. Evaluate school performance and identify priorities for continuous improvement. 6. Carry out day-to-day management, organisation and administration 7. Secure the commitment of the wider community. 8. Create a safe and productive learning environment that is engaging and fulfilling for all students. Key Responsibilities Qualities and Knowledge 1. Hold and articulate clear values and moral purpose, focused on providing a world-class education for the students. 2. Demonstrate optimistic personal behaviour, positive relationships and attitudes towards students and staff, and towards parents, governors and members of the local community. 3. Lead by example - with integrity, creativity, resilience, and clarity - drawing on own scholarship, expertise and skills, and that of those around them. 4. Sustain wide, current knowledge and understanding of education and school systems locally, nationally and globally, and pursue continuous professional development. 5. Work with political and financial astuteness, within a clear set of principles centred on the school s vision, ably translating local and national policy into the school s context. 6. Communicate compellingly the school s vision, and drive the strategic leadership, empowering all students and staff to excel.

7 Students and Staff 1. Demand ambitious standards for all students, overcoming disadvantage and advancing equality, instilling a strong sense of accountability in staff for the impact of their work on students outcomes. 2. Secure excellent teaching through an analytical understanding of how students learn and of the core features of successful classroom practice and curriculum design, leading to rich curriculum opportunities and students well-being. 3. Establish an educational culture of open classrooms as a basis for sharing best practice within and between the schools, drawing on and conducting relevant research and robust data analysis. 4. Create an ethos within which all staff are motivated and supported to develop their own skills and subject knowledge, and to support each other. 5. Identify emerging talents, coaching current and aspiring leaders in a climate where excellence is the standard, leading to clear succession planning. 6. Hold all staff to account for their professional conduct and practice. Systems and Processes 1. Ensure that the school s systems, organisation and processes are well considered, efficient and fit for purpose, upholding the principles of transparency, integrity and probity. 2. Provide a safe, calm and well-ordered environment for all students and staff, focused on safeguarding students and developing their exemplary behaviour in the school and in the wider society. 3. Establish rigorous, fair and transparent systems and measures for managing the performance of all staff, addressing any under-performance, supporting staff to improve and valuing excellent practice. 4. Welcome strong governance and actively support the Board of Governors to understand its role and deliver its functions effectively in particular its functions to set school strategy and hold the Headteacher to account for student, staff and financial performance. 5. Exercise strategic, curriculum-led financial planning to ensure the equitable deployment of budgets and resources, in the best interests of students achievements and the school s sustainability. 6. Distribute leadership throughout the organisation, forging teams of colleagues who have distinct roles and responsibilities and hold each other to account for their decision making. The Self-Improving School System 1. Create an outward-facing School which works with other schools and organisations - in a climate of mutual challenge - to champion best practice and secure excellent achievements for all students. 2. Develop effective relationships with fellow professionals and colleagues in other public services to improve academic and social outcomes for all students.

8 3. Challenge educational orthodoxies in the best interests of achieving excellence, harnessing the findings of well evidenced research to frame self-regulating and self-improving schools. 4. Shape the current and future quality of the teaching profession through high quality training and sustained professional development for all staff. 5. Model entrepreneurial and innovative approaches to school improvement, leadership and governance, confident of the vital contribution of internal and external accountability. 6. Inspire and influence others - within and beyond the School - to believe in the fundamental importance of education in young people s lives and to promote the value of education. The Headteacher will carry out their professional duties in accordance with and subject to, the National Conditions of Employment for Headteachers and Education and Employment legislation. Keeping Children Safe in Education This school is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people as required under the Education Act 2002, and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Work with governors to ensure that all safeguarding duties are complied with under the relevant legislation. Work with governors to ensure that policies, procedures and training in the school as set out in the statutory guidance Keeping Children Safe in Education, DfE, March 2015, and Working Together to Safeguard Children, DfE, March 2015 are effective and comply with the law at all times. Ensure sufficient resources and time are allocated to enable the designated person and other staff to discharge their responsibilities, including taking part in strategy discussions and other inter-agency meetings, and contributing to the assessment of children. Ensure all staff and volunteers feel able to raise concerns about poor or unsafe practice in regard to children, and such concerns are addressed sensitively and effectively in a timely manner in accordance with agreed whistle blowing practices This job description should be read alongside the requirements of the DfE s School Teachers Pay and Conditions Document 2013, 2014 (section 2, part 7, paragraphs 48 to 54) and is based on the National Headteacher Standards (2004, 2012) and the National Standards of Excellence for Headteachers published by the Department for Education in January 2015 which sets out in greater detail the general requirements for Headteachers and the standard terms of their employment. This job description forms part of the contract of employment of the person appointed to this post. It reflects the position at the present time only and may be reviewed in negotiation with the employee in the future.

9 WILLINGDON COMMUNITY SCHOOL HEADTEACHER PERSON SPECIFICATION This person specification lists the qualifications, experience, knowledge, professional values, learning and teaching practice, competencies and personal qualities of the person required to undertake the post. It will be to assist in drawing up a shortlist of candidates for interview, and during the interview/selection process. Applicants should provide evidence to demonstrate their suitability for the position and how they meet the requirements of the person specification in the application form and any supporting statement. Qualifications Essential Desirable Must have qualified teacher status (QTS) Evidence of Development of Leadership skills Good Honours Degree or equivalent Post Graduate degree or qualification Knowledge & Experience Essential Successful experience within secondary school leadership team Record of successful team leadership Record of raising standards in teaching and learning Effective financial and resource management Collaborative relationships with range of educational stakeholders Commitment to safeguarding and promoting the physical and emotional health and wellbeing of young people Commitment to educational inclusion so that all students have the opportunity to be the best they can be. Desirable Successful secondary school headship

10 Personal Qualities & Abilities Essential Ability to hold and articulate a forward vision for further schoo improvement Ability to create policies and development plans, through informed decision making, consultation and review Capacity to communicate with, support and challenge a wide range of people associated with the school Ability to lead change by personal example and inspire commitment from others Commitment to demand and achieve ambitious standards for students through challenging goals and targets Ability to manage and hold all staff to account for their professional conduct and practice Commitment to work with the governing body to set school strategy and enable effective governance. Desirable