Thank you for your interest in our recent advertisement for the above position at Archway Learning Trust. I have pleasure in enclosing details.

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1 July 2017 Dear Applicant Primary Academy Improvement Advisor Permanent Leadership Scale L14 L20-53,712-62,240 (Full time equivalent salary) Working Pattern required for 2 or 3 days per week to be discussed at interview Required as soon as possible in the Autumn Term start date to be discussed at interview Thank you for your interest in our recent advertisement for the above position at Archway Learning Trust. I have pleasure in enclosing details. The Trust is seeking to appoint a Primary Academy Improvement Advisor to play a significant role in the growth and development of the Trust s family of Primary Academies. The role requires an individual who has passion and commitment in order to provide advice, guidance and support to Senior Leadership Teams within the Trust. The successful candidate will also play a key role in the promotion of other primaries joining the Trust and support negotiations with those who are to become part of Archway Learning Trust. Bluecoat Academies Trust officially changed to Archway Learning Trust in May 2017 and was initially formed in April 2014 as a result of the very long and successful history of Bluecoat Academy. Archway Learning Trust currently comprises of 3 secondaries, 1 primary and a Post 16 provision. From January 2018 the Trust are looking forward to also working in partnership with the Nottingham Emmanuel School which will increase our secondary and Post 16 provision. Our aim as a Trust is to be recognised nationally and internationally as we develop our innovative approach to inclusive, enriching and balanced cross curricular teaching, preparing young people for lifelong learning based firmly on our Christian principles. To formally apply for the position, please complete the application form available from the vacancies section of our website, and submit to recruitment@bluecoat.uk.com clearly demonstrating your suitability for the role. Please note that the deadline for applications is 12pm, 11 th September 2017 with interviews provisionally scheduled to take place during the week commencing 18 th September Due to the number of applications we receive, it is with regret that we cannot respond to every application, if you do not hear from the Trust within two weeks of the deadline, please assume that on this occasion your application has unfortunately not been successful. I look forward to receiving your application. Yours sincerely Sian Hampton Chief Executive Officer Telephone office@bluecoat.uk.com Fax Web Archway Learning Trust Registered in England and Wales. Registration No Registered Office: Aspley Lane, Nottingham, NG8 5GY

2 ARCHWAY LEARNING TRUST Information for Applicants Primary Academy Improvement Advisor

3 INTRODUCTION AND TRUST OVERVIEW ARCHWAY LEARNING TRUST Archway Learning Trust, previously Bluecoat Academies Trust was formed in April 2014 as a result of the very long and successful history of Bluecoat Academy operating on 2 campuses, Aspley and Wollaton. Bluecoat Beechdale Academy (previously Hadden Park High School) formally joined the Trust on 1 April 2014, and in January 2015 we opened our Bluecoat Primary Academy, the first Church of England Primary Academy to be opened in Nottingham City for many years. Bluecoat Academy is the lead academy and is highly successful. Bluecoat Beechdale Academy is a growing academy which has benefitted from a very real and positive impact as a result of joining the Trust in April The creation of our Church of England Primary Academy, is the most recent stage of the Trust s growth. We regard the growth of our Multi Academy Trust as an excellent opportunity for potential candidates to join us as we seek to serve a growing number of young people across the region. Our aim as a Trust is to provide an excellent continuous all-through education for young people from 3-19 in the City of Nottingham; to be recognised nationally and internationally as we develop our innovative approach to inclusive, enriching and balanced cross curricular teaching, preparing young people for lifelong learning based firmly on our Christian principles. BLUECOAT CHURCH OF ENGLAND PRIMARY ACADEMY Bluecoat Academy Church of England Primary opened in January 2015 representing further growth for the Trust creating a learning experience from ages 3 to 11. The Primary Academy is an integral part of Bluecoat Academy benefitting from the Christian ethos, all the shared services and vibrancy of the well-established academy and staffing body. The Primary Academy is located on the site next to Bluecoat Beechdale Academy. There are strong links between the primary and secondary schools, which presents exciting opportunities for cross phase learning and integral links between primary and secondary provision of great advantage, including transition work, academically more able work and enriched programmes of teaching and learning. The Primary Academy is led and managed by an experienced Principal. As the school is in its early stages of growth, it has also received support from the SLT at a local Primary School, including an Executive Head via a secondment for two days per week as well as input from a local NLE. The academy has just moved into the newly built, state of the art building on Harvey Road. The Primary Academy was delighted to hold the formal opening of the new building by the Archbishop of York, John Sentamu took place in June 2017 with a great deal of interest from the East Midlands press. The Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu said: Education at its heart is about enabling all to flourish - it stretches the most able and guards and grows the most vulnerable. It is a great delight to be part of Bluecoat Academy Primary official opening day and I pray that every child who comes here will discover more of all that God has created them to be and to do.

4 The Primary currently educates 210 students from Reception to Year 3. Each year the school will welcome 60 new Reception children until the school is full from Reception to Year 6. In September 2017, the school will also open a 26 place Nursery and a Focus Provision for children with ASD. The new building has been designed to create a wonderful learning environment for children to help us maximise their opportunities to flourish whilst in our care. Bluecoat Church of England Primary Academy is a happy, dynamic, vibrant and well-ordered environment. Ours is an exciting environment in which to work, with pupils from a range of cultural backgrounds. Our pupils have very positive attitudes towards their learning and their behaviour. We aim to provide education for the children in the City of Nottingham. This Primary Phase allows Bluecoat Academy to intervene earlier in children's lives to provide hope, aspiration and education to be whatever they believe they can be. We aim to provide education where: We can dream, imagine and be inspired Everyone is unique and valued Enquiry and creativity lead to success Children are safe, happy and independent Learning is fun, innovative and challenging. The Trust are proud of the staffing body at the Primary and this will continue to grow year on year with excellent opportunities for prospective candidates who want to be part of creating this fantastic learning environment. BLUECOAT ACADMEY WOLLATON AND ASPLEY We have a long history of very successful exam results and pride ourselves on creating a curriculum for each student that gives them the best possible opportunities to succeed whilst maintaining our commitment to a broad and balanced curriculum. Teaching and learning lie at the heart of each Academy with considerable time and energy devoted to supporting our staff in becoming outstanding teachers. In addition to giving our staff time, we have also invested heavily in bespoke training which all middle and senior managers receive. This ethos is extended to all non-teaching teams across the Trust with extensive training programmes for all teams both within their specialist area and in developing key skills to facilitate career paths for everyone. Members of our Senior Leadership Team have been designated as NCSL SLEs (Specialist Leaders in Education), providing support and advice for others regionally. The MAT is led by an NLE who is also a trained Ofsted inspector and has many years of experience in raising standards in challenging City schools. Many of our staff have or are undertaking MA s in School Leadership and 14 other teaching staff members currently undertaking master s degrees in Building Capacity in Research & Development with Sheffield Hallam University. Many members of the support teams have also embarked on professional qualifications supported by Bluecoat Academies Trust ranging from finance qualifications to accredited Health and Safety practitioner qualifications. Ofsted rated us as good with many outstanding features, with leadership and management as one of these outstanding features. Our staff regularly present at local and national conferences. We believe in innovation, risk taking and welcome new ideas. We play a full part in the City s Educational Improvement Partnership working with over 20 primary schools and secondary schools. We understand the importance of preparing our young people for a global society.

5 Underpinning all of this is our Christian belief. We work closely with the Diocese of Southwell and Nottingham as Bluecoat is a Church of England Academy. At its heart is the belief that all students are unique and valued by God. Our mission statement: Believe; in yourself, in others, in God, sums up what we stand for. During the 2015/2016 academic year the Trust were inspected by the Church of England under the remit of Statutory Inspection of Anglican and Methodist Schools (SIAMS) inspection with the Trust very proud to say that we were judged as outstanding saying they were Proud of its Christian foundation, the academy is explicit about its beliefs, values and ethos.the result is a harmonious community where all are respected and valued for who they are. We feel that this rating reflects the hard work and commitment of a whole team of staff working together with students and parents. We are truly inclusive and pride ourselves on the wide range of students that attend our academy with a truly diverse intake. We have received national recognition for the work we do with students who have special educational needs. BLUECOAT ASPLEY ACADEMY With over 1500 students (including almost 500 in the Sixth Form), Bluecoat Academy Aspley is the largest school in the Trust and was the founder of Bluecoat Academies Trust. The Academy is both distinctively Christian and inclusive with all students being part of the large, diverse and multi ethnic family that we are very proud to be a part of. Bluecoat Academy Aspley holds a strong and positive reputation within the city benefitting from its long history, success and prominent position in the city. Bluecoat Academy Aspley Lane Campus BLUECOAT WOLLATON ACADMEY Bluecoat Wollaton Academy has over 750 learners aged 11-16, and like Bluecoat Academy Aspley is both distinctively Christian and inclusive. Bluecoat Academy Wollaton Park Campus Almost in the heart of Wollaton Park its rural location bellies its city postcode. Bluecoat Wollaton benefited from a rebuilding programme under Building Schools for the Future and now boasts some of the most state of the art accommodation in the Trust. BLUECOAT ACADEMY SIXTH FORM Bluecoat Academy Sixth Form has almost 500 learners aged 16-18, and is based on the Bluecoat Aspley Academy with their Level 2 learners currently on the Bluecoat Beechdale Academy site. The Sixth form offers students an educational experience which is unique, bringing students from every social, academic and religious background within a faith-school. Bluecoat Academy Sixth Form

6 BLUECOAT BEECHDALE ACADEMY Bluecoat Beechdale Academy joined the Trust on 1 st April 2014, since then staff, students, parents and governors have been working hard to make Bluecoat Beechdale Academy as successful as it can be. The Academy are extremely proud to say that it has recently been rated as GOOD by Ofsted in March Much like our expansion into the Wollaton Park Campus ten years ago, it is believed the relationship will allow Archway Learning Trust to bring greater opportunity to all of its community members and enhanced outcomes for more local young people. Bluecoat Beechdale Academy is a growing academy, with over 650 students currently on roll. The numbers have increased each year since out sponsorship began and we are delighted with the growing confidence that local families are expressing by making Beechdale their first choice academy in increasing numbers. The academy has worked hard in preparation for the 2016/2017 intake to ensure a positive transition from primary through to Year 7 with many of our staff having the opportunity to visit all of the feeder schools in order to meet students and to ensure they have the best start possible in their new education journey. Bluecoat Beechdale Academy campus also hosts the Vocational Education Centre which is part of Bluecoat Academy s successful Sixth Form. Since opening in September 2014 with an annual intake of 80 students there has been excellent provision for our Key Stage 4 students to aspire to and plan for their Post-16 options. Unlike Bluecoat Academy, Bluecoat Beechdale is not formally designated as a Church of England academy, but shares the ethos and many of the Bluecoat values. Bluecoat Beechdale Academy Attendance has risen from around 90% to be at least in line with national averages at over 94% in only a few months. Exclusions have fallen significantly, as a result of our Behaviour Policy and system. The senior team and governing body, alongside some of the most experienced leaders from Bluecoat Academy, are driving improvement year on year. This year the Academy is very pleased to say that Bluecoat Beechdale Academy have enjoyed their best results yet and a third consecutive set of improving GCSE outcomes. Initial indications show that the Academy has surpassed the government floor standard Progress 8 accountability measure. In February 2017 the gained a much deserved good rating from Ofsted moving the Academy from special measures to good in less than three years of sponsorship. SCITT Archway Learning Trust is in its third year of training teachers from across each phase. Up to 40 trainees are trained at the Archway SCITT. These trainees benefit from outstanding coaching and development and the SCITT works alongside 26 partner schools to provide placements and training opportunities. Trainees work alongside experienced teachers, and supported by expert teaching professionals including AST teachers, SLE qualified members of the Senior Leadership Team, and outstanding teachers supporting subject pedagogy; understanding the skills necessary for purposeful and challenging teaching and learning, securing the future of our children and young people in a supportive and aspirational environment. All training is tailored to individual needs and progress.

7 Job Description Primary Academy Improvement Advisor Current Postholder: Job Description Issue Date: July 2017 Signed Date

8 POST TITLE: SALARY SCALE/RANGE: MAIN PURPOSE: RESPONSIBLE TO: RELATIONSHIPS WITH: Primary Academy Improvement Advisor L14 L20 To actively promote the vision and values of the Multi Academy Trust in order to support the expansion of the Trust in line with the Trust s Strategic Plan. Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Head of School/Principal (Primary) Senior Leadership Teams within the Trust (Primary & Secondary) Governing Bodies (Primary) Trust wide teaching colleagues SENCo/ Teaching Assistants Support Staff Stakeholders Local community and educational providers A range of support/external agencies Introduction The Primary Academy Improvement Advisor will play a key part in developing the capacity and effectiveness of the Trust to provide guidance, challenge and support to primary academies within the Trust and to those who aspire to join Archway Learning Trust. In addition to this, the Primary Academy Improvement Advisor will also play the role of Primary Ambassador for the Trust in negotiations with the RSC and those schools/academies showing an interest in becoming part of it. Specific Responsibilities To rigorously monitor, evaluate and report academy performance to the Trust in order to: Support the due diligence process when assessing school s applying to join the Trust. Support the CEO in monitoring and reporting on the performance of MAT schools. To provide professional support and challenge for schools/academies to ensure they attain the highest standards and rates of progress Support schools/academies in effective self-evaluation and the writing of an accurate SEF. Identify priorities for improvement and planning effective change. Share good practice. Facilitate collaborative working and partnerships between schools. Support and contribute to the work of the Bluecoat SCITT. Teaching and Learning Monitor the quality of teaching and student s achievements including the analysis of performance data;

9 Strategic Leadership In addition to the requirements of a class teacher, areas of responsibility and key tasks: Leadership and strategic development; Leading and managing staff; Supporting staff in their development needs: The implementation of whole Academy policy and practice; Undertaking professional duties and tasks as reasonably delegated by the CEO Participating in whole MAT planning and policy making; Attending senior staff and other Academy committees and meetings; Liaison with appropriate agencies outside of Academy, e.g. LA advisors and inspectors, industry, business and the wider community. Leadership of Staff Develop positive working relationships with and between all staff and provide and sustain motivation; Lead groups of staff in developmental activities, delegate appropriately and evaluate outcomes; Contribute to the implementation of the Trust s Appraisal policy; Support staff with matters of student behaviour and discipline; Contribute positively to the appointment, deployment and development of staff to make most effective use of their skills, expertise and experience and to ensure that all staff have a clear understanding of their roles and responsibilities. Dress Code The Governors expect staff to dress in a manner consistent with the professional nature of the post, working with young people and the values of the Academy. Safeguarding Children and Young People Archway Learning Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. All staff and volunteers are therefore expected to behave in such a way that supports this commitment. General Notes 1. The aforementioned responsibilities are subject to the general duties and responsibilities contained in the School Teachers Pay and Conditions Document and the Conditions of Service ( Burgundy Book ) and are additional to the general duties and responsibilities of a Teacher; 2. These accountabilities do not direct the particular amount of time to be spent on carrying them out and no part of it may be so construed; 3. These accountabilities are not necessarily a comprehensive definition of the post. It will be reviewed at least once per year and it may be subject to modification or amendment at any time after consultation with the holder of the post.

10 ARCHWAY LEARNING TRUST Person Specification Primary Academy Improvement Advisor The Person The Trustees seek to appoint a candidate with a successful record of outstanding leadership in primary schools/academies. The individual will have the passion and commitment for promoting excellence across this rapidly developing Christian Multi Academy Trust. The post requires a comprehensive range of skills and qualities including the vision and intellect to contribute to the development of the Trust.

11 Experience and Qualities Required Essential Desirable Experience 1. Knowledge and understanding of the key educational issues, legislation and challenges faced by primary schools. 2. Experience of Ofsted / HMI inspecting. 3. Previous experience of working across a range of schools as school improvement advisor or similar. 4. Ability to establish effective professional relationships, and to respect and influence the ideas and practice of others. 5. Strong ICT skills and experience. Knowledge and Understanding 6. Comprehensive understanding of the current OFSTED evaluation schedule. 7. Understanding of the principles and practice of quality assurance systems, including school self-evaluation and performance management. Skills and Abilities Interpersonal 8. Ability to interpret complex data quickly and to identify key issues accurately. 9. The ability to work with other school leaders and promote the sharing of good practice. 10. Ability to coach and mentor others in developing good practice. 11. The ability to work to clear deadlines. Skills, Abilities and Interests Other 12. Outstanding teaching skills 13. Tact, sensitivity, integrity, good judgement, and a sense of humour 14. Confidence, independence and flexibility 15. Excellent communication skills, notably in respect of verbal presentation and report writing 16. Ability to support the CEO in holding school leaders to account 17. Ability to work sensitively and collaboratively as part of a team Equal Opportunities 18. A commitment to equal opportunities Values 19. A commitment to comprehensive education 20. An empathy for children from a wide variety of social and cultural backgrounds 21. Be in sympathy with the values of the Multi-Academy Trust 22. A willingness to work hard, with enthusiasm and vision Safeguarding Children, Young People 23. Archway Learning Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. All staff and volunteers are therefore expected to behave in such a way that supports this commitment.