Ashton St Peter s CofE VA Primary School. Head Teacher Recruitment Pack

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1 Ashton St Peter s CofE VA Primary School Head Teacher Recruitment Pack

2 Letter from the Governors Dear Applicant Thank you for the interest you have shown in the post of Head Teacher. I am delighted that you are considering applying to lead our much-loved school. Our current Head is seeking new challenges elsewhere. Ashton St Peters Primary School is a one form entry, Church of England primary school situated close to the town centre of Dunstable. We are looking for a dynamic and gifted Head who can lead our motivated and committed staff, as they seek to drive the school forward in future development and higher educational standards. A leader who is committed, hardworking and knowledgeable in the pursuit of learning, but also approachable and compassionate and can engage well with both children and their parents, as well as the wider community. The Governors are strongly supportive of the Staff without encroaching on the Head Teacher s responsibility to lead the School. Our distinctly Christian character and ethos underpins and drives the caring and nurturing environment that we have developed within the school, and we would look to the new Head to wholeheartedly embrace this, and strive to advance and develop it in all areas of school life, drawing on their own Christian faith. Whilst this information pack explains the essential requirements of this post, we would strongly urge you to visit our lovely Christian school in order to see and feel for yourself what makes it so unique and special. Please call the school office to make an appointment to meet staff and see the pupils at work. I look forward to receiving your completed application by noon on the closing date of Monday 26 th November. Shortlisting will take place the following day, and candidates who have been placed on that list will be advised soon after, with interviews taking place on Tuesday 11 th December. Two references will be sought ahead of the interview date. Although a start date after Easter is ideal, we would also seriously consider applicants who wish for a September 2019 start. Kind regards Ruth Banton Chair of Governors

3 A Taste of Ashton St Peter s Type of school Key School Information CofE VA Primary School Age range Age 4-11 Location No. of teaching Staff Dunstable, Bedfordshire 8 (including Headteacher) Number of children on roll 210 Attendance 96.90% % of children with SEND 12.90% % of FSM children 5.70% % of children with EAL 11.00% % of Pupil Premium children 9.60% Latest Ofsted report Ashton St Peter s Ofsted report 2018 My child is very happy and the only way I can describe it is Ashton Primary feels like one big family where everyone cares for and looks out for each other The warm caring atmosphere and exciting opportunities for further enrichments Safe, fun environment for learning and development both educationally and socially. Patience for the students and dedication to teaching

4 Our Christian Ethos Our school is a Christian School, with very close links to the Priory Church in Dunstable. As a school, we cultivate Christian principles in all aspects of our daily life, including learning and relationships, and this is achieved through the emphasis placed on the Values being taught. Our Vision statement expands on the words To seek to open our hearts and minds to the love of God and learning and is outlined below: Our children will be grounded in God s Word. We maintain a Christian family focus aiming to support parents in raising their children as mature Christian citizens, enabling them to handle life s challenges with courage and perseverance. We provide high quality learning, preparing children to flourish academically and spiritually, fulfilling their God-given potential Parents and other stake holders are kept informed of all that happens to promote Christian awareness both at school and in the community. There are regular opportunities to support local and national charities, and the school also sends funds for a child in Africa. Prayer is a vital part of the school day: pupils are encouraged to take part in planning and leading Collective Worship; prayer corners can be seen in every classroom and are freely used by the children; words from Scripture are displayed with children s work, encouraging the children to recognise that God is at the centre of all learning. We believe that good behaviour is the foundation for good learning and this is made possible by praise and encouragement in all areas of the school. All adults have established good relationships with our children and our attendance shows that children want to be in school. We are an inclusive school and all children are valued and welcomed regardless of ability, gender or faith background. We encourage children to question and discover for themselves the truths of the Gospel and how to put them into practice ineveryday living. The strength of our school lies in the partnership between all who work and all who learn, and is firmly set in the text from Scripture which accompanies our Vision Statement Proverbs 22:6 Teach children how they should live and they will remember it all their life.

5 What we want in a new Headteacher Someone that loves children and puts others before themselves - Child Our new head teacher should be affectionate, passionate and loving Child Must make the children's welfare and education a priority and be a fair and strong leader Staff member A new head who understands the small community approach and takes the time to get to know each child, from the loudest to the quietest - Parent

6 Job Description This appointment is with the Governing Body of the school under the terms of the National Society Contract signed by the Governors as employees. This job description reflects the National Standards of Excellence for Headteachers (2015). These standards are built upon The Teaching Standards (2011) which apply to all teachers, including Headteachers. The appointment is subject to the current conditions of employment of Headteachers, contained in the School Teachers Pay and Conditions document and other current educational and employment legislation, including that of the Department for Education, and the terms of the National Society contract. In carrying out his/her duties, the Headteacher shall consult, where appropriate, with the Local Authority, the Governing Body, the staff of the school, its pupils and the parents of its pupils. A. The Core Purpose of the Headteacher The Headteacher has overall responsibility for, and leads in, creating, inspiring and embodying the Christian ethos and culture of this Church school. They secure its Vision Statement with all members of the school community and ensure an environment for teaching and learning that empowers both staff and students to achieve their highest potential. The core purpose of the Headteacher is to provide professional leadership and management for the school within the context of the Ashton Foundation. This will promote a securebasis from which to achieve high standards in all areas of the school s work. To gain this success the Headteacher must establish high quality education by effectively managing teaching and learning and using personalised learning to realise the potential of all pupils. The Headteacher should establish a culture that promotes excellence, equality and high expectations of all pupils within a strong Christian ethos. The Headteacher is the leading professional in the school. Accountable to the Governing Body, the Headteacher provides vision, leadership and direction for the school and ensures that it is managed and organised to meet its aims and targets. The Headteacher, working with others, is responsible for evaluating the school s performance to identify the priorities for continuous improvement and raising standards; ensuring equality of opportunity for all; developing policies and practices; ensuring that resources are efficiently and effectively used to achieve the school s aims and objectives and for the day-to-day management, organisation and administration of the school.

7 Job Description The Headteacher, working with and through others, secures the commitment of the wider community to the school by developing and maintaining effective partnerships with, for example, schools, other services and agencies for children, the Local Authority and the Diocese. Through such partnerships and other activities, the Headteacher plays a key role in contributing to the development of the education system as a whole and collaborates with others to raise standards locally. Drawing on the support provided by members of the school community, the Headteacher is responsible for creating a productive learning environment which is engaging and fulfilling for all pupils. B. The Four Domains of Headship Domain One: Qualities and knowledge. Within the school s Christian ethos, the Headteacher will: 1. Hold and articulate clear Christian values and moral purpose focused on providing a high-class education for the pupils and reflect the Church foundation of the school. 2. Demonstrate optimistic personal behaviour, positive relationships and attitudes towards their pupils and staff, and towards parents, Governors and members of the local Church and wider community. 3. Lead by example with integrity, creativity, resilience and clarity drawing on their own scholarship, expertise and skills, and that of those around them. 4. Sustain wide, current knowledge and understanding of education and school systems locally and nationally, and pursue continuous professional development that reflects the needs of a Church of England school. 5. Work with political and financial astuteness, within a clear set of principles centred on the school's Christian vision, ably translating local, national and Diocesan policies into the school's context. 6. Communicate compellingly the school's vision and drive the strategic leadership, empowering all pupils and staff to excel.

8 Job Description Domain Two: Pupils and staff. Within the school s Christian ethos, the Headteacher will: 1. Demand ambitious standards of achievement and attendance for all pupils, overcoming disadvantage and advancing equality, instilling a strong sense of accountability in staff for the impact of their work on pupils' outcomes. 2. Secure excellent teaching through an analytical understanding of how pupils learn and of the core features of successful classroom practice and curriculum design, leading to rich curriculum opportunities and pupils' well-being, taking full account of the school s Church of England foundation. 3. Establish an educational culture of "open classrooms" as a basis for sharing best practice within and between schools, drawing on and conducting relevant research and robust data analysis. 4. Create an ethos based on Christian values 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

9 Job Description Domain Three: Systems and process. In a Church school, the relationship between the Vision Statement and the provision of effective governance, organisation and management should reflect the school s Christian aims. In order to provide an efficient, effective and safe Christian learning environment, the Headteacher will: 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 within a Christian context. 2. Within the school s Christian ethos, provide a safe, calm and well-ordered environment for all pupils and staff, focused on safeguarding pupils and developing their exemplary behaviour in school and in the wider community. 3. Maintain rigorous, fair and transparent systems and measures for managing the performance of all staff, addressing any underperformance, supporting staff to improve and valuing excellent practice. 4. Welcome strong governance and actively support the Governing Body to understand its role and deliver its functions effectively in particular its functions to set school strategy and hold the Headteacher to account for pupil, 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 pupils' achievements, the school's sustainability and its Christian character. 6. Distribute leadership throughout the school, forging teams of colleagues who have distinct roles and responsibilities and hold each other to account for their decision making.

10 Job Description Domain Four: The self-improving school system Working in a spirit of collaboration to secure Christian principles of equity and entitlement, the Headteacher will: 1. Create an outward-facing school which works with other schools, organisations and the local community in a climate of mutual challenge to champion best practice and secure excellent achievements for all pupils. 2. Develop effective relationships with fellow professionals, colleagues in other public services, parents/carers and the Church community to improve academic and social outcomes for all pupils. 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 of all staff. 5. Within the school s Christian ethos, 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 schools - to believe in the fundamental importance of education in children s lives and to promote the value of education especially within a Christian context. The applicant will be required to safeguard and promote the welfare of children. The Headteacher is expected to demonstrate this commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and is expected to hold all staff and volunteers accountable for their contribution to the safeguarding regulations. This job description forms part of the contract of employment of the person appointed to the post. It reflects the position at the present time only and may be reviewed in negotiation with the employee in the future. The appointment is subject to the current conditions of employment in the School Teachers Pay and Conditions Document as they relate to Headteachers.

11 Person Specification Specification Essential Desirable Evidence 1. Qualifications and CPD Qualified Teacher Status Degree level qualification NPQH Safer Recruitment training Application form Relevant CPD in teaching and school leadership Successfully undertaken appropriate child protection training Successfully undertaken designated safeguarding leadership training Commitment to undertake designated safeguarding leadership training 2. Experience and knowledge Experience in a senior leadership role in a primary school Good understanding of what constitutes outstanding classroom practice Application form and interview process Proven track record of school improvement through selfevaluation Evidence of recent leadership and management professional development Evidence of setting high standards and delivering excellence within areas of responsibility Ability to prioritise competing demands as well as adapt and respond to change 3. Christian Ethos Have a vision of how the needs of all pupils can be met through the distinctive Christian character of the school Ability to articulate and set an example of the clear gospel centred values and moral purpose appropriate to the context of a church school and its place in the community Ability to continue to build the school s current inclusive and nurturing Christian ethos and culture and build upon this into the future Ability to lead inspirational school worship Able to demonstrate active involvement in a church community Understanding of SIAMS inspections and how to lead to / maintain Outstanding Application form and interview process

12 Person Specification Specification Essential Desirable Evidence 4. Leadership and Management A strategic thinker able to formulate a wider vision for the school and respond positively to a changing local and national landscape Ability to promote and share a strategic vision for the continued improvement of the school Demonstrable evidence of successful senior leadership Effective track record of people management to achieve educational goals Experience of recruiting, managing, training and developing a wide range of staff Evidence of being a motivational and inspiring team player to promote school development Ability to communicate effectively both written and verbally Ability to analyse complex performance data and to communicate this in clear and understandable ways Ability to hold others to account with a commitment to robust performance review Ability to delegate effectively to achieve outcomes and provide development opportunities for staff Ability to make and implement difficult decisions Evidence of, and exposure to, sound financial management and the ability to analyse complex issues relating to finance and develop effective and creative responses Application form and interview process Letter in support

13 Person Specification Specification Essential Desirable Evidence 5. Teaching and Learning Be a Leader of Learning facilitating a can-do attitude in staff and pupils Evidence of a child-centred approach focussing on supporting, nurturing and developing the whole child Understanding of the challenges of a school where teaching and learning is from Early Years to Key Stage 2 Application form and interview process In depth knowledge of the National Curriculum and current legislation Experience of curriculum delivery, monitoring and assessment Successful experience of raising and sustaining attainment Ability to engage parents and carers to ensure they play their part in their child s learning both in and out of school Commitment to continue the whole range of school life activities, for example: art, music, residential trips, etc. 6. Community Ability to engage well with staff, parents, pupils and governors and sensitivity to the school s role within the community (and can show that enjoys doing this) Ability to work with other schools and organisations to secure the best possible outcomes for pupils and to share best practice Application form and interview process Commitment to engaging in a strong partnership with the local churches

14 Selection Process Safeguarding Ashton St Peter s Primary is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. This post is subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. Reference checks will be performed prior to interview. School visit We encourage all applicants to make a school visit, which can be arranged by contacting the school office. Pay scale The pay scale for this post is 2HT4 2HT11. ( 50,476-59,857) Appointment timescales Our current Headteacher is leaving at the end of the Autumn term, we hope to appoint a new Headteacher to start April 2019 but would also seriously consider applicants who hope for a September 2019 start. Applications Please complete the application form sent with this pack. Applications must be received by or post by noon on Monday 26 th November ed applications should be sent to office@ashtonstpeters.beds.sch.uk Interviews These will take place on Tuesday 11 th December Shortlisted candidates will be advised on the range of tasks and activities that will make up the selection process. Ashton St Peter s CofE VA Primary School Leighton Court Dunstable Beds LU6 1EW