HEAD TEACHER. Required for September 2014

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1 Grace Dieu, Thringstone, Leicestershire, LE67 5UG Telephone: Facsimile: Web: HEAD TEACHER Required for September 2014 The School Grace Dieu Manor School has a long and successful history of educating boys and girls. Established by the Rosminian Fathers (Institute of Charity) in 1933, the school is situated in 120 acres of stunningly beautiful grounds on the edge of Charnwood Forest in North West Leicestershire. Steeped in history, Grace Dieu Manor School is today a vibrant, Catholic, co-educational day school for over 280 boys and girls, aged Applicants are urged to gain a sense of the work and atmosphere of the school by viewing the website As indicated in the latest ISI report (available on the school website), Grace Dieu Manor successfully gives the care of its pupils the highest priority and provides a broad education in a healthy and happy environment, ensuring that children depart with confidence to a broad range of senior schools including Ratcliffe College, Loughborough Grammar School, Loughborough High School, Repton and Trent College, among others. There we hope that they will contribute generously to the life of their new school. The school encourages an ethos of consideration for others. While this is undoubtedly a Christian school, children of other faiths and none are most warmly welcomed. Other world faiths are also studied and valued. It is also considered important that school is a place where children can have fun, sometimes make mistakes and learn from them. Grace Dieu s approach to disciplinary matters is kindly but clear. All children are entered for Key Stage tests and we are very proud of the outstanding results that have been achieved. Academic rigour is considered important, and, to that end, dedicated and committed teaching combines with small classes to provide an environment in which demands are made of the intellectually gifted and support is given to those who are less able. 1

2 A major strength of Grace Dieu Manor School is the quality of its education, not only in the academic sense, but in the wider sense of the whole person (ISI report, 2007) There is a joy in living and learning among the pupils at Grace Dieu and there is a joy in the giving of this. (ISI report, 2007) The Governors are ambitious to develop the school. In 2003, a new sports hall was constructed, for which the bank loan will be fully paid up during this financial year, and a purpose-built Pre- Preparatory Department was designed for our 3-7 year olds and opened in 2009 at a cost of 1.2m. The indoor swimming pool has recently been refurbished. These developments have had a huge impact upon the lives of the children. The school finances are sound and a surplus of around 90k is expected to be achieved in the academic year. There are plans for further development including an extension on the main school building, which will contain fresh accommodation for Science and Maths, and new classrooms for our Years 3 and 4 pupils. Planning permission has already been obtained. There are 31 full-time members and one part-time member of the teaching staff and 10 peripatetic music teachers. Support staff, including administration, maintenance, grounds, medical and catering have 11 full-time and 24 part-time members. The school is very proud of its outstanding team spirit and good co-operation between all the staff. Spiritual Life Our Pugin chapel is the heart of the school and the prayer life of the community provides a framework and a context within which all other activities occur. Our School Chaplain and his assistant ensure that School Masses, Class Masses and our weekly voluntary Mass, as well as other liturgies, are all thoughtfully and creatively planned and with direct input from the pupils. The welcome that all pupils and parents receive ensures that Grace Dieu is an inclusive school where those of other denominations and faiths know that they are valued for who they are and for what they will generously bring to the community. During the time that our pupils are with us, we hope to gently assist them to discover their God-given talents and to slowly develop an understanding that these will be best developed by using them to enrich the lives of others. In short, we hope to make of Grace Dieu pupils young men and women for others before sending them off to live out the Gospel in their chosen senior schools. Charity work is strongly supported and our school council chooses a child-focussed charity each academic year; currently, Grace Dieu is supporting Tilinanu, an orphanage in Malawi. Regular visits to Nottingham Cathedral ensure that we see ourselves as an integral part of our diocese and we are also most fortunate to be situated near Mount Saint Bernard Abbey, where we can see at first-hand the living out of monastic vocation. 2

3 Extra-Curricular Activities Balance of life is vital at Grace Dieu and pupils find many opportunities for fun and friendship. The school offers ample space for pupils to participate in the full range of team games on our extensive sports fields, in our indoor heated pool and in our sports hall. Weekly sporting fixtures give girls and boys the opportunity, from Year 4, to compete locally and, on occasions, nationally. The arts are also an integral part of Grace Dieu life and regular music and drama performances are a key feature of the termly diary. These will be both of a formal and less formal nature. The Director of Music leads two orchestras as well as three choirs and these afford wonderful opportunities for the children. Many pupils choose to learn musical instruments and the fact that our school day runs from 8am until 6pm ensures that there is ample time for our youngsters to experience a very broad range of activity and thereby discover their God-given talents in a beautiful setting. Governance Grace Dieu Manor School is a company limited by guarantee (Company number ) and is registered as a charity (Charity Number ). Its members and directors are the Trustees of both Ratcliffe College and Grace Dieu who are mostly Rosminian priests. A Board of Governors carries out the day to day governance of the school on their behalf which include two Trustees. There are currently 10 Governors, who are drawn from the local and wider community whose professional backgrounds include business, medicine, law and education. Some Governors are also parents, former parents and former pupils. As well as meeting four times/year as a full Board, much of the work is conducted in sub-committees. In these, the Head can articulate his vision and secure the support of Governors for key initiatives. The Clerk to the Governors is the Bursar. The Role The Head is responsible to the Board of Governors for the following: 1. Strategic Direction and Development of the School Promoting, reinforcing and modelling the Catholic identity and mission of the school; Sustaining and developing the vision for the school in keeping with this and securing the commitment of staff, parents and pupils to this vision; Continuously seeking ways to improve and develop the school and strategically planning and implementing this improvement; Keeping the school development plan under constant review, translating it into clear and measurable targets for implementation and monitoring; Recruitment, admission and retention of students. 3

4 2. Educational Leadership Providing inspirational leadership to the school community, developing an appropriate curriculum with rigorous academic standards, and creating an environment in which it is customary for methods of teaching to be constantly evaluated and developed; Ensuring that lessons and activities provide appropriate challenge and high expectation for all learners; Overseeing procedures relating to assessment and monitoring of the performance and progression of the pupils, and ensuring high standards of learning, behaviour and attendance; Making the best use of emerging technologies (within budgetary constraints) to enhance learning; Supporting and developing the broad range of extra-curricular activity across the school; Ensuring that the security and outstanding levels of pastoral care of all pupils; Making sure that all required arrangements are in place to facilitate inspections of the school; 3. Professional Leadership and Management Providing overall leadership to all teaching and non-teaching staff, developing amongst them a culture of dedicated commitment, openness, and a sense of involvement as a whole school staff team; Continuing the development of a strong, cohesive and proactive senior team and as its leader, ensuring that roles and responsibilities are clear and that the highest standards of performance are expected and delivered; Overseeing the development and implementation of policies and procedures to ensure that appropriate performance management is in place for the whole staff; Fostering amongst the staff community a strong commitment and understanding of the mission and identity and values of the school; Facilitating good communication processes within the whole school community, in particular ensuring that staff are well informed of relevant issues including the vision, mission, strategic direction of the school; Ensuring that appropriate policies and procedures are in place to recruit, develop, reward and retain staff of the highest calibre, in line with the school s high standards and expectations, and that effective remedies are available if such standards are not being met; Carrying lead responsibility for all required Health & Safety Policies, ensuring that appropriate procedures and arrangements are in place and are kept under review and report regularly on these matters to the Board of Governors; 4. Business Management Working with the Bursar and Governors to make a significant contribution to the strategic financial planning of the school, ensuring effective participation by the Senior Leadership Team and subject leaders as appropriate; 4

5 Ensuring appropriate deployment and overall management of all resources (financial, human and physical) across the school in support of the overall mission and strategic plans; In order to underpin the quality of learning and teaching, managing, monitoring and reviewing the range, quality and quantity of resources to secure efficiency and value for money, keeping the Governors fully informed; 5. External Relationships Fostering and further developing links with the community which Grace Dieu serves including current and former parents, local parishes and former pupils; Ensuring that creative marketing strategies are in place, taking all appropriate opportunities to publicise the school and ensure positive relationships with current and potential parents; Building constructive relationships with senior schools so that transitions of leavers are well managed; Create a positive and proactive public relations programme including developing beneficial relationships with the local press and other organisations who can help promote the school; The Person The successful candidate must be a practising Catholic, who has a clear and well-considered vision which is in harmony with the ethos and character of the school as expressed in this document. Further attributes include: Outstanding leadership skills, underpinned by energy and drive, and the ability to work productively with Governors and senior colleagues, inspiring and motivating staff, students and parents; A strong understanding of strategy, development and deployment; An ability to discern what to change and what to leave alone, and a commitment to see ideas through and show resolve even when unpopular or difficult decisions have to be made; Well-developed personal skills with the ability to establish good, appropriate relationships with students, parents, colleagues and governors; Excellent communication skills; Effective team development and team-working skills; Qualifications in the academic field and appropriate experience to ensure that the appointed person is in a strong position to lead the school academically, and be conversant with developments in education in a fast changing world; Good marketing skills and a zest for raising the school s profile; 5

6 An enthusiasm for the school s sport, music, drama and other aspects of its extra-curricular life; Sufficient understanding of employment law and the financial and administrative aspects of leading an independent school, together with a knowledge of where best to seek advice; Experience of headship, deputy headship or equivalent management responsibility; Terms and Conditions Remuneration The salary will be commensurate with that of Heads of similar sized IAPS prep schools in the region taking account of the experience and qualities of the successful candidate. The Head s remuneration will be reviewed bi-annually. All reasonable expenses incurred in the course of work performed for the school will be met. Pension The school will pay the employer s contribution to the Teachers Superannuation Scheme or the equivalent to a private pension plan. House There may be a 5 bedroom house available for the successful candidate and his/her family. Education of Head Teacher s Children at Grace Dieu Manor School Reduction of fees will be 50%. Professional Development and Attendance at CISC, IAPS and other relevant Conferences The school will pay for the Head to attend courses and conferences as agreed by the Chair of Governors. Health Insurance The Head, if s/he wishes, will be added to the list of senior staff who are provided with health insurance by the school. Conditions and probationary Period The offer will be subject to a satisfactory medical report from a healthcare provider such as BUPA, a satisfactory Disclosure and Barring Service check and a Probationary Period of one year. Notice This will be half a term during the Probationary Period and two terms thereafter. 6

7 Time Table for the Recruitment Process Monday 28 th October: Tuesday 12 th November: Monday 18 th November: Tuesday 19 th November: Closing Date for Applications Applications will be accepted electronically but must be followed by a hard copy before the closing date. Long list interviews Those selected for the first interview must bring to the interview photographic proof of identity and evidence of the right to work in the UK such as a passport as well as a recent utility bill showing their current address. There will be an opportunity to have a tour of the school before or after the interview. Dinner at Grace Dieu with Governors and senior staff for shortlisted candidates & spouses. Final Interviews Proof of degrees and other educational qualifications will need to be brought to the second interview and copies will be taken by The Bursar. Any announcement will be made before the end of term (Friday 13 th December) Process for Application Candidates are required to submit: 1. A completed Grace Dieu Manor School application form, including details of three referees, one of which should be a current or most recent employer and another their parish priest or priest who knows them well. References may be taken up before interview. 2. A supporting letter, addressed to the Chair of Governors, explaining why you feel you would be suitable candidate for this post. The completed application form and the covering letter should be sent or ed (via bursar@gracedieu.com) to The Bursar, Grace Dieu Manor School, Thringstone, Leics. LE67 5UG and must arrive no later than Monday 28 th October. Travel expenses for interviews will be reimbursed (mileage or 2nd class train travel) by way of an expenses form sent to The Bursar. Overnight accommodation will be arranged and paid for by the school for candidates if required. Candidates called to interview must provide original documents to confirm their identity and bring proof of qualifications where relevant for the post. Safeguarding Grace Dieu Manor School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and applicants must be willing to undergo child protection screening appropriate to the post, including checks with past employers and an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service Check. 7