NURTURE GROUP MANAGER

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1 NURTURE GROUP MANAGER Grade 6, Scale Point Range (32.5 hours per week; 39 weeks) CANDIDATE PACK Mary Immaculate High School Caerau Lane Wenvoe Cardiff CF5 5QZ

2 Dear Applicant, Re: Nurture Group Manager (32.5 hours; 39 weeks) Thank you for your interest in the Nurture Group Manager position currently being advertised. This is an exciting new development at school and I thought it may be helpful to candidates if I gave a personal perspective of the school and the role itself. I hope this will help you to decide whether or not Mary Immaculate is a school in which you would be happy, thrive and able to contribute. Our aim is simple. We want Mary Immaculate to be one of the leading schools in Wales! We will leave no stone unturned in our pursuit of this goal and the successful candidate would be joining a forward thinking community which is passionate about continued improvement. Over the past 18 months we have made huge strides towards achieving this aim. We recently achieved the best results in our school s history and saw a dramatic rise of 46% from In December 2011 we were placed in Band 1 by Welsh Government in recognition for the improvements. There is definitely a culture of achievement at Mary Immaculate but, at the same time, we recognise that we should be achieving better standards... and we will! The particular strengths of the school are, firstly, the students for whom, as you will see yourself should you visit us, are happy, hard-working and very positive about the school. They genuinely are an asset to the school community and are very friendly. They want a high quality education and be successful learners. In addition, we have a very committed and dedicated staff who are enthusiastic and passionate about providing the young people in our care with an education which is unforgettable. The level of care shown to students at Mary Immaculate is extraordinary. The children are treated with respect and dignity at all times. As a school we are seeking to develop a nurture facility which will support some of our more vulnerable students. For some of our students the pressures and demands of school life is too much and the facility will help children deal with some of the barriers to their success, not only at school, but life beyond. The post holder will be supported by a full time teaching assistant and there will be an investment in the facility so that it engages the students who require the additional support. We are looking to set up the facility in September so the appointed person will have a key role in helping us start something very exciting. I truly believe Mary Immaculate has the potential to develop into an outstanding Catholic school in the next few years. If you are up for the challenge of playing a significant role in helping us achieve this and have a core belief that all students no matter what their background or ability can achieve we would love to hear from you. Please feel free to telephone my PA, Jan Williams, anytime on if you would like to arrange a visit to the school. I hope you do apply because it really is a great opportunity. I look forward to hearing from you. Yours sincerely, Marc Belli Headteacher

3 Nurture Group Manager Grade 6, Scale Points ,221-26,276 FTE Method of Appointment Please apply using the appropriate form and, in no more than two sides of A4, a supporting statement which explains your reasons for applying for this position and a vision of what you will bring to the role; your leadership experiences to date which you feel make you a suitable candidate; and an indication of your strengths, both personally and professionally. You are asked to give the names of two referees, one of which should be your current employer. Closing Date Friday 27 April 2012; Short-listing Friday 27 April 2012; Interview Date Week Beginning 30 April 2012; Starting Date 1 September 2012.

4 Nurture Group Manager Grade 6, Scale Points ,221-26,276 FTE Personal Specification and Qualities The appointed person must have the ability to show initiative to solve day-to-day issues; be able to organise and plan ahead working to deadlines; have evidence of Continual Professional Development; have a commitment to excellence in teaching and learning; have the confidence to make decisions, knowing when to consult and when to act; have excellent ICT skills; have enthusiasm; enjoy working with young people; be a motivator; be able to inspire and engage students and staff; be sympathetic and supportive of our Christian values; be a team player; be proactive; have the capacity to work hard under pressure; be a good communicator; have personal integrity and the drive to do what is best for the students; have the ambition and potential for future promotion; be committed to providing students with a first-class education; have a sense of humour!!! To have received training in nurture provision is a desirable skill of the role but not essential. Suitable training will be provided for the appointed person.

5 Mary Immaculate High School JOB DESCRIPTION PERSONAL DETAILS Nurture Group Manager CONTRACT DETAILS Grade 6, Scale Points ( 22,221-26,276 FTE) 32.5 hours per week 39 weeks per year LINE MANAGER Assistant Head (Pastoral) JOB PURPOSE As Nurture Group Manager you will work directly with students across both Key Stages who experience a range of needs and challenges (social, emotional and behavioural). You will play a leading role in the development of nurture principles to ensure that barriers to learning are reduced and to support students achieve their full potential. RESPONSIBILITIES Main Duties To provide support to students through a carefully structured timetable which balances learning, affection and discipline within a caring home-like atmosphere; To monitor the progress of students via Boxall profiling system to ensure the reduction in exclusions and increase attendance; To liaise with parents and carers on progress; To work in partnership with external agencies and providers to include additional specialist provision; To work with the Assistant Head (Pastoral) to co-ordinate and monitor support in the classroom; To model and encourage appropriate social behaviour in and out of school and to cater for the general welfare of students; To work within the current child protection and Health and Safety guidelines; To regularly review progress and monitor integration into mainstream education; To assist with transition from primary school and between Key Stage 3 and Key Stage 4; To work in partnership with classroom teachers to differentiate appropriate activities for students in relation to the curriculum; To record and monitor progress and provide regular feedback to stakeholders. Health and Safety To be aware of the responsibility for personal Health, Safety and Welfare and that of others who may be affected by your actions or inactions; To co-operate with the School on all issues to do with Health, Safety & Welfare. Pastoral Care To deal with or report, to the nearest member of the teaching staff, incidents which are seen or reported regarding students welfare;

6 Continuing Professional Development To take responsibility for personal professional development, in conjunction with the line manager, keeping up-to-date with research and developments related to school efficiency, which may lead to improvements in the day-to-day running of the school; To line manage the teaching assistant linked to the Nurture facility and conduct performance management arrangements in line with school policy; To undertake any necessary professional development as identified in the School Improvement Plan taking full advantage of any relevant training and development available. Other To undertake any other duties, commensurate with the grade, as reasonably requested by the Headteacher. Requirement for post The post holder will be required clearance to work in a school through the Criminal Records Bureau; Additional Information The post holder will be able to display flexibility to undertake reviews of responsibilities and tasks and be adaptable; The post holder will be required to work with, and involve a wide cross-section of staff and therefore be able to work effectively within a team environment.

7 Information about Mary Immaculate High School Introduction Mary Immaculate is a co-educational Catholic comprehensive school which serves the Catholic and non- Catholic community within the western region of Cardiff. Most of our young people come from one of our four Catholic primary schools but we also accept children from other primary schools within the locality. Our four designated partner schools are St Cuthbert s Catholic Primary School, Cardiff Bay; St Francis Catholic Primary School, Ely; St Mary s Catholic Primary School, Canton; St Patrick s Catholic Primary School, Grangetown. The school is set on extensive grounds on the south-western edge of Cardiff. Between 1999 and 2003 the school was completely rebuilt and now we are blest with fantastic accommodation. All classrooms are equipped with interactive technology so that the learning during lessons can be of the highest quality. We have extensive playing fields, a large sports hall, a Learning Resource Centre and specialist suites for all curriculum areas. The school has gone through a period of difficulty in recent years. In 2009 the school was earmarked for closure and experienced a very disappointing Estyn inspection report. However, the school has overcome these challenges and are ideally situated to provide families with the opportunity to send their children to an excellent local faith school. The school is committed to ensuring each child receives the best possible education, which includes providing a full experience of education that supports academic, personal and faith development. The Mission and Core Purpose of the School clearly outline what students and staff can expect as a member of the community Our mission is to be a Catholic school which promotes positive relationships founded on the values of respect, care, compassion and love. We firmly believe that each individual can discover, develop and achieve their full potential to help them take their place in our ever-changing world. The core purpose of Mary Immaculate is to achieve the best for all. This philosophy is at the heart of everything we aspire to do for each member of our community. A key focus for the school is ensuring that students achieve their best results at each Key Stage. In the last 18 months performance at Key Stage 3 and, particularly, at Key Stage 4 have seen dramatic improvements. The percentage of students who achieved 5+ A*-C in 2011 was 46% greater than in We are very proud of our students and all that they have achieved recently Performance Performance at both Key Stages has improved significantly in the last 18 months. At Key Stage 3 59% of students achieved L5 Core Subject Indicator while at Key Stage 4 68% of students achieved 5+ A*-C (L2 Threshold) with 40% including English and Mathematics. 95% of students achieved 5+ A*-G (L1 Threshold).

8 School Banding In December Welsh Government published the first set of national data using the School Banding System. Mary Immaculate was placed in Band 1. To put into context, of the 222 Secondary Schools in Wales, less than a third were identified as band 1; there are nearly 50 schools in Wales which have FSM higher than 25% (Mary Immaculate has 29.6%) but of these only 4 were in band 1. As a school we are pleased with the recognition of the performance however we know we can do more and will do more! Learning and Teaching Learning and Teaching is the key priority for the school. Our approaches to teaching is informed by the latest educational research but built on the foundations of strong working relationships with the students. The school has a culture of sharing best practice as well as challenging and supporting those who need to improve further. The quality of Learning and Teaching continues to improve at the school. Investment in staff development is at the heart of this improvement. Much INSET is provided and delivered internally as this has proved to be very effective and encourages collaboration across the curriculum. At the present time the quality of teaching measured by the school measures teaching as 78% Good or better; 20% adequate; 2% unsatisfactory (3 lesson). Estyn The most recent full inspection of Mary Immaculate was carried out in May Following the inspection the school was placed into a category in need of significant improvement. Subsequently the school received a monitoring visit in January 2011 where the necessary improvements were made in all areas identified. As a result the school is no longer in a category and is due its next inspection in All information can be found using the following link In December 2011 the school received a visit from Estyn in relation to its approach to Essential Skills. As a result the school has been used as a Case Study to share best practice with other schools nationally. School Priorities The School is currently in its second year of the current three year improvement plan. There are four strategic objectives which include specific focus on the following Learning and Teaching; Welsh Catholic Ethos; Nurturing Staff; Systems and Support for all. School Curriculum At Key Stage 3 all students study Religious Education and those subjects that make up the National Curriculum. Students are taught in mixed ability groups initially, which are based on their tutor groups. All students are set in Mathematics and Science. In Year 7 most students begin a modern foreign language which they will continue to study for five years. The most able students are fast tracked and take GCSE early in some subjects. In addition students have lessons in Personal and Social Education and Information Technology. The curriculum in Key Stage 3 provides a sound foundation for the courses that students study in Key Stage 4. In addition students have the opportunity to study some new subjects. Most students study for 10 GCSE s. Extra-curricular provision is an integral part of school life. There are many extra-curricular activities which take place before and after-school as well as lunch periods. There are an extensive range of sporting activities which are made available. These are chosen on student interest. For example, last year students followed Zumba, Swimming and Tennis to name but a few. In addition to sport, students at Mary Immaculate have opportunities to follow a wide range of interests through extra-curricular activities. Provision for the Arts is particularly strong with performances in Music and Drama being held in very high regard by parents. Free transport is available (for students entitled to a bus pass) after-school on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday to ensure that students are able to get involved in school outside of the formal curriculum. Buses leave at 4.30pm. The school organises a wide range of extra-curricular visits including trips to the theatre, museums,

9 art galleries and field trips. Visits to Europe are frequent including Disney Land Paris and opportunities for Skiing in a variety of destinations. The spiritual life of the school is strong and the Catholicity of the school is in evidence through both the liturgical life and the ethos. Students have opportunities to reflect on their faith journey with retreat programmes, away days and liturgical events. We have very effective working relationships with our partner primary schools and local parishes to provide all of our students with an outstanding spiritual development. There are four ICT classrooms in the school and each classroom has interactive technology to enhance learning. In the summer the school will be investing heavily in new computer technology including 150 new computers. Families who do not have access to a computer at home will be given the opportunity to have one of our old machines to help support learning outside of school. Over the summer we will also be updating all classroom furniture will be updated so that the school environment is exciting and welcoming. Professional Development Opportunities Opportunities for staff development are broad and varied. All staff have clear performance management targets which are set in line with standards and provide an opportunity for professional development. Coaching partnerships exist at all levels in the school. The school is committed to sharing best practice and works closely with the Local Authority in terms of facilitating events and contributing to programmes. The school also has a strong school-to-school focus working recently with St Illtyd s Catholic School in Rumney and has established links with Cardiff High School in Roath to offer opportunities for staff at both schools. Nurture Group The nurture group facility will be implemented in September 2012 as part of a city-wide drive to improve behaviour and attendance. While some of our students exhibit undesirable behaviour, in nearly all cases there are fundamental reasons which are the result of deeper needs and challenges. The development of a nurture facility will help support students who have specific challenges to learning. It will enable them to be successful at school and prepare them for the next stage in their lives.

10 Staff Structure The staffing structure was implemented in September 2011 following formal consultation. The move towards a faculty based model was designed to ensure greater consistency between departments within school while facilitating the sharing of best practice across the whole school. Line management of faculties are transferred periodically. Each Head of Faculty retains middle leadership responsibility and line manages the remaining middle leaders (only) within the faculty. Headteacher Deputy Head Head of Alternative Provision Assistant Head Assistant Head Assistant Head Business Manager Faculty of RE & Humanities Faculty of Maths & Science Faculty of Progress & Wellbeing Faculty of Arts Faculty of Communications Headteacher s PA Head of Faculty Head of Religion Religion Head of Humanities History Geography Cover Supervisor Head of Faculty Head of Maths Maths Head of Science Science Science Technician Cover Supervisor Head of Faculty Head of KS4 Assistant Head of KS4 Head of KS3 Assistant Head of KS3 Head of Inclusion Inclusion Manager Teaching Assistants Head of Progression Home Liaison Officer Attendance Officer Nurture Group Manager Head of Faculty Head of Art Art Head of Design Design Technology Head of Welsh Bacc. Head of Performing Arts Drama Music Head of PE Head of Faculty Head of English AST in English English Media Head of Languages Welsh Spanish Head of ICT LRC Manager Cover Supervisor IT Support Network Manager Network Assistant Premises Support Premises Manager Premises Assistant Office Support Office Manager Data Manager Marketing Officer Receptionist Reprographics Officer Nurture Assistant

11 TO ACHIEVE THE BEST FOR ALL