Application Pack for Headteacher September 2018
Contents Letter from Dawn Haywood, Deputy CEO About WAT Goals and Aspirations by 2022 What makes WAT unique? Our Academies Rivers Primary Academy Job Description Person Specification The application process
Welcome from Dawn Haywood, Deputy Chief Executive of Windsor Academy Trust Dear Candidate Thank you for expressing an interest in becoming a leader in the Windsor Academy Trust family of schools. This is a unique opportunity to join a highly successful Multi- Academy Trust where you will have world-class opportunities to grow and flourish as a future leader. We are a Trust that raises aspirations across a family of schools united in their ethos and operation. We work collaboratively at all levels of the Trust and especially between the Primary schools and Secondary schools. Not only are we a Trust focused on improving the outcomes for our children but we are also committed to developing and supporting our staff. Highly motivated and developed staff will make a significant difference to achieving our aims and objectives and impacting on the learning and future of our students. We believe in the unlocking of academic and personal potential for all our staff and children and we have a core set of values that are embedded and shape all that we do. As a teacher in the Windsor Academy Trust family you will have direct access and exposure to our Trust s national leading approach to Teaching and Learning. The Windsor Academy Trust is a West Midlands Regional Hub for the Chartered College of Teaching, through which we contribute to the development of national innovations and pilots. You will have the unique opportunity to drive forward innovation and practitioner research as well as engage top quality continued professional learning. We are looking for highly driven individuals that have a passion for teaching and will focus relentlessly on improving the outcomes and life chances of our children. We would be delighted to hear from you if you are interested in this exciting opportunity to make a real difference to the children and schools of Windsor Academy Trust. Yours sincerely, Dawn Haywood
About WAT History/Background Windsor Academy Trust came into being in 2012, when Windsor High School and Sixth Form, one of the first converter Academies, was approached by the Department of Education to be a sponsor. The Trust was formed to improve the quality of educational provision through driving innovation and practitioner research and the sharing of ideas and best practice amongst its schools. We currently have seven open academies (two secondary and five primary) across three 2-18 Learning Communities in the Black Country. Extremely proud of what we have achieved so far, the Trust s vision is that through collaborative leadership we will continue to grow and provide the highest quality education to enable every pupil to realise their full aspirations. A powerful component of this success has been the synergy of primary and secondary collaboration. This is a hugely exciting time for WAT as we develop further, with the recent announcement from The Department for Education that the provision of a new Secondary Free School in Blakenall, Walsall, to be set up by WAT.
Goals and Aspirations by 2022 Aim 1: Growth Strategy: To have four Learning Communities containing a maximum of 20 academies in total to include converter, sponsor and start-up (Free School) academies with both Primary and Secondary Schools reflecting a 2-19 approach to learning. Aim 2: Academic Potential: All academies to be in the top 20% of schools nationally for progress and children will be able to progress onto a university or career of their choice. Aim 3: Personal Potential: To unlock children s personal potential: allowing them to discover and pursue their passions and talents, grow as leaders, develop an enterprising spirit and build character. Aim 4: Academy Improvements: All academies will be deemed to be at least Good within three years of joining WAT and at least one to gain the World Class Schools Quality Mark with robust quality assurance, self-review and peer-review in place. Aim 5: People & Leadership: To ensure that there is excellent and talented human capacity and capability in WAT: at the centre (WAT central team), in schools and across schools (school to-school support) to drive school improvement and create a self-improving system. Aim 6: Governance: To have high effective governance with clear strategic plans, accountability/quality assurance systems and a delegated framework at Trust Board and Local Advisory Body levels. Aim 7: Financial Sustainability: To ensure WAT has strong and sustainable finances which enable us to deliver the education we want for our children. Aim 8: Risk Management and Operating Systems: To have highly effective operating structures that cover all aspects of Risk Management, Health and Safety, Human Resources, Information Technology and Marketing and Communications. Aim 9: System Leader: To be a nationally recognised leading Multi-Academy Trust
Why WAT is Unique Windsor Academy Trust s strapline is Pride in Excellence. Our aim is to strive for excellence in all we do in order to achieve excellence for the children we serve. We want all in the WAT family to feel proud to be part of a very special and unique movement. Our moral purpose is unlocking the academic and personal potential of our children. We want our children to know how to learn, have a love of learning and to achieve the academic outcomes that will open the door for them to go onto a university or career of their choice. We place equal emphasis on unlocking children personal potential whereby children have the opportunity to discover their passions and talents, develop as leaders and develop a positive character. A lion (the WAT Logo), illustrated in the diagram above represents each child on top of a podium and therefore achieving their academic and personal potential. The podium is underpinned by our values of respect, responsibility, collaboration and cooperation and strong Trust wide systems and structures. Our five plinths are drivers in unlocking children s academic and personal potential: Teaching and Learning our aim is to enthuse, inspire, engage, every lesson, every day through our ten Teaching and Learning Principles driven through robust practitioner research. Professional Development for all staff we are building leadership, teaching and support staff capacity for in-school and school-to-school support Leadership where we expect all children to be leaders of themselves and support the learning and personal potential of others. We expect children to be leaders always in all ways. Enterprise here we are building an enterprising spirit and supporting children to discover and achieve their career dreams.
Enrichment that provides exciting opportunities for children to pursue their passions, broaden their horizons and raise their aspirations.
Academies Primary Academies Goldsmith Primary Academy is a rapidly growing two form entry primary, with two year old provision as well as a nursery located in the Blakenall area of Walsall. It has good facilities including an on-site, library and forest school, as well as a commitment that all children should have the opportunity to learn a musical instrument. Rivers Primary Academy is a rapidly growing primary which evolved from one to two form entry including a nursery, located in the Blakenall area of Walsall, close to its sister primary school, Goldsmith Primary Academy. Rivers achieved exceptional outcomes in 2017 and was in the top 100 improved schools in 2016. Rivers has a brand new school being built through the priority School Build Programme 2.
Manor Way Primary Academy is a high performing one form entry school with a nursery in the Halesowen area in Dudley with a thriving Forest School. Tenterfields Primary Academy is a one form entry school in Halesowen, Dudley with a thriving nursery that prides itself on being a family orientated, community school. Colley Lane Primary Academy boasts a purpose built school building and facilities, offering the very best learning environment available, and is proud of its caring reputation, developed over 100 years of service to the Cradley Community in Halesowen, Dudley. Secondary Academies Windsor High School and Sixth Form is the founding school in the WAT family. Having been an 11-16 school since 1983 the school successfully extended its age range opening a Sixth Form in 2010. Currently the school has just under 1700 students with around 250 in the Sixth Form itself. With a history of being a Specialist Sports College, Windsor became the first Converter Academy in Dudley being invited by the government to do so in light of its high performance and outstanding ofsted. Windsor High School and Sixth for was the highest performing (non-selective) secondary school in Dudley in 2016 for Progress 8. Kingswinford High School is an 11-16 school in the Kingswinford area of Dudley. with a well-deserved reputation for the highest of standards, offering a rich and wide range of both academic and extra-curricular activities, with the last full Ofsted inspection judged as Good (with outstanding features). Kingswinford has a history as a Specialist Science College and was the second highest performing (nonselective) secondary school in Dudley in 2016 for Progress 8.
Dear Applicant An introduction to Rivers Primary Academy Rivers Primary Academy is a popular and successful primary school situated to the north of Walsall. Increasing demand from parents due to the success and reputation of the school has enabled the school to grow into a 2 form entry school. The numbers on roll are now 352. There is considerable excitement in the community as we have been successful in a Priority Schools Building Programme and a brand new school will be built upon the existing site and will open in 2018/19. Rivers Primary Academy works closely with its sister school Goldsmith Primary Acdemy, less than a mile away. Some of our staff work across both schools. For example, leading teachers, for English and maths, and early years. We are proud of our high performing school. Data can be found on Rivers website. The WAT Pledge and Aspire curriculum are strengths of the school. Please find enclosed within application pack. There are excellent links to the local community and we offer full time free nursery provision to all our parents and a free breakfast club. A feature of Rivers is a Nurture House that we are very proud of. The former house of the site manager was converted and renovated with a substantial degree of community involvement. This is to aid the transition from home to school and in particular to support some of our more vulnerable children. We are very proud of the supportive, yet challenging provision we provide for all our children. Our pupils are our real strength; polite, enthusiastic, bright and confident with outstanding behaviour. They are a positive population of children who are happy and thriving in our school as a result of a motivated staff group and highly committed leadership team. Our staff s dedication to our pupils is a source of great pride to the school and this extends beyond the classroom to school trips, extra-curricular clubs, and the wider offer to pupils so that our children really enjoy life at Rivers. We are an innovative, forward thinking school that always puts our children first.
Job Description Rivers Primary Academy - Headteacher The Head teacher will be responsible and accountable for the successful development and sustainability of Rivers Primary Academy, supporting it to grow as part of Windsor Academy Trust. Rivers Primary Academy works closely with its local school and MAT partner Goldsmith Primary Academy. Under the successful candidate s leadership, this partnership will continue to develop and flourish for the benefit of all our pupils. This appointment is in accordance with Articles of Government, Conditions of Employment of Head teachers and Teachers Pay and Conditions document, and the policies and procedures of Windsor Academy Trust. Job title: Salary: Accountable to: Head teacher L14-L20, negotiable within ISR. CEO of Windsor Academy Trust and Local Advisory Board for Rivers Primary Academy. Core Purpose Work with CEO and WAT Executive Team to collaborate and build effective partnerships across all WAT schools. Working with the CEO and School Leadership Team to help develop a strategic view for Rivers Primary Academy as part of Walsall Learning Community Analyse and plan for future needs and further development for Rivers Primary Academy within the local and national context. Lead by example, provide inspiration and motivation and embody for the students, staff, governors and parents, the Vision, purpose and leadership of Rivers Primary Academy. Strategic Direction and Development of the School Work with the CEO and School Leadership Team to: Create an ethos and provide an educational Vision and direction which secure effective teaching, successful learning and achievement by students and sustained improvement in their spiritual, moral, social, cultural, emotional and physical development, and prepare them for the opportunities, responsibility and experience of adult life. Promote and safeguard the safety and welfare of students. Create a clear Strategic Vision and Plan for development of Rivers Primary Academy Create robust Self Evaluation (SEF)
Create and implement School Improvement Plans, underpinned by sound financial planning, which identifies priorities and targets for ensuring that students achieve high standards and make progress, increasing teachers effectiveness and securing school improvement against National norms and expectations. Ensure that all those involved in the Rivers Primary Academy are committed to its aims, motivated to achieve them, and involved in meeting long, medium and short term objectives and targets which secure educational success. Ensure that the management, finance organisation and administration of the Academy, support the vision and aims. Ensure policies and practice take account of national, local and school, data and inspection and research and Review findings. Monitor, evaluate and review the effects of policies and targets of the Academy in practice, and take action if necessary. Attend Local Advisory Body Meetings. Create a strategic plan to carefully manage the rebuild of Rivers Primary Academy, due to begin July 2018. Within this the management; the safe movement of pupils to temporary classrooms. Planning to ensure everyone s Health and Safety during this project and the well- being of pupils and staff. Keeping the parents and community informed at all stages. Learning and Teaching Working with the CEO and Leadership Team to: Secure and sustain effective teaching and learning; monitor and evaluate the quality of teaching and standards of students achievements; use National benchmarks and set aspirational targets for improvement (individual and school level) Maintain effective assessment, recording and reporting systems for all students, ensure these are used to challenge under performance and drive improvement. Create and maintain an environment and a code of behaviour which promote and secure good teaching, effective learning, high standards of achievement, good behaviour and discipline, and which enables teachers to meet their professional standards. Determine, organise and implement the SMSC/PSHCE/SRE curriculum and its assessment; monitor and evaluate it in order to identify and act on areas for improvement. Develop the ASPIRE curriculum within school and the wider community, including WAT Pledge. Ensure a broad and balanced curriculum. Make use of WAT resources to develop and lead teaching and learning ( including Lead Practitioner team) Develop teaching and learning through a range of strategies including coaching and sharing best practice and CPD, to raise student achievement and increase engagement.
Ensure that appropriate pastoral support is put in place and monitored to improve student progress. Monitor and evaluate the quality of teaching and standards of learning and achievement of all students, including those with special educational needs/ those in receipt of Pupil Premium, to inform future developments and lead to success for pupils. To lead in the implementation of policies and practice which promote equality of opportunity and tackle prejudice. Develop effective links with the community, including business and industry, to extend the curriculum, enhance teaching and learning and develop community cohesion. Create and maintain and build, effective partnership with parents to support and improve students achievement and personal development. Leading and Managing Staff Working with the CEO to lead, motivate, support, challenge and develop staff. Maintain their trust and commitment, to secure continued improvement. Maximise the contribution of staff to improving the quality of education provided and standards achieved, and ensure that constructive working relationships are formed between staff and students. Plan, delegate, support, motivate and evaluate work undertaken by groups, teams and individuals, ensuring clear delegation and accountability. Implement and sustain effective systems for the Appraisal of all staff. Motivate and enable all staff to carry out their respective roles to the highest standard, through high quality continuing professional development based on assessment of needs. Lead professional development of staff through example, support and coordinate the provision of high quality professional development within area of responsibility. Utilise WAT central team resources. Sustain own motivation and that of other staff. Treat people fairly, equitably with dignity and respect and maintain a positive culture and ethos Manage own workload and that of other to allow for appropriate work / life balance. Regularly review own practise and performance, set personal targets and take responsibility for own development Ensure that professional duties are fulfilled, as specified in the Terms and Conditions of Service of Teachers, including those for the Leadership Team. Efficient and Effective Deployment of Staff and Resources Working with the CEO, to deploy people and resources efficiently and effectively to meet specific objectives, in line with the Academy strategic plan and financial context. Recruit staff of the highest quality Deploy and develop all staff effectively in order to improve the quality of
education provided. Set appropriate priorities for expenditure, allocate funds and ensure effective administration and control. Manage and organise accommodation efficiently and effectively to ensure that it meets with needs of the curriculum and health and safety regulations. Manage, monitor and review the range, quality, and use of all available resources in order to improve the quality of education, improve students achievements, ensure efficiently and secure value for money. Manage and organise accommodation effectively to ensure it meets the needs of the curriculum, extended use, health and safety requirements and promotes a positive learning environment for all, and particularly during the rebuild process. Accountability Working with the CEO, to evaluate the efficiency and effectiveness of Rivers Primary Academy. Provide information, objective advice and support to the CEO, to enable him to meet his responsibilities for securing effective teaching and learning and improved standards of achievement and for achieving efficiency and value for money. Create and develop an organisation in which all staff recognise that they are accountable for the success of the school. Present a coherent and accurate account of the performance of all aspects of pupils attainment and progress, in a form appropriate to a range of audiences, including Governors, the local community, OFSTED, and others. Help ensure that parents, students and stakeholders are well informed about the curriculum, attainment and progress, and about the contribution that they can make to achieve the school s priorities for improvement. In addition to the job description the Head teacher is expected to fulfil the expectations of the person specification and to comply with National Standards of Excellence for Head teachers. The Head teacher is expected to perform other reasonable tasks as laid down in the School Teacher Pay and Conditions document and as required from time to time at the discretion of the CEO.
Person Specification Rivers Primary Academy - Headteacher JOB REQUIREMENTS Essential Desirable Qualifications Qualified Teacher status Degree or equivalent Commitment to CPD Evidence of training for management posts NPQH NCSL Safer Recruitment Certificate Experience Senior Leadership and/or Headship experience Evidence of recent, relevant training and development at Headteacher level or in preparation for headship Successful teacher with a proven track record of achieving high standards Sustained, successful leadership at Senior level Ability to lead and manage large scale projects to successful conclusion Proven track record in managing staff to support successful outcomes for pupils Working with parents, governors and the wider community Working with Local Advisory Board to enable it to fulfil its role and duties Experience of pastoral work at leadership level A commitment to working with children from varied and challenging backgrounds Managing change successfully Using data to identify areas for improvement and the ability to demonstrate impact Knowledge of SEND Experience of leadership in a variety of contexts Experience of successfully developing teams of professionals, delegating effectively and managing change Experience of having improved and sustained an effective behaviour management, and attendance policy and procedure Working with and collaboration with other Academies, and schools Knowledge and Skills Knowledge and understanding of the wider educational agenda/national policies and educational issues Full knowledge and experience of Safeguarding Ability to make and implement difficult decisions
Ability to model and operate with consistently clear, and high standards To model high aspirations for children and staff Knowledge and experience of self-evaluation processes Good IT skills Experience of working with Social Services/extended pupil services and outreach teams Personal Qualities Passionate about making a positive difference to children s lives Energy, enthusiasm and resilience Ability to set targets, meet deadlines and to work under pressure Prioritise and manage time effectively Empathy and a sense of humour Adaptability to changing circumstances and ideas Work on own initiative Confidence to take risks Imaginative approach to community involvement Promote and support extra-curricular activities
The Application Process Applicants are asked to complete all the standard information required on the Trust application form. The closing date for applications is 11 th May 2018, at noon Interviews will take place week beginning 21 st May 2018 Visits to school are warmly welcomed on request - please contact Jodie Barrow on 01922 710182. To apply, please complete an application form and return to: Nadine Head, Executive Assistant to Deputy CEO and Education Director nhead@windsoracademytrust.org.uk Windsor Academy Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. This post is subject to enhanced DBS.
Windsor Academy Trust Windsor Business Centre Trinity Point, Halesowen, West Midlands B63 3HY Tel: 0121 602 7594 www.windsoracademytrust.org.uk