Dear Applicant, Thank you for applying for the position of at The John Wesley CEM Voluntary Aided Primary School. The John Wesley School provides a very supportive environment to pupils and staff, encouraging all to aspire to reach their full potential in all ways. We truly believe that each and every student has their own gifts and talents and we aim to provide each of them with the opportunities they need. The school operates in a recently built and expanded space on the edge of South Ashford, bordering the Singleton Environment Centre which adjoins 1500 hectare of woodlands, with over 400 pupils on roll. We are very proud of our school and the progress that the children have made which was reflected in our last Ofsted report, where the school was judged good (2016). The School is currently engaged in consultations regarding the placement of a Specialist Resource Provision for Speech, Language and Communication Needs, with a proposal to open in September of 2019. This development is supported by the staff and governors of the school. As a joint Church of England and Methodist School we are well supported by both denominations and local church members are involved in the life of the school. Our Christian values pay a key part in how we approach every day in the school s life and we received an outstanding in our last SIAMS inspection. Alongside this we have an engaged and supportive governing body, who work closely with all the staff to create the best possible learning environment. Governors are linked to a year group and follow that year through the school getting to know the children and the staff well. There is a hard working parent body, the Friends of the John Wesley School, who organise a full range of fund raising events for the school. The staff of the school are very supportive of the work of the friends and can be found helping out in all manner of ways. The governors and staff are looking for a headteacher who will keep our priority of providing a complete education for all at the school, whilst continuing to develop our caring ethos with the child at the centre of their education. I look forward to receiving your application and hope that you find the information enclosed in this pack to be useful and that it helps you get a flavour of our school. Yours faithfully, Caroline Rae Chair of Governors
Dear Colleagues, The John Wesley School is named after the founder of the Methodist movement this is testimony to the place it holds in the hearts of local Methodists and the Methodist Family of Schools. We are very proud of the work which has been done since the school opened to build its life as a genuine Christian community. The success of the school has been recognised by Ofsted but, maybe more pleasingly, in its consistently Outstanding SIAMS inspections. Staff consistently report that the school is a positive place to work and this is perhaps the most important judgment of all the way the vision is shared and the school is valued by the people who are there, on the ground. The school is supported by local Methodists through the work of the circuit. There are close working relationships with both of the churches locally as well as with Churches Together in Ashford. In addition to leading worship each week, the churches regularly run Messy Church in the school. The President of the Methodist Conference visited the District in October 2017 and the school was the natural choice for all the circuit to come together for the planned united service and celebration At national level, the school is a member of the Methodist Schools Group. There are almost 90 Methodist Schools across the country, 66 of them in the state sector. About half of those are in the North West but there is a strong cluster in the East Kent area, with Boughton-under-Blean and St Peter s in Canterbury, as well as Kent Colleges, Canterbury (and Pembury) in the independent sector. Methodists have had a strong commitment to education since the start of the Methodist movement you can find out more about Methodists and education via a youtube video. The Methodist Church and the Church of England are covenant partners, signatories to an historic agreement that the two churches will work together at every opportunity. Our schools are one of the best examples of the covenant in practice. Yours faithfully, Barbara Easton Director of Education The Methodist Church in Britain
To all potential applicants We very much hope that you will apply for the post of at The John Wesley Church of England and Methodist Primary School. Headship is an absorbing and rewarding vocation that requires vision, determination and the courage to make complex decisions. In addition, all leaders of church schools undertake further responsibilities related to their school s distinctiveness; fostering a Christian ethos that permeates school life, enriching relationships and providing spiritual nourishment for the whole community. Our team seeks to serve children, schools and young people across the diocese and is based in Canterbury at Diocesan House. We provide advice and expertise to church schools on many issues, ranging from collective worship to religious education, from school organisation to buildings, from governance to leadership and succession planning. We run training sessions for senior leaders, governors, RE co-ordinators and other staff. We also organise 24 hour retreats for headteachers; these are structured around reflection and teaching in the context of Christian leadership and provide time for re-engaging, relaxing and being refreshed. Were you to be appointed we would provide a bespoke induction programme and make every effort to provide information, guidance and support as you lead your school; all of this is designed to better equip you to meet on-going challenges and opportunities. Canterbury Diocesan Board of Education works closely with Kent County Council, both formally and informally. Our team engages with the Directorate of Education and Young People s Services and attends a number of Kent wide committees covering RE, governorship, admissions and finance. We do all in our power practically and politically to support the 103 church schools in the Diocese and to work co-operatively with the neighbouring Diocese of Rochester, as well as the Catholic Archdiocese of Southwark, in ensuring that church schools remain at the forefront of educational good practice, underpinned by a distinctive Christian ethos. We will be meeting all the shortlisted candidates as we advise the governing body throughout the selection process, and look forward to welcoming the successful candidate to the family of Church of England schools within our diocese. With all good wishes, Quentin Roper Director of Education
Job Description Purpose of the Job To be the strategic lead professional at The John Wesley Primary School. The will provide vision, ambition, leadership and direction. They will ensure the School is effectively managed and organised, work strategically with all partners and stakeholders and develop outstanding provision for all pupils. Main duties and responsibilities: 1. Work to an agreed vision, underpinned by clear Christian values, which will be evident throughout the School. 2. Have direct impact on sustaining and raising pupil progress to the highest level for all children. 3. Lead by example in maintaining the professional conduct and practice of teachers. 4. Encourage and enable a climate in the School, which enables all pupils to display exemplary behaviour. 5. Be a positive role model in upholding British values. 6. Have ambition and seize opportunities for the School to share good practice and expertise, learning from others beyond its boundaries. 7. Lead, monitor and evaluate distinctively Christian collective worship in line with statutory requirements. 8. Lead a positive team to foster a safe and secure environment for children to learn and grow as individuals. 9. Lead from the front on safeguarding by taking the position of 'designated safeguarding lead' and being responsible for all children's safeguarding needs. Qualities and Knowledge 1. Provide an excellent education for the pupils, to achieve at age-appropriate levels and beyond, upholding the School s Christian vision and purpose. 2. Demonstrate positive personal behaviour, positive relationships and attitudes towards pupils, staff, parents, governors, the local Churches and community. 3. Lead by example with integrity, creativity, resilience and clarity drawing on your own expertise and skills, and that of those around you. 4. Sustain wide, current knowledge and understanding of education and school systems locally, nationally and pursue continuous professional development. 5. Work within a clear set of principles centred in the School s vision, ably translating KCC, Diocesan, Methodist and national policy into the school s context within a set budget, whilst upholding the legal status of the school s Christian foundation. 6. Ensure that the School and its distinctive Christian character are clearly articulated, shared, understood and acted upon effectively by all.
Pupils and Staff 1. Set and encourage ambitious standards for all pupils, overcoming disadvantage and advancing equality. 2. Instil a strong sense of accountability in staff for the impact of their work on pupils outcomes and progress. 3. Deliver excellence through a holistic approach to teaching and learning which ensures pupils well- being. 4. Ensure there is a robust system for monitoring pupil progress individually and by different pupil groups and that progress is effectively communicated to and acted on by the whole school community ensuring the closing of any gaps. 5. Establish an educational culture, which promotes the sharing of best practice within and with other schools, drawing on and conducting relevant research and robust data analysis. 6. Create an ethos within which all staff are motivated and supported to develop their own skills and subject knowledge, and to support each other. 7. Identify emerging talents, coaching current and aspiring leaders in a climate that nurtures development for all. 8. Ensure that all students receive Religious Education, linked to the Christian vision for the school Systems and Process 1. Ensure the School s systems, organisation and processes are efficient, fit for purpose and reflect the School s Christian Vision and that they uphold the principles of transparency, integrity and probity. 2. Continue to provide a safe, calm and well-ordered environment for all pupils and staff, focussed on safeguarding pupils and developing exemplary behaviour in the School and in the wider society. 3. Maintain rigorous, fair and transparent systems and measures for managing the performance of all staff, supporting staff to improve, valuing excellent practice and addressing any under-performance immediately. 4. Welcome engaged governance and actively support the governing body to understand its role and deliver its core functions effectively (setting School strategy and holding the to account for pupil, staff and financial performance). 5. Alongside governors exercise strategic, curriculum-led financial planning to ensure the equitable and efficient use of budgets, resources and accommodation, in the best interests of pupils achievements and the School s sustainability. 6. Distribute leadership throughout the organisation, forging teams of colleagues who have distinct roles and responsibilities and hold each other to account for their decision making.
The Self-Improving School System 1. Further develop an outward-facing School, which works with other schools, the local Churches and other organisations to champion best practice and secure excellent progress for all pupils. 2. Develop effective relationships with fellow professionals and colleagues in other public services to improve academic and social outcomes for all pupils. 3. Encourage and enthuse all staff to access high quality training. 4. Model innovative approaches to improvement, leadership and governance, confident of the vital contribution of internal and external accountability. The will undertake any other duties, which from time to time may be required, relevant and commensurate with the post, as deemed necessary by the Governing Body and/or Local Authority.
Person Specification This person specification is related to the requirements of the post as determined by the job description. Short listing is carried out on the basis of how well you meet the requirements of the person specification. You should refer to these requirements when completing your application. Professional Qualifications Qualified teacher status Evidence of further professional development related to leadership (e.g. NPQSL, NPQH, etc.) Leadership and Management A well-grounded and inspirational individual with recent senior leadership experience in a primary school setting Committed to embracing and building upon the team based, inclusive, Christian ethos of the school A person who is ambitious for the school, sets high standards, promotes inclusivity and holds people to account A strategic thinker with the ability to work under pressure, determine priorities and meet deadlines A leader with presence and visibility, who inspires, motivates and empowers others; to continue to build upon the school s strengths in delivering high standards of learning, maintaining balance, cohesion and enrichment in children s learning experiences across the curriculum Has the ability to drive and develop leadership capacity and skills within teams and individuals through effective coaching and mentoring Model a good work-life balance and support staff in maintaining their own. Has a thorough grasp of school data and how to use it to maintain and drive further improvements in pupil progress Proven track record of leading others, appointing staff, conducting appraisals and managing performance Able to work in partnership with parents, the local churches, other schools, preschools, the Diocese, the Methodist Circuit, local authority and to be able to contribute to the collaborative ethos of local partnerships
Spiritual Leadership Ability to articulate and share a vision for a Voluntary Aided Church of England and Methodist primary school Understanding of the distinctive ethos and values of our Voluntary Aided church school Able to demonstrate their knowledge and understanding of leading the spiritual development of all within the school Have a commitment to the Christian ethos of the school Knowledge and Experience Knowledge of the statutory requirements relating to schools and remains up-to-date with current educational developments Outstanding classroom practitioner with the ability to inspire others Knowledge and understanding of the whole primary phase Evidence of having introduced and managed change or improvement across a school Demonstrates experience of working with digital communications technologies Evidence of a passionate desire for every child to achieve the very best progress in their academic, social, physical and spiritual development Committed to working positively with the Governing Body, towards a shared goal using key strategic documents Ability to set, manage and monitor budgets and deploy human resources effectively Personal Qualities and Attributes A caring, people person who is approachable, empathic and who promotes the well-being of staff and pupils Is committed to encouraging an inclusive school community, actively including staff, pupils, parents and governors A person who is collegiate in approach, who works well with others in local networks and communities A person with stamina, humour, energy and initiative who can manage their own time effectively in order to achieve challenging goals Safeguarding Committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children Able to maintain and further develop a strong safeguarding culture that protects all members of the school community