Assistant Head Teacher Candidate Information Pack September 2018 Start Launched February 2017 Going beyond what schools ordinarily do
Assistant Head Teacher Post Details The Kingston Academy seeks an ambitious and motivated Assistant Head Teacher. We invite applications from candidates with the following attributes for this pivotal role: With recent experience of acting as a middle or senior leader within a secondary context; With the ability to lead, have clear vision and command respect; Passionate about their subject, teaching excellence and inspiring pupils to achieve their full potential; Flexible and committed to engage in the wider curriculum through our Going Beyond and enrichment activities; With the ability to think strategically. More details on the person specification are provided at the end of this document. Position: Scale: Commitment: Contract type: Assistant Head Teacher L15 L19 Permanent Full Time Commencement: September 2018 Application Process Applicants are required to visit the website where they are able to submit their application using our recruitment portal. Interview Procedure Our selection procedure will aim to identify with rigour whether the candidate fulfils the requirements of the post and will include the consideration of the candidate s suitability to work with children and young people. The process will include: Teaching an observed lesson to a full class of pupils;
Meeting with a panel of our pupils for informal question and answer session; Written safeguarding exercise; Interview with Head Teacher, Deputy Head Teachers and member of the Trust Board. Key Dates Deadline for applications is midnight on Sunday 25 th February 2018. Shortlisted candidates will be notified on Wednesday 28 th February 2018. Assessment day will take place on Friday 2 nd March 2018. Safeguarding and Safer Recruitment Statement The Kingston Academy is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. We expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment and undergo appropriate checks, including enhanced DBS checks (with a barred list check for regulated activity), checks with past employers and eligibility to work in the UK. Identity and qualification documents will be checked prior to any offer being made.
Letter to Candidates from Ms Sophie Cavanagh, Head Teacher Dear Candidate, Thank you for your interest in The Kingston Academy. I am delighted that you are considering joining our accomplished team of teaching professionals in this important role of Assistant Head. The opportunity to share in the architecture of a new school and be integral in its delivery is unique. As we grow to capacity over the next few years, this role will play a pivotal part in supporting this growth, helping to ensure every child reaches their potential. The successful candidate will join us at an exciting stage in our development. The project to build a large modern extension with state-of-the-art STEM facilities to house our growing school will be nearing completion. The addition of a new Year 7 intake in September 2018 will take total pupil numbers to over 700, whilst our original History Makers, entering in Year 10, will be starting their KS4 studies. Planning for the development of our Sixth Form will have begun in earnest. Recruitment and development of exceptional staff is a top priority for us at The Kingston Academy. Our team comprises committed professionals who are invested in the process of ensuring our pupils achieve to the very best of their abilities. We understand that our drive to build an exceptional school relies upon our ability to recruit a fantastic team of staff and offer them excellent opportunities for professional development. We hope you will be able to see your place in The Kingston Academy story and come forward to apply for this exciting, central role. Prospective candidates are very welcome to come for an informal visit to the school prior to submitting their application. Our head teacher, Ms Sophie Cavanagh, would be delighted to meet and talk about the role and the Academy, the staff and our pupils. Alternatively, you may call her to discuss any questions you may have prior to submitting your application. You can contact Justine Free on 0208 465 6208 in order to arrange a suitable time. However, please do not feel that you will be disadvantaged in any sense if you choose not to. I very much look forward to receiving your application. Ms Sophie M Cavanagh Head Teacher - The Kingston Academy
Background to the school The Kingston Academy is an ambitious new free school set up by The Kingston Educational Trust, a partnership between Kingston University, Kingston College and Royal Borough of Kingston. The overriding aim of the school is to provide our pupils with an outstanding education and, in line with our school motto, to go beyond what schools ordinarily do. TKA first opened its doors to Year 7 pupils in September 2015. The school currently has three year groups (7, 8 & 9) and will grow annually by one additional group, eventually to include a sixth form. As a school, we offer a traditional core curriculum grounded in the basics of numeracy and literacy, merging the very best of traditional pedagogical practice with cutting edge new technology. All our pupils use Chromebooks to take advantage of the many benefits of elearning in furthering education. All pupils will take either 9 or 10 GCSE subjects depending on whether they take separate sciences or the combined science award. The Kingston Academy is an inclusive school that focuses on the serious business of achievement for our pupils. Pupils are expected to behave well, work hard and embrace all the opportunities presented to them. The school nurtures respect, responsibility, reflectiveness and collaboration. Above all, the focus of the school is to ensure that pupils will move forward in life as kind, resilient, confident individuals who are equipped to make a positive contribution, anywhere in the world. A distinctive feature of the school is our extended school day when pupils take part in our enrichment programme delivered by all teaching staff and external providers. There are an abundance of exciting enrichment opportunities for pupils to explore in sport, enterprise, music, community engagement and cultural events. Enrolment in our enrichment programme is compulsory for pupils, but they are also encouraged to look beyond their own school and engage with the community around them and all it has to offer in other local schools and local organisations.
Assistant Head Teacher Job Description Post Title: Salary: Reporting to: Hours: Assistant Head The Kingston Academy Teaching Pay Scale (UPS Outer spine point dependent on experience) Deputy Head Teacher 08.00 to 17.00 daily This job description is a general outline of the typical duties and responsibilities to be carried out whilst accepting that these may change at the discretion of the Head Teacher. It is vital that, as the new Academy grows to full capacity, you have the ability and willingness to be flexible and versatile within this role. If you are recruited to a position which does not currently have a full teaching load you will be expected to fulfil other duties and/or roles. At this stage we are not seeking to be prescriptive about the precise remit the successful candidate for this role will adopt. For example, it could be pastoral or focused on teaching, learning and assessment or CPD. We also invite applications from candidates with any teaching specialty. We are keen to open up this role to a wide field of candidates and, as a growing new academy, have the flexibility to accommodate individuals with a range of skills and experience. The precise job description will be confirmed on offering the role to the successful candidate, however, this role is likely to include the following Leadership and General responsibilities: Specific Leadership Responsibilities: The list of tasks below is illustrative of the general nature and level of responsibility of this Senior Leadership post which is likely to change over time following consultation with the Head Teacher, in response to the needs of the school and the experience and skills of the team as a whole. The post reports to one of our Deputy Head teachers. To be an advocate for our vision of being a school where everyone will succeed and flourish through improved academic outcomes. To maintain and develop the School s positive behaviour systems to ensure teachers have the freedom to teach, and pupils have the right environment for learning. To support the Deputy Heads in responding to serious breaches of the School s Behaviour Policy. To manage pupil welfare and attendance. To be involved with the planning of the induction and transition programmes for all pupils across key stages.
To be an outstanding role model for pupils, staff and parents/ carers at all times, showing positive optimism, empathy and exemplary professionalism. To build relationships outside school with other professionals, parents/carers and the Kingston University/College partners. To keep abreast of developments nationally and internationally that will impact on the flourishing of pupils, and to embrace research informed practices. General Leadership Responsibilities: To play a role, under the overall direction of the Head Teacher, in: Formulating the aims and objectives of the school. Establishing the strategy and policies through which they are to be achieved. Managing staff and resources. Supporting the School s responsibility to provide opportunities for personal and professional growth of all staff. Creating a school environment with an outstanding care and guidance of, and for, each other. Ensuring that there is outstanding achievement, behaviour, leadership and teaching and learning across the school. Monitoring the progress of strategy and policies in accordance with the policies of the School and the School Improvement Plan determined by the Governing Body. Undertaking any professional duties reasonably delegated by the Head Teacher. To undertake an appropriate programme of teaching as determined by the Head Teacher. To contribute to supervision arrangements at break and lunchtime. General Duties To support The Kingston Academy s ethos by ensuring the values and principles of the school are at the heart of learning and relationships. To maintain the highest possible personal, presentational and professional standards as an example to colleagues and pupils. To assist in the setting of The Kingston Academy s targets and the implementation of The Kingston Academy Development Plans. To promote good relationships and communications between all members of The Kingston Academy and the wider community and to attend relevant school and community meetings (including parents evenings and promotion / information events). To participate in meetings at the school which relate to the school curriculum, administration and the organisation of the school (including pastoral arrangements). To support and share in the delivery of year group and house assemblies. To ensure the highest possible academic outcomes for all pupils taught and to
contribute fully to the development of an enriching, relevant and innovative curriculum delivered in the extended school day and week. As a Form Tutor to support the personal development and academic progress of the pupils in your form group through mentoring and intervention support. Maintaining good order and discipline among the pupils and safeguarding their health and safety both when they are authorised to be on the school premises and when they are engaged in authorised school activities elsewhere. The Kingston Academy is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff to share this commitment. An enhanced DBS check with barred list information is required for all successful applicants in addition to checking the individual is not subject to a prohibition order. Applicants are required, before appointment to disclose any conviction, caution or binding over including spent convictions under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exemptions) Order 1975. Non-disclosure may lead to termination of employment. However, disclosure of a criminal background will not necessary debar from employment this will depend upon the nature of the offense(s) and when they were recorded.
Assistant Head - Person Specification E = Essential D = Desirable O = Optimal E D O Qualifications 5A*-B grades at GCSE including at least C grade in English and Mathematics Qualified teacher status (QTS) Honours degree or equivalent An Upper Second or 1st Class Degree A Middle Leadership Qualification (e.g. NCSL MLDP) Masters degree or equivalent Professional Development Evidence of sustained participation in INSET, especially School leadership/management programme or similar Participation in work with other schools/agencies Knowledge of current educational policy and developments in the secondary sector Strong appreciation of character education as an integral part of student learning and development A thorough understanding of OfSTED inspection framework An understanding of initial and continuing teacher education and school improvement An understanding of what constitutes quality in educational provision and the characteristics of effective schools An informed appreciation of and commitment to evidence-based research as a basis for informing learning and teaching policy and practice Personal Qualities and Relationships A strong commitment to the vision and ethos of The Kingston Academy To have personal impact and presence To be able to establish and develop good relationships with all involved in the school To have experience of dealing effectively with students, staff and parents To have a positive and energetic approach to work To be flexible and approachable To be able to think strategically and work in collaboration with others To be able to handle situations immediately as they arise whilst maintaining personal warmth and resilience Interpersonal and Communication Skills Have the ability to communicate effectively in writing and orally To be competent in the use of ICT
The ability to work flexibly as a member of a team and to take on initiatives To have the ability to deal sensitively with people and resolve conflicts Leadership/Management Experience To have recent experience as Middle or Senior Leader in a Secondary school To have the ability to lead, provide clear vision and command respect To be an incisive and clear strategic thinker To have the ability to motivate pupils and staff to achieve challenging targets To have the ability to delegate responsibility, set high standards and provide a focus for improvement To have the ability to manage change in a school and monitor and evaluate its impact To have experience of playing a leading role in implementing aspects of a Subject or School Improvement Plan To have experience of conducting Performance Development To have experience in the use of data (academic and pastoral) to achieve whole school improvements in student outcomes To have experience working with other schools/agencies Teaching and Learning To be an outstanding classroom practitioner To have a practical understanding of effective teaching and learning strategies To have an understanding of actions to be taken to promote equality, racial harmony and prepare pupils to live in a culturally diverse society To have evidence of successful leadership of people/teams To have experience of monitoring and evaluating the quality of teaching and learning Resource Management To have experience of managing and/or co-ordinating staff To have experience of monitoring and developing school administrative systems School Improvement To understand the characteristics of an outstanding school To have an awareness of strategies to raise pupil achievement, manage behaviour, prevent racism, radicalisation and bullying Experience of delivering operational planning in order to achieve strategic objectives To have evidence of involvement in whole school improvement work Other: To demonstrate best practice in providing a safe and secure learning environment Experience of working directly with parents to support pupil learning and achievement and dealing effectively with poor behaviour To understand the role and importance of pupil voice in schools Awareness of the role of Governors Have experience of working with Governors To have a commitment to equality and diversity