B E L F A S T 01 June 2018 Information - Post of Vice Principal (Teaching & Learning) Required for Autumn 2018, following the appointment of Mrs Karen Quinn to the post of Principal in Victoria College. School Information Principal Mrs Nicola Connery School enrolment 773 Sixth form enrolment 218 School s admission number 110 (5 classes of 22) Teaching staff FTE 47.5 Timetable Structure 45 periods per week (35 minutes each) Strathearn School is one of the top girls grammar schools in Northern Ireland. It has a national reputation for academic success and is locally renowned for music, sport and drama. The overall size of the school and small class size allows each individual pupil to develop in a caring and supportive environment. The school is situated in extensive grounds and enjoys complete seclusion in very attractive surroundings with modern well-equipped buildings and excellent sporting facilities. Pupils are drawn from a wide-ranging catchment area including East Belfast and North Down. The school strongly believes in the value of extra-curricular activities and caters very successfully for a wide range of sporting and recreational interests. All pupils are encouraged to become involved in this aspect of school life. Strathearn operates a very successful Preparatory Department (Penrhyn), enrolling girls in the 4-11 age group. Penrhyn currently has an enrolment of 151 pupils and has a teaching complement of 9 teachers. Penrhyn has a long-standing reputation as a school of excellence and provides a caring family atmosphere through the provision of a happy, safe, secure and stimulating learning environment where pupils are valued and are able to learn effectively. Strathearn believes in close co-operation with parents and seeks to enlist their support in all aspects of their daughters' education. Parents are kept informed about progress through school reports, regular parent meetings and personal interviews. There is an active Parents Association and Parents Forum which parents are encouraged to support. Copies of the school s prospectus, which provides more detailed information on the school, are available from the school. Further information about the school can also be obtained from the school s website, www.strathearn.org.uk
The post of Vice Principal is a key one for the successful and effective running of the school. The appointee will be a member of the Senior Leadership Team and be expected to contribute fully to the leadership, direction and communication aspects of school affairs and management. The post will demand a person with energy and enthusiasm who can motivate and encourage others. The Senior Leadership Team (SLT) meets on a weekly basis to consider matters of policy and organisation. While the team has corporate responsibility for the management of the school the individual members currently assume responsibility for the following designated areas of management: Mrs Nicola Connery Mrs Karen Quinn Mrs Lynn Myers Mr Mark Stevenson Mr Alistair Anderson Mrs Ann Flannigan Principal Vice Principal (Teaching & Learning) Vice Principal (Pastoral) Senior Leader (Teaching & Learning) Senior Leader (Pastoral) Finance Manager School Information In addition, there is a weekly meeting of the Senior Administrative Team which oversees the daily routine of the School and is chaired by the Vice Principal (Teaching & Learning). This includes the Principal, Vice Principals, the School Services Coordinator (Mrs Caroline Norris) and the School Facilities Manager (Mrs Lynne Foster).
Key Areas for the Vice-Principal are: General Job Description Staff To deputise for the Principal when required. To promote the school ethos. To contribute at a significant level to whole school development planning. To design, implement, monitor, evaluate and review policies and procedures to effect school improvement. To participate fully in Senior Leadership Team meetings, value and support the work of all members. To keep abreast of educational initiatives, sharing knowledge and expertise with others. to oversee and manage the work of the School Services Coordinator with regard to staff cover and the day to day running of the School and examinations To take a leading part in the life of the school, supporting and assisting in the organisation of all events and activities and ensuring the presentation of a positive image of the school to the wider community. To liaise and communicate with parents, other schools, outside agencies, business, industry and the community to support and extend the educational experience. To share responsibility for conducting Assembly. To be available for part of the summer holiday for administration and/or planning as required. To represent the school when required at functions and actively promote the school. To undertake those duties or tasks related to this senior position that may be reasonably requested by the Principal. To assist the Principal in the efficient and effective deployment of staff and resources. To participate in the selection of teaching, technical support and supervisory staff. To be responsible for Staff Welfare To take responsibility for the annual review and production of the Staff Handbook. To advise the Principal on the implications for staffing in the light of curriculum changes. To lead the Timetabling Team in the construction of the school timetable using the C2K system, taking a leading role in the deployment of staff and allocation of classes in liaison with the Principal and Assistant Timetabler. To assist the Principal in communicating with Staff and maintaining good staff relationships. Staff Development The Vice Principal in consultation with the Principal and the SLT will take lead responsibility for effective professional development of all teaching and support staff. This will involve: Monitoring and reviewing the Staff Development Policy for all staff. Continued development of the school s staff evaluation processes. Circulating information on external courses and providing opportunities for the dissemination and retrieval of information on external courses. Working closely with the Senior Leader with responsibility for the Induction and Early Professional Development of newly qualified teachers and the placement of Student Teachers. Assisting the Principal in the management of the PRSD Scheme.
Pupils To manage assessment and reporting To create and maintain an effective partnership with parents in order to improve pupil achievement and personal development. To contribute to the management of parents consultations and play an active role in all activities/events involving parents. To assist the work of the Principal on pupil admissions. To manage the careers provision and pupil subject choices as Director of Careers. To complete UCAS references in conjunction with all members of SLT and subject teachers. To oversee the extracurricular programme. Curriculum Job Description to manage and develop a curriculum which meets the needs of all pupils as well as statutory requirements and any collaborative arrangements associated with the Entitlement Curriculum. To demonstrate a sound knowledge of current educational issues. To develop/review the relevant learning and teaching and assessment and marking policies in liaison with the SLT. To review curriculum provision regularly with the Principal to ensure the needs of the pupils are appropriately met. To promote the integration of ICT/e learning by all departments in liaison with ICT staff and SLT. To undertake the role as C2K manager. To complete the annual External Curriculum Audit. To attend EBALC meetings. Teaching and Learning To lead the school in the monitoring and evaluating of teaching and learning. To ensure the learning environment reflects the expectations of standards of excellence and to check displays and promotion of pupils work. To teach a reduced timetable, set example of good practice and to carry out professional duties in accordance with the Terms and Conditions of Employment of Teachers Regulations (1987), as amended September 1994. To contribute to the development and monitoring of pupil data in liaison with SLT. To contribute to monitoring pupil achievement and standards providing data for evaluation of the school s performance and to identify areas for school improvement. To develop and deploy a range of strategies for engaging pupils and parents in the evaluation and review of learning and teaching.
Other Duties To assist, as required, with the work of the Preparatory Department. To oversee the end-of-year return and census. To carry out any other reasonable duties as requested by the Principal. The Vice Principal s duties are not restricted to 1265 hours and the carrying out of the above duties will also involve planning and administration in July and August. These duties are subject to change as required in the interest of the school and in negotiation with the Principal and Board of Governors. Job Description
Personnel Specification QUALIFICATIONS/EXPERIENCE These criteria may be enhanced to produce a manageable short-list. Personnel Specification Essential 1.1 Good Honours degree (minimum 2.2) or equivalent or higher 1.2 Recognised by the Department of Education (NI) as a qualified teacher and registered with the General Teaching Council for Northern Ireland 1.3 A minimum of eight years recent and relevant post primary teaching experience 1.4 A recent proven track record of excellence in teaching up to and including GCE A-Level 1.5 A minimum of three years in a post with responsibility at a minimum of teaching allowance two or higher 1.6 Good competence in the use of ICT and willingness to explore and develop the use of the C2K system in fulfilling the responsibilities of this post 1.7 Excellent attendance record and the ability to cope effectively with the demands of a senior leadership post Desirable Preference may be given to applicants who satisfy at least two of the following criteria 2.1 Have served on the senior management of an 11-18 school 2.2 Experience of managing data and its application to lead to school improvement 2.3 Experience as an Associate Assessor with the Education and Training Inspectorate 2.4 Experience of leading whole school initiatives and staff training 2.5 Experience of monitoring teaching and learning 2.6 Experience of curriculum development, pupils subject choices and timetable production 2.7 Experience of working in the area of Careers Education, Information, Advice and Guidance 2.8 Experience of processing examination entries or results
KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS The successful candidate must demonstrate extensive knowledge of: Current educational developments; Resource allocation and management Effective classroom pedagogy Effective data management Performance review and staff development Developing sound professional relationships within the school and the local community Strategic planning and implementation Personal continuous professional development The successful candidate must demonstrate highly developed: Personnel Specification Leadership/ Team skills; Management Skills; Communication skills (oral and written); Interpersonal skills Motivational skills Organisational skills PERSONAL QUALITIES The successful candidate must demonstrate: Vision; Enthusiasm and be highly motivated; Assertiveness and confidence; A caring child-centred approach; Commitment; Integrity; Sensitivity and discretion; Ability to cope under pressure; Interdependency; Tact and diplomacy. Decisiveness
Process of Application Application should be made using the application form provided; no continuation sheets to be used and no additional material or curriculum vitae will be considered. It is essential that you fully describe in the application form how you meet the criteria sought. Please provide detailed information against each requirement, providing dates and ensuring that where requirements are time bound (i.e. 1 year within the last 5 years) you provide detail and dates that fully satisfy the requirement. It is not appropriate to simply list the various posts that you have held. Assumptions will not be made from the title of your post. Canvassing of any kind will disqualify. This appointment will be subject to satisfactory references being received. One reference should be from a person who is able to comment on your suitability to work with children/young people in an educational setting. The Board will seek references from present/previous employers for posts involving regulated activity. Information for Applicants The Vice-Principal will be directly responsible to the Board of Governors through the Principal for the efficient and effective discharge of the responsibilities attached to the post. The person appointed will be a seconded member of committees of the Board of Governors and be expected on occasions to attend full Board meetings. The terms and conditions of service are as set down in the amended 1987 Terms and Conditions of Service Agreement. The salary scale is as recommended for a Vice Principal in a Group 6 school. The successful applicant will be a suitably qualified graduate with significant teaching and leadership experience. Completed forms can be emailed to Mrs Alison White, Principal s PA awhite794@c2kni.net or posted to Strathearn School, 188 Belmont Road, Belfast Bt4 2AU, no later than 12 noon on Tuesday 1 June 2018. Key Dates Those interested in being considered for the post should take note of the following key dates the selection and appointment process: Friday 01 June 2018 Tuesday 19 June 2018 Publication of the advertisement for the post Closing date for receipt of applications Week commencing Monday 13 August 2018 Week commencing Monday 20 August 2018 First round of interviews Second round of interviews
Child Protection Strathearn treats with the utmost seriousness its responsibility to protect its pupils by preventing unsuitable people from working with them in paid or voluntary positions. Posts involving work with children and young people in educational institutions are subject to the provisions of the Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups (NI) Order 2007. The process whereby applicants are vetted for employment is set out by AccessNI as an Enhanced Disclosure; see www.nidirect.gov.uk/accessni Hence, applicants should be aware that any offer of employment will only be confirmed when the Principal has: received two written satisfactory references, one of which must be from the most recent employer; verified proof of identity as specified by AccessNI; received an Enhanced Disclosure Certificate from AccessNI confirming the eligibility of the applicant to work in the School; viewed originals of qualifications recorded on the application form. Information for Applicants AccessNI regulations do not allow for individuals to apply directly to AccessNI for an Enhanced Disclosure Certificate therefore the application will be made through Strathearn School. Process Applicants called for interview will be required to bring with them photographic proof of identity. When an offer of employment is made, the preferred applicant will be required to: complete an AccessNI application by the following process register with AccessNI for an Enhanced Disclosure Certificate and complete the Pin Notification and ID Validation Form as provided by the School complete the AccessNI document Appendix C as provided by the School return these two documents to the School and produce for the Principal valid identification documents as specified in the application enclose a cheque for 33 made payable to Strathearn School furnish the Principal with a copy of the return from AccessNI; complete a Health Declaration questionnaire which you should complete and return and let the Principal view originals of qualifications recorded on the Employment application form. The appointment will only be confirmed after all pre-employment checks have been completed satisfactorily. General Information Each teacher acts as Form Tutor to a class, taking responsibility for the well-being and academic progress of the individual pupils in the group and contributing to their records of achievement. The school offers a wide range of extra-curricular activities, and the contribution of staff to this programme is greatly valued. Strathearn is a voluntary grammar school for girls, managed by its Board of Governors in accordance with the scheme of management drawn up by the Governors and approved by the Department of Education (NI).