Highbury Quadrant Primary School Deputy Headteacher SCH/ 700
Contents Letter from the Headteacher 1 Advert 2 Job Description 3 Person Specification 6 Information about the school 8 School Location Map 9 Details of selection process 10
Letter from the Headteacher Dear Prospective Candidate, Thank you for expressing an interest in working at Highbury Quadrant Primary School. We are currently seeking to appoint a Deputy Head Teacher with responsibility for raising standards in Teaching and Learning. The post currently has teaching a commitment of approximately 40%. The information contained in this pack, gives you a flavour of our school but by no means says it all. Please visit our website for further information about the school on www.highburyquadrant. islington.sch.uk or alternatively do not hesitate to contact me if you need further information about the post. Interviews will be on Friday 9th May 2014 I very much look forward to receiving your application. Yours faithfully, T A Higgins Headteacher 1
Deputy Headteacher Start date: September 2014 Salary: L10-L14 ( 54,433-59,287pa) Highbury Quadrant School Governors are seeking to appoint an inspirational and talented Deputy Headteacher. Are you a person who celebrates diversity and has a vision for high quality learning? If you are and are also a dedicated practitioner with a flair for strategic leadership and development of teaching and learning we would welcome your application. The successful candidate will: 1. Be able to demonstrate experience of raising standards and school improvement 2. Deputise in the absence of the Headteacher To apply for this post please apply online at www. islington.gov.uk/jobs. If you need any assistance please email the HR Team at schoolsrecruitment@ islington.gov.uk quoting reference number SCH/700. Closing Date: midday, Monday 28th April 2014 Interviews: Friday 9th May 2014 At Highbury Quadrant we are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and we expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Successful candidates will be required to carry out a DBS check. 3. Have proven experience of team leadership and be expert in the promotion of outstanding learning behaviour 4. Be adaptable and make strong contributions to the leadership team, especially in promoting outstanding progress for all pupils This a successful and happy school with strong community links. We offer a supportive working environment and the opportunity to grow and develop as a school leader. School visits are warmly welcome and can be arranged by contacting the school office on 020 7226 6531. 2
Job description KEY PURPOSE OF THE JOB To carry out the professional duties of a teacher other than a headteacher, as described in the School Teacher s Pay and Conditions Document, including those duties particularly assigned to you by the Headteacher. MAIN ACTIVITIES To assist the Headteacher in the leadership and management of the school and in all aspects of school improvement, including taking full responsibility for the school in the absence of the Headteacher. To take full responsibility for leading and managing significant aspects of the school, under the overall direction of the Headteacher. To carry out teaching duties, as required, in accordance with the school s schemes of work and the whole school Curriculum. SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES LEADERSHIP AND MANAGEMENT To assist the Headteacher, senior leadership team and governors in achieving the vision and direction for the school, setting out very high expectations and with a clear focus on pupil attainment and progress. To make a significant contribution in setting aims and objectives for the school and in formulating the School Development Plan along with the Headteacher, governors and other senior staff. To take responsibility for developing and monitoring policy and practice as laid down in the school development plan, and in agreement with the Headteacher. To lead by inspiring, motivating and influencing staff and pupils, taking a lead role in maintaining the highest standards of teaching, learning, pupil discipline and children s safeguarding. To provide an excellent role model for all members of staff and for pupils in all aspects of school life. To be a lead practitioner in the delivery of all school policies and practices. To actively promote the aims of the school. To offer professional guidance and support to colleagues. To take a leading role in improving the involvement of parents, carers and the community in the life of the school. To provide effective leadership and management to teams of staff, as agreed with the Headteacher. To take full responsibility for leading and managing one or more aspects of the school s provision, as agreed with the Headteacher and governing body. To play a significant role in contributing to the school s professional development programme, including co-ordinating training programmes, delivering INSET and working with individuals and teams in a variety of professional development activities. To lead and manage the induction of new staff as directed and advised by the Headteacher. To work with the Headteacher in school self review and evaluation and in the effective planning and management of school resources 3
to secure improvements. To maintain an informed view of standards and of the quality of teaching across the school by monitoring pupils work and teachers planning and teaching. To lead staff in a way that develops all team member, promoting their skills, confidence and expertise. To actively promote equality of opportunity by assisting the Headteacher in ensuring the school s curriculum provides the best possible education for all pupils, taking into account all groups. To assist the Headteacher in all aspects of the day to day administration and organisation of the school, including taking responsibility for agreed areas. To assist the headteacher with the implementation of the school s performance management policy, to secure school improvement and individual professional development. To participate in recruitment and selection, as agreed with the Headteacher. TEACHING AND LEARNING To carry out teaching duties, as agreed with the Headteacher, providing a model of excellence for colleagues. This may include, as required: Taking full responsibility for teaching a class. Providing cover for absent colleagues or those released for professional development. Providing in class support for colleagues through team teaching or demonstration lessons. Teaching booster or catch up groups. To provide leadership and support for colleagues (teachers and other staff) ensuring good or better teaching and learning across the curriculum, including: Managing the planning and delivery of the curriculum across the school. Supporting members of the extended leadership team in developing their role, in particular in relation to raising standards. Supporting teams and individuals with short term planning. Supporting staff in the use of assessment information to inform teaching and learning. Inducting and supporting newly qualified and less experienced staff. Providing in class support to staff through demonstration lessons, team teaching, observation and feedback. STANDARDS To undertake a significant role in maintaining a high standard of pupils behaviour and discipline within the framework of the school policy and supporting other staff as necessary. To liaise effectively with parents and carers to ensure good relationships between school and home in order to improve teaching, learning and behaviour. To support the Headteacher in the management of the school database of individual pupils attainment and progress. 4
OTHER DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES To participate in daily and weekly meetings, in accordance with school policy and to lead such meetings as required. To plan and deliver key stage and whole school assemblies and to support other staff with assemblies. To prepare and present reports, as required to governors, LA officers, parents, carers and outside agencies. To attend occasional meetings during evening hours, at weekends or in school holidays, as required. To undertake all other tasks commensurate with the role as required and directed by the Headteacher. KEY ORGANISATIONAL OBJECTIVES The postholder will contribute to the school s objectives in service delivery by: Ensuring compliance with Data Protection, Equalities, Safeguarding, Health and Safety and all other relevant legislation. Operating within the school s Equal Opportunities framework at all times. Demonstrating a commitment to improving teaching and learning across the whole school. Ensuring the maintenance of a safe, caring and stimulating environment for all pupils and staff. Demonstrating high standards of personal integrity, loyalty, discretion and professionalism. CONDITIONS OF SERVICE Governed by the National Agreement on Teachers Pay and Conditions, supplemented by local conditions as agreed by the governors. SPECIAL CONDITIONS OF SERVICE Because of the nature of the post, candidates are not entitled to withhold information regarding convictions by virtue of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exemptions) Order 1975 as amended. Candidates are required to give details of any convictions on their application form and are expected to disclose such information at the appointed interview. Because this post allows substantial access to children, candidates are required to comply with departmental procedures in relation to police checks. If candidates are successful in their application, prior to taking up post, they will be required to give written permission to the department to ascertain details from the Metropolitan Police regarding any convictions against them and, as appropriate, the nature of such convictions. EQUAL OPPORTUNITY The postholder will be expected to carry out all duties in the context of and in compliance with the Council s Equal Opportunities Policies. 5
Person specification QUALIFICATIONS 1 Qualified Teacher Status, and evident of appropriate subsequent in-service training and professional development. EXPERIENCE 2 Recent, significant and successful experience as a teacher in the primary phase. 3 A proven track record of raising attainment. 4 Significant and successful experience of leading and managing aspects of the curriculum at whole school level, e.g. as an assistant head, subject or phase leader. 5 Experience of contributing to school improvement, as a member of a leadership team. 6 7 Experience of successfully supporting and mentoring colleagues in order to secure school improvement. Successful experience of improving the quality of teaching and learning, through processes of monitoring and support 8 Experience of managing and using pupil attainment and tracking data bases. 9 Experience of developing and leading staff development programmes for teachers and other staff. 10 Experience of initiating and implementing strategies to improve parents and carers involvement in their children s learning. PERSONAL QUALITIES 11 To be an outstanding teacher and responsive to children s needs and safeguarding. 12 To be able to provide a model of best practice, through working with teachers in class. 13 To be able to respond to the changing needs of the school, providing flexible leadership and management. 14 To be able to articulate a clear vision for high quality education in an inner city context. 15 To be approachable, accessible and be able to work with a good sense of humour. 6
16 To have a good personal presence and high levels of emotional intelligence. 17 18 To be able to communicate clearly, both orally and in writing with a diverse range of audiences, including children, parents and carers, governors, staff and outside agencies. To be able to develop and maintain effective relationships with all members of the school community and outside agencies. 19 To be able to work effectively under pressure, to prioritise appropriately and to meet deadlines. 20 To have good analytical skills, being able to synthesise complex information, summarise, draw appropriate conclusions and make decisions using school performance data. KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES 21 22 Understanding of the importance of the culture and ethos of our school in securing high standards. An excellent understanding of current theory and best practice in teaching and learning and achieving excellent progress for children. 23 A good understanding of effective leadership and management. 24 25 Good understanding of effective strategies for gaining and maintaining high standards of discipline and learning behavior at whole school level, in accordance with the school s policy. Good understanding of how opportunities can be made to enrich and enhance the curriculum to address the needs of the pupils. 26 Current and thorough understanding of Safeguarding and Child Protection issues and procedures 27 An understanding of the role of parents, carers and the community in school improvement and how this can be promoted and developed 28 An understanding of the need to work collaboratively with a range of external agencies 29 Knowledge of and commitment to equality of opportunity issues and how they can be addressed in school. Candidates are asked to demonstrate their ability to meet these selection criteria in their application form, their supporting statement and at the selection interview and any supporting exercises they may be asked to complete. 7
Information about the school Ofsted Report For the latest reports on Highbury Qudrant Primary School, please click here. School Website Highbury Qudrant Primary School s website can be found at http://www.highburyquadrant.islington.sch.uk/. Islington Further information about Islington borough is available at www.islington.gov.uk Quotes from OFSTED Report All teaching is expected to be at least good and this demanding expectation is fully embedded in the culture of the school, as the year-on-year improvements testify. exceptional leadership rigorous and persistent approach Pupils receive an outstanding, allround education at this school. 8
School location map Highbury New Park Islington London N5 2DP googlemaps Highbury Quadrant Primary School Canonbury Station Drayton Park Station Highbury and Islington Station Arsenal Station 9
Details of selection process Application deadline Completed application forms must be received by midday, Monday 28th April 2014. There are five available channels for application documents submission. 1. Apply online at www.islington.gov.uk/jobs; 2. Email documents to schoolsrecruitment@islington.gov.uk; 3. Post documents to School HR team, Islington Town Hall, Upper Street, London N1 2UD; 4. Hand deliver documents to School HR team, Islington Town Hall, Upper Street, London N1 2UD; 5. Fax your documents toschool HR team on 020 7527 5810. Please note that application forms should not be returned to the school. Completing your application Candidates are asked to complete all the standard information required on the application form, and to submit a supporting statement, addressing all of the criteria identified in the selection criteria. Selection procedure Candidates will be notified immediately after shortlisting has taken place. Please would all applicants ensure that their preferred means of urgent contact (phone, mobile phone, e-mail or fax) are clearly identifiable from the application form, so that your confidentiality is maintained. Interviews will be held on Friday 9th May 2014. Please note that shortlisted candidates will be given more details. References Candidates are advised that references will be taken up immediately after shortlisting. Candidates are asked to ensure that their referees are warned of the need to respond within the timescale set. In all cases at least one professional reference is required. The post will be offered subject to satisfactory completion of pre-employment checks. Safeguarding children Prior to appointment, formal checks will be made in accordance with the current statutory requirements relating to child protection. Visits School visits are warmly welcome and can be arranged by contacting the school office on 020 7226 6531. 10
Highbury Quadrant Primary School Highbury New Park, London N5 2DP Tel: 020 7226 6531 Email: office@highburyquadrant.islington.sch.uk Headteacher: Terri Higgins