TP18010 PRINCIPAL BELMONT NURSERY SCHOOL Candidate Information Pack 1
TEACHING PRINCIPAL (GROUP 1) BELMONT NURSERY SCHOOL Disclosure of Criminal Background If you have applied for a post that involves regulated activity under the Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups (NI) Order 2007, the Board will be required to undertake an Enhanced Disclosure of Criminal Background. Please note that due to proposals set out in the Department of Education s Draft Budget, you WILL be expected to meet the cost of an Enhanced Disclosure Certificate, which is currently 33. Further details in relation to legislative requirements can be accessed on www.nidirect.gov.uk/vetting or www.accessni.org.uk. The School and its Location Belmont Nursery School opened in 1980, conveniently located near Ardnashee School and College, St Patrick s PS and The Playtrail as well as other local schools and community based learning initiatives. The enrolment number is 78 children, with 26 attending full time (plus 3 with additional needs) and 52 children attending part time. Staffing consists of a Teaching Principal (fulltime class), Teacher (dual day) and 2 full time Nursery Assistants. Also employed are 2/3 Special Needs Assistants as required. The school has a part time Caretaker/Cleaner and one other Cleaner as well as a part time Secretary and Catering Assistant. The school has extensive, mature grounds where children can explore, stimulate and develop their independence. The school is well equipped with resources to encourage and extend children s play in all areas of the curriculum. Belmont Nursery School prides itself on having an all inclusive learning environment, well trained staff encourage this inclusive ethos for children, supported by leadership and professionals. As a controlled nursery school it currently avails of additional funding through Extended Schools and Getting Ready to Learn initiatives. This funding has allowed Belmont Nursery School to be a language rich learning environment supported by a Speech and Language Therapist. 2
The school s recent Pre-School Inspection by ETI, March 2017, found Belmont Nursery School to be Outstanding in overall effectiveness, delivering a high level of capacity for sustained improvement in its outcomes for learners, quality of provision and leadership and management, The Board of Governors seeks to appoint a high calibre professional who is committed to continuing to develop the school s ethos, aims and objectives. POST: RESPONSIBLE TO: SALARY SCALE: PRINCIPAL Board of Governors L9 - L15-47,020-54,503 per annum DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES A successful candidate will be able to demonstrate relevant experience, knowledge and skills associated with the following key areas. Shaping the Future Keep abreast of and anticipate educational trends; Think strategically to build and communicate a shared coherent vision; Create an ethos and provide direction, which promotes a culture of high expectation, successful learning and achievement; Inspire, challenge, motivate and empower others to carry the vision and ethos forward; Model the values and ethos of the school. Leading and Managing Staff Provide high quality leadership to secure improvement; Collaborate and network with others within and beyond the school; Foster a culture of shared/ distributed leadership; Develop, empower and sustain individuals and teams; Support the development of an open, fair, equitable culture and manage conflict effectively; Support and challenge performance in order to improve the quality of children s learning experiences and set high standards; Work with others to lead professional development for all staff within the context of the school s development plan in order to support effective teaching and learning. Leading Learning and Teaching Cultivate enthusiasm for and commitment to the learning process; Lead and manage the development of an effective learning and teaching culture; Lead and manage the self-evaluation process; work with staff and others to analyse a range of information, interpret outcomes and plan for improvement; 3
Ensure effective implementation of the NI Pre-school Curriculum, share good practice and work with others to challenge and address pupil under-achievement. Developing the School in the Community Lead and manage the development and promotion of a positive image of the school within the local community and beyond; Develop and maintain strong and effective relationships with parents and the local and wider community; Ensure effective channels of communication are in place between the school and the local and wider community; Listen to, reflect and act on community feedback; Recognise and lead others to ensure that strategic planning takes account of the richness and diversity of the school s communities and community feedback; Work closely with other relevant statutory and voluntary agencies to enhance the education of all pupils. Managing the Organisation Prioritise, plan and organise themselves and others; Think creatively to anticipate and solve problems; Make sound decisions based on a range of informed judgments; Establish and maintain appropriate structures and systems; Lead and manage the development and implementation of the School Development Plan; Delegate tasks and monitor their implementation; Manage all resources efficiently and effectively. Ensuring Accountability Create and develop a culture in which all Governors and staff recognize that they are accountable for the success of the school; Combine the outcomes of regular self-evaluation, ETI inspection evidence and other external evaluations in order to develop the school; Lead and manage the process of monitoring and evaluating effectively the children s learning and progress; Work with the leadership team and others to recognize and disseminate effective practice and challenge and address unacceptable performance; Work closely with, and provide effective reports to, Governors on the school s progress and development. Professional Duties The Education Authority Omagh Office requires a Principal to carry out his/her professional duties in accordance with the Terms and Conditions of Employment of Principals as stated in Schedule 4
1/Regulation 4 of the Teachers (Terms and Conditions of Employment Regulations (Northern Ireland 1987)). Terms and Conditions of Service The main terms and conditions of employment are those for Teachers in accordance with the Teachers (Terms and Conditions of Employment) Regulations (NI) 1987. General Conditions of Service Appointments are subject to: (a) (b) (c) (d) the Contracts of Employment and Redundancy Acts 1975 as amended and in particular the statutory provisions relating to termination of employment and the period of notice; the provisions of the Teachers Superannuation Act (NI) for the time being in force; satisfactory completion of all Pre-Employment Checks probationary period of six months; Canvassing Canvassing directly or indirectly will entail disqualification. Posts involving work in educational institutions are subject to the provisions of the Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups (NI) Order 2007 Please note: Candidates called for interview will be required to make a short presentation on a topic related to the post. ARRANGEMENTS FOR APPOINTMENT Appear on website: Friday 16 March 2018 Closing Date: Friday 30 March 2018 Shortlisting: Wednesday 18 April 2018 Interviews by Board of Governors: Wednesday 09 May 2018 Meeting of the Education Authority Membership and Teaching Appointments Committee: Thursday 07 June 2018 5
Belmont Nursery School Teaching Principal PERSON SPECIFICATION 1 Qualifications Essential Criteria Applicants must at the closing date for applications: Hold a teaching qualification which meets the requirements for recognition to teach in grant-aided schools in Northern Ireland; Possess a degree. Desirable Criteria Preference may be given to those applicants who: Have successfully completed a professional qualification for headship or a similar post graduate qualification in the area of educational leadership. 2 Experience Essential Criteria Have a minimum of 7 years teaching experience in a paid capacity in a pre-school or foundation stage setting and/or equivalent experience in an affiliated educational body, within the last 10 years, as at the closing date for receipt of completed applications. Demonstrate evidence of successfully leading and managing an aspect of whole school improvement. Demonstrate evidence of strategic planning. Demonstrate evidence of staff development at whole school level. Desirable Criteria Preference may be given to those applicants who: Have experience of being a member of a senior leadership team. 3 Knowledge The successful candidate must be able to demonstrate extensive knowledge of: 6
The Curricular Guidance for Pre-School Education; Current educational developments and the ability to evaluate and respond to new educational challenges and manage change effectively; Effective classroom pedagogy and how to ensure high standards of teaching, learning and achievement throughout the school; Effective organizational management including the appropriate deployment of resources; Effective financial management. 4 Skills The successful candidate must demonstrate highly developed skills in order to: Lead, motivate, manage, challenge and enthuse others; Create an ethos and articulate a vision for the future of the school; Develop good relationships at all levels and promote a collaborative and team approach among staff, pupils, parents and governors; Lead strategically and develop self and others in order to achieve outcomes; Promote, achieve, monitor and evaluate high standards of teaching, learning and achievement throughout the school; Develop effective partnerships between the school and the local community; Communicate effectively orally and in writing; Organise and prioritise workload effectively. 5 Personal Qualities The successful candidate must demonstrate: Vision; A sound value system; Enthusiasm and motivation; Assertiveness and confidence; A caring child-centred approach; Integrity; Advocacy and empathy; Sensitivity and discretion; An ability to cope under pressure; Tact and diplomacy; Decisiveness; Adaptability. 7
The Board of Governors reserves the right to enhance the essential criteria if necessary in order to facilitate a manageable shortlist. Applicants must be registered with the General Teaching Council for Northern Ireland (GTCNI) upon taking up employment. Please note the onus is on candidates to provide sufficient detailed information on their application forms in order to demonstrate how they meet each of the criteria. Failure to do so may result in a candidate not being shortlisted since Selection Panels cannot make assumptions in the absence of essential information. 8