Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Primary School Headteacher Job and Person Specification
Key school facts and statistics Type of school ge Range Location Denomination Co-educational or single sex Number of children Class size bsence days Date school established Number of teaching staff % of newly qualified teachers % of children free school meals % of children with SEN % of children with English as an additional language Catholic Primary School (including a Nursery) -11 years Wanstead, London Catholic Co-educational 471 Max 0 verage 96.4% attendance Circa 196 7 0 11% Below national average 10%
Mission Statement We are a Catholic School We strive to be a sign of Christ s presence in the world We follow Jesus. bout the School We strongly believe Our Lady of Lourdes is like a family and we work in a three-way partnership between home, school and our parishes for the benefit of each child. s a Catholic school we believe that all learning is about God. We aim to meet each child on her/his faith journey and help her/him to grow to know and love God more deeply over time. We are fortunate to have very supportive parents, governors and priests and we strive to work together to give every child a happy and rewarding primary school experience and positive memories that will last long into adulthood. Excellent pastoral care is as important to us as outstanding academic achievement. We believe in a broad and balanced curriculum where each child s unique talents are both developed and celebrated. We have a record of excellent academic results in English, Mathematics and Science but we also prioritise sport, music and the arts and give children many opportunities to shine both within and beyond the school day. We aim to prepare children to be successful learners who enjoy learning. We also help children to gain the essential skills that will prepare them to be happy, healthy and confident individuals and responsible citizens of the future. Our Lady of Lourdes is a very special place to be and you are invited to look around our website to discover more about our school for yourselves. Mrs Diana Robertson - cting Headteacher
Vision Vision provides a shared picture of the future we seek to create. The could be, and what should be. Our shared vision for our school is: Mutual understanding of the mission statement The school should be a learning community. Everyone will view themselves as continual learners and be encouraged to strive to achieve their best n acceptance of mistakes is recognised as a valuable and essential part of learning There should always be a sense of enjoyment for everyone within the school, and humour should never be absent; laughter is good for a school ad those whose lives revolve around it There will be co-operation and high levels of self esteem Everyone will have a sense of personal and mutual responsibility The continued creation of an organised, caring, safe and friendly atmosphere for all To continue to build on previous achievements, o carry the school and children forward to play a key role in the Catholic community and beyond People share information and will be ready to assess and adopt/adapt new ideas when necessary Respect for each other and concern about their feelings The fostering of the partnership between home, school, family, and parish based on mutual respect will continue
Job Description - Headteacher Our Catholic faith is at the heart of Our Lady of Lourdes School and permeates every aspect of day-to-day school life. The headteacher is expected to be fully committed to the School Mission Statement and to be responsible for achieving the highest possible spiritual and educational standards for all pupils. n line with the school s high expectations, the successful candidate will be expected to sustain and develop an atmosphere and structure where each child s unique potential is celebrated and maximised. Ethos To reflect and further develop the Catholic ethos and identity of the school. To formulate the overall aims and objectives of the school in accordance with the school mission statement. To ensure the school vision is clearly and effectively shared and understood. To promote a culture of encouragement, support and challenge in order to achieve each child s full potential and the highest possible educational standards. To maintain high personal moral standards and set an example to others whilst demonstrating high quality leadership of the school. To ensure the school vision is reflected in effective strategic and developmental planning within a consistent performance management structure. Curriculum To ensure that the teaching of Religious Education is at the core of the curriculum. To be responsible for maintaining and developing a broad, balanced and cohesive curriculum in line with local expectations and national standards. To ensure the curriculum is appropriately and imaginatively delivered and regularly reviewed and evaluated. Teaching To influence and contribute to the teaching programme and encourage the development of high quality teaching practice. To ensure classroom practice and overall quality of teaching are effectively monitored at regular intervals. To build on teaching strengths and, where necessary, tackle ineffective teaching or underachievement. Pupils To promote equality of opportunity for all pupils regardless of their background or personal circumstances, in line with the school s policies, procedures and practices. To systematically promote spiritual, social, cultural and moral development in children s learning. To ensure that pupils receive a high quality education centred on enjoyment, enthusiasm and the pursuit of excellence. To ensure that pupil progress is monitored and recorded and that underperformance is systematically tackled. To ensure that all learning activities are conducted in a disciplined, safe and healthy environment and that potential barriers to learning are reduced. To develop and maintain a school environment in which the needs and values of individual pupils are acknowledged. Safeguarding and Wellbeing To demonstrate a commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and collaborating with appropriate agencies to protect children who may be at risk. To undertake health and safety policy making, management and review throughout the school. To be responsible for health and safety and pupil and staff well-being. To ensure the school environment is maintained to a high standard including the grounds, buildings, furniture, equipment and learning resources. To be responsible for emergency and contingency planning. Governing Body To advise, assist and inform the Governing Body in fulfilling its responsibilities, demonstrating an understanding of the statutory role of governors in a Catholic Voluntary ided School. To demonstrate a firm commitment to working in partnership with the Governing Body. To assist the Governing Body in formulating strategic plans for the school and to seek to implement these plans with the collective support of staff. To plan effectively, and to assist the Governing Body in the development of relevant criteria *there might also be local or national criteria for monitoring and evaluating performance and the efficient and effective use of resources. To direct and control the available human, physical and financial resources in partnership with the Governing Body.
Job Description - Headteacher Finance To have management responsibility for the allocation of the delegated budget to all areas of school life. To ensure that financial management is conducted in accordance with the Financial Regulations approved by the Governing Body. To ensure that all financial returns are submitted accurately and on time, as required by the L To have overall responsibility for the management of other School Funds. To develop appropriate and effective working relationships and practices with external agencies and services contracted to the school. Parents / Carers & Community To develop positive links between home and school and work with parents/carers to promote high standards and address barriers to learning. To ensure that parents/carers are well informed about the curriculum, attainment and progress of their children and about the contribution they can make to supporting children s learning and achieving the school s targets for improvement. To ensure that parents/carers have access to appropriate information about the curriculum and school activities. To participate in the activities and liturgy of the Parish including supporting the sacramental programme. To maintain and develop existing relationships with the Diocese, L and the local community and other agencies. General To take overall responsibility for the organisation, management and conduct of the school in accordance with the rticles of Government and the statutory Conditions of Employment of Head teachers. To understand and respond to the appropriate levels of responsibility and accountability to the Governing Body, the Diocese, the L and the Director of Education and his/her representatives.
Person Specification - Headteacher assessed by nterview, assessed by application, & assessed by application and interview Faith Commitment (Catholicity) practising and committed Catholic Secure understanding of the distinctive nature of the Catholic school and Catholic education Understanding of the leadership role in the spiritual development of the children and staff Understanding of the role of the school in the parishes and wider community Evidence of participation in the faith life of the community Experience in leading acts of worship in a school Qualifications Qualified teacher status Evidence of further studies relating to Primary Education CCRS or equivalent Experience Professional Development Strategic Leadership Experience of leading staff teams as a successful Head or Deputy Headteacher Experience in Catholic education Substantial successful teaching experience firm commitment to the safeguarding and well-being of both pupils and staff and a knowledge of the procedures and guidance required Experience of teaching in more than one key stage Experience of working in different educational settings Evidence of continuing professional development relating to school leadership, management, curriculum, teaching and learning Evidence of continuing professional development relating to Catholic ethos, mission and religious education Experience of working with other schools, organisations and agencies Experience of leading and co-ordinating continuing professional development opportunities bility to identify own learning needs and to support others in identifying their learning needs bility to articulate and share a vision of primary education within the context of the mission of a Catholic school Evidence of having successfully implemented a shared vision with stakeholders at whole school level bility to enthuse, inspire and motivate children, staff, parents/carers and governors to achieve the aims of Catholic education Evidence of successful strategies for planning, implementing, monitoring and evaluating school improvement bility to analyse data, develop strategic plans, set targets and monitor / evaluate progress Knowledge of what constitutes quality educational provision, the characteristics of effective schools and strategies for raising standards and the achievement of all children T 1 1
Person Specification - Headteacher * assessed by nterview, assessed by application, & assessed by application and interview Teaching and Learning Leading and Managing Staff ccountability Skills, Qualities and bilities secure understanding of the requirements of the Curriculum Directory for Religious Education (Here m) and the National Curriculum Understanding of the characteristics of an effective learning environment and the key elements of successful behaviour management Understanding of successful teaching and learning in Religious Education across the key stages secure understanding of assessment strategies and the use of assessment to inform the next stages of learning Experience of effective monitoring and evaluation of teaching and learning Secure knowledge of statutory requirements relating to the curriculum and assessment Knowledge and experience of a range of successful teaching and learning strategies Experience of working with governors to enable them to fulfil whole school responsibilities Successful involvement in the recruitment, appointment and induction of staff in a school context. Understanding the needs of a Catholic school bility to delegate and distribute leadership and support colleagues in undertaking responsibilities effectively Experience of Performance Management and supporting the continuing professional development of colleagues Experience of financial and resource management and how they contribute to achieving high equality educational outcomes Experience of reporting to governors on the school budget bility to communicate and report effectively, orally and in writing, to a range of audiences including staff, children, parents/carers, governors, parishioners and clergy Experience of whole school self-evaluation and improvement strategies Experience of presenting reports governors High quality teaching skills Strong commitment to the mission of a Catholic school Commitment to own spiritual formation and that of children and staff High expectations of children s learning and attainment: a strong commitment to school improvement and raising achievement for all bility to build and maintain good relationships and resolve conflict bility to remain positive and optimistic when working under pressure bility to organise work, prioritise tasks, make decisions and manage time effectively Empathy with children Good communication skills Good interpersonal skills Stamina and resilience Confidence and optimism References Positive and supportive faith reference from the Priest where the applicant regularly worships Positive recommendations in professional references,t 1 1
Our Lady of Lourdes RC Primary School Chestnut Drive Wanstead E11 T T: 00 8989 951 www.ourladyoflourdesrcprimary.org