37 Hours Per Week, Term Time Plus 2 Weeks, Permanent Post

May 2016

Ref: ES/DB

Dear Colleague

Achievement Officer

37 hours per week, Term Time plus 2 Weeks, Permanent Post

Thank you for your interest in a post at York High School. This is both an exciting opportunity to join a forward looking, inspirational school and a chance for you to make a real difference as part of the YHS Administration Team.

York High School was judged to be a ‘Good’ school in all aspects of its work in March 2012. We are very proud of this achievement as it underlines the huge progress we have made since our formation in September 2007.

York High is a mixed 11–16 school serving a genuinely comprehensive intake. We have an absolute commitment to inclusion and making a difference to the life chances of all our students. Our new building and committed team of staff have enabled us to transform the expectations of our young people and their community in the last 9 years. This has been reflected in our results which represent outstanding progress for our young people in many subjects given their starting points. It is also reflected in the number of families applying for places at our school. We are, however, not complacent. In a changing educational environment and from our own self-evaluation, we know there is much to do.

We are seeking to appoint colleagues who share our sense of excitement and belief in the success of our school and our vision for the future. This includes the expectation of at least good teaching and learning and an environment where colleagues work to the highest standards of professionalism. Our teachers prepare, teach, mark, assess and contribute to the development of our young people in a rigorous, creative and effective way. Our support staff are talented and valued individuals who have the skills and commitment to work alongside teachers and young people in a way that ensures they are contributing to the enhancement of our provision.

Our former specialism as a Sports College underpins everything we do. Our PRIDE values reflect our commitment to achieve the very best we can for our young people and staff. They also reflect our high expectations of behaviour in which we create a community where young people feel respected, valued and safe; where it is recognised that rewards and sanctions are applied positively and fairly. Our aim is to develop citizens for a global world who can play a full part in their community.

Please view the recruitment section on our website at or contact us by telephone (01904 555500) or email () to arrange a preliminary visit. Colleagues who wish to visit YHS should contact us at your earliest convenience to make an appointment.

Inspiring People - Achieving Excellence

YORK HIGH SCHOOL, Cornlands Road, York YO24 3WZ l Headteacher: D Ellis l Website: l Tel: (01904) 55550

Applications should be made through the recruitment page of our website –

Please note: Application by CV will not be accepted.

The closing date and time for applications will be Sunday 22nd May 2016 at midnight.

If you feel you have the skills required and possess the desire to contribute to the development and achievement of our young people, I look forward to receiving your application.

Yours sincerely

D B Ellis

Headteacher

Attachments:

York High School Mission Statement
Information About York High School
Safeguarding Children Statement
Administration, Finance and Business Support Team Information
Person Specification
Job Description

Available for download:

Prospectus
Ofsted Report

MISSION STATEMENT

SAFEGUARDING YOUNG PEOPLE

Safeguarding and promoting the welfare of young people is a key priority at York High School.

We have robust Child Protection and Safeguarding Policies and all staff receive training relevant to their role in line with the policy at induction, and throughout their employment at the school.

Declaration of Criminal Records, Convictions and Cautions

The post you are applying for involves regular care for, training, supervision or contact with those under the age of 18 years and is, therefore, exempt from the Rehabilitation

of Offenders Act. This means you must disclose information about any spent or

unspent convictions when completing the Declaration of Criminal Records,

Convictions and Cautions attached to the Job Application included in the pack.

You must also provide information about cautions, no matter how long ago they occurred and regardless of whether the offences were committed as an adult or juvenile.

Failure to complete and sign the Declaration of Criminal Records, Convictions and Cautions declaration attached to the enclosed City of York application, will invalidate your application for this post.

References

In relation to this appointment process you should be aware your referees will be asked, “Are you aware of any Child Protection allegations or issues of a similar nature in relation to this person? If so please provide details.”

Personal Identification

If you are shortlisted for interview, you will be asked to present original documentation which confirms your identity, address and any relevant qualifications for this post, when you attend for interview. The authenticity of these documents will be verified by our HR Manager and photocopied as evidential confirmation of your identity.

DBS Enhanced Clearance

All appointments to York High School are subject to Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service Clearance (On 1 December 2012, the Criminal Records Bureau merged with the Independent Safeguarding Authority (ISA) to become the Disclosure and Barring Service)

You will be asked to complete a DBS Disclosure Application Form if you are successful in your application; Enhanced clearance is a prerequisite for employment.

GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT YORK HIGH SCHOOL

York High School is an 11-16 mixed comprehensive school of approximately 800 pupils which opened in September 2007. In January 2009, we moved to our site on Cornlands Road where we are housed in an £18 million school and leisure facility fit for purpose in the 21st century.

As a Specialist Sports College, we work in partnership with the local authority, ensuring our school and buildings are at the heart of its community. We have excellent sports facilities on site including climbing centre, fitness suite, dance studio, sports hall and all weather pitch, as well as our 6 lane swimming, learner and hydrotherapy pools. Our drama and recording studios, well-appointed classrooms, modern learning resource centre, excellent ICT facilities, café style catering amenity, and central atrium offer our pupils the very best environment in which to learn and develop as individuals and as a school community.

Our students make good academic progress given their starting points and our headline figures are consistently above national expectations. We are committed to maximising the progress of all our students whatever their abilities. Our most recent Ofsted report recognised both the good teaching of our staff and the equally good achievement outcomes of our young people.

York High School is committed to using international links to raise aspirations and broaden the experiences of young people. We have links with schools in Tanzania, Uganda and Holland, and we used the 2012 Olympics to become the lead school in York for the International Inspirations Programmes. This year we are supporting residential trips to France, Belgium and Spain. We want our pupils to understand, and experience first-hand, the importance of our global community and the contribution they can make as citizens in a rapidly changing world.

Our school is situated on the west side of the historic city of York and is part of the City of York Local Authority which is small but very successful. Schools across the city work together in community and learning partnerships. We work closely with our partner primary schools in the West of the City and York High School is making an increasing contribution to the development of other schools at a local, regional and national level.

ADMINISTRATION, FINANCE AND BUSINESS SUPPORT TEAM

Team and Roles

The Administration, Finance and Business Support Team, consists of 19 members of staff who contribute to work in the areas of:

Achievement
Examinations
Attendance
Communications
Business, Finance and Resource Management
Inclusion
Pastoral Care
Personal Development
Human Resources
School Health
Learning Resources
Reprographics
Extended Schools
School Reception
Health and Safety
Educational Visits

Our Vision

We are committed to:

1) Delivering a high quality, professional service which supports the teaching and learning of our young people.

2) Ensuring the success of the school.

3) Communicating in an effective way with young people, Learning Teams, colleagues, parents/carers and members of the community.

4) Working together as a team and supporting one another.

Buildings and Resources

The team is housed in 4 locations throughout the School which include shared and private areas. These facilities are organised in such a way as to allow those who work most closely together to communicate effectively with their immediate colleagues.

ICT software packages used by our team include the Microsoft Office Suite, SIMS Modules (School Information Management System), Civica Financials Web and 4Matrix .

CPD Opportunities

Specialised training will be made available to support the successful applicant in their new role. Further CPD opportunities are available to support your personal professional development. All staff are encouraged to discuss personal CPD with their Line Manager during review meetings.

Achievement Officer - Person Specification

This is an opportunity for a skilled individual to work in a key administrative post which supports pupil achievement and our link with the wider community. The successful candidate will work in close partnership with a number of colleagues within the school.

Essential qualities for all York High School Staff include:

Integrity and Honesty
Capacity for Hard Work
Commitment to High Standards
Flexibility
Determination
Sense of Humour
Optimism
Creativity

Qualities specific to the post of Achievement Officer include:

Essential Qualities

Able to communicate effectively at all levels.
Extremely well organised.
Creative and innovative approach to problem solving.
Have a flexible and professional approach to work.
Able to work under pressure and meet deadlines.
Able to organise own workload effectively.
Good Team Player
Able to establish good relationships with pupils and colleagues.
Able to deal with difficult situations.
Able to exercise good judgement.
Excellent ICT skills – experienced in all aspects of Microsoft Office.
Practical approach to computer software systems.
A pro-active record of CPD.

Desirable Qualities

Experience of working in a school setting.
Experience of using SIMs or similar.

JOB DESCRIPTION

/ Form

JD1

JOB TITLE: Achievement Officer

/ POST NUMBER: 1100DSF
REPORTS TO (Job Title): /

Office Manager

DEPARTMENT: York High School /

GRADE: 7

JE REF: / 3643
B00912 /

PANEL DATE:

/ 03/05/2016
1. /

MAIN PURPOSE OF JOB

To undertake a full range of administrative support services, with a minimum of supervision. To supervise a team of staff and/or to have specific areas of responsibility for which the postholder will be accountable.
2. / CORE RESPONSIBILITIES, TASKS & DUTIES:
/ To be responsible for a full range of administrative functions, some of a more complex nature and to monitor and develop existing processes and procedures.
/ To manage more than one group of staff that carry out differing tasks in the same kind of work e.g. administration assistants and invigilator team. To manage the team’s workload, allocating work to others within the team and ensuring competing demands are reconciled.
/ Take lead responsibility for whole school specialist area - all aspects of the administration and organisation of the school’s external and internal examinations.
/ Support Headteacher and other senior staff with maintaining accurate and manageable assessment data and management of all issues relating to examinations
/ Management of the school’s data assessment and reporting systems including the coordination of issuing all information to parents.
/ Coordinating the use of facilities to ensure the smooth running of all internal and external examinations.
/ Manages a budget area on a day to day basis, maintaining in-house finance systems. Benchmarking to establish best value.
/ Support the strategic development of the school as required.
/ Data analysis and production of complex reports and complex returns e.g. DfE, LA, exam boards, internal reporting requirements. Take responsibility for completing / submitting complex returns e.g. DfE, LA, exam boards.
/ Participates in discussions / decision making on school administration management and examination issues including financial implications.
/ To produce standard and individual letters, documents and reports, sometimes of a more complex nature, within set guidelines and prescribed timescales. May be required to deal with and respond to complaints.
/ May be required to be involved in tendering processes.
/ Take on delegated responsibilities including being first point of contact for the Headteacher and senior staff in relation to school examinations.
/ Take lead role in planning, developing & designing systems, policies & procedures.
/ To undertake special projects / assignments relating to administration under the direction of a more senior officer.
3. / SUPERVISION / MANAGEMENT OF PEOPLE
Supervising/managing a group of people working within the same area of work e.g. admin/exam invigilation
No. Reporting -
Direct: Usually up to 5 staff and casual invigilators (depending on exam invigilation requirements)
4. / CREATIVITY & INNOVATION
Subject to minimal supervision, established procedures, practices and routines, where these exist.
Will be required to deal with complex problems.
The postholder will follow documented school procedures and interpret legal guidelines.
The postholder uses initiative in proposing changes to working practices and/or processes for own and departments work.
Continually assessing work improving systems as necessary.
Ability to give advice and seek information from pupils / parents
Publicise and market the school through the media and internet, build business partnerships.
5. / CONTACTS & RELATIONSHIPS
SLT, team leaders on a regular basis to give and receive information, a confident, calm and firm manner may be required.
All staff, pupils, parents, and Governors.
Contact with LA Officers, suppliers, Special Educational Needs (SEN) agencies and Social Services.
Other outside agencies (Police, health services etc).
6. / DECISIONS – discretion & consequences
Management / prioritisation of own workload and of that of others, delegating work as appropriate.
Negotiation, problem solving, giving advice and seeking information.
Working without close supervision and dealing with issues which will not be subject to established procedures, practices and routines.
Use judgement to design, develop and implement modification / variations to processes and working arrangements, to improve the quality of the work of the team.
Uses discretion when responding to enquiries so as not to commit any breaches of confidentiality.
Responsibility for the recruitment and selection of other school admin staff.
The role the jobholder undertakes can have a significant effect on the staff morale and efficiency of the operation of the department and the service it provides.
7. / RESOURCES – financial & equipment
(Not budget, and not including desktop equipment.)
Description (Value)
Normal Office Equipment, responsible for the accurate handling and security of smaller sums of cash and cheques.
8. / WORK ENVIRONMENT – work demands, physical demands, working conditions & work context

Work Demands

Elements of job predictable others unpredictable. Required to work to deadlines set by external organisations or LA.
Physical Demands,
This role is largely office bound but sometimes involves moving around the school premises.

Working Conditions

No unpleasant working conditions. Normal office environment.
Work Context
There may be a risk of abuse from some pupils / parents and a risk from contagious illnesses.
9. / KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS
Computer literacy, numerate, typing/secretarial skills
A good understanding of a number of routine administrative work procedures and always seeks to improve existing practices.
Knowledge of a range of computer software packages including schools MIS.
Ability to work under pressure to deadlines.
Knowledge of Health and Safety issues
Ability to input, understand and present data.
Excellent communication skills at all levels.
Requires persuasive, influencing skills for dealing with staff, governors, and external contractors
Ability to supervise, train and induct staff and prioritise their work.
Ability to give clear, accurate advice.
Understanding of SEN and child protection issues.
A pro-active record of CPD.
10. / Position of Job in Organisation Structure
Job Reports to:
Office Manager

THIS JOB / Other jobs at this level:
None

Jobs reporting up to this one:
Invigilators, Achievement Admin Assistant

*Please Note: Annual Leave Entitlement and Salary for Term-time Only Employees

Term Time only employees do not have an entitlement to take annual leave during term. Instead, Term Time only employees receive a compensation payment for annual leave in their salary calculation as their annual leave is taken during school holidays.

As a term time only employee you receive 4 weeks additional pay over the course of the year (rising to 5 weeks after 5 years continuous service) as payment for annual leave.

Total salary for Term Time only employees equates to Term Time (40 weeks) + Holiday Pay (4 weeks) totalling 44 weeks for the above post (rising to 45 weeks after 5 years continuous service with CYC). Annual salary is paid in 12 equal monthly instalments throughout the year.