Appointment
Information Pack
Vacancy / Head of Student Services (Lead Behaviour Professional)Location / New Horizons School
Start date / 1st September 2017
Closing date & time / 23rd June 2017 – 9am
Salary range / £30,334 - £33,583
Return application to /
Recruitment timetable
Closing date: 23rd June 2017 at 9am
Interviews: Monday 26th June 2017 (all day)
New Horizons details
Address / New Horizons School,Fallowfield Grove
Padgate, Warrington
WA2 0QQ
Telephone / 01925 818516
Email /
Website / www.newhorizonsap.org.uk
· Letter from the Headteacher
· In and around Warrington
· How to find us
· Job Description and Person Specification
· The selection process
Additional documents
- Vision statement
- School Charter
- Information before making an application
- Latest Ofsted Report
Welcome from New Horizons School
Dear Applicant,
Thank you for your interest in the post of Head of Student Services at New Horizons School. I would like to take this opportunity to tell you a little about our school. New Horizons is currently a Pupil Referral Unit/service which is rapidly expanding. Our latest OFSTED inspection in September 2013 culminated in a grading of ‘Good’ with exceptional features at our Vulnerable/Medical Pupils Site. Many of our students have not responded well to the larger secondary school environment and require an alternative and creative approach to education. New Horizons alternative schooling educates all of its students “A Mind at a Time.” Our approach is based upon the latest academic research related to engaging the most disengaged students through education and neuroscientific approaches.
New Horizons is continuing to develop a curriculum which focusses upon subjects/qualifications as well as the attitudes and skills required for socialisation and effective progression. Underlining this, and unique to the school will be outstanding personal support for pupils based upon sophisticated emotional/behaviour management. We have high expectations of what students can achieve and set demanding targets related to subjects, skills behaviour and attendance
Progress is closely monitored against targets and goals on a very regular basis and we are confident that we know how best to track students and, where necessary, intervene. However, we not only expect the best from students, we also expect the best from ourselves as we too set ourselves challenging targets. This commitment to securing the very best pupil outcomes in spite of any learning barriers defines our approach and our ethos.
One of the key reasons for New Horizons’ success thus far has been collaboration with schools and families. In addition, it’s adaptable approach and the ability to think about education for the most vulnerable in a creative way.
The role of Head of Student Services is key to the success of the school and this post will provide excellent developmental opportunities. The post holder will be instrumental in supporting, pastorally, the specific needs of our vulnerable learners and ensure a multi- agency holistic approach is employed to give all our children the chance to succeed. They will play a significant role in the development of the school and will have the opportunity to shape the role and make a huge impact for the benefit of our pupils and the wider Warrington community.
This post is not for just anyone. We are looking for a creative experienced and knowledgeable professional who has had relevant experience at middle leadership level and has the skills to develop and work with complex people and complex educational issues.
I would strongly recommend that you come to visit us in order to gain insight into the deeply rewarding career that working with our pupils and staff has to offer.
Kind regards
Karen Thomson
Headteacher
About Warrington
The pleasant town of Warrington is located in Cheshire on the banks of the River Mersey. It has always been a busy town because of its position on the river, and has been ever since it was founded in the Roman era. The town has seen its fair share of history; the walls of the parish church are pit-marked with dents from civil war cannons. Plus, Oliver Cromwell was said to have stayed near the town centre during the war. Warrington is now a bustling new town that boasts a number of attractions and sites.
Warrington has excellent rail and road links not only to Manchester and Liverpool (with their theatres, museums, restaurants and shops) but it is also only an hour away from the Lake District in the North or Peak District to the East. The M62 and M56 motorways also link to both Manchester and Liverpool airports within 20 minutes’ drive.
Warrington itself boasts a number of shops and boutiques for visitors and locals alike to stock up on clothes, gifts and food. There are a number of shops throughout the town, especially along the high street. One of the best places for shopping in Warrington is the Golden Square shopping Centre. It has a number of shops, including major high street stores, such as H&M, Marks and Spencer’s, Primark and Debenhams. There are also a number of smaller, local shops that offer great, unique items.
The town offers the choice of many restaurants, including ASK, Nandos and Grill on the Square or pick up a coffee at one of the many outlets.
Located conveniently in the town centre, Warrington Market has over 200 stalls offering a range of products including clothing and fresh food. There are also a number of items produced by local crafts people.
Warrington offers a number of activities for all the family such as:
§ LA Bowl – Situated on Winwick Quay, LA Bowl provides you with the chance to have a fun game of bowling with friends or family. As well as bowling, there is also a karaoke bar and dodgems to keep everyone amused. Plus, there’s a bar and restaurant so you can eat while you play.
§ Cinema – There is an Odeon cinema situated in the Westbrook Centre in Warrington. The chain cinema has several screens and shows all the new releases. Perfect if you fancy catching a film.
§ Gulliver’s World – A great family day out, Gulliver’s world is a theme park near the town. It has over 90 rides and experiences that suit all ages.
§ Speed karting Warrington – This go-karting facility has the largest indoor go-karting circuit in the UK. It’s ideal for children and adults alike and has a three story multi-level go-karting area.
§ Warrington Museum & Art Gallery – The museum has over 200,000 objects and art to see so it will keep you pretty busy. It’s also great for kids as there is an interactive Time Tunnel for them to enjoy.
§ Walton Hall and Gardens – This Elizabethan style hall is situated in award winning gardens which are open to the public. They’re ideal to visit at any time of year but particularly the summer when the weather is good
Warrington is a pleasant place to live and work, with housing of all descriptions and access to many kinds of sporting and leisure activities.
LOCATION
New Horizons School
Fallowfield Grove, Padgate, Warrington WA2 0QQ
Tel: 01925 818516
JOB DESCRIPTION & PERSON SPECIFICATION
JOB TITLE / Head of Student Services (Lead Behaviour Professional)GRADE / Grade 9
LOCATION OF WORK / New Horizons AP School
RESPONSIBLE TO / Deputy Head teacher/Head of Pastoral care
HOURS OF DUTY / 37 hours – Term Time + 2 Weeks
SCOPE OF THE JOB
The Head of Student Services is a specialist leader within the school and will link directly with all referring schools (40+)/commissioners, agencies and families. In all aspects the post holder must actively seek to promote the educational aims and ethos of this specialist alternative school. The post holder will work closely with the Deputy Headteacher in securing quality placements and outcomes which close gaps in the educational achievement and additional needs of our vulnerable students/families. The post holder is responsible for leading student services and contributing to the development of whole school improvement in the area of pastoral support and behaviour on a day to day basis.
(Please see attached – Lead behaviour professional standards)
JOB OVERVIEW
To lead, manage and monitor:
1. Safeguarding: Supporting the Designated Safeguarding Lead in all matters related to strategy, policy, operations, meetings, reports and multi-agency planning
2. Attendance systems: Supporting the Head of Pastoral Care in school priorities related to improving attendance and associated indicators for New Horizons and within referring schools/commissioners
3. Vulnerable families/community links: Development of a parenting improvement strategy working closely with communities/social care and associated agencies
4. Admissions/inductions: To oversee admissions of pupils, directing appropriate pastoral staff re processes
KEY TASKS AND ACCOUNTABILITIES
· To be an outstanding practitioner
· Have a strong, secure knowledge and understanding of safeguarding, pastoral systems and the “think family/early help” approach to closing exclusion and achievement gaps
· To operationally support the DSL with safeguarding issues and direct staff/schools accordingly under the strategic direction of the DSL, referring to first response as required
· To represent the school/cases at external meetings with regard to troubled families, safer communities and liaise with external partners as appropriate
· To lead on common assessment framework procedures, act as CAF champion/trainer (E CAF system)
· Under the guidance of the DSL liaise with agencies putting packages of support and action plans in place as appropriate
· To have responsibility for the coordination of referrals to external agencies including MARAC, Prevent, LA Safeguarding Officers, youth offending service
· Lead and manage pastoral and therapeutic mentors/pupil support assistants
· To support the Head of Pastoral Care with school priorities related to behaviour and safety.
· To lead parenting development and external liaison with schools across the borough
· To lead the school’s admissions, inductions and reintegration processes
· To attend and/or ensure representation at all meetings related to vulnerable pupils, attendance and safeguarding (inc PEP meetings) and produce/ensure required reports are available
· Work closely and collaboratively with all staff in the school and across referring schools to support safeguarding and attendance improvement for referred pupils and families
· Be passionate about raising skills and engagement of the most vulnerable pupils
· Have the ability to inspire and enthuse pupils and staff to overcome barriers and achieve their full potential
· Be expected to meet the challenge of delivering the above to all pupils
· Be committed to the New Horizons ethos of high expectations and achievement for all
· Ensure that parents and other stakeholders are well informed about the progress of pupils
Leading the New Horizons specialist Pastoral Team (pastoral and behaviour improvement offer)
● To lead (and monitor) the pastoral and therapeutic support team (Pastoral Support officer, Youth Support Officer and Behaviour and Attendance mentor) ensuring they are working to support school key performance indicators (attendance, exclusions, behaviour) and related priorities.
● To allocate duties and oversee operational systems to which the pastoral and therapeutic support team work.
● To provide direction and support for the pastoral and therapeutic support team where necessary.
● To host regular team meetings with all members of the pastoral and therapeutic team.
● To oversee professional standards of the pastoral and therapeutic support team
● To oversee recruitment of new members of the pastoral and therapeutic team
GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES
Management and Administration
To play a critical role in the life of the school, by providing a role model for behaviour improvement and teaching and learning; by making a distinctive contribution to the raising of pupil standards and contribute effectively to the work of the wider team and by taking advantage of appropriate opportunities for professional development and use the outcomes effectively to improve pupils’ learning. Also including:
1. Line management and monitoring of specific staff
2. Ensuring support staff maintain relevant pupil progress data
3. Enabling the maintenance of good order in the school by supporting staff in the use of the behaviour policy.
Maintenance of Professional Standards
1. Keep yourself fully appraised and aware of educational and other appropriate developments whether national or local, and assess their impact on the School, and the area for which you are responsible;
2. Ensure the highest standards of professional conduct and confidentiality at all times, and in particular when with other staff of the School;
3. Ensure the development and maintenance of a team culture that enables all members of the Leadership Team to be effective in their respective roles;
4. Ensure the development and maintenance of a collaborative culture which demonstrates loyalty and integrity towards school leaders.
General Responsibilities
● To work consistently to uphold school’s aims
● To work in a co-operative and appropriate manner with all stakeholders
● To work with pupils and parents in a courteous, positive, caring and responsible manner at all times
● To work with visitors to the school in such a way that it enhances the reputation of the school
● To seek to improve the quality of the school’s service
● To present oneself in a professional way that is consistent with the values and expectations of the school
● Comply with policies and procedures relating to child protection, health, safety and welfare, confidentiality and data protection, safeguarding, reporting all concerns to an appropriate person
● Be aware of and support difference and ensure equal opportunities for all
● Contribute to the overall ethos/work/aims of the school
● To act as an ambassador of New Horizons AP
Other Duties and Responsibilities