St MargaretClitherowRomanCatholicPrimary School

Monkswood Lane, Stevenage, Herts. SG2 8QJ

Tel: 01438 352863

APPLICATION PACK FOR

DEPUTY HEADTEACHER

Jesus lives in us, our families, our school, our Church, our world. Jesus is our guide, let us follow Him

Table of Contents

Letter from Chair of Governors and Headteacher …………...………..…………….4

Our School and our vision statement……………………………………..…………...5

What we are looking for and what we can offer you………….……….…………….6

Person Specification………………………………………………………..……………..7

Job Description…………………………………………………………….……………..11

Safeguarding Statement………………………………………………………………...13

Financial Information…………………………………………………………………….15

Application and Selection Process……………………………………………………16

ST MARGARETCLITHEROWROMANCATHOLICPRIMARY SCHOOL

Monkswood Lane (off Monkswood Way) Stevenage Herts SG2 8QJ

Letter from Chair of Governors and Headteacher

DearApplicant

Thank you for your interest in the position of Deputy Headteacher at our school, to start in January 2018.

We hope you find the information included in this pack useful. Should you require more information about our school, please visit our website have a look at our blog at

We warmly invite you to visit our school. Please contact Maria Streeter, School Secretary, on 01438 352863 to arrange a suitable time.

On behalf of the Governing Body of St Margaret Clitherow School, we thankyou for your interest in our school and look forward to receiving your application.

With best wishes,

Sally CurtisCarmela Puccio

Chair of GovernorsHeadteacher

Our school and our vision statement

We have a modern building, well resourced classrooms, very well behaved children and a happy working environment. Ofsted (March 2013) judged the school to be Outstanding in all areas. Our Diocesan Sec48 Inspection (May 2014) judged the school to be 1* Outstanding in all areas too! We are a Catholic, Voluntary Aided school. The school has 236 pupils on roll aged between 3 - 11 years. The school is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

Our school vision was updated following consultation with parents and pupils and a blue sky thinking workshop with Governors:

“St Margaret Clitherow School aims to offer pupils a rich, diverse and creative curriculum, enhanced through extra-curricular opportunities, both indoors & outdoors. The school will encourage the use of new technologies, as well as traditionalskillsto maximise the development of learning power in a Catholic environment. We will encourage pupils to make choices in their learning and aim to empower parents to assist in these choices at every stage on the educational journey, recognising everyone as a learner.”

As such our key drivers for action are to:

Sustain the Catholic Identity and Ethos of the school and support the faith journey of all pupils;

Maximise potential progress and achievement for all pupils through provision which ensures at least good and often outstanding learning and teaching, monitoring and feedback, leading to sustained high rates of progress and consistently high standards;

Enjoy and achieve through the development of a creative approach to the curriculum which builds learning power and makes appropriate links between subjects whilst maintaining progression in key subject skills, using innovative ICT to deliver and inspire learning, providing effective feedback between all members of the school community, staff, governors and parents;

Sustain and develop a safe and comfortable outstanding learning environment which is conducive to effective and creative learning and teaching and which maximises the opportunities for learning indoors and outdoors;

Promote community cohesion and celebrate the diversity of our school community, ensuring equality for all;

Promote children’s emotional and mental health wellbeing that enables them to be resilient when they encounter problems and challenges.

We are looking for a Deputy Headteacher who will:

  • Be a practising Catholic, committed to excellence in Catholic education
  • Be an outstanding classroom practitioner and exceptional role model, committed to developing the full potential of every child and have high expectations of achievement and behaviour
  • Have proven leadership and management experience at Key Stage or Deputy Headteacher level
  • Inspire and coach colleagues to work at their best, sustaining outstanding learning behaviours throughout the school
  • Be able to think strategically, working effectively in partnership with all members of the school community
  • Take a full and active role in all aspects of school life
  • Be a reflective leader, positive about change and willing to take calculated risks
  • Have a 0.5fte teaching commitment within the school.

In return for your commitment to sustaining an outstanding education for our young learners, we can offer you:

  • A vibrant school community, rooted in faith
  • A warm welcome from supportive parents and strong links with the parish community
  • Dedicated, caring, hardworking and enthusiastic staff
  • Confident, well-behaved children, committed to developing excellent learning behaviours
  • A loving school with a stimulating indoor and outdoor learning environment
  • A knowledgeable, supportive and pro-active governing body, with a firm commitment to your professional development and future career
  • A school iPad to support teaching and learning.


Person Specification

Essential / Desirable
Catholic purpose and identity of the school / Practising Catholic, committed to excellence in Catholic Education
Being able to articulate the distinctive nature and purpose of Catholic education and be committed to developing the Catholic ethos of the school
Understanding of the leadership role in the spiritual development of pupils and staff / Experience in leading Acts of Worship
Experience of working in a Catholic school
Qualifications / First degree/teaching certificate and QTS
Evidence of sustained, continuous development
Minimum ‘B’ grade in GCE/GCSE maths and English / Hold the Catholic Certificate in Religious Studies or equivalent
Recent professional development relevant to senior management
Higher relevant degree (e.g. MA)
Experience / At least five years varied teaching experience within the Primary Sector
Leadership and management of a core area of the curriculum or of multiple foundation areas
Extensive knowledge of the National Curriculum, RE and its assessment
Evidence of commitment to ensuring good and outstanding progress / Teaching experience within a Catholic primary school
Teaching experience across more than one Key Stage within the Primary Sector
Leadership and management of Religious Education within a Catholic school
Professional Development / Demonstrate a commitment to continuing professional development relating to Catholic ethos, mission and religious education
Have evidence of continuing professional development relating to school leadership, management and curriculum development
Evidence of taking control of own professional development / Have experience of working with other schools /organisations/agencies
Have experience of leading professional development opportunities
Teaching and Learning / Understand the Catholic curriculum and the requirements of the RE Curriculum Directory
Be an outstanding classroom practitioner committed to developing the full potential of every child
Have high expectations of achievement and behaviour
Have experience of using and developing a range of teaching strategies to meet the needs of all pupils
Have an understanding of schools’ statutory responsibilities regarding all children, including the needs and care of pupils with SEND
Be committed to equal opportunities
Sustain effective learning behaviours throughout the school / Have shared outstanding practice with colleagues within and beyond school
A particular teaching skill or expertise that would benefit the school
Leadership and Management / Have proven leadership and management experience at Key stage level
Be able to think strategically, working effectively in partnership with all members of the school community
Understand current educational issues
Be involved in whole school strategic planning/policy development and implementation
Have the ability to build and lead an effective team and to hold people to account for their role within the team
Have experience of effectively managing staff performance and supporting professional development / Have proven leadership and management experience at Deputy Headteacher level
Knowledgeable about budget and financial planning
Skills and Abilities / Is able to inspire, challenge, motivate and empower colleagues to work at their best in order to improve teaching and learning
Is innovative, flexible, creative and open to change and new ideas
Is able to analyse and interpret school performance data
Has the ability to communicate effectively all members of the school community
Has excellent organisational and time management skills
Is confident in the use of ICT
Can demonstrate confidence to act on their initiative
Can demonstrate the ability to build, maintain and develop effective to relationships with pupils, staff and governors
Personal Qualities / Be a reflective leader, positive about change and willing to take calculated risks
Is positive, enthusiastic, dedicated and has a sense of humour
Is a reflective learner who sets high expectations for themselves, pupils and staff
Is able to maintain confidentiality
Has a commitment to personal and professional development
Is able to live out our mission statement at all times and takes a full and active role in all aspects of school life
References / Has a positive and supportive faith reference from the Parish Priest where they regularly worship
Has positive recommendations in professional references
Has a good health and attendance record
Safeguarding / Has an enhanced DBS check
Works with a child centered approach considering children’s best interest at all times
Supports an ethos whereby safeguarding runs through every part of the school and where all staff are highly vigilant and understand their roles and responsibilities in relation to safeguarding / Has experience of Child Protection / Safeguarding Level 2 Training
Has acted as a DSL or DDSL


Job Description

Key Areas of Responsibility

1 Catholic Purpose and Identity of the School

2 Leadership in Catholic Education

3 Strategic Direction and Development of the School

4 Teaching and Learning

5 Leadership and Management

6 Strengthening Community Links

  1. Catholic Purpose and Identity of the School
  • St Margaret Clitherow School was founded by and is part of the Catholic Church. The school is one of the means through which the Church’s educative mission is fulfilled and is therefore to be conducted as a Catholic school in accordance with Canon Law, the teachings of the Roman Catholic Church and the Trust Deed of the Diocese of Westminster.
  • The Deputy Headteacher must understand the nature and purpose of Catholic education and know that it is their first responsibility to support the Headteacher to sustain the Catholic identity of the school and safeguard the teaching of the Church.
  • The Deputy Headteacher must ensure that the Catholic identity of the school is reflected in every aspect of school life. This duty provides the context for the proper discharge of all other duties and responsibilities.
  1. Leadership in Catholic Education
  • Alongside the Headteacher, the Deputy Headteacher shares responsibility for the leadership of a Catholic education community. The role requires an insight and vision of the development of a Catholic primary school. Each Catholic Deputy Headteacher has responsibility to develop their own understanding of this leadership role.
  • The Deputy Headteacher must support the Headteacher in providing professional leadership for the school to create, consolidate and further develop an evangelising, catechetical and educational community as reflected in the school’s Mission Statement and the School Plan.
  1. Strategic Direction and Development of the School

To work with the Headteacher:

  • To ensure the Catholic Vision for the school is clearly articulated, shared, understood and lived out effectively by all
  • To contribute to and lead on the implementation of the School Plan and to communicate its objectives to staff and Governors
  • To contribute to effective organisational and administrative systems which support the aims of the school
  • To develop, implement and evaluate policies and practices which reflect the school’s commitment to high achievement and is consistent with national and local strategies and policies
  1. Teaching and Learning
  • To be an excellent role model through the pursuit of excellence as a teacher in a Catholic school
  • To ensure that the spiritual development of individuals is given clear focus and assistance through the prayer life, religious education curriculum and liturgy of the school
  • To consolidate and develop the quality of teaching, learning and pupil’s achievement, setting high expectations and monitoring and evaluating learning outcomes
  • To monitor and evaluate the standards of teaching and learning, ensuring that outstanding outcomes are sustained
  • To provide professional leadership and innovative pedagogy to enhance and extend the learning experience of pupils and staff
  • To promote high standards of behaviour by encouraging children to be resilient, resourceful, reflective and reciprocal in their approach to life, learning and challenges
  • To create and maintain an effective partnership with parents to improve children’s achievement and personal and social development
  1. Leadership and Management

To deputise in the absence of the Headteacher and to work with the Headteacher to lead, motivate, support, challenge and develop staff:

  • To share in the leadership of the school in the Leadership Team and to recognise and support the potential for leadership in others
  • To plan, allocate, support and evaluate the work undertaken by teaching and support staff
  • To lead staff in the development of teaching and learning methods and strategies and undertake coaching and mentoring to enhance performance
  • To manage and organise the school environment efficiently and effectively to ensure that it meets the needs of the curriculum, health and safety regulations and reflects the distinctive characteristics of Catholic Education
  • To build a professional learning community which enables others to achieve the highest standards
  • To maintain effective channels of communication to assist in the smooth running of the school
  1. Strengthening community links

To work with the Headteacher:

  • To sustain a school culture and ethos which is rooted in the richness and diversity of the school’s community and the Catholic Christian faith
  • To work collaboratively with parents and carers, Governors, Parishes, Diocese of Westminster and Local Authority
  • To provide information and support to the Governing Body to enable it to meet its responsibilities
  • To ensure that parents and pupils are kept informed about the curriculum, attainment and progress and are able to understand and contribute to targets for improvement
  • To share effective practice, working in partnership with other schools

The Deputy Headteacher will have a0.5fte teaching commitment within the school.

The duties above are neither exclusive nor exhaustive. The post-holder may be required by the Headteacher to carry out appropriate duties within the context of the job, skills and grade. The post-holder will be expected to operate under the current School Teachers Pay and Conditions of Service Document.

Safeguarding Statement

At St Margaret Clitherow Roman Catholic Primary School we are committed to safeguarding our children. We expect all staff, volunteers, governors and parents to share our commitment; we have policies, procedures, and training in place to ensure this. All polices are reviewed annually.

Policies relating to Safeguarding include:

  • Anti-Bullying
  • Attendance
  • Behaviour
  • Child Protection
  • Child looked after
  • Complaints
  • Curriculum
  • Drugs and substance misuse
  • Equality and diversity
  • eSafety
  • Health and Safety
  • Physical Intervention
  • Safer Recruitment
  • Sex and Relationships Education
  • Staff code of conduct
  • Whistle Blowing

All policies are available on the school websiteor from the school office.

From July 1st 2015 all schools, registered early years childcare providers and registered later years childcare providers are subject to a duty under section 26 of the Counter Terrorism and Security Act 2015,to have “due regard to the need to prevent people from being drawn into terrorism’ This is known as the Prevent duty. At St Margaret Clitherow School we actively support the Government's Prevent Agenda to counter radicalism and extremism.The Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) and Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead (DDSL) and designated Safeguarding Governor have all undertaken PREVENT training.

All members of staff and volunteers will have access to whole school safeguarding training at least every three years. We will also, as part of our induction for both staff and volunteers, issue information in relation to safeguarding and any policy related to safeguarding.

Our DSL, DDSL and DSP will undertake further safeguarding training in addition to the whole school training. This will be undertaken at least every two years and aims to update their awareness and understanding of the impact of the wide agenda of safeguarding issues. This will support the DSL, DDSL and DSP to be able to better undertake their role and support the school in ensuring our safeguarding arrangements are robust and achieve better outcomes for the pupils in our school. This includes taking part in multi-agency training in addition to safeguarding training.

Our Governing body have access to safeguarding training and our Named Governor for Safeguarding has also undertaken additional training to aid in their safeguarding role.

Our safeguarding arrangements are reported on at every Full Governing Body meeting and our Safeguarding Statement is reviewed annually, in order to keep it updated in line with local and national guidance/legislation.

The named Safeguarding Governor and Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) meet regularly in order to discuss any issues relating to safeguarding. A Safeguarding checklist is completed annually as part of their safeguarding duty. In addition, a Safeguarding Report as required by the Local Authority, is completed and submitted to the Local Authority. Both of these documents are shared with the Full Governing Body.

The School understands the importance of Safer Recruitment. As such will always ensure at least one member of the interview panel is accredited with Safer Recruitment training, ensuring that Safer Recruitment guidelines are followed.