New Silksworth Academy

Assistant Headteacher

Application pack

Dear Applicant,

Thank you for taking the time to look through the following information about our school. We very much look forward to hearing from you as you progress your interest in the post to an application.

We believe that a visit to our school is essential. For more details please contact the school office on 0191 5536230 or via

Kind regards,

Richard Gartland

Headteacher

Contents

  1. School vision
  2. Person summary
  3. Job description
  4. Person specification

‘Alliance Ambition Achievement’

New Silksworth Academy is an exciting, newly formed partnership between New Silksworth Infant Academy and New Silksworth Junior Academy working within the Extol Academy Trust.

At New Silksworth Academy staff are committed to helping each pupil achieve his or her full potential personally, academically and socially, and to equip them with the skills, qualifications and love of learning that they will need to be successful in their next stage of schooling and the world they will join as adults.

At New Silksworth Academy we ensure that every child is happy, safe and is able to learn successfully in a supportive, vibrant environment. We are a learning organisation, not only for our pupils, but also for every member of staff. It is only appropriate within a school setting that staff should model the importance we place upon learning and so our staff attend regular professional development sessions and are committed to the continued development of their skills and knowledge. Excellent teaching is at the heart of our approach and we work in partnership within the Extol Academy Trust where each school can celebrate and recognise each other’sstrengths and learn with, and from, each other.

New Silksworth Academy was formed on 1st September 2016and it is our mission to ensure that all pupils educated within the Academy fulfil their potential and leave our schools fully equipped with the qualifications, skills and personal attributes to be successful in whatever they wish to do.

We know that young people only have one chance at an education and so we ensure that this is of the very highest standard.

Richard Gartland

Headteacher

As New Silksworth Academy develops,we seek to appoint excellent teachers and innovative leaders to form our newly structured senior leadership team, comprising Headteacher, Deputy Headteacher and two Assistant Headteachers. Whilst this post does have a class teacher responsibility the positionwill have non-class basedleadership time.

Grade: L3 – L7

Salary: £ 40,958 - £45,289

Extol Academy Trust believes all academies in the Trust should retain individual autonomy whilst coaching each other towards the best possible practice. The successful candidate will:

  • Have a track record of effective teaching.
  • Work with the existing leadership team to lead a skilful and enthusiastic team of teachers across the Trust.
  • Have the opportunity to share expertise, experience and enthusiasms gleaned from his or her career to date.
  • Have a current school role where you demonstrate the ability to lead and work with others to manage change and shape future school improvement.
  • Be interested in being an influential part of an innovative academy Trust.

Closing date for applications:Friday 21st April 2017

Interviews will be held:Friday 5th May 2017

Please email completed application forms to:

or by post to:

Kath Ibinson
Business Manager
New Silksworth Academy
Blind Lane
New Silksworth
Sunderland
SR3 1AS

The post will commence in September 2017.

The school is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people.

JOBDESCRIPTION

Status of Post

This is a senior post within the school’s staffing structure, which carries with it membership of the Leadership Group. This post holder is accountable to the Headteacher. In addition, you will be required to fulfil any reasonable expectations from the Headteacher. The post will require you to work in partnership with the Headteacher, Deputy Headteacher, Trust Board, LGB and staff to ensure the continuous improvement of the school and partner schools.

Main purpose of the job

  • Carry out the duties of this post in line with the remit outlined in the current School Teachers’ Pay and Conditions Document including the conditions of employment for AssistantHeadteachersand the Trust’s own policy
  • Under the overall direction of the Headteacher play a lead role:
  • in formulating the aims, objectives of the schools and establishing the policies through which they are to be achieved
  • be responsible for the standards and curriculum of pupils within a specific phase including monitoring of progress towards achievement
  • proactively manage staff and resources with a team
  • Carry out the professional duties of a teacher as required
  • Take responsibility for promoting and safeguarding the welfare of children and young people within the specific phase
  • Act as an advocate for Extol Academy Trust

Key tasks of the AHT

Shaping the Future

  • Support the Headteacher, Deputy Headteacher and governors in promoting and developing a vision for the future of the school; demonstrating inspirational leadership and creativity
  • Play a role in the school improvement planning process, taking account of the agreed priorities of the school and reflecting specifically on personal areas of responsibility
  • Contribute to the identification of key areas of strength and weakness in the specific phasewith detailed reflection on day to day working knowledge of the school’s policies and practices
  • Exemplify the application of agreed policies, priorities and expectations, so as to set an outstanding example to other colleagues
  • Develop and enhance a culture of team work, in which views of members of the school community are valued and taken into account

As a school improvement lead

  • Play a key role, alongside the Headteacher and Deputy Headteacher in the monitoring of pupil, staff performance within identified phase.
  • Take an active part in school self-evaluation, the writing and reviewing of the schools SEF and the development of the Securing Improvement Plan.
  • Lead key areas of the Securing Improvement Plan. This will include:
  • Development and monitoring of phase
  • Policy development
  • Teacher and Support Staff performance management
  • Lead on a whole school area

As a member of the SLT

  • As part of the leadership team maintain a high profile as an example of best and leading practice. Bringing out the potential for leadership in others, stimulating colleagues with a positive, active and supportive attitude.
  • To challenge and support all others in developing professionally both formally and informally.
  • To work alongside the Headteacherand Deputy Headteacher to use a range of data sources to set realistic yet challenging targets for pupils within phase.
  • Present an accurate and coherent account of the Phase’s performance to a range of audiences.
  • Develop positive working relationships with pupils, staff, parents and governors, and be prepared to give feedback about their views and needs to the SLT.
  • Collaborate with others in the organisation of whole school events.
  • Undertake other reasonable duties related to day to day admin and organisation of the school as requested by the Headteacher.

Leading Learning and Teaching

  • Maintain a high profile as an example of best and leading practice within the classroom and foster the high expectations to which the school continually aspires.
  • To monitor whole Phase assessment in conjunction with the Headteacher.
  • With the Headteacher and Deputy Headteacher, be involved in monitoring, evaluating and challenging the quality of teaching and learning taking place within the specified Phase.
  • Share responsibility for the analysis of performance data, to ensure priorities are appropriate and improvement in standards is promoted within Phase.
  • Contribute to the development of effective timetabling, which meets and responds to the needs of pupils within the statutory frameworks and the resources available.
  • Coach and develop staff within specified Phase to maximise impact on effective teaching and learning.
  • Actively include pupils to further enhance their learning opportunities and personal development.
  • Support the target setting process; including statutory procedures and targets for individuals and groups within specified Phase.
  • Implement strategies to promote high standards of behaviour.
  • Seek to develop and enhance a broad and rich curriculum which meets the needs of the range of pupils within specified Phase.
  • Monitor and evaluate outcomes achieved from classroom practice.
  • Lead development of a core area within the school to ensure high quality teaching which support high standards.
  • To demonstrate a commitment to positive behaviour management throughout the school acting as a restorative practice facilitator.

Developing self and managing others

  • Contribute to the creation of a positive school ethos, in which every individual is treated with dignity and respect and promote safeguarding to ensure the welfare of children and young people is paramount.
  • Make a distinctive contribution to the wider school team and continued development of New Silksworth Academy
  • Contribute to the development of collaborative approaches to learning within the school, specified Phase and partner schools.
  • Monitor the effectiveness of colleagues’ teaching and wider professional impact and report the evaluation to the Headteacher and Deputy Headteacher.
  • Lead, manage and organise meetings as appropriate in support of the school’s aims.
  • Set high expectations for your own performance and that of others.
  • Engage in relevant professional development activity as necessary.

Strengthening Community

  • Support the development of the school within the community; strengthening partnerships with other schools and services thus enhancing community cohesion
  • Respond to an understanding of the diversity of the school community.
  • Contribute to policies and practices which promote equality of opportunity and tackle prejudice.
  • Evaluate and enhance the development of a curriculum which provides pupils with opportunities to enhance their learning within the wider community.
  • Promote and model good relationships with parents, which are based on partnerships to support and improve pupils’ achievement, involving parents as true partners in the education of their children

Person Specification
Essential / Desirable
Education /training /
  • Qualified teacher status
  • Educated to degree level
  • Middle Leadership course attendance within past two years; i.e. MLDP, Teaching Leaders
/
  • Evidence of personal commitment to continuous professional development

Relevant Experience /
  • Excellent and effective class teacher with a minimum of five years’ experience within the primary age range
  • Experience of teaching in at least two schools.
  • Substantial knowledge and understanding of learning and teaching within the primary age range.
  • Experience of a leadership role.
  • Evidence of leading and managing change.
  • Hold post of responsibility within the school.
  • Experience of being a role model for other staff in teaching within the school.
  • Experience of monitoring and giving feedback to colleagues, including observation of teaching resulting in an improved outcome.
  • Clear understanding and detailed knowledge of either EYFS, KS1 and KS2 current curriculum and assessment requirements.
  • Successful leadership of a team of staff.
  • Evidence of strong professional subject knowledge and knowledge of current research.
/
  • Experience of working with school governors.
  • Awareness of the additional opportunities and challenges of Academy status.
  • Experience of effectively managing staff performance and support performance development.
  • Ability to recommend school practices to improve teaching.
  • Evidence of the development of policy or curriculum schemes

Relevant Aptitude /
  • Is approachable, trustworthy, optimistic and enthusiastic.
  • Excellent organisational skills and time management skills.
  • Proven ability to motivate, inspire and manage whole school.
  • Experience of planning and leading CPD within a team.
  • Successful experience in setting, implementing and forming action plans.
  • Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
  • Ability to develop positive working relationships with pupils, parents, staff and governors.
/
  • An understanding of the skills and attributes involved in effective leadership
  • Successful experience in reporting to and working with governors