Dear Applicant

Firstly, we would like to thank you for your interest in applying for a position in our Academy. We hope that this letter will help to provide you with enough information alongside the job description to make an application.

Hartsdown Academy is an inclusive co-educational academy for students of all abilities from 11-18 located in Kent, known at the ‘Garden of England’ we are close to some of the most picturesque beaches in southern England. Having the ‘Best of both worlds’, you can also sample country life in the villages surrounding Canterbury or the mediaeval town of Sandwich, whilst still only being 25 minutes’ drive from the ‘White Cliffs of Dover’ where the ferry crossing to France is only 90 minutes away.

Our vision and ethos for Hartsdown Academy is as follows:

“Education for an amazing life”

Why: Our drivers

  • We believe that education is the key to a successful and fulfilled life
  • We believe that success is determined by effort and character
  • We believe that education is more than exams it is about the character and skills to be a curious and internationally minded citizen who loves learning and wants to improve the world
  • We believe that a great school changes lives

What

A school where all (staff and students) are:

  • Are celebrated
  • Supported to be the best that they can be
  • Are stretched and challenged so that they thrive

A school where all students:

  • Achieve the examination results to go on to university or apprenticeships
  • Learn character, resilience and curiosity

Core Values

We call our core values ‘The Hartsdown Way’. It comprises the word ‘Strive’

Strive (verb) to make great efforts to achieve something, to struggle or fight vigorously.

  • Scholarship we value high attainment and aim for mastery for all students
  • Teamwork we are one community, one team working to the same end
  • Resilience whatever it takes, we don’t give up
  • Integrity we show character: respect, honesty, kindness
  • Vision seeing ourselves as part of something bigger, a belief that our life has meaning and value. Asking the question where am I heading and what difference do I want to make
  • Excellence we aim for excellence in everything we do no excuses!

Hartsdown forms part of EKLA (East Kent Learning Alliance) from which we achieved Teaching School Status and we hold regular training sessions both within our own academy as well as across Kent sharing good practice, this is certainly seen with our ‘Open Door Policy’ which is evident when you walk around our academy of the good learning and practice which is taking place.

Hartsdown is also part of the Coastal Academies Trust (CAT) which is is a group of schools in the Thanet area that have joined together as a company to provide an excellent education for young people in this area.

Please take time to peruse around our website as this will also highlight the fantastic strides that Hartsdown is making both within our own school committee and the local communities.

However, if you have any questions, or If you wish to visit the school prior to applying, please feel free to contact us on 01843 227957.

I do hope you will consider placing your application with us here at Hartsdown Academy and we look forward to receiving your completed application in due course.

Yours Sincerely

Matthew Tate

Headteacher