ST EDMUND’S CATHOLIC SCHOOL
‘A learning community, a faith community, a vibrant, forward looking community’
JOB DESCRIPTION
VICE PRINCIPAL
Aims of the school:To be:
- A learning community
- A faith community
- A vibrant, forward-looking community
Job purpose:To assist the Academy Principal in the leadership and management of the school in consultation with the Local Governing Board, in order to promote a Catholic educational community in which all are enabled to achieve their highest potential. To deputise for the Academy Principal when required.
Responsible to:The Academy Principal
Key Responsibilities
Core Purpose and Accountability
- To play a major role under the direction of the Academy Principal in formulating the aims and objectives of the school, establishing the policies through which they will be achieved, managing staff and resources to achieve the aims and objectives of the school and monitor progress towards their achievement.
- Undertake the professional duties of the Vice Principal reasonably delegated to you by the Academy Principal
- Undertake the professional duties of the Academy Principal, in the event of his absence from the school.
- In partnership with the Academy Principal and the Senior Leadership Team, provide professional leadership and management of Teaching, Learning and Assessment as well as Personal Development, Behaviour and Welfare throughout the school.
- To provide professional leadership and management of School Development Plan priorities
Teaching
- You are to carry out the duties of a school teacher as set out in the Teacher’s Pay and Conditions Document and subject to any amendments due to Government legislation. This includes any duties as may be reasonably directed by the Academy Principal and the accountabilities expected of class teachers at St Edmund’s Catholic School.
- To facilitate and encourage learning which enables students to achieve high standards, to share and support the corporate responsibility for the well-being, education and discipline of all children.
- All staff are expected to uphold the school’s principles and policies which underpin good practice and the raising of standards, and are expected to uphold and promote the school’s aims and values.
- All staff will be involved in working together, as part of a team, to develop areas of provision that impact positively on learning and teaching across the school.
- All staff will take an active role in the School Self Evaluation process. As Vice Principal you will be expected to lead a team through the School Self Evaluation process.
- All staff are expected to actively undertake professional development through keeping abreast of the latest developments and thinking, coaching and mentoring, and self-evaluation and peer review.
Performance Management
- To undertake annual Performance Management, setting and agreeing targets linked to School Development Plan priorities with the Academy Principal.
Strategic direction/Shaping the future
- Support the Academy Principal by:
Ensuring the vision for the school is clearly articulated, shared, understood and acted upon effectively by all
Demonstrating the vision and values of the school in everyday work and practice
Motivating and working with others to create a shared culture and positive climate
- Assist the Academy Principal in the ongoing and annual review of standards of leadership, teaching and learning in specific areas of responsibility and across all areas of school provision, consistent with the procedures in the school self-evaluation policy
- Create costed subject development plans which contribute positively to the achievement of the School Development Plan and which actively involves all staff in its design and execution.
- Develop and implement policies and practices for the subject/area(s) which reflects the school’s commitment to high achievement and is consistent with national and local strategies and policies
- Promote high expectations for attainment
- Establish short, medium and long-term plans for the development and resourcing for the specific areas of responsibility
- Monitor the progress made in achieving subject/area plans and targets, and evaluate the effect on teaching and learning
- Work with outside agencies and stakeholders to inform future action
Leading Learning and Teaching, developing and enhancing the teaching practice of others
- Work with the Academy Principal to raise the quality of teaching and learning and pupil’s achievement, setting high expectations and monitoring and evaluating effectiveness of learning outcomes
- Provide regular feedback for colleagues in a way which recognises good practice and supports their progress against professional and performance management objectives resulting in a tangible impact on students learning
- Develop whole staff and individuals to enhance performance
Undertake coaching and mentoring
Plan, organise and deliver staff meetings, where necessary bringing in outside speakers
Keep abreast of the latest developments in the area and disseminate effectively to other members of staff
Leading Behaviour and effective role-modelling
- Work with the Academy Principal to raise the quality of behaviour for learning, setting high expectations and monitoring and evaluating effectiveness of behaviour systems
- At all times, provide outstanding modelling of effective behaviour management and professional conduct
- Work with the Assistant Principals to develop behaviour policies and procedures
Evaluate policy annually
Seek views from all stakeholders about the effectiveness of the behaviour policy and procedures
Securing Accountability
- Work with the Academy Principal to ensure the school’s accountability to a wide range of groups, particularly parents, carers, governors and the DfE; ensuring that pupils enjoy and benefit from a high quality education, for promoting collective responsibility within the whole school community
- Develop the school’sCatholic Ethos which enables everyone to work collaboratively, share knowledge and understanding, celebrate success and accept responsibility for outcomes
- Work with the Local Governing Board (providing information, objective advice and support) to enable it to meet its responsibilities
- Develop and present a coherent, understandable and accurate account of the school’s performance to a range of audiences including governors, parents and carers
- Reflect on personal contribution to school achievements and take account of feedback from others
- Engage all staff in the creation, consistent implementation and improvement in schemes of work and curriculum plans which encapsulates key school learning strategies
- Provide guidance on a choice of teaching and learning methods/strategies
Coach and mentor
Model and demonstrate
Act as a consultant for other staff
Exemplify good practice
Undertake shared planning, team teaching, etc.
- Evaluate the quality of teaching and standards of achievement, setting targets for improvement
Resource Management
- Work with the Academy Principal to provide effective organisation and management of the school and seek ways to improve organisational structures and functions based on rigorous self-evaluation
- Work with the Academy Principal to ensure the school and the people and resources within it are organised and managed to provide an efficient, effective and safe learning environment
- Monitor and control the use of resources and budget according to the school’s agreed financial procedures
Developing Self and Working with Others
- Work with the Academy Principal to build a professional learning community which enables others to achieve
- Support staff, within your team and within the whole school, in achieving high standards through effective continuing professional development
- Be committed to your own professional development
- Implement successful performance management processes with allocated team of staff
Treat people fairly, equitably and with dignity and respect to create and maintain a positive school culture
Build a collaborative learning culture within the school and actively engage with other schools to build effective learning communities
Acknowledge the responsibilities and celebrate the achievements of individuals and teams
Develop and maintain a culture of high expectations for self and others
Regularly review own practice, set personal targets and take responsibility for own professional development
Strengthening Community
- Work with the Academy Principal to engage with the internal and external school community to secure equity and entitlement
- Work with the Academy Principal to collaborate with other schools and organisations in order to share expertise and bring positive benefits to their own and other schools
- Work with the Academy Principal to work collaboratively at both strategic and operational levels with parents and carers and across multiple agencies for the well-being of all children
Specific Duties for Vice Principal
- To provide professional leadership and management of key areas of the School Development Plan as agreed, on an annual basis, with the Academy Principal
- To take an active role in the School’s Leadership Team, contributing to the development of identified areas leading to high standards of teaching, effective use of resources and improved standards of learning and achievement for all children
- To be responsible for the line management Middle Leadersas agreed, on an annual basis, with the Academy Principal
- To identify and pursue leadership and management development opportunities (to be agreed and negotiated with the Academy Principal who will give support throughout)
PERSON SPECIFICATION
VICE PRINCIPAL
Key: (E) is essential criteria and (D) is desirable criteria.
Introduction
The core purpose of the Vice Principal in the Catholic school is to support the Academy Principal in the provision of leadership in the context of a community rooted in the Catholic faith. Thus it is an essential requirement that the person appointed to the post has a strong, personal faith and recognises the opportunities and challenges facing the Catholic school as a vibrant part of the mission of the Church in education.
Faith Commitment / A practising and committed Catholic (D)A secure understanding of the distinctive nature of the Catholic school (D)
Understanding of the school’s role in the Catholic and wider community (D)
Ability to demonstrate care, compassion and reconciliation (E)
Ability to lead acts of worship in the Catholic school (D)
Evidence of participation in parish or Catholic community life (D)
Qualifications And Training / Qualified teacher status (E)
Honours graduate or equivalent (E)
Evidence of continuing professional development including leadership (E)
Evidence of ability to lead quality professional development opportunities (E)
Qualification in Catholic teaching or leadership e.g. CCRS, MA in Catholic Education (D)
Experience / Proven successful track record of teaching in at least two key stage areas (E)
Successful experience of senior leadership or equivalent (E)
Successful experience of leading one or more subject areas, key stages or whole school curriculum initiatives (E)
Thorough knowledge and understanding of current educational issues (E)
Strategic Leadership / Ability to articulate and share a vision for the Catholic school (E)
Ability to inspire and motivate all in the school community (E)
Evidence of successful strategies for planning, monitoring, reviewing and evaluating school improvement (E)
Ability to analyse data, develop strategic plans, set targets and achieve desired outcomes (E)
Ability to develop policies and procedures that demonstrate the Catholic ethos of the school and a commitment to equal opportunities for all (E)
Understanding of the role of the Local Governing Board in the Catholic school (E)
Ability to develop and maintain a positive culture of high expectation and performance (E)
Understanding of, and commitment to, promoting the safeguarding and welfare of pupils (E)
Learning And Teaching / A secure understanding of the statutory requirements for the curriculum and assessment (E)
Knowledge and experience of a range of successful learning and teaching strategies to meet pupils’ needs (E)
A secure understanding of assessment procedures and practices which enhance pupils’ learning (E)
Experience of effective monitoring and evaluation of learning and teaching (E)
Experience of individual pupil tracking and monitoring to improve achievement including the use of new technology (E)
Successful experience in creating an effective learning environment and developing and implementing policy and practice to ensure excellent pupil behaviour (E)
Recognition as an outstanding teacher (E)
Leading And Managing Staff / Ability to build and support effective teams (E)
Ability to delegate and support colleagues (E)
Experience of performance management for staff and supporting continuing professional development relevant to the school and the individual (E)
Understanding of budget planning, staff deployment and effective use of resources (D)
A commitment to the pastoral care of staff (E)
Experience of working with governors in strategic areas (D)
Involvement in staff recruitment, appointment and induction (D)
Accountability / An understanding of the relationship between the Vice Principal, the Academy Principal and the Local Governing Board (E)
Ability to communicate effectively in writing and orally to a range of audiences including pupils, parents, staff, governors, clergy, fellow professionals and the media (E)
Ability to work with the Academy Principal to produce clear reports, information and advice to staff and governors (E)
Ability to provide clear information to the Academy Principal and governors when required (E)
Ability to set clear targets and the means by which to achieve them (E)
Ability to present the school at its best in the Catholic and wider communities and in the media. (E)
Understanding the criteria for evaluating a Catholic school (D)
Experience of presenting reports to governors (D)
Skills, Qualities & Abilities / High quality teaching skills (E)
Unreserved commitment to the mission of the Catholic school (E)
High expectation of pupils’ learning and attainment (E)
Strong commitment to school improvement through the pursuit of excellence (E)
Ability to build and maintain good relationships (E)
Ability to remain positive and enthusiastic when working under pressure (E)
Ability to prioritise, meet deadlines and manage own time effectively (E)
Empathy with children (E)
Good interpersonal skills (E)
Personal Attributes / Stamina, energy and resilience (E)
Sense of humour (E)
Optimistic outlook (E)
Confidence (E)
Commitment to own work/life balance (E)
Credibility within the school community (E)
May 2018