St Mark's Church of England Academy
Merton, United Kingdom
About St Mark's Church of England Academy
Our school is proud to be part of Anthem, a multi-academy trust that creates ambitious and successful schools where every child thrives.
St Mark’s C of E Academy is a vibrant and diverse 11-18 academy situated in Mitcham in the London Borough of Merton. The school was inspected by Ofsted in February 2023 and remains consistently 'Good', with her majesty's inspectors determining that there is substantial evidence to demonstrate that the school could be re-graded to Outstanding, within the next 24 months.
The Academy really does have much to celebrate. We are the first secondary school in London to be awarded the prestigious International Values Quality Mark in recognition of the manner in which our values of love, hope and trust permeate all our work. ‘The school’s provision for the personal development and welfare of pupils is outstanding. It is highly enriching and supportive and focuses on ‘values in action’."Pupils are kept safe. They behave well, and attendance is high." (Ofsted 2023)
Our vision at St Mark’s is to raise the achievement and life chances of our students and to serve our community by providing access to a range of activities, first class resources and opportunities. As a Church of England Academy, we encourage development of our students’ moral and spiritual well-being as much as their academic success. We are inclusive of all faiths, as well as none, and support unity between different religions, cultures and beliefs.
All our students are individuals and every student is valued for their uniqueness and the skills and aptitudes they bring to the Academy. A key strength of St Mark's is the very aptitudes they bring to the Academy. A key strength of St Mark's is the very high quality relationships that exist between members of a highly diverse school community- the Academy has a strong set of values shared by all. The Academy is situated in extensive grounds in a pleasant green field location with first class resources for success. Our specialisms in Science and Performing Arts support our students to develop confidence, understanding and skills in these areas and beyond into the broader curriculum.
We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff, visitors, and volunteers to share in this commitment. All post holders are subject to an Enhanced DBS Check, suitable references, and other essential checks. Staff involved in recruitment and selection of employees are trained in safer recruitment, and all our staff and volunteers undertake Child Protection training.
Employee Benefits Include:
- Competitive salaries on Teachers Inner London Pay Range
- Pension schemes - TPS (Teachers) and LGPS (Non-Teachers)
- CPD certified opportunities - available to all employees, including the Step Lab Powerful Coaching programme
- In depth well-being programme, including 'Cake Wednesday', weekly Pilates classes, 'HR Surgery', fruit Friday's.
- An inspirational and collaborative culture, where Leadership actively promote staff voice
- Trust wider curricular collaboration and development opportunities
- Continual opportunities for succession and progression, including secondment opportunities to Middle and Senior leadership
- Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) - providing well-being and confidential advice services
- Cycle to Work scheme
- Health Shield Scheme
- On site staff car park
- Free staff lunch offer
Location
Ms Glymidou From First Year Teacher to Senior Leadership Team From the first day at St Marks, I felt like part of a family and in my first year as a teacher, I have never felt unsupported or alone. The sense of community and the support here is impeccable. St Mark’s gave me the opportunity to develop and succeed in my teaching career and realise my professional and personal ambitions as it offers an exceptional Professional Development programme underpinned by cutting-edge pedagogical research and tailored to teachers’ needs. I can’t speak highly enough of all the staff involved in our personal and professional development at St Mark’s. I joined St Mark’s in 2015 as an MFL and EAL teacher and 4 years later, I was appointed Head of Languages. I developed rapidly as a result of the range of theory and strategies shared in CPD, all of which are underpinned by the opportunity to practise during weekly instructional coaching session. Before that, I enjoyed several different roles learning new skills that have helped me to move forward in my career. In 2016, I had the privilege to assume a wider School-wide role as the Careers Coordinator supporting the Careers Lead to successfully meet their objectives in developing the School’s Careers Strategies, establishing policies and procedures for embodying employability in the curriculum. On the back of that, and under their robust guidance, I have assumed myself the role of the Careers Lead since September 2018. Two years later, in 2020, I completed my NPQML which helped me develop further the skills, knowledge and behaviours in order to be a high-performing middle leader. I am currently completing the Teacher Fellow Programme with Ambition Institute, which will help me deepen my understanding on how pupils and adults learn, and will also support me in designing and leading effective teacher education CPD sessions for my School.
- https://www.stmarks.anthemtrust.uk/work-with-us/staff-progression-testimonialsMs Fahey -From NQT to Principal - I joined the Academy in 2008 as an NQT in RE. After a year I was promoted to Head of Department and given the opportunity to study a Masters in Teaching and Learning and take part in the Teaching Leaders Programme. These CPD opportunities allowed me to gain the necessary skills to progress to Head of Humanities in 2012. From here I completed an NPQSL and was promoted to Vice Principal in charge of Sixth Form. After being exposed to whole school leadership of Teaching and Learning and Outcomes as Senior Vice Principal, I jumped at the chance to study the NPQH with Anthem. Today I have the honour and privilege of leading this community as Principal. Over my 15 years at this Academy, I have been able to transform professionally and I want to afford the same transformational experience to every individual who works or studies here. Our CPD offer is central to this mission and vision.
- https://www.stmarks.anthemtrust.uk/work-with-us/staff-progression-testimonials