Director of Science Kenwood Academy - Sheffield & Barnsley

·        Do you have the highest expectations and aspirations for every child and young person to be “the best they can be”?

·        Are you a passionate and dedicated leader, with an excellent track record in designing and implementing specialist curricula?

·        Are you looking for a lead subject role within a creative and dynamic team, working across multiple educational settings?

·        Are you excited by all of the opportunities, challenges and rewards of working with children and young people with complex Special Educational Needs?

Then Kenwood Academy may be exactly what you are looking for…

Kenwood Academy is an 11-19 Special School and part of Nexus Multi-Academy Trust. Every day we make a difference to the lives of the children and young people in our school community. We are proud of our great reputation with children and families, other professionals, and other agencies.

Our shared vision for Nexus Multi-Academy Trust is that we are constantly "Learning together, to be the best we can be". This vision is what we aspire for and is as relatable to every employee and partner of our Trust as it is to our children, young people and their families. We are fully committed to partnerships and all the educational benefits of collaborative working. You can find out more at:www.nexusmat.org

Kenwood Academy is a new and growing school, opened on 1st January 2023, and expecting our first Ofsted inspection in Spring 2025. Our provision is based at four campuses: West Riding (11-16) in Barnsley, Nether Edge (11-14) & Broadfield (14-19) in Sheffield, and Enterprise Works (14-19) in Sheffield (near Meadowhall).

We have a fantastic and dedicated team of staff, indicated by our historically low staff turnover. We are currently expanding our provision and working to further broaden and deepen our ambitious curriculum; therefore, this is a wonderful opportunity for passionate and inspirational specialist leaders to join our growing team.

You will be a Science specialist who can design, implement and evaluate the 11-19 curriculum at all of our four campuses (listed above). You will be ready for the next step in school leadership and you will have a proven ability to deliver exceptional learning experiences for all our students. You will be confident to lead the continuing professional development of all staff; you will be highly skilled at working in partnership with families and other professionals; and you will relish taking a lead role in our upcoming Ofsted inspection. 

The students at Kenwood Academy deserve the very best education and an ambitious, rich curriculum. All have communication and interaction needs; many have social, emotional, and mental health needs; and many have other identified SEND. Most have missed a large part of their previous education for a variety of reasons. Although we cannot change their past educational experiences, we can work together to transform their futures. The students are at the heart of everything we do, and we strongly believe it is our responsibility to nurture their sense of belonging. We are here to ensure that every single student has the best opportunities to flourish through personalised learning, in a school where everyone feels welcome, safe, secure, and highly valued.

We currently deliver a spiral curriculum (aligned with the national curriculum) that allows for multiple outcomes, including access to appropriate accreditation at Levels 1, 2 and 3. All schemes of learning and sequences of lessons are constructed in order to identify and address gaps in prior learning and to build towards mastering the recall and application of knowledge and skills in a variety of different contexts.

Applications are welcome from candidates in all educational settings (including in mainstream settings) who can demonstrate knowledge of special educational needs and disabilities.

Candidates are strongly encouraged to visit Kenwood Academy to find out more information, prior to interview. Visits can be arranged 15th – 30th April 2024. For a conversation about the vacancy or to arrange a visit please contact Matt Hallam, Head of School, by email: kenwood@nexusmat.org

Please be aware that Kenwood Academy’s website is still under construction. Furthermore, if you wish to read Ofsted’s previous evaluation of our provision, please read the latest report for Becton School, through this website: www.becton.sheffield.sch.uk

To request a copy of the job profile or an application form, please email Julie Ramsden on: kenwood@nexusmat.org

Completed application forms must be emailed to Julie Ramsden at kenwood@nexusmat.org by 9am on Monday 22nd April 2024. 

A selection process will take place on 2nd or 3rd May 2024 – full details to be confirmed.

CVs will not be accepted.

Nexus Multi-Academy Trust and Kenwood Academy are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Appointments will be subject to an enhanced DBS Disclosure. We are an equal opportunities employer: we are committed to promoting diversity and we want a workforce which reflects our local communities.