Head Teacher

Group 5 School for 149 pupils aged 4 to 11

Can you lead our school through an exciting period of growth?

The Dales School is an outstanding age 4-11 special school at an exciting time in its development. During the autumn term 2018, we will work toward opening an annex, in Ashington, to add to our existing provision to be referred to as ‘Ashdale’. This means our pupil numbers increase by over 50% to a 149 place provision, spread across two sites.

Present provision (89 funded places) is focused on the needs of children identified as: Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH); Autistic Spectrum Condition, and; other complex needs. Northumberland County Council have recognised the need to address a gap in provision for those children with SEMH needs who respond with violence and aggression, including those who may be identified as presenting behaviours which display ‘Callous and Unemotional Traits’ (CUTs). It is proposed that this will be the core purpose of provision at Ashdale.

Ashdale will provide, with a therapeutic ethos, for those children who present with significant Mental Health Issues. This is seen as ground-breaking venture which, in its planning and provision, will see education and health work together to provide individual programmes intended to allow these children to engage with learning opportunity through improved social and emotional interaction. Further in the future, there are plans for a second phase of development of provision for key stage 3 and 4 children.

The Dales School is a lead school within a Teaching School Alliance of 12 schools including: Specialist; Mainstream primary and secondary; Academy and maintained; Catholic sector, and the Pupil Referral Unit for Northumberland. The school also has extensive international links.

We have, over the last 15 years, completed a number of significant projects related to improvement of teaching for children who have SEND. These Comenius and Erasmus projects, funded by British Council, have concentrated on ‘Inclusion’, ‘Behaviour management’, and ‘Effective Communication’, for example. We are presently committed to 2 projects involving 10 other countries and schools, with the foci of ‘ICT in school’ and, ‘The Creative Curriculum’.

Owing to the planned retirement of the existing Head Teacher, after a number of very successful years leading the school, we are now seeking to appoint an exceptional, dynamic Head Teacher to lead us through an exciting period of growth and development, as we make the most of our existing provision and expertise and, prepare to grow in size.

If you want to lead an extremely strong team and shape the future of an ambitious, rapidly growing SEND school, including a newly refurbished facility, then this is the perfect opportunity.

Our aim is that every pupil learns the skills, and develops the confidence needed, to become a valued, integrated and independent member of their community.

We aim to appoint a Head Teacher who has:

• The drive, vision, ambition and energy to achieve excellence for all our pupils.
• A passion to provide the best possible learning and teaching opportunities, across our Creative Curriculum.
• Proven leadership qualities and the ability to support, challenge, inspire and motivate colleagues through change.
• A proven record as an imaginative, innovative, resourceful, responsive and, decisive leader.
• An understanding of the current educational climate with regard to sustainability, academisation and school-to-school support, in addition to a willingness to continuously explore all future options for the school.
• A knowledge of how to meet the educational, Social, Emotional and Mental Health needs of pupils with a range of special educational needs and disabilities including autism.

In return, we offer:

• A strong team of enthusiastic, high-performing and dedicated staff.
• An active Governing Body with an experienced Chair and supportive, engaged parents.
• Extensive opportunities for continuous professional development in line with the duties of the post.

Visits to the school are warmly welcomed and encouraged by arrangement with the school. We re-open on Monday 3rd September 2018 following our summer holiday.

A re-location package may be made available to the successful applicant.

Application forms and further details obtainable by downloading the attached applicants pack from the link below on North East jobs and sending the completed application form to by post or email to: Mr Steve Collinson, The Chair of Governors, The Dales School, Cowpen Road, Blyth, Northumberland, NE24 4RE marked Private and Confidential.

Email: admin@thedales.northumberland.sch.uk
https://www.northeastjobs.org.uk/178332

Closing date by noon Friday 14th September 2018.
Shortlisting to take place on the 19th September 2018, with interviews on the 26th and 27th September 2018.

The Dales School is committed to the safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff to share this commitment. An enhanced DBS disclosure will be required for this post.

Application forms and further details obtainable by downloading the attached applicants pack from the link below on North East jobs and sending the completed application form to by post or email to: Mr Steve Collinson, The Chair of Governors, The Dales School, Cowpen Road, Blyth, Northumberland, NE24 4RE marked Private and Confidential.