Principal

We are recruiting an exceptional leader for Ormiston Rivers Academy based in Burnham-on-Crouch, a semi-rural location 20 miles from the city of Chelmsford. Rivers is a smaller than average, flourishing and oversubscribed 11-18 co-educational academy.

This is a fantastic time to join our small, vibrant and caring learning community at Rivers. Our strong code of values guides our work and creates a secure learning environment where all students can thrive and succeed. We are committed to ensuring every student reaches their full potential: being aspirational and committed to academic excellence. Since joining Ormiston Academies Trust (OAT) in September 2011 the academy has been on an incredible journey. It was recognised by Ofsted in 2016 as ‘Good’, maintaining its position as one of the top education providers in the area that the continuing improvements have transformed the ethos of the school. We are driving towards ‘Outstanding’ and are on track to achieve this.

Ormiston Rivers Academy offers a wide range of extra-curricular activities including sports clubs and arts clubs, to cater for students’ different hobbies and interests. All students are encouraged to get involved and find their passion through the whole school extra-curricular programme. We provide an inspirational education where every young person is ready for life in our global community. Our students have an appetite for success and our staff are committed to unleashing their potential. Parents are supportive and loyal to the academy. The strong alignment amongst stakeholders makes this academy a great place to work and take your career on to the next level

We know that academic achievement of the highest order is within our reach and we now look to consolidate this progress and continue to push for further sustained improvement, as we strive to become a truly outstanding academy. With this in mind we are looking for exceptional professionals to join our staff body who demonstrate the ability to achieve outstanding student outcomes and make a significant difference to the lives of the young people at the academy.

The Role

The overall purpose of the role is to develop and sustain an exceptional educational provision for all students in the academy.

Strategic direction and development of the academy

• Establish a culture that promotes excellence, equality, high expectations and aspirations of all students.

• Work alongside the local governing body and OAT Executive in implementing OAT and the academy procedures

and policies.

• Ensure that the management, finance, organisation and administration of the academy, support its vision and aims.

• Ensure the commitment of parents and the wider community to the vision and direction of the academy.

• Continue to develop effective relationships with other academies in OAT.

• Create and implement a strategic plan, underpinned by sound financial planning, which identifies the priorities, actions and targets that will guide the academy on its journey to ‘exceptional’ in all areas.

• Monitor, evaluate and review the impact of the academy’s policies, priorities and targets to drive continuous improvement.

• Present accurate accounts of the academy’s performance that are appropriate for a range of audiences including parents, governors, OAT and Ofsted.

• Ensure a commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people.

Teaching and learning

• Ensure that outstanding teaching and learning is the primary objective for all staff.

• Monitor and evaluate the quality of teaching and standards of learning and achievement of all students, including those supported through enhanced resources, in order to set and meet ambitious targets for improvement.

• Lead, motivate, support, challenge and develop staff to secure improvement.

• Develop a curriculum that promotes outstanding literacy and numeracy skills while ensuring that the needs, interests and aspirations of individual students are addressed.

• Ensure that effective, appropriate pastoral support is available to students.

• Ensure that the academy complies with the statutory requirements that promote equal opportunities for all.

• Build upon the effective partnership with parents to support and improve students’ achievement.

• Ensure appropriate enrichment opportunities are provided and given a high priority.

Leading and managing staff

• Lead, motivate, support, challenge and develop staff to secure improvement.

• Maximise the contribution of staff to improve the quality of education provided.

• Develop effective and transformational leadership and management across the academy.

• Implement ‘best practice’ OAT performance management processes.

• Acknowledge the responsibilities and celebrate the achievement of individuals and teams.

Efficient and effective deployment of staff and resources

• Work with OAT, governors and senior colleagues to recruit staff of the highest quality available.

• Advise the governing body on the adoption of effective procedures to deal with the competence and

capability of staff.

• Agree and set appropriate priorities for expenditure with the governing body to enable the academy to

secure its objectives.

• Manage and organise accommodation efficiently and effectively, to ensure that it meets the needs of the

curriculum and health and safety regulations.

• Manage, monitor and review the range, quality, quantity and use of all available resources in order to

improve the quality of education, improve students’ achievements, ensure efficiency and secure value for money.

You:

• Have incredibly high expectations for yourself and others

• Accept that only the best is good enough

• Believe that all children can achieve

• Are excited by being part of a dynamic team

We offer a very competitive pay and package including:

• Private healthcare for self and family

• Annual Performance related bonus of up to 10% of base salary

• Unparalleled CPD opportunities, both at individual academy and across the OAT family

• Executive support for those new to headship 

• Exposure to leading edge SI practices and professionals and the chance to make a bigger difference with a fantastic family of principals and staff.

You will have access to excellent professional networks and support and OAT will actively encourage and support your professional development by providing opportunities to work across the Trust. If you are an experienced senior leader in a secondary setting, with a successful track record of sustained improvement and a determination to maximise the opportunities available then this role offers an excellent opportunity to challenge yourself in a new environment.

Ormiston Rivers Academy Principal Candidate Information – December 2018