Vice Principal

About the role:  Due to the promotion of the current post-holder, a rare and exciting opportunity has arisen at Milestone Academy for a talented leader to join us in the role of Vice Principal for January 2019.  The current Vice Principal, Dee Pickerill, will continue employment within our Trust as she takes on her new 'dual role' as Principal (Designate) for a brand new SEN Leigh Academies Trust free school - Snowfields Academy which opens in 2020 - and also as Associate Principal at Milestone Academy to continue her highly valued support within the leadership team.  We are as equally as excited by Dee’s new adventure as we are by the scope we now have to find a successor. 

Opportunities like this are seldom available, and the appointment is a crucial element of our academy’s journey.  Above anything else, we are seeking an individual who is keen to use their energy and vision to make a real impact, driving our school to achieve over and above its successes to date.  

This role would suit an experienced Vice/Assistant Principal who is an outstanding SEN teacher and leader with proven skills to share the values and vision of our school in an ever-changing educational landscape.  You’ll be looking to develop a long-term career within one of the most successful multi-academy trusts nationally. We welcome applications from primary and/or secondary leaders with experience in a PSCN setting.

Our successful candidate will:

• Have a relentless drive and desire to continuously improve Milestone Academy for the good of our pupils
• Be an experienced and effective practitioner in terms of keeping all children safe
• Have a deep understanding of SEN, particularly with regards to PSCN
• Have passion, vision and determination to inspire the teaching and support staff as they look to deliver our Core Moral Purpose
• Be unashamedly in control of their own career path and therefore eager to evidence they are making a tangible difference for Milestone Academy
• Keen to directly experience the benefits of working closely with and for a highly successful MAT (nominated as one of the seven most effective multi-academy trusts by the HMCI - click here to view the article)
• Take the lead role in admissions to the academy on an annual basis across all phases
• Take the lead on Pupil Premium for the academy
• Have experience of attending tribunals regarding educational, health and care (EHC) needs of pupils
• Be the academy lead for curriculum and teaching and learning

We are fortunate to be able to offer our successful candidate a transition period whereby they’ll be in receipt of full support from the Principal and current post-holder for a number of terms.

Working with us at Milestone Academy:  Milestone Academy is a consistently outstanding special school (Ofsted 2011 and 2016) catering for children between the ages of 2 and 19 years with physical, medical and/or sensory needs and learning difficulties. 

Since 2014, we have grown in numbers by 26% taking us to 330 pupils - a significantly large special school complete with three satellites based in fellow LAT mainstream academies. Despite this size, each individual pupil from aged 2 -19 wholeheartedly matters to us as do their destinations when our pupils leave Milestone for their life in modern Britain.

Whilst we are an active member of our parent group, Leigh Academies Trust, we also enjoy being a partner school of Kent Special Education Needs Schools Trust and take a national perspective on SEN and PSCN via our chosen membership of Challenge Partners group.

We wish to hear from you if you really want to change our education world and are:

• Currently a Vice Principal/Assistant Principal, ready for the next step in your career
• An enthusiastic, energetic and ambitious school leader with a track record of success in a PSCN setting
• A motivational and inspirational leader with the highest expectations of staff
• Confident and able to communicate a clear vision for the school
• Able to develop children to reach their full potential regardless of background or circumstance
• Approachable and keen to work with staff across the Trust to ensure wide success
• An effective coach of senior and middle leaders and see that you can be an effective public ambassador for Milestone and LAT

In return, you will receive:

• A competitive salary, healthcare plan and annual bonus
• An exciting LAT career path with opportunities for further progression in the future
• The opportunity to assist in leading a large, outstanding academy with full support from a dedicated academy leadership team
• Security and support on your journey including close collaboration with the central executive team and a larger group of talented leaders to share best practice and innovation

The closing date is Wednesday 10th October 2018 at midday.  Interviews and associated assessment activities are scheduled for Monday 15th October 2018.

Leigh Academies Trust is committed to safeguarding and successful candidates will be subject to an Enhanced DBS check.