Director of School Improvement

Start date: September 2023 (Earlier by arrangement)

Closing date: Monday 17 April 2023 (12 noon)

Salary: L28-L34 (£86,040 - £99,660)

Prosper Learning Trust, established in January 2018, is a growing multi academy trust serving children with special education needs and children requiring alternative provision across the North East.

The trust will soon comprise five schools working across three local authorities in the North East. The five schools consist of two specialist autism provisions, one in Newcastle and one in Sunderland, two alternative provision settings in Newcastle and a new SEMH/ASD school opening in Blyth in September 2023.

To help sustain our rapid development we are looking to significantly strengthen our school improvement capacity with the appointment of a Director of School Improvement. Working across all five schools and reporting directly to the CEO, you will be responsible for devising, leading and evaluating the Trust’s model for school improvement.

You will support the Trust’s Headteachers with the implementation and evaluation of school improvement strategies across all aspects of the quality of education brief. This will include areas as diverse as quality assurance, self-evaluation, curriculum development, pedagogy, assessment, attendance, behaviour and continuous professional development.

You will also be a key source of support in the preparedness for inspection and will be expected to be cognoscente of all of the latest developments with regard to the Education Inspection framework.

Although this is a specialist Trust and all of our schools provide for children with SEND, many of these areas are generic in nature and therefore, although some knowledge of SEND is desirable, we would welcome applications from colleagues with a mainstream background too.

As a senior leader in the Trust, you will ensure that the vision and values of Prosper Learning Trust are at the core of your work and the professional relationships you form.

The role will require you to be a dynamic and professional leader, able to motivate staff, set high expectations, enhance achievement and facilitate meaningful and continuous self-evaluation.

You will be skilled in working collaboratively with school leaders, stakeholders and partner organisations at all levels to maximise the educational opportunities for children and young people with complex additional needs.

You will advise the Board of Trustees and CEO on all aspects of school improvement and contribute to identifying, implementing and evaluating the strategic priorities of the Trust.

You will work with school senior leaders to develop, secure and sustain high quality teaching and effective learning across the Trust, monitor, evaluate and review classroom practice and promote continuous improvement. You will seek to set outstanding standards and to maintain high expectations amongst staff for the progress of all pupils.Whether you are a serving Headteacher/Principal, a successful senior leader or a school improvement professional looking for a whole Trust leadership role, what is clear is that you will have an exceptional track record of success, specifically in relation to achieving positive outcomes for pupils regardless of background or ability.

Prosper Learning Trust is at a very exciting stage in its development and you will have the opportunity to play a key role in its growth. We will provide you with the resources and support you need in your efforts to continue to build excellence throughout the Trust. You will be working with knowledgeable and supportive specialist staff in a growing and ambitious Trust with excellent people, schools and facilities.

We can offer:

• A friendly and supportive team of staff across the Trust who are willing to share expertise and learn from one another
• An exciting and diverse learning environment where hard work and achievement are appreciated, acknowledged and celebrated
• Curriculum that are relevant to the needs of our pupils
• Well-resourced learning environments
• A supportive Trust, Trustees and Local Advisory Committee members
• Further professional development appropriate to the role

To learn more about this unique opportunity and Prosper Learning Trust, please visit www.prosperlearningtrust.co.uk

We are more than happy for prospective candidates to visit so we can share our vision and principles, and discuss this post. The visit will be to PLT central office. Alternatively you can request a confidential conversation.

Prosper Learning Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and anyone applying to work within the Trust is expected to share this commitment. This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. If you are invited for interview, you will be required to disclose convictions that would not be filtered, prior to the date of the interview. Certain spent convictions and cautions will be ‘protected’ and do not need to be disclosed. Full details on protected convictions and information about which convictions must be declared during job applications can be found on the Ministry of Justice website. You will be asked for further information about your criminal history during the recruitment process. If your application is successful, this self-disclosure information will be checked against information from the Disclosure and Barring Service before your appointment is confirmed. This role will include Regulated Activities and an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) disclosure is required for this post.  Please note that in all cases written references will be taken up and made available to interviewers before the final selection stage; even if you indicate otherwise.

Please return application forms to: HRadmin@prosperlearningtrust.co.uk or by post to HR Department, Prosper Learning Trust, Drayton Road, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE3 3RU

Visiting dates: 28th  March, 29th  March, others by appointment (to arrange a visit or a phone call please email admin@prosperlearningtrust.co.uk)

Closing date: Monday 17 April 2023 (12 noon)

Interview Dates: w/c 24 April 2023

We can only accept CVs when accompanied by a fully completed application form.

If you have not heard from us by Friday 21st April 2023 please assume your application has been unsuccessful.