Assistant Head - Sixth Form

St Helen’s is an academically selective independent girls’ day school of more than 1100 students aged 3-18, set in over 20 acres of beautiful green space in Northwood, North-West London. 

THE POST

St Helen’s is looking to appoint a strategic leader who will contribute to whole school leadership and management and who has specific responsibility to lead, inspire, motivate and support pupils in the Sixth Form.  The post holder will also have the responsibility of ensuring that all pupils are making sustained progress and achieve their academic and personal aspirations, and that the Sixth Form is a first choice option for existing pupils. 

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Contribute to the leadership of the School as part of the Senior Leadership Team

• Contribute to the strategic development planning process of the whole School

• Contribute to the School’s operational plans as a member of the School’s Senior Leadership Team

• Contribute to the general management and day-to-day running of the School

• Support whole-school events, including after-school, evening and weekend commitments

• Provide leadership and support to teaching and non-teaching staff

• Make an active contribution to the marketing of the School and the recruitment and retention of pupils and staff

• Support the Headmistress in ensuring legal, statutory and ISI compliance across the School and work with SLT to prepare for inspections

• Assist in complaints, grievance and disciplinary procedures (staff, pupils and parents) as required 

LEADERSHIP AND MANAGEMENT OF OTHERS

• Lead by example, providing inspiration and motivation, and embody for the pupils, staff, governors, parents and wider community the vision, purpose and leadership of the school and the 6th Form in particular

• Support the Head in the recruitment, deployment, motivation, professional development and performance review of staff to make the most effective use of their skills, expertise and experience and to ensure that all staff have a clear understanding of their roles and responsibilities

• Take responsibility for the day-to-day line management of designated staff and subjects as assigned by the Head

• Model consistently outstanding teaching and learning, feedback, assessment, relationships with pupils, outcomes for pupils in all classes taught, especially 6th Form classes

• Support the Head in developing positive working relationships with and between all staff, maintaining confidentiality as appropriate

• Line manage the Futures department and whole school provision of outstanding careers and higher education guidance

SIXTH FORM STRATEGY

• Provide strategic direction, monitoring and evaluation for all aspects of St Helen’s Sixth Form provision leading on implementation of change where necessary

• Develop, implement and review, in conjunction with the Executive Committee and Governors, an innovative, effective and achievable improvement plan for the Sixth Form

• Ensure that the School is aware of, and able to lead on, curricular and pastoral issues that affect Sixth Form students and staff

• Working with marketing and admissions departments, ensure effective marketing and recruitment to the Sixth Form

• Lead and review curriculum mapping work throughout School to ensure that all Sixth Formers acquire the knowledge, skills and learning habits required to meet their potential and be successful in their lives beyond School 

MONITOR THE ACADEMIC PROGRESS OF SIXTH FORM STUDENTS

• Analyse student progress at key data points, and act upon this in a timely and effective manner with key groups of students

• Analyse teaching and learning data to identify key areas of strengths and areas of development in Sixth Form teaching and learning, and act upon this in a timely and effective manner with key groups of teachers

• Oversee and contribute to student interventions, monitoring and review

• Ensure that data analysis is carried out at key data points by subject leads and share this with 6th Form tutors

• Work with Senior Leadership Team, Heads of Department and subject teachers to quality assure the quality of teaching and learning in the Sixth Form and raise standards to ensure highest standards of academic progress

• Use and review performance data to set challenging targets for pupils

• Ensure every 6th Form pupil achieves their own best academic standards

ENSURE OUTSTANDING PASTORAL CARE, PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT AND PREPARATION FOR LIFE BEYOND SCHOOL FOR ALL SIXTH FORM STUDENTS

• Support Sixth Form and Uniprep tutors in their role and in the delivery of the PSHCE, Futures and tutor programme

• Manage the provision of opportunities for developing student leadership and resilience

• Oversee, and respond to, Sixth Form contribution to an effective student voice

• Ensure that all records of intervention and support are recorded in CPOMS and/or appropriate shared areas and appropriate follow-up action is taken

• Share best practice and model outstanding pastoral care

• Support Sixth Form students at events and in their co-curricular activities

• Working closely with the Head of Futures, oversee and provide leadership for the Futures programme across the School and ensure that all students receive outstanding guidance with their applications to higher education and support throughout the process leading up to and including Results Day

• Ensure that 6th Form students leave school fully prepared to embrace the challenges and pleasures that will face them in their life beyond St Helen’s

• Contribute to the writing of references for students

• Oversee the management of Results Days, including ensuring that students are supported through adjustment, clearing or reapplication as appropriate

TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT OF SELF AND OTHERS

• Develop and maintain a culture of high expectations for self and others

• Regularly review own practice, set personal targets and take responsibility for own development

• Encourage all staff to be similarly active in their personal and continuous professional development

• Lead groups of staff in developmental activities, and evaluate outcomes

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

• Work towards and support the school vision and the current school objectives outlined in the School Strategic Plan

• Contribute to the school’s programme of extra-curricular activities

• Support and contribute to the school’s responsibility for safeguarding pupils

• Work within the School’s health and safety policy to ensure a safe working environment for staff, pupils and visitors

• Promote equality of opportunity for all students and staff