Assistant Principal

We are looking for an Assistant Principal to assist the Executive Principal and the Principal in the strategic and operational management, development and leadership of Harris Academy Clapham , and ensure the achievement of our ethos, aims and objectives within the context of the Academy’s strategic and development plans.

About Us

From our opening in September 2020, our academy is a place where ‘everything is possible’. By this we mean that:

• every student is supported to fully develop their academic and personal talents. We help students to go on and achieve their dreams
• we work with our families to support all our students, including those who have special educational needs and/or disabilities
• we are a supportive part of the Lambeth community, working with our neighbours and others as best we can
• every member of staff is supported in becoming the best that they can be, including their future career prospects and ambitions.

It is our vision of ‘everything is possible’ that underpins the five values that staff and students at the academy uphold:

1. endeavour – to relish challenge, never give up and learn to take sensible risks
2. self-belief – to believe that they can and will go on to achieve their ambitions
3. honesty – act with integrity, treating others the way they would like to be treated
4. excellence – not settling for second best or for the easiest option
5. having a global view – understanding their place in the world and how they can make it a better one.

A central core of our ethos is to fully develop students’ spiritual, moral, social and cultural well-being. We ensure that our students understand their role in making the academy and their community a safer and better place. We do this in a wide variety of ways. including after-school activities, during lessons, school visits and working with a range of external organisations such as local and national charities.

Main Areas of Responsibility

• To create a true learning institution in the academy at all levels
• To play a major role in formulating the aims and objectives of the academy; in establishing the policies through which they will be achieved and in monitoring progress towards their achievement
• Lead on and develop the shared vision for the academy
• Leading the development and maintenance of a high quality positive learning environment to raise standards
• To take full responsibility for all aspects of teaching and learning in your key area of responsibility
• To ensure high quality teaching across the academy and particularly in your key areas by monitoring students’ work and teachers’ planning
• To work with colleagues to ensure data is used effectively and consistently across the academy
• To work with the SLT to lead the academy’s assessment and reporting programme
• To support staff in making sure high quality intervention programmes are in place when underachievement is identified
• To support colleagues and subject leaders in developing schemes of learning, short and medium term planning
• With the SLT, to develop strategies to enhance teachers’ ability to learn and to develop advanced teaching skills in the academy workforce
• Raise students’ aspirations and achievement through personalising learning
• To ensure the highest standards of achievement for all students, through high expectations and well balanced curriculum
• Ensure the entitlement of all students to have equal access to and participation in all aspects of the curriculum
• Ensuring the efficient and effective provision of cross curricular skills, knowledge and understanding by engaging staff in all areas of learning
• Identifying what are successful learning outcomes and then monitoring students’ progress, continuity and progression
• Monitor, evaluate and review classroom practice and promote improvement strategies
• Monitoring, reviewing and evaluating teaching and learning through regular classroom observation
• To maintain an informed view of standards and of the quality of teaching across the academy by monitoring student’s learning and teacher’s planning and delivery
• Challenge under-performance at all levels and throughout all departments ensuring effective corrective action and follow-up
• To establish, and maintain, the highest possible standards of behaviour, learning and attainment
• Demonstrate and articulate high expectations and set aspirational targets for the whole Academy community
• Acting as a role model in the provision of high quality learning, teaching and assessment
• Coordinating the activities of staff including teaching and learning strategies, curriculum development and effective use of resources
• To lead and manage staff in an appropriate manner, offering support, encouragement, guidance and advice to ensure effective policy in practice
• To assist in the implementation of effective procedures to support teachers who are underperforming
• To maintain high morale amongst staff and set an example of professional standards and leadership
• To contribute to the recruitment, training, deployment and professional development of staff as appropriate
• To promote and sustain effective management of the Academy environment, its site and buildings
• To provide information about the work and performance of staff, where this is relevant to their future employment at the academy or elsewhere
• To chair meetings, as appropriate to specific roles, ensuring effective consultation, delegation of responsibility and successful implementation of outcomes

Qualifications & Experience

• QTS (or equivalent)
• Degree or equivalent
• Extensive teaching experience
• Outstanding teaching practice
• Successful management experience as Head of Department or member of the SLT
• Experience of writing department SEF
• Experience of lesson observations and giving feedback
• Experience of improvement planning
• Experience of implementing a range of strategies to raise student achievement, with evidence of success
• Contribution to impact on the quality of learning and teaching and curriculum
• Experience of developing and sustaining positive relationships with students, parents, staff and the Governing Body to build consensus support and capacity
• Proven track record of managing and implementing change in relation to teaching practices and standards
• A track record of success in leadership and management

Safeguarding Notice

The Harris Federation and all our academies are committed to ensuring the highest levels of safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, and we expect all our staff and volunteers to share in this commitment. All offers of employment are subject to an Enhanced DBS check, references, and where applicable, a prohibition from teaching check will be completed for all applicants. Before applying, please review our Policy Statement on the Recruitment of Ex-Offenders.

Equal Opportunities

The Harris Federation is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from all suitably qualified candidates.

As a provider of employment and education, we value the diversity of our staff and students, and all our staff are equally valued and respected. We are committed to providing a fair, equitable and mutually supportive learning and working environment for our students and staff.