Assistant Principal: Progress, Achievement & Quality Assurance

Welcome to the WOA Family!

WOA is a truly inclusive mainstream school. We are popular and oversubscribed and we have with the additional expertise and facilities to include two focused SEND provisions, for young people on the autistic spectrum, and for those who are deaf and hearing impaired (ARC and Deaf Academy). We have also developed a resource base to support children with social, emotional and mental health needs (Team Ambition) and our small and bespoke sixth form (WOA6) caters for students in Years 12 and 13 who have EHCPs. 

I believe education is the key to opportunity. As Principal, I have the very highest expectations of, and for, all and I am uncompromising in my view that the students must be at the very heart of all we do. My vision – Believe, Achieve, Succeed – is more than just a phrase. It is a systematic approach to raising aspirations and standards which is underpinned by my unwavering commitment to improving the life chances of young people in Sandwell – this is an ethos which is shared by all our staff and stakeholders.

At WOA, we believe that every child has the potential to achieve and we expect nothing but the best for each and every one of our students. Through our curriculum, we aim to provide an excellent education for all; an inclusive education which raises aspirations and brings out the best in all students and prepares them for success in education and later life. Our curriculum is progressive and designed to provide children with the core knowledge they need for success along their learning journey.

We have a team of dedicated, specialist curriculum and student welfare staff who work together to ensure that the needs of each individual child can be met. Every single member of the team teaches here at WOA, including myself as Principal. I believe good teaching plays one of the most important roles in shaping and creating successful futures for our young people.  We work very closely with our local community – families, schools, businesses and community groups – with whom we share a common priority, that our students are front, back and centre of every decision we make at WOA.

We invest in our staff and value their work and their contribution to raising standards. We are immensely proud to serve our local community and we are equally proud to be part of the Ormiston Academies Trust, a family of schools who are all committed to being the trust that makes the biggest difference.  We are now seeking to appoint an individual who shares our passion and commitment to ensuring the very highest standards of academic achievement for our young people.

We are looking for a talented and experienced leader who wholeheartedly believes that a child's postcode should not dictate their life chances. A leader with a passion for working with disadvantaged young people and who genuinely believes that deprivation should not be a limiting factor for anyone’s future success.  Quite simply, we want someone who can lead our team in teaching, inspiring and motivating staff and students to achieve despite the odds.

As well as being an excellent subject teacher, our ideal candidate will also have a clear vision for what excellence looks like and will have the drive and the tenacity to put this vision into action. You will lead by example and will have the credibility and the skills needed to build positive relationships with pupils, staff and stakeholders - you will be able to lead, coach and develop the strongest possible team. Our pupils will be at the very heart of every decision you make and you will inspire, engage and motivate all staff, students and their families to achieve beyond their own expectations. 

As a key player on our leadership team you will play a pivotal role in our school improvement journey, joining a supportive, highly talented and committed team of leaders and staff who are work relentlessly to secure record examination results and sustainable improvements across every area of provision.  

In return, we can offer you:

• Excellent CPD opportunities both internally and through the wider OAT network.

• Recruitment and retention allowance available for an experienced candidate.

• Polite and courteous pupils who are proud of the improvements we have made.

• The opportunity to lead a dedicated team who want teaching, learning and assessment to move to the next level.

• An incredibly supportive local community who want to see this this school be the best.

• Superb facilities.

• There is opportunity to further progress your career at WOA and we can offer accredited leadership development programmes (NPQSL) or support to become a systems leader through our SLE programme. 

A move to WOA is a move you will not regret. If you believe that children come first and want to feel valued as a professional, please come and see us.

Wodensborough is committed to the safeguarding of children and all staff are expected to ensure that the academy is a safe and secure environment for our students.  

Safeguarding responsibilities 

 It is the responsibility of all staff to recognise, respond and reflect in relation to all safeguarding disclosures/concerns in collaboration with the DSL/safeguarding team by operating within the guidelines of KCSIE and associated policies/guidance documents. 

All academy staff  will ensure that they facilitate a whole school approach to safeguarding which means ensuring safeguarding and child protection are at the forefront and underpin all aspects of academy life. 

The Postholder will have contact with children. 

The Postholder will be in regulated activity. 

We will ensure that people are treated solely on the basis of their abilities and potential, regardless of race, colour, nationality, ethnic origin, religious or political belief or affiliation, trade union membership, age, gender, gender reassignment, marital status, sexual orientation, disability, socio-economic background, or any other inappropriate distinction

Canvassing any member of staff, or member of the Governing Body, directly or indirectly, is prohibited and will be considered a disqualification

Compulsary declaration of any convictions, cautions or reprimands, warnings or bind-overs. 

It is the academy’s policy to require all applicants for employment to disclose convictions or cautions (excluding youth cautions, reprimands or warnings) that are not protected as defined by the Ministry of Justice. 

In addition, the job you are applying for is exempt from the provisions of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (exceptions) Order 1975 (2013 and 2020) which requires you to disclose all spent convictions and cautions except those which are protected under Police Act 1997 – Part V and the amendments to the exceptions order1975 (2013 and 2020) and are not subject to disclosure to employers on DBS certificates and cannot be taken into account. 

The offer of employment by the selection panel and acceptance by the candidate is binding on both parties; subject to pre-employment clearances including a DBS Enhanced certificate and children's barred list check.

Visits - Monday 25th April, please contact stephanie.thomson@woacademy.co.uk

Interviews - 28th and 29th April, 2022