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College Principal

College Principal

Phoenix Primary and Secondary School

Tower Hamlets

  • Expired
Salary:
L12 – L16 (Inner London) c£63k - £69k
Job type:
Full Time, Permanent
Start date:
September 2021 or Earlier Start
Apply by:
15 March 2021

Job overview

Phoenix Autism Trust is embarking on the next stage of its journey as a Further Education College for students with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). The Trust is looking to appoint a dynamic Principal to lead the organisation’s ambitious growth strategy to meet the needs of increased demand for places. To get there, we are looking to solidify our foundations and strengthen our curriculum, systems and structures so that we are ready to meet this growth.

The Trust was established by Phoenix School in 2015 to meet the needs of their students who were unable to continue in mainstream FE colleges. It had been operating with the local FE college for five years. In September 2019, it started the Project Search programme in collaboration with Queen Mary University and in September 2020 it was designated by the EFSA as a Special Post-16 Institution and opened ‘Phoenix College’.

In January 2021, the college moved to its new premises and we will seek to develop the space so that it can meet the needs of its evolving curriculum. The building will be shared with the Phoenix Outreach, Research & Development Centre and will provide opportunities for work-related learning for our students. The curriculum is designed to support young people towards independent living and/or employability and the timetable is reflective of these pathways.

Being a new and small provision your responsibilities will include day to day leadership and management of the site and staff, strategic development, meeting growth targets, financial responsibility and accountability, quality improvements and setting the foundations for a fully independent specialist FE College for the future.

The College will be part of the Phoenix School community which is an Outstanding school (Ofsted 2018, 2013, 2008) and one of the largest SEN schools in the country, the school provides education for over 430 children and young people, all with Education and Health Care Plans (EHCP), aged from 3 to 19 years, with a significant number of children on the waiting list.

Whilst developing the full independence of the college, we also acknowledge the support structures in place that are available across the different organisations and believe this relationship will be invaluable to the development of our young people and the work that we do.

We are looking for a dynamic leader that can drive the College forward to ensure the best possible outcomes for our young people. You will have experience in Further Education preferably with extensive knowledge of SEND but more important is experience in a leadership position with significant outcomes. This will be a strategic role with a requirement to get hands-on during its infancy and development stage.

Candidates are strongly encouraged to arrange a visit or video call with Stewart Harris, Executive Head Teacher. Please contact: Stacey.Marsh@phoenix.towerhamlets.sch.uk 020 8980 4740

Application can be found on the Phoenix College website www.phoenixcollege.london and also Phoenix School website www.phoenix.towerhamlets.sch.uk

Please return application to: recruitment@phoenix.towerhamlets.sch.uk

Closing Date: 15th March 2021

Shortlisting: Week Commencing 16th March 2021

Interview Date: 24th & 25th March 2021

SAFEGUARDING & EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES

The College is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. The successful candidate will require an enhanced DBS clearance. We are dedicated to equality and valuing diversity.

We welcome applications from suitably skilled candidates regardless of ethnicity, gender, disability, sexuality, religion or age.

Attached documents

About Phoenix Primary and Secondary School

Phoenix School is a well-established special school, which offers a unique service to the children of Tower Hamlets. It is a caring, well-ordered school, which encourages mutual respect between staff and students. We admit children and young people with severe language and communication difficulties whose needs lie within the autistic spectrum. The school has a multi ethnic population, which reflects the diversity of the borough.

We offer a rich and stimulating curriculum, which is individually tailored reflecting good practice in an environment that supports the students’ learning. The school offers a range of sensory and therapeutic interventions and a multidisciplinary approach to student needs. The school has developed a holistic approach working in partnership other agencies, parents and families to have their needs met from one centre. There is a strong focus on maintaining good relationships between home and school. We encourage respect for others, good manners and tolerance.

The school is known locally for its positive links with the wider community. It celebrates the faiths of the multi-ethnic community of the school and its surroundings

There is a commitment to sharing our learning with other communities and in turn learning through the partnership. We have alliances with schools in Bangladesh and in India following visits from colleagues to us and to them.

Phoenix School is a Rights Respecting School. We implement the UN convention of the rights of the child and ensure that students are taught about their rights. As adults, it is our responsibility to ensure that we are honouring children's rights at all times, and that we are modelling rights respecting behaviour and values in class and around the school. All classrooms have visual reinforcement regarding children's rights, and it is important that all staff are aware of this and reinforce this issue through their practice.

We believe it is important for students to achieve their full potential and importance is placed upon achievement at all levels. Student achievement is celebrated and positive rewards are used to promote and encourage good behaviour and learning.

There is a caring yet purposeful atmosphere within the school and there is a balance of

focus between welfare and achievement for all. The overall aims for students who attend Phoenix are no different to the aims for those attending mainstream schools. There are however clear differences in terms of resourcing, organisation and the emphasis on social, emotional and academic needs. At Phoenix, we aim to give all students equality of opportunity and this is clearly stated in our mission statement:

“to offer a positive, life enhancing education, providing opportunities for the development of each individual potential towards a fulfilling adult life”.

Phoenix School was inspected by OFSTED on April 2024. The school was rated as Outstanding across all areas.

In February 2023 Phoenix School obtained accreditation from The National Autistic Society. This has now been achieved in 2006, 2007, 2008, 2010 2013, 2016 and 2023. The Autism Accreditation Programme is designed to improve the quality of education and care for people with an Autistic Spectrum Disorder. The standards are unique in promoting excellence in both policy and practice presenting a framework for continuous development. Phoenix was awarded a commendation for its excellent work across the school.

The Governing Body of the school is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people, and staff. The Executive Headteacher must ensure that the highest priority is given to following all safeguarding guidance and regulations. The successful candidate will require an enhanced DBS clearance.  All of the school's Safeguarding and Child Protection policies are available on the school's website.  We welcome applications from suitably skilled candidates regardless of ethnicity, gender, disability, sexuality, religion or age.​

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Applications closed