DCYP Headteacher SHAPE International Primary School

Summary

MOD Schools are part of the MOD’s Directorate Children and Young People (DCYP). DCYP provides appropriate professional direction, support and advice to ensure that service children, where ever they are living in the world, and young people are provided with every opportunity to achieve the best possible outcomes and fulfil their potential. DCYP is a highly complex organisation employing c.1000 personnel which included Teachers, MOD Broader Banded Civil Servants, Soulbury Grades, Locally Employed Civilians and Contractors in multiple worldwide locations. As part of DCYP, MOD Schools operate in overseas locations providing an education to service children.

At the British Section, SHAPE International School, children are at the centre of every decision we make. We strive to ensure that our children engage in an excellent education where inspiring teaching and learning, international opportunities and character development combine so all children flourish and are well prepared for their next steps in life.

The British Primary School is one section of a truly unique international school environment which has 12 different national school sections housed on one campus. Operating independently from the other sections, but with all the advantages and potential for international collaboration, this Ministry of Defence primary school in Belgium is an exciting and unique place to learn and flourish for both children and staff.

Job description

We are seeking to appoint a suitably experienced Headteacher, from August 2021 or sooner if agreed, who will:

• Provide inspirational leadership and effective management in order to ensure that all children and staff flourish and achieve their full potential;

• Work closely with the military Command, parent community, key stakeholders in SHAPE and the wider international school;

• Enjoy international partnerships and create collaborative opportunities to inspire children, staff and parents in the unique international environment of the NATO Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe, Belgium;

• Recognise and value the importance of working with service children and ensure that their time in school is positive and successful and their transition between schools smooth and effective.

Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE) is a NATO Headquarters positioned in the southern French speaking part of Belgium near Mons. Approximately 14000 people work in SHAPE from 40 + different nations.

The centre of Brussels can be reached with 30 minutes by train. Belgium is in a great location within Europe; in only a couple of hours drive you are in Germany, Holland, Luxemburg or France and likewise it very easy to be able to return to the UK to see family and friends.

There are approximately 150 pupils in the British Section aged from 3 to 11 years and the English National Curriculum and the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) curriculum and requirements are followed.

MOD Schools is part of the Directorate Children and Young People in the Ministry of Defence (MOD); this is the management and operating system providing this educational provision. Teachers who work in the school have the security of being employed by the MOD as Civil Servants.

The British Section is a one form entry Primary School with Pre-School (FS1) provision. There are 8 classes with approximately 20 pupils in each class and benefits from excellent resources and staffing. The school has recently moved into a new building costing approximately £10 million and includes amongst other facilities a large hall, a variety of playgrounds, computing suite, specialist teaching rooms including a music room and pupils have access to the running track, sports fields and swimming pool on the base. The school building is shared with the Canadian school section who have a maximum number of 60 children. This provides a wealth of opportunity for collaboration with the Canadian school in addition to other national sections.

The British Section is accommodated on a large international campus composed of 12 different national school units. This involves sharing some facilities with other national school sections of SHAPE International School, as well as the SHAPE complex itself. The facilities and ground maintenance are managed centrally through SHAPE International School’s ‘General Services’ administrative department.

For secondary age pupils, the UK children normally attend the British School of Brussels (BSB), an international school situated in the suburbs of Brussels with school places funded by the MOD. The pupils are transported on a coach to and from BSB each day. There is also alternative secondary school provision (US, German and Belgian) available within SHAPE International School.

Qualifications and Licences:

You will have:

a. A UK Driving Licence

b. Hold UK Qualified Teacher Status & Induction Certificate,

c. NPQH (or willing to work towards during tenure)

Personal Qualities

You will:

a. Be a self-motivator who can demonstrate high levels of self-discipline, initiative and who is able to manage within strict and demanding deadlines;

b. Have excellent interpersonal skills and develop effective working relationships with staff at all levels;

c. Have high standards of professional integrity, whilst being resilient, determined and confident;

d. Be ambitious, driven and energetic;

e. Be visible, approachable and accessible;

f. Be able to liaise successfully and promote the work of MOD Schools with other key stakeholders, agencies, senior officers and departments across MOD;

g. Have excellent skills of communication; both oral and in writing.

Responsibilities

Key Areas of Responsibility

The attached post profile provides fuller details of the person and job specification and roles and responsibilities but the Headteacher is responsible for the overall performance of the school, developing an ethos, culture and educational provision which empowers all to thrive and succeed. This includes setting the strategic direction, managing budgets and resources effectively and liaising with all key stakeholders for the benefit of the school. As part of the MOD, the Headteacher will work closely with DCYP to ensure that the British Section, SHAPE International School provides an excellent education for all the pupils and successfully mitigates the challenges of mobility experienced by service children.

The Headteacher of the British Section, SHAPE International School, will be expected to achieve the standards outlined in the Headteachers’ standards (DFE, 2020) and demonstrate the skills and behaviours outline in the post skills profile.

To be successful, you will:

• demonstrate a clear understanding of what constitutes excellent learning, from creative concepts to practical application;

• hold a track record of successful leadership of raising teaching and learning standards, ensuring progression and attainment for all pupils with a desire to embed a culture of continuous development for all;

• possess extensive interpersonal skills to create and effectively communicate the academy vision to all key stakeholders;

• demonstrate a commitment to providing an inclusive environment for children with SEND;

• be a great teacher – as a leader of teaching, we are searching for an individual who understands what great learning looks like in the classroom and recognises how to achieve it;

• inspire, motivate, empower and lead all to achieve.

The full job description is available as an attachment.

Licences

UK Driving Licence

Qualifications

QTS qualification & Induction Certificate

Evidence of qualification will be required at interview

Behaviours

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Leadership

• Developing Self and Others

• Making Effective Decisions

• Working Together

• Communicating and Influencing

Benefits

• Learning and development tailored to your role

• An environment with flexible working options

• A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity.

Superannuation is in accordance with the Teachers’ Pension Scheme.

ALLOWANCES

• COLA: Cost of living overseas allowance is payable, based on personal circumstances and marital status and additional childcare allowance may also be payable.

• A tax free transfer grant may also be payable.

• The post offers full relocation to the successful candidate.

There is also a relocations package, a tax-free transfer grant may also be payable and a paid annual return flight to the UK is also provided for each family member after first having completed 12 months in post.

Please be advised that the department is conducting a review of all pay related allowances which could impact on those allowances that the post currently being advertised attracts.

Things you need to know

Security

Successful candidates must pass a disclosure and barring security check.

People working with government assets must complete basic personnel security standard checks.

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles, and will assess your Behaviours and Experience.

Things you need to know

Security

Successful candidates must pass a disclosure and barring security check.

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles, and will assess your Behaviours and Experience.

You should ensure that you provide evidence in your application of your suitability for the post against the requirements set out in the post profile.

We will use Headteachers Professional Standards and Success Profiles to assess your Behaviours, Strengths and Experience.

Sift assessments for this role will be based on an assessment of the application, CV, personal supporting statement and any other written evidence submitted as part of the Civil Service Jobs application process based on the essential criteria for the post.

Interviews

Interviews and selection tasks will be held virtually during February 2021.

Candidates invited to interview will be required to undertake a lesson observation, complete an in-tray exercise, make a short presentation and take part in a formal interview with exact arrangements to be confirmed.

The interview will be evidence based on the essential knowledge, skills and experience outlined in the job advert.

The interview will also include an assessment of your ability to demonstrate motivation to work with pupils and the ability to form and maintain appropriate relationships and personal boundaries.

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview and selection tasks.

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Nationality requirements

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

• UK nationals

• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UKs

• nationals of the Republic of Ireland

• nationals from the EU, EEA or Switzerland with (or eligible for) status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)

• relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals working in the Civil Service

• relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals who have built up the right to work in the Civil Service

• certain family members of the relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals

Further information on nationality requirements

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles.

The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.

Apply and further information

Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Contact point for applicants

Job contact:

Name: Rowland Bucknill

Email: rowland.bucknill@modschools.org

Telephone: 0032474566008

Recruitment team:

Email: DBSCivPers-ResourcingTeam1@mod.gov.uk