Deputy Director of Secondary School Improvement

This is an exciting time to be joining the School Improvement team at Haberdashers’ Academies Trust South. Following the appointment of our Primary and Secondary Directors for School Improvement, we are seeking to bring further expertise into our central services team.

The list of responsibilities is not exhaustive, as this is a new role. There are likely to be other responsibilities associated with the role as it develops. These can be discussed at interview.

Professional Development

Our staff are important to us. We know that without great staff, our children will not be as successful. Therefore, professional development is key to our success. We are fortunate to have a wide range of internal and external course facilitators, with a wide range of courses and CPD opportunities for all staff. 

Strategic responsibilities

•To work with the Directors of School Improvement, and other senior leaders across the Trust, in developing and implementing our Haberdashers’ model of School Improvement, bringing it to life in all of our schools. The focus of the work will vary according to the context of the school.

•Play a part in the development of a school improvement team beyond the roles already planned. This will include Subject Trust Leaders and Advisors.

•In achieving the above, to deliver high quality and cost effective support to schools as required; commissioning and quality assuring the team’s work so that it supports senior leaders and impacts on pupil outcomes.

•Keep up to date with the latest research and evidence in school improvement and be able to share this intelligence across the Federation so that there is impact. This will include visits to other Trusts, schools and external organisations.

•Take responsibility for developing high quality teaching and learning across the Secondary schools.

•To lead on a portfolio of school specific leadership responsibilities as required within the host school; agreed in consultation with the Principal.

Work with others

•Work with the Directors of School Improvement, and Director of Professional Learning, in ensuring that the development needs of staff are met.

•Work with the Analysis and Insight team to track pupil achievement and monitor other key aspects of school improvement information such as behaviour / attendance.

•Work with senior leaders across the Trust to support them in delivering quality teaching and learning across all subjects and key stages.

•Support the development needs of those you line manage to ensure they are experts in their field.

•Work with other central service functions to support schools in their compliance.

Operational elements

•Act as a resource for schools, supporting in the mobilisation of talent and expertise from within and outside of the Trust.

•Be prepared to add capacity to school teams if required. The role will include three days per week adding leadership capacity within one of our Secondary schools.

•Take part in quality assurance visits to schools.

•Promote equal opportunities and inclusion and take action immediately should this fall short in the organisation.

•Report any safeguarding concerns in accordance with our safeguarding policy.

Essential Experience, Skills and Knowledge

•QTS

•Minimum of three years recent senior leadership experience, with evidence of impact in the drivers of our school improvement.

•Evidence of continuous professional development.

•A deep understanding of school improvement in a range of contexts and an ability to demonstrate impact on pupil outcomes – particularly for the most disadvantaged.

•Excellent knowledge of curriculum theory, and experience of developing whole-school curriculum.

•The ability to understand and analyse assessment data.

•A strong track record of improving quality of teaching and learning.

•Experience of developing others at a senior leadership level.

•Evidence of research and use of evidence to secure school improvement.

•Understanding of inclusion / safeguarding / SEND provision.

Personal qualities

•You are someone who is able to work well with others and manage the balance between challenge and support, in a role such as this.

•You are an influential and confident professional, with the ability to influence and constructively challenge senior leaders in their decision making and their approach to school improvement. This requires sensitivity and awareness.

•You are a relationship builder with a proven ability to develop positive relationships with others in a range of contexts.

•You are a people person who is values driven and keeps students are at the heart of your work.

•You are a self-starter who is able to take direction but also able to use your own initiative.​

•You are a ‘can do’ person who works positively and collaboratively.

•You are organised and like to see projects finished on time.

•You are a good listener, able to understand tasks and apply your own way of working to them.​

•You are a great communicator and can communicate well communicate well verbally and in writing.

•You are able to remain calm under pressure and demonstrate sound judgement.

•You enjoy pressure and the need to meet deadlines​.

•You are committed to equal opportunity and diversity in the workplace.