Deputy Headteacher (Teaching and Learning)

Kingdown School and the Acorn Education Trust are seeking to appoint a dynamic and ambitious senior leader with a passion for teaching and learning to help lead this good school as it embarks on the next stage of its journey to outstanding. This role would suit an existing senior leader or middle leader looking for promotion.

We would like to hear from you if you feel you can support the newly appointed Headteacher build upon the significant successes of our school. We are looking for someone who has the passion to enable all our students to reach their full potential and who has:

• The drive, vision and ambition to achieve excellence for all our students;
• A passion to provide the best possible teaching and learning;
• Proven leadership qualities and the ability to challenge, inspire and motivate colleagues;
• A proven record as an imaginative, innovative, resourceful and decisive leader;
• An understanding of the current educational climate;
• A desire to work within the Multi Academy Trust structure.

The School

Kingdown School is an exceptional place to work.  It is a co-educational, non-denominational academy for students aged 11-18 years, situated in Warminster in Wiltshire.  There are currently approximately 1550 students on roll, including 250 in the Sixth Form.  The school employs over 120 teaching staff, ably supported by almost 90 business staff. We are a true comprehensive school; as the only state school in the town we serve students of all abilities, aptitudes and backgrounds.  The school has a very strong reputation within the community, which has been built on an unswerving focus on the quality of teaching and learning and great pastoral care.  These have led, over time, to very positive student outcomes.  The school has an incredibly positive ethos, built through the dedication and hard work of the staff.  We truly are a ‘child-centred’ organisation; staff regularly go the extra mile to support students’ learning, both inside and outside the classroom. 

Kingdown is full of exceptional staff and wonderful students. “Believe, Aspire and Achieve” is the school motto and, alongside the Kingdown crown, creates a great sense of belonging for our students and the community. This is further enhanced through the pastoral system; the school has six houses (named from our time as a specialist Sports College: Lords, Millennium, Silverstone, Twickenham, Wembley and Wimbledon).  Each house is split into 12 tutor groups which each contain students from Years 7 to 13. The vertical tutoring system within the school has helped secure that sense of family and belonging for our students.  The students are intensely proud of their house – inter-house competition can be fierce! 

Building on the very successful Ofsted inspection in March 2017, we want Kingdown School to continue to be exceptional and extraordinary, to serve the local community and beyond, and maintain its reputation as a school that everyone is proud to be associated with.  Leadership across the school is exceptionally strong, and is built on a very deliberate policy of succession planning.  This is an exciting time in the evolution of Kingdown School.  Through opportunities provided by growth in the Acorn Education Trust, there have been a number of changes in the Senior Leadership Team within the school, including my own appointment as substantive Headteacher.  We are now looking to further evolve the team through the appointment of a new Deputy Headteacher to take the school forward to the next level, building on the significant successes gained over the past few years.  Specific responsibilities of this role are subject to negotiation with the successful candidate; in addition to the leadership of Teaching and Learning, the role is likely to include the leadership of CPD, ITE and NQTs, self-evaluation, Curriculum Leaders, and overseeing a Key Stage. 

We strongly encourage prospective candidates to visit our school to experience our friendly school community first-hand. Please contact Rebecca Krzyzosiak (PA to Headteacher) for an appointment - by email at rak@kingdown.wilts.sch.uk, or telephone 01985 215551. 

Please take time to read the documents attached below.  To apply please complete the TES application form and send via the “apply” button on the TES website and write a letter of application (no more than 2 sides of A4) outlining your philosophy of education and how your career to date has lead you to apply for this role and send by email to elf@acorneducationtrust.com .

Shortlisting: 27th April 2018

Interviews: Tuesday and Wednesday, 8th & 9th May 2018

Kingdown School and the Acorn Education Trust is committed to safeguarding and protecting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. An enhanced DBS (Disclosure & Barring Services) check will be required for the successful candidate. We are an equal opportunities employer.