Deputy Headteacher
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The Downs School
West Berkshire
- Expired
- Salary:
- Leadership Scale L18-L24
- Job type:
- Full Time, Permanent
- Start date:
- September 2023
- Apply by:
- 17 April 2023
Job overview
Closing Date: 17 April 2023
Proposed Start Date: September 2023
Salary: Leadership Scale L18 – L24
Contract type: Full Time and Permanent
A rare and exciting opportunity has arisen to join The Downs School as a Deputy Headteacher with a particular focus on curriculum development and raising standards. Such a key role dictates that you will share and actively promote the school’s visions of ‘educating today’s students for the world of tomorrow’. To achieve this the student is always at the heart of everything we do, from supporting progress and achievement to providing a safe, positive and inclusive environment of ‘Learning together, learning for life’.
The successful applicant will join our Senior Leadership Team, which is forward thinking and committed to embracing the ever-changing landscape of education.
To be successful for this position you will need to:
· be an outstanding leader with drive, energy and ambition, able to inspire students and staff to strive for continuous improvement and outstanding outcomes for all
· work collaboratively to develop the curriculum, ensuring that it is innovative and challenging
· lead with other members of the SLT to provide professional leadership and management of teaching and learning throughout the school
· lead with other members of the SLT the responsibility for setting, maintaining, monitoring and improving standards in the school
· work in partnership with the Headteacher and the SLT in providing a high level strategic, management and operation direction of the school.
· lead with other members of SLT on whole school self-evaluation and quality assurance systems
· demonstrate exceptional organisational and time management skills
In return you will:
· experience a caring, positive federation ethos that prioritises staff wellbeing and recognition
· work with children who enjoy being at school, behave exceptionally and have excellent attitudes to learning
· experience a professional, stimulating, and collaborative working environment with the opportunity to work alongside secondary subject specialists
· work alongside an experienced Headteacher to shape the future direction and development of the schools
· experience outstanding professional development and support to grow and develop as a leader in a forward-thinking school
The Downs School is a Foundation, 11-18 comprehensive school and is a successful, oversubscribed and popular school serving the Downs area of West Berkshire. Currently the roll is over 1300 with a well-established and successful sixth form. The school is in a beautiful rural setting with good road links to Newbury, Reading, Didcot and Oxford – just 10 minutes from the A34.
If you would like to learn more, we warmly invite you to visit our school, so that you can experience our ethos in person. Visits to the school will not form part of the selection process. Please contact Donna Sampson, HR Manager on
01635 270000 or email recruitment@thedownsschool.org.
As well as the completed and signed application form, we would request that in support of your application you provide a covering letter indicating how you meet the requirements of a Deputy Headteacher at The Downs School. Please return your applications by Midday, Tuesday 17 April 2023 to Mrs Donna Sampson, Human Resources Manager at the above address or e-mail at recruitment@thedownsschool.org
The Downs School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. Successful applicants will be subject to an Enhanced Disclosure Check through the DBS and provide evidence that they have a right to work in the UK.
Attached documents
About The Downs School
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Welcome to our School
The Downs School & Sixth Form is a co-educational, non-denominational school set in the heart of the West Berkshire Downs. We provide a balanced approach to the pursuit of excellence by offering an interesting, challenging and lively curriculum. Students gain academic, creative, sporting and social skills, both in and out of the classroom, ensuring a well-rounded learning experience for all. We also place a strong emphasis on the partnership between staff, students and parents and respect the trust placed upon us by parents who actively choose our school for their children.
Our Sixth Form is vibrant, welcoming, all-inclusive and purposeful. Staff, students and parents work together to create an environment in which our young people are supported to realise their full potential and achieve their personal goals.
We have a proven track record of success, and our 2021 results maintained our strong tradition of excellence, making us very proud of our students’ achievements. At GCSE, 89% of our students achieved grades A*-C, with 79% of students achieving A*- strong pass and 40% of students achieving grades A*-A. Our A Level results were equally as impressive, with 91% of students achieving A*-C grades, 72% % A*-B grades and 50% A*-A grades.
Values and vision
Our staff are committed to excellence and achievement at all levels and we develop our students into well-rounded young adults, able to venture into a rapidly changing world with confidence and determination. These principles are summed up in our school vision ‘Educating today’s young people for the world of tomorrow.’ Ofsted has judged us as outstanding in every category but we are not a school that wants to stand still. We know that there is always more to do to ensure that every child’s educational experience is rich, character building and of the highest possible standard. We are striving to beyond outstanding through our philosophy of “Learning together, learning for life.”
We work in partnership with our students who contribute to the decision-making in the school, ensuring they feel valued and confident. Despite our size, we pride ourselves on our small school feel.
Beyond the classroom
Learning extends beyond the classroom to extra-curricular activities and trips, both within the UK and overseas. Lessons are brought to life through a wide range of educational trips; from visiting theatres in London and New York for our Performing Arts students, an annual Geography trip to Iceland and exchange visits for our language students to France. Our Sixth Form students often choose to join the bi-annual skiing trip and there is the opportunity to take part in a major expedition. Past expeditions have travelled to Ecuador, Norway and India.
We also offer other opportunities including inter-house sporting competitions and a variety of lunchtime and after school sport clubs. For those interested in dance, music or drama we offer a number of house competitions through the year and the opportunity to take part in our annual productions which have included Les Miserables and Billy Elliott. We also offer opportunities in debating, public speaking, creative writing and more.
Ofsted
“Students make very rapid progress across all year groups and in a wide range of subjects. The proportions of current Year 11 students making more than expected progress from Key Stage 2 in English and mathematics are very high. Together with students’ very high levels of attainment, this represents outstanding and sustained high achievement throughout Key Stage 3 and Key Stage 4."
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