Executive Head Teacher

Sunfield School and Children’s Home, part of the Ruskin Mill Trust Group is a thriving independent special school and children’s home, set within 58 acres of parkland which supports the innovative and outdoor methods of working with and engaging the children within our care.

Sunfield provides innovative and experiential education, developed out of the inspiration of Rudolf Steiner, William Morris and John Ruskin and supports young people (6 – 19 years) with complex learning needs, including autism and PDA.  On-site resources include a state-of-the-art sensory integration suite and family accommodation, along with resident carers, teachers, psychologists, therapists and healthcare professionals.

In this newly created role you will lead the Senior Leadership Team and will collaborate fully with the Executive Principal to supervise and professionally support all staff members and create cohesion across the School and Children’s Home. You will be responsible for ensuring that the vision and method of Steiner education and Practical Skills Therapeutic Education (PSTE) is secured through excellent practice and organisational administration, including sound policies, processes and systems that support and achieve good and outstanding grades from regulatory bodies, and demonstrate robust evidence of student progression.

To be able to undertake this role you must ideally have a degree or Masters level of education, and possess a full teaching qualification or equivalent experience. In addition, you will have experience of leading and managing change to deliver improved performance; Have experience of successful performance management, ideally through staff development; Be able to demonstrate experience of having led, or significantly contributed to the success of an organisation through its leadership, ethos, teaching and results; Evidence of working with commissioners or parents related to student admissions; Be able to evidence experience of successful implementation of quality assurance processes to address concerns or identified areas of improvement and ideally have experience of engaging and recruiting privately funded students.

To undertake this role successfully you will need an up to date knowledge of the legislative frameworks which impact on a 24 hour provision; Experience of working within a complex organisation; Knowledge of Rudolf Steiner Holistic Education with particular reference to the works and insights of John Ruskin and William Morris; Be adaptable and show initiative with high levels of personal, emotional and social intelligence.Training in all areas will be available.

In return, we offer significant personal development opportunities to work within a holistic organisation that is complex and growing. 

Only those with an outstanding commitment to helping students come to recognise themselves and others, develop self and social awareness and are empowered to achieve and make positive contributions to society at large, giving back in a self-directed, productive and enjoyable way should apply.

Closing date: Wednesday 6th March 2019 (Previous applicants will be considered along with new applicants and therefore need not reapply).

For further information and to apply visit www.sunfield.org.uk or contact Lindsay Wilkinson, the Trust Head of Human Resources on 07813 234644, alternatively please complete an application form (sorry no CV’s) by visiting our website http://www.sunfield.org.uk/work-with-us/job-vacancies/  which includes information on how to complete your application form.

This post is subject to satisfactory references, an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check for both Adults and Children, medical check, evidence of qualifications, plus verification of the right to work in the UK. 

Sunfield Children’s Home is a registered charity (No. 527522) and an equal opportunities employer. Sunfield is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.