Executive Headteacher

This is a unique and exciting opportunity for an outstanding, aspirational and inspirational leader to take on the role of Executive Headteacher. It combines the roles of Headteacher of Featherstone High School (FHS) and Executive Headteacher of the Grand Union Multi Academy Trust. The vacancy arises due to the retirement of our long standing Executive Headteacher after many years of distinguished service to the school and its community. 

Featherstone High School is a highly popular, oversubscribed secondary school with 1,772 students, on roll. It provides outstanding educational opportunities for our students, achieving Ofsted outstanding in 2007 and again in 2015. It has built a reputation on achieving together through a partnership between high levels of achievement and a strong emphasis on shared values and virtues. It is excellent and remains on a journey to sustain its outstanding status in its next inspection. It is also a Sponsoring Academy. In the last year that examination results were published, Featherstone High School achieved a progress 8 score at GCSE of 0.96.  Our small primary school Woodlands Academy has 205 children on roll and has capacity for growth. It achieved a good judgement in its most recent Ofsted Inspection in 2019. 

As Executive Headteacher you will lead Featherstone High School and have oversight of our primary school Woodlands Academy which remains Good. It is intended that the Trust will grow steadily and in a measured way, the successful candidate will play a key role in this. As the Trust expands the role will evolve accordingly. Central to every aspect of our work is our motto ‘Together we Achieve’ built on our firm belief that effective partnerships can deliver improved outcomes beyond those we could achieve on our own. We are proud to have sustained very high levels of performance.

We invest heavily in our staff and want to grow them, and our young people to achieve the best for each of them and that extends to the investment in our new Executive Headteacher. We want to see greater collaborative partnerships between our schools and any new ones that join the Trust in the future. Our staff are highly committed and work hard to deliver a first-class educational experience for all our young people. 

As an experienced professional, you will be able to demonstrate strategic leadership and excellent people management skills, together with a proven track record of success in raising standards. You will demonstrate an excellent record of working on collaborative projects. You will be able to demonstrate extensive staff development experience and expertise. Most importantly, you will have a passion for education and students' learning, across both the primary and secondary sectors, with the determination to make a positive difference and commitment to continuous improvement across the Trust. 

The successful candidate will need to be:

• Passionate about releasing young people’s maximum potential.

• A calm, exceptional, aspirational leader, eager to grow.

• A strong track record in developing good relationships with staff and students.

• Able to lead development and manage change.

• Able to set challenging goals for all members of the school and Trust community.

• Be flexible and adapt to the changing nature of the role.

• A strategic thinker with a strong track record of sustained school improvement.

• Able to work collaboratively in developing and growing all members of our community. 

We will offer you:

• Highly supportive and committed Trustees as critical friends.

• Induction and ongoing career support and development.

• A strong positive ethos across the Trust including a commitment to staff wellbeing.

• A vibrant and committed team.

• An excellent working environment.

• A Trust that has a well-managed budget.

This appointment is supported by ASCL’s Leadership Appointment Service. If you feel inspired and excited to find out more about this fantastic opportunity, please contact Bal Kaur-Pierpoint on 07492 353368 or email Bal.Kaur-Pierpoint@ascl.org.uk for further information. To arrange an informal and confidential virtual meeting to discuss the post in more detail with the Chair, Christine Dickson, please contact Bal.

We hope to be able to facilitate visits to Featherstone High School on Friday 7th January 2022 9.00-12noon; Tuesday 11th January 1.00-3.00pm; Wednesday 12th January 9.00am-12noon; Monday 17th January 9.00am-12noon. Please contact Harj Johal Head of HR on 020 8571 8787 or email HJohal@featherstonehigh.ealing.sch.uk to arrange.

Closing date for applications is 10.00am Monday 24th January 2022

Shortlisting will take place on Thursday 27th January 2022

Interviews will be held on Fri 28th January, Wednesday 2nd and Thursday 3rd February 2022

The Grand Union Multi Academy Trust is committed to Safeguarding and promoting the welfare of Children and Young People and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

References will need to be seen before any offer of employment is made. All successful applicants will need to complete an Enhanced Disclosure from the Disclosure & Barring Service check and adhere to the Trust’s Safeguarding Children policy.

Equality is at the heart of The Grand Union Multi Academy Trust’s moto “together we achieve”. The Grand Union Multi Academy Trust understand that, in order to enable all members of our community to achieve their full potential, we need to be proactive and positive in ensuring everyone is given equal treatment and opportunities, regardless of race, religion, gender, sexuality, disability, age or any other of the protected characteristics