Executive Headteacher, Lawnswood Campus

Are you an enthusiastic, energetic and inspirational leader who is empathetic to children who have challenges and barriers to learning, and families under pressure?

Are you highly demanding of self and others, adaptable, innovative and entrepreneurial? An inspiring communicator and determined negotiator?

Are you brave, resilient and determined to deliver the highest quality teaching and learning offer for our students in our four pupil referral units, each rated as ‘Good’ by Ofsted?

Are you unafraid of change, new ideas, being challenged, and taking calculated risks for the good of the students and staff?

Are you determined to be the champion for children and families who face significant challenges, barriers and disadvantage?

Located in Wolverhampton, the Lawnswood Campus of Pupil Referral Units, comprises  Braybrook Centre, Midpoint Centre and The Orchard Centre (including The Nightingale Centre). The Federation was formed on the 1st January 2012 and has a Management Board of education professionals, staff representatives and community representatives. You can obtain further information about Lawnswood Campus by visiting www.lawnswood.org.uk.

After 17 years of dedicated service, and 8 years as Executive Headteacher, Mrs Jo Wood, retires on the 31st December 2019, and the Management Board faces the significant challenge of replacing her. Could you be the one to step into her shoes and take the Federation forward?

Be under no illusion. This is not the job for the feint hearted. Our students face many barriers to their education and positive life outcomes. You must be empathetic to their needs, have a real understanding of the impact of families under pressure, and be determined to be their champion and make a real difference in their lives.

You will already know that the world of alternative provision is ever changing, and while the demands on Lawnswood Campus student places continually increase, and the needs of the students is ever more complex, meeting these challenges within existing resources and funding envelopes requires strong, courageous and determined leadership, and a cool head.

Is this you?

Despite all the challenges, this is an exciting time to be joining Lawnswood Campus. Having successfully opened a Student Support Centre in 2018 for children who have or are being permanently excluded or awaiting a school place, this is being extended over the summer to increase the number of places. A dedicated CPD suite accommodates a range of CPD programmes for staff. The opening of our new £1.5m sports barn, ‘The Callaghan Centre’ for the start of the 2019/20 academic year, is the conclusion of five years of financial prudence and persistence through the red tape necessary to build a brand-new facility of this type. The Callaghan Centre will enable us to significantly extend our PE, sports and fitness programmes for students and staff, and provide a valuable community resource.

As well as a competitive salary, the post attracts the benefits of working in a local authority grant maintained school and teacher’s pay and conditions.

Lawnswood Campus is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of its students, many of whom are highly vulnerable.  All offers of employment are subject to an enhanced DBS check.

Lawnswood Campus is also committed to equality of opportunity for all of its staff. Therefore, we welcome and encourage applications from everyone regardless of age, disability, gender, ethnicity, religion and sexual orientation.

Visits to the campus will be available on the following dates: 10th, 13th & 17th June 2019.

The closing date for application is strictly 12 noon on 19th June 2019.

Interviews and assessments will take place during week commencing 1st July 2019.