Head
Austin Friars
Cumbria
- Expired
- Salary:
- Competitive
- Job type:
- Full Time, Permanent
- Start date:
- 1st September 2024
- Apply by:
- 13 November 2023
Job overview
Austin Friars, located in an attractive suburb to the north of the city of Carlisle, is a leading Catholic coeducational school for children of all faiths and none aged 3–18. It serves the local areas of north Cumbria and southwest Scotland. It has for a long time been the first-choice school for parents considering independent day education in the region.
The School has a distinctive mission, ethos and values, reflecting its strong ties with the Augustine community worldwide. Its relatively small size fosters a warm and supportive atmosphere, and pastoral care is a particular strength. The ‘jewel in the crown’ is the cohesion of the wholly inclusive ideal of ‘family’ that underpins all that the School does. Relationships between pupils, between pupils and staff, parents and staff and amongst staff themselves are supportive, constructive and built on the firm foundations of respect and trust.
Although now independent of the Augustinian Order and governed by a Board of Trustees, its religious foundation remains a high priority in defining the School’s unique and strong personality. The School aims to foster pupils’ intellectual, social, physical, aesthetic, cultural, moral and spiritual development, with the intent to nurture a love of learning, a spirit of enquiry and the pursuit of excellence. It seeks to bring out the best in each child in a disciplined and stimulating environment with an emphasis on being a united community whose members show mutual respect.
The current Head, Matt Harris, is retiring after 12 years’ distinguished service. The Board of Trustees are now looking for an outstanding new Head who will manage the School with a warm and empathetic touch, who will personify the community’s strong spiritual values and who will have the vision and resilience to lead with confidence, energy and determination. The Board of Trustees welcomes candidates who are either committed and practising Catholics or who are in sympathy with the School’s Augustinian values and traditions.
The Head is responsible for the day-to-day management, ensuring smooth operations and that the pupils receive an excellent educational experience supported by outstanding levels of safeguarding, pastoral care, and enrichment opportunities. You should, bring with you a knowledge and understanding of education across the 3–18 age range. Instinctively collaborative, you should be able to inspire confidence across the school community and to communicate openly with trustees, staff, parents, pupils and other stakeholders. An engaging individual and a confident networker, you will be able to promote and market the School effectively. You should be able to demonstrate a strategic approach to policy and planning, management skills and business acumen. You should also bring experience of successful senior leadership in schools, a track record of building and leading strong teams, a creative approach to teaching and learning and a desire for continuing professional development.
Potential candidates should not contact the School. Those wishing to discuss this post are invited to arrange a confidential discussion with one of the consultants handling this appointment:
- Jenny Funnell, Search Consultant: jennyfunnell@rsacademics.com
- Peter Bodkin: peterbodkin@rsacademics.com
For further information about the role and an application pack, please visit the RSAcademics website.
Closing date: 10.00am on Monday 13th November 2023.
Austin Friars is an equal opportunities employer committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Applicants must be willing to undergo child protection screening appropriate to the post, including checks with past employers and the Disclosure and Barring Service. This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the amendments to the Exceptions Order 1975, 2013 and 2020. The safeguarding responsibilities of this post are detailed in the candidate briefing pack, and Austin Friars’ child protection policy can be found on the School’s website and alongside the application form on RSAcademics’ website.
About Austin Friars
At Austin Friars we are committed to the pursuit of outstanding teaching and learning and to optimising the outcomes of our students. The attraction of our community lies in the radiance cast by the love of its members; and in our community, every child really does matter. The jewel in our crown is the cohesion of “family” that underpins all that we do. The relationships between students and staff, parents and staff and amongst staff themselves are supportive, constructive and built on the firm foundations of respect and trust. This wholly inclusive ideal allows us to eloquently express the three key tenets of our foundation; unity, truth and charity.
The School has a strong reputation in the north of Cumbria and in south-west Scotland for providing an all-round, high quality education which meets the individual needs of each child.
A strong sense of community
In our supportive School Community which cares and shows mutual respect for one another, we provide an education for our students seeking to bring out the best in each child. All students are encouraged to share their talents with and for others. We are a small and very friendly School in which the quality of pastoral care has a high priority.All staff are very committed to promoting the welfare and happiness of each child. Staff get to know their students well ensuring that attention is given to individual needs.
Spiritual Well-Being
We celebrate the Christian liturgical calendar in ways which reflect our Catholic roots and the traditions of the wider Christian family, catering for the needs of all students in a truly inclusive environment. At Austin Friars, where all are made to feel very welcome, spiritual and moral well-being are at the heart of what we offer.
Christian values are at the core of our School community. We have a common purpose which is shaped and inspired by a Christian vision of the world. From celebrating the importance of each individual, to the way we look after one another and the wider world, we believe in a culture of kindness, a search for truth and a commitment to justice.
Educating the 'whole' person
We are proud of the very successful, all round education which the School provides. Beyond the classroom, an extensive extra-curricular programme provides the opportunities which are so vital for a well-rounded education.
We aim to provide for the education of the whole person. Music, drama, creative and physical activity are integral to the curriculum alongside the pursuit of academic excellence.
Individual success is celebrated and healthy competition encouraged. Our students look around and know that their contribution in the classroom or laboratory, on the stage or in the choir, on the games field or in a leadership role is greatly valued. What they also know is that by trying hard, with the guidance of their teachers, they can make a real difference to the life of the School.
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