Head of School

Overview and Responsibilities

Head of School. Aurora Woodlands 

Location: Darwen, Lancashire   

Salary: L14 (£68,586) – L18 (£75,675) 

Hours: 40 hours per week 

Close date:  Monday 31st March and Interview date: Wednesday 2nd April 

Aurora Woodlands 

Situated in a beautiful location in the small town of Darwen, Lancashire, Aurora Woodlands School is a small specialist school providing personalised, tailored academic and therapeutic support in a calm, nurturing environment. We focus on providing a creative and stimulating learning environment while building genuine trust between our students and the adults that work with them. This approach inspires high levels of engagement, facilitating achievement and progress for every individual.

The main purpose of the role:

The Head of School will be accountable for the day to day operational responsibility of the school and will have a leadership role in assisting the Principal to develop the school in accordance with its shared values and school development plans.

Key duties and responsibilities: 

• Establish and sustain the school’s ethos and strategic direction together with the Principal and governing board and through consultation with the school community
• Establish and oversee systems, processes and policies so the school can operate effectively
• Identify problems and barriers to school effectiveness, and develop strategies for school improvement that are realistic, timely and suited to the school’s context
• Make sure the school improvement strategies are effectively implemented
• Allocate financial resources appropriately, efficiently and effectively
• Undertake safeguarding duties supported by the Principal which will entail reporting and following up incidents in a timely manner and where appropriate liaising with both internal and external stakeholders
• Create a culture where pupils experience a positive and enriching school life
• Uphold educational standards in order to prepare pupils from all backgrounds for their next phase of education and life
• Ensure a culture of staff professionalism and wellbeing
• Continue to maintain and sustain high-quality teaching across all subjects and phases, based on evidence
• Promote and model good relationships with parents and carers, which are based on partnerships to support and improve pupils’ attendance, well-being, learning and achievement

Skills and Qualifications

Skills, Qualifications and experience required:

• Qualified Teacher status (QTLS or QTS)
• Recent management/leadership training (Desirable)
• Accredited training in specific areas of special education (Desirable)
• At least 3 years successful and demonstrable leadership and management experience in a school
• Experience of teaching in a specialist SEMH Environment.
• Involvement in school self-evaluation and development planning
• Demonstrable experience of successful line management and staff development
• Experience of working with and involving school governors/trustees or executives
• Data analysis skills, and the ability to use data to set targets and identify weaknesses
• Understanding of high-quality teaching based on evidence, and the ability to model this for others and support others to improve
• Effective communication and interpersonal skills
• Ability to build effective working relationships
• Up to date knowledge of statutory regulations and guidance relating to the post including understanding of OFSTED requirements and latest developments in special education.
• A commitment to getting the best outcomes for all pupils and promoting the ethos and values of the school
• Ability to work under pressure and prioritise effectively
• Commitment to maintaining confidentiality at all times
• Commitment to safeguarding and equality, ensuring that personal beliefs are not expressed in ways that exploit the positions

Benefits and Additional Information

What’s on offer?

• Training and Development

Within Aurora, we strongly believe that learning and development should not be limited to just the children and young people we support. We offer wide range of programmes and opportunities to all our employees to improve your skills and further your career. 

• Save money on your bills!!

With the cost of living rising we have a fantastic benefit through Perkbox to help with cutting costs and help make your money go further. Perkbox is a free app for you to use on the go wherever you are. You can get deals and discounts to save money on things like your weekly food bill, phone plans, internet, eating out, gym memberships, insurance and more. You can also use Perkbox for our cycle to work scheme and car scheme. 

• Competitive Pay and Reward

Every year we compare the market rates of pay and rewards to insure they are comparable or better to other similar organisations. We also offer Enhanced Annual Leave, Company Sick Pay, Pension and Life Assurance.

• UK Health Cash Plan

This plan can help cover your day to day healthcare expenditure such as optician and dental bills. You and your children are covered on this plan and you can also choose to upgrade and add a partner to enjoy the benefits with you.

• Employee Assistance Programme

Your health and wellbeing is very important to us and we have support available on a wide variety of issues, helping you with online tools, information and via a freephone counselling service available 24/7. 

• Refer a friend for £1,000

We’ll reward you for recommending friends and family to come and join the company (*terms apply)

How to apply?

Please complete an online application form in full, remembering to include all employment and education details. If you need any assistance or would like any more information please contact Karen in the Aurora Group Recruitment Team at karen.barnfield@the-aurora-group.com

Successful applicants will be subject to pre-employment safeguarding checks including an enhanced disclosure and barring service (DBS) check.

The post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the Aurora Group is therefore permitted to ask job applicants to declare all convictions and cautions (including those which are "spent" unless they are "protected" under the DBS filtering rules) in order to assess their suitability to work with children.

The Aurora Group is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of the children and young adults in our care and is a disability confident and equal opportunities employer.

This advert could be taken down at any point in time without prior notice if the position is filled. 

Please note that candidates that are shortlisted might be subject to an online search.