Head of Senior School

Akeley Wood School is a dynamic and friendly place to work with numerous opportunities for professional development. We educate around 800 children from Nursery to Sixth Form across three beautiful campuses. We have a progressive approach to teaching and learning and look to recruit high calibre staff committed to achieving the highest standards and to actively take part in the school life. An energetic, flexible and empathic attitude is required to thrive at this progressive school with a strong belief that every child can acquire strategies to ensure they fulfil their true potential. Personal integrity, honesty, energy, stamina and enthusiasm are all essential attributes.

This role is for a Head of Senior School, overseeing the pastoral support and educational outcomes across the 11 – 18 age range. You would be a key member of the Senior Leadership Team, reporting to the Headteacher and with line management responsibility for the Assistant Head – Character and Wellbeing, Assistant Head – Academic Excellence and the Director of Sixth Form. This is an incredibly exciting time to join Akeley following the re-launch and major development of the Sixth Form provision at the AW6 campus and reshaping of the school structure.

The Head of School will lead from the front, be a figure-head for both students and the parent body and support the ambitious growth plans for the school.

Key Responsibilities will include, (but not limited to):

Leadership

• Embed the vision & direction for the school with the Headteacher and wider school leadership team
• Create a positive and growth-minded culture to develop a conducive senior school environment where staff love coming to work and students have an inspiring environment to learn in.
• Support the Headteacher in effectively communicating all aspects of the school to its community.

Holistic Education

• Ensure clarity of focus on safeguarding, academic achievement and personal development.
• Together with the Headteacher and SLT, embed the Cognita Quality Framework: A3 – Attitudes, Adaptability and Agency.
• Ensure a rigorous focus on pupils’ achievement, using data and assessment tools to monitor pupil progress and challenge underachievement with pupils and colleagues.
• Be an advocate for student wellbeing and ensure the Cognita Be Well Charter is used as a key tool in student wellbeing.

Growth

• Support the Headteacher in the management of the Student Retention and Admissions experience.
• Ensure partnerships with parents to support and improve pupil achievement and wellbeing.

Safeguarding & Compliance

• Demonstrate a personal commitment to safeguarding, health & safety.
• Support the headteacher in ensuring that the school is compliant and provides a safe learning environment for students and colleagues.
• Ensure full compliance with legislation, regulations, safeguarding policies,
• procedures and code of conduct.

The ideal candidate will have:

• A nice, personable and charismatic person who has professional gravitas (in and out of school)
• Understands the importance of ‘frontline leadership’
• Embraces and manages diversity
• Understands why and how to build capacity
• Strong leadership skills with integrity and a strong moral compass
• Has resilience but is willing to be open and learn
• Enjoys empowering others and nurturing talent
• Able and willing to have honest & tough conversations with colleagues and parents.
• Ability to simplify the complex
• Strong people skills with the ability to build teams and the school community
• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• Manage competing priorities and meeting deadlines
• Able to develop and deliver strategic plans
• Be adaptable in order to engage effectively with parents, pupils, colleagues
• Demonstrate outstanding teaching practice
• Good commercial acumen
• Knowledge of safeguarding regulations and Independent Schools Standard & Regulations
• Deep understanding of the curriculum
• Degree in Education
• Relevant Educational qualification /qualified teacher status

Diversity and Inclusion:

We believe having a diverse workforce makes us better, smarter and happier and so welcome applicants from all backgrounds, genders, and races. We have an unwavering commitment to being fair, inclusive and equitable in our recruitment process.

Safeguarding Responsibilities:

• To comply with safeguarding policies, procedures and code of conduct

• To demonstrate a personal commitment to safeguarding & student/colleague wellbeing

• To ensure that safeguarding concerns or incidents are reported appropriately in line with policy

• To engage in safeguarding training when required

Cognita Schools are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff, volunteers and other third parties to share this commitment. Safer recruitment practice and pre-employment background checks will be undertaken before any appointment is confirmed.

Cognita is committed to preserving and promoting equality of opportunity in all aspects of the conduct of its business.

No member of staff or any applicant for employment with Cognita will be discriminated against, harassed or victimised because of their personal characteristics. Cognita expects all staff to comply with the letter and the spirit of its policy.