Head Teacher

Head Teacher

Apply by: 15th April 2020
Interview dates: 23rd/24th April
Job start: September 2020

Meopham Community Academy is a two-form entry primary school in a beautiful village location and prides itself on providing a happy, caring and safe environment for all its pupils. It is a busy, friendly and popular school with a warm and welcoming ethos. Children are encouraged to enjoy their time and education at the school and to achieve the highest possible standards in all aspects of their lives. The broad curriculum, wide range of extra-curricular activities and support for pupils were all recognised in the most recent short Ofsted inspection in October 2018, where the school continued to be rated as “Good”.

Meopham Community Academy joined The Pathway Academy Trust in September 2018. There are now five schools within the Trust, creating many opportunities for collaborative working with support from both the Chief Executive Officer and Deputy CEO.

We are committed to finding the very best candidate to lead Meopham Community Academy as the school continues on its journey and builds on its success: someone who will lead by example with integrity, creativity, resilience and clarity, empowering all pupils and staff to succeed.

Before applying for this role, please ensure you have read all the relevant information. The job description and person specification will be used by the selection panel to shortlist your application, so think carefully about the criteria for this role and demonstrate in your application how you fulfil all the requirements.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES STATEMENT

The Pathway Academy Trust, an equal opportunities employer, values the diversity of our workforce and the knowledge of our people. The Trust provides all qualified applicants consideration for employment without regard to age, race, colour, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, disability or protected veteran status, or any other legally protected basis, in accordance with applicable law.

The Pathway Academy Trust is committed to providing reasonable adjustments to individuals with disabilities.

SAFEGUARDING STATEMENT

The Pathway Academy Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people, and expects all staff to share this commitment. There is a requirement for the successful applicant to complete an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. The Trust is also committed to ensuring that it meets the requirements of the Disclosure and Barring Service and DfE in relation to the processing, handling and security of Disclosure information and pre-employment checks.

PURPOSE OF THE JOB

These are centred on the four domains in the National Standards of Excellence for Head Teachers.

1. Qualities and Knowledge:

• Significant successful school leadership experience, for example, as a Deputy Head or Head Teacher in a primary setting
• Provide inspiring leadership by challenging, motivating and empowering individuals and teams to attain ambitious outcomes
• Create and communicate a relevant, compelling and strategic vision to inspire others
• Maintain and develop the school environment based on enjoyment, achievement and excitement through learning
• Motivate and work with staff to create a shared culture and positive environment aligned with the Trust’s values and ethos, in which all individuals feel valued and where personal endeavour and responsibility are encouraged
• Demonstrate exemplary leadership skills and the ability to model appropriate leadership behaviours
• Ensure that non-negotiables are adhered to, without exception
• Demonstrate positive attitudes and excellent communication to all stakeholders
• Keep abreast of educational developments and best practice locally, nationally and globally in order to contribute to the development of the education system
• Maintain a record of self-evaluation and areas for continuous personal and professional development, taking account of feedback from others
• Evidence of personal and professional development activities over the last two years relevant to Headship

KEY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• The Head Teacher of Meopham Community Academy is responsible for the successful organisation, management and development of the school within the framework of The Pathway Academy Trust’s vision, ethos and policies.
• They will be accountable for and take responsibility for the performance of the school: raising educational standards, promoting the safeguarding and welfare of all children, implementing a curriculum that is relevant, exciting and engaging, providing inspirational and professional leadership, and establishing a culture that promotes excellence, equality and high expectations for all.
• They will also be a role model and ambassador for The Pathway Academy Trust, upholding its values and aims.

2. Pupils and Staff

• Drive a passion for learning in every member of the school community through effective communication and interpersonal skills
• Ensure that all pupils receive an efficient, effective and appropriate education and make good progress according to their individual needs and abilities, overcoming disadvantage and advancing equality
• Knowledge of how to drive up achievement of all pupils, including those deemed to be ‘vulnerable’
• Ensure effective and appropriate pastoral support is available to children within the school
• Ensure high quality teaching in all year groups is maintained and developed and action taken swiftly where underperformance is identified
• Support excellent teaching and ambitious standards through an analytical understanding of how pupils learn and of the core features of successful classroom practice and curriculum design, conducting and drawing on relevant research and robust data analysis
• Have a commitment to a broad and balanced curriculum that is relevant to the next generation's needs and aspirations
• Provide a model of outstanding practice to all staff in teaching and leadership and hold all staff to account for professional conduct and practice
• Inspire, motivate and support all staff to develop their classroom skills and subject knowledge and to support each other by providing clear expectations and guidance, encouraging accountability and responsibility, and valuing each individual’s contribution
• Support with recruiting and retaining staff of the highest quality, in line with Trust policies and safer recruitment procedures
• Coach members of the Senior Leadership Team and other aspiring leaders, identifying emerging talents for clear succession planning
• Develop positive and productive professional relationships
• Understand how a staff team is built and how that team will thrive
• Support the CEO and Deputy CEO in the development of the Trust

3. Systems and Process

• Ensure that the school’s systems and processes are well-considered, efficient and fit for purpose, upholding the principles of transparency, integrity and probity
• Regularly monitor and evaluate all aspects of the school’s performance in a robust cyclical manner, including curriculum and assessment, and ensure that plans and implementation are adjusted accordingly
• Ensure appropriate and timely records are maintained to monitor each child's progress and inform the decision-making processes
• Maintain and develop a high standard of communication to and consultation with parents and carers on the progress of their children
• Implement rigorous, fair and transparent systems for managing the performance of all staff, addressing any underperformance, supporting staff to continuously improve and valuing excellent practice
• Ensure that pupil and staff safeguarding remains a top priority, and that all safeguarding policies and procedures adopted by the Trust Board are fully implemented and followed by all staff
• Ensure that all staff and volunteers feel able to raise concerns about poor or unsafe practice, and that such concerns are addressed sensitively and effectively in accordance with agreed whistleblowing practices
• Work in compliance with the Trust’s Health and Safety policies, in line with the Health and Safety at Work Act (1974), ensuring the safety of all parties on the school premises
• Ensure the implementation of Trust and school policies regarding the maintenance and cleanliness of the premises
• Uphold the principles of equal opportunity throughout the school, ensuring that all stakeholders’ views are valued by the school and promoting good relations within the community
• Ensure compliance with the Data Protection Act (2018), the Freedom of Information Act (2000), the General Data Protection Regulations and any other relevant legislation
• Exercise strategic, curriculum-led financial planning by supporting with the formation of annual budgets and sustainable three-year plans for the school that support the School Improvement Plan
• Monitor the school’s budget on a monthly basis to ensure expenditure is kept within allocations for salaries, curriculum, resources and training, and take action as appropriate
• Work with the school and Trust central team to develop opportunities to generate new sources of income
• Ensure there are appropriate organisational and leadership structures with distinct roles and responsibilities, optimum staff deployment and clear succession planning for the efficient and effective running of the school and the Trust
• Ensure the effective and consistent implementation of the Trust’s performance management and personal development policies for all staff
• Enable good governance and empower the Local Governing Body to understand and deliver its role effectively by providing all appropriate information, advice and support
• Regularly present an accurate and up-to-date record of the school’s performance to the Executive Leadership Team, Senior Leadership Teams, governors, staff, parents and carers, and other groups as required
• Work with the Trust, Local Authority and other statutory bodies as required to enable them to carry out their functions
• Maintain a positive and beneficial relationship with the Trust Board

4. The Self-Improving School System

• Produce, implement and monitor a clear, evidence-based SEF and School Improvement Plan
• Create an effective partnership with parents and carers to support pupils’ achievement and personal development
• Encourage whole family involvement in the school and support for the PTA
• Positively promote the school and Trust personally and through the use of various media in the local community so that Trust schools become first choice for parents
• Develop effective relationships and networks with fellow professionals and colleagues to improve academic and social outcomes for all pupils
• Demonstrate experience of developing collaboration, partnership and learning between schools
• Demonstrate a creative approach to high quality training and opportunities for sustained professional development
• Create opportunities to invite parents, carers and those from the wider community into the school to develop productive relationships with a range of stakeholders and promote the fundamental value and importance of education
• Alongside the CEO and Deputy CEO, be proactive in developing school improvement strategies that support improvement in all Trust schools

If you would like an informal discussion with Ruth Doughty (CEO of the Trust) or Nicole Caulfield (Deputy CEO) regarding the post, please contact them via email: HRadmin@tpat.co.uk

If you are shortlisted, references will be requested prior to interview.

To apply:

Complete the application form online on TES by 5pm on 15th April 2020

Visits: Appointments to visit the school can be made through the Trust office by emailing HRadmin@tpat.co.uk

For further information about the school and Trust, please see the websites: www.meophamca.com www.tpat.co.uk