Headteacher and Trust Executive Leader

What would you do with this rare opportunity to shape the direction of our School and Trust?

We are looking for an astute senior leader to influence, motivate and build on our School and Trust’s vision, ethos and values and further inspire our pupils and staff.

About Us

Set in the North Yorkshire town of Harrogate, St Aidan’s Church of England High School is a mixed secondary school with a thriving community of nearly 2000 students aged 11-19. Boasting one of the largest school-based sixth forms in the country, the pupil population is drawn from a wide geographical area across North and West Yorkshire.  St Aidan’s converted to academy status in 2011 with Yorkshire Causeway Schools Trust being formed as a multi-academy trust in 2014.  The Trust has a current total pupil roll of 3540 in eight schools (1 secondary and 7 primaries).

Rated ‘outstanding’ by OFSTED, St. Aidan’s School is regularly ranked among the top comprehensive schools in the country and was awarded Teaching School Status in August 2015. Academically our School stands for excellence. An exceptional reputation and our Christian foundation are the reasons why we are so open to a fully inclusive model of education, enabling all children to fulfil their full potential whatever their starting points. 

About the role

We are looking for an exceptional leader with a clear picture of outstanding practice, and a track record which demonstrates the ability to balance the Headteacher and Executive Leader responsibilities within the role. You will be committed to the personal moral and social development of our students as well as to the very highest academic standards, within the context of our Christian ethos and values.

The appointed candidate will undertake the substantive headship role within the School, alongside being Executive Leader for the Trust.

The Executive Leader role will provide strategic leadership and direction to all schools in the Trust, and further develop and articulate the vision and ethos of the Trust. You will be directly accountable to the Board of Trustees for the collective performance and development of the Trust as an organisation, and, working collaboratively with headteachers and local governing bodies, for that of the individual schools within it.

You will act as an ambassador for the School and the Trust and your role as an education professional in a highly respected organisation will require you to engage effectively across the education network locally.

As schools in the Trust include pupils and students from 3 to 19, we are looking for a leader who has an understanding of the various phases of their learning journeys, from pre-school to making their choices about further education, training and employment. Our schools are all vibrant and distinctive, so we are also looking for a leader who will challenge, support and encourage each of them to flourish individually as well as helping them be strong members of a successful, values-led partnership.

About you

To succeed, you must have held a senior position in a high-performing school and have worked within or led a MAT or other more complex educational organisation. A strong communicator, your ability to forge and promote positive relationships with all staff, students, parents and carers will be key to your success.

This position represents a genuine opportunity to make a significant impact in our School and Trust, centred on excellent outcomes for all students. You will need a real desire to achieve and the presence, ambition and expertise to deliver strong, clear leadership and vision.

Financially astute, you will also build partnerships, while delivering an outstanding educational provision that is sustainable for the long term. In addition, you will promote Christian ethos and high expectations, while engaging positively and respectfully with our parent/carer/family community, ensuring we meet the needs of our students whilst promoting excellence.

You will lead highly committed, experienced and loyal staff and have strong relationships including with the Diocese, other headteachers, Department for Education, the wider education community and across the Yorkshire Teaching School Alliance.

In return, we can offer you strong support, the opportunity to help shape the future of our School and Trust and continued professional development. You will be working alongside an exceptional team of skilled and professional leaders and central service staff.

For an informal conversation about the role please call Rachel Wales who is supporting this recruitment process on behalf of the Trust and can be contacted at North Yorkshire County Council on 01609 532597.

We very much welcome school visits. If you’d like the opportunity to visit, please email rachel.wales@northyorks.gov.uk

Dates when we can accommodate visits are detailed below.  If these dates are not possible for you, please contact Rachel, as we may be able to offer alternatives.

Key dates:

• School visits: Monday 18 February (Morning) & Wednesday 20 February (Afternoon)
• Closing date: Midnight, Sunday 3 March
• Shortlisting: Wednesday 6 March
• Interviews: Thursday 21 & Friday 22 March

For more information and to apply, please go to www.nyresourcing.co.uk/YCST

When applying please take into account the following:

Supporting Information

The supporting information section of your application should clearly evidence your ability to meet the requirements we have outlined in the person specification. This will be used to shortlist applicants for this role and therefore it is imperative that you provide evidence as requested.

References

When completing your application, please provide two employment references.

Please note, the post will be offered on School Teachers' Pay and Conditions and the provisions of the Conditions of Service for School Teachers (Burgundy Book) will apply with the following exceptions:

• For new appointees to the Trust, a 6 month probationary period and
• Amended employer and employee notice periods will apply.