Headteacher

Ravenscliffe High School and Sports College in Halifax is an innovative, ambitious outstanding generic special school.  There are currently 187 young people aged 11-19 on roll and this number is projected to grow in coming years. There are a wide range of Special Educational Needs, including MLD, SLD, complex needs, ASC, sensory impairment, and physical disabilities.  A small percentage have identified moderate emotional and behavioural difficulties. The current Headteacher is retiring and Governors are seeking to appoint a new Headteacher who shares their single-minded ambition to constantly progress and modernise everything the school does so that it continually improves outcomes for the children and young people.

The school has grown significantly in recent years from 134 to 187 students with further growth projected. To support this a new post-16 site was recently opened, less than a mile from the main school. It is a state-of-the-art new building, which includes a community café, creating a bright and motivational environment with significant opportunities for practical learning.

The school has the highest aspirations for its students. It is focused on its simple aim of recognising and responding to their individual needs and providing them with a relevant and challenging curriculum whilst working closely with parents and carers. This is all within a safe, happy, stimulating and supportive environment built on positive relationships, good communication, recognising and celebrating achievement and mutual support.

Ravenscliffe has an outstanding reputation locally and beyond and has been judged by Ofsted in five successive inspections, most recently in October 2017, as an outstanding Special School. Key to the success of the school has been a committed and talented team of staff who embrace change and continually challenge their own practice by looking for innovative ways to enable the young people to achieve their aspirations and play a meaningful part in their local communities. This has included the development of many deep relationships with the local community and businesses which have further enhanced the curriculum and provision. The new Headteacher must share this ‘can-do’ spirit and model it in their daily practice and leadership.

This is an exciting time for the school as it continues to develop and enhance all aspects of its provision. If you share this determination and ambition, it offers an outstanding opportunity to develop in a forward thinking and outward looking school. Ravenscliffe is the only maintained secondary special school in the LA and so the Headteacher will also play a significant role, working alongside primary and LA colleagues, in shaping the strategic direction for SEN provision in the area.

Candidates must be able to demonstrate recent, successful and sustained impact as a senior leader along with previous experience in an SEN setting. You must be an inspirational leader of the highest moral integrity, committed to high quality teaching and learning. You should have the creativity and vision to inspire and lead change but also the focus to ensure successful outcomes are reached. Your positive attitude will inspire and engage the young people, parents/carers, staff and the local community and you must be a compassionate and strong leader who can hold staff to account whilst being accountable yourself. You must be confident, approachable and have the skills to build effective teams and also to be a team player. Above all, you will share the school’s relentless focus on providing the very best for all of its young people with a vision for the continuing success and future development of the school.

To find out more about this exceptional opportunity please visit https://microcontrib.hays.com/web/ravenscliffe-high-school

Contact Martin Blair at Hays Leadership for a confidential discussion, to arrange a visit to the school or to discuss making an application.

Please do not use online “Apply” options.

Martin Blair
T: 07736791138
E: martin.blair@hays.com

Closing date: 8am, 10th February
Shortlisting: 13th February
Interviews: 25th and 26th February

Ravenscliffe High School and Sports College values equality and diversity and is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Applicants will be subject to safer recruitment practises including satisfactory references and an enhanced DBS check