Headteacher

Do you want to make every day count for the students in your care? You do?  Then please read on…

Batchwood is a specialist school for students with social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) difficulties. Some students have additional needs such as learning difficulties, autism, specific language difficulties, oppositional defiance disorder and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. The school has a roll of around 70 students aged 11 to 16, and provides for boys and girls, drawn from across the whole of Hertfordshire. The vast majority have attended at least four schools before coming to Batchwood.

Batchwood is a very successful school.  It has a professional and dedicated team of staff who work together to develop the students and to ensure that they achieve to the best of their ability. In March 2014, Ofsted judged Batchwood as ‘outstanding’. The post has arisen because our present Headteacher has decided to make a career move into consultancy work in education.

The Governing Body want to appoint a new Headteacher with the skills and vision to build on Batchwood’s current successes and achievements: someone who will share and take forward the school’s vision and ethos, and our aspirations for our students.  We are looking for a dynamic, enthusiastic and creative person to lead us into the future.

You must be confident and positive, with strong leadership credentials and the ability to build relationships with a wide variety of external partners. Above all, you will share our passion and belief that children, their learning and the development of their potential must be at the heart of all school decisions. You will get professional enjoyment and satisfaction from leading a highly motivated team and a vibrant school community.

The post is open to individuals with senior leadership experience of mainstream and/or special schools and proven leadership skills, who can demonstrate a clear vision and the ability to manage a diverse team and a student population with a wide range of complex needs.

We are committed to providing a stimulating, safe, happy and supportive environment in which every member of the school community - students, staff, parents and governors - feel valued and can flourish. At Batchwood, we all focus on, and achieve, excellent educational outcomes for all our students.

In return, we will offer you a dedicated and committed team of staff and Governors, great students and a friendly and happy learning environment. You will also be able to continue your own professional development. 

Last, but certainly not least, as our new Headteacher you will have the full support of the Governing Body in your work further to develop Batchwood and the opportunity to play a key strategic role in driving the school forward.

Informal visits welcome.

Please return application to: las.governors@hertsforlearning.co.uk

Application Closing Date: Noon 4th March 2016

Interviews: 10th March 2016 

Batchwood is a mixed secondary SEMH day school for pupils with social, emotional and mental health difficulties. The current pupil roll is 69 students, organised into 10 classes of approximately 7 pupils supported by a teaching assistant when available. We are a ‘listening’ school and place emphasis upon thinking and talking through problems, finding solutions and being part of a whole community. There is a strong ethos in helping the pupils manage their own behaviour. Our school motto is 'Make Every Day Count'.

Townsend Drive
St Albans
Hertfordshire
AL3 5RP
01727 868021
www.batchwood.herts.sch.uk