Headteacher
Northern House School (Oxford)
Oxfordshire
- Expired
- Salary:
- L18 to L23
- Job type:
- Full Time, Permanent
- Start date:
- 1 September 2019
- Apply by:
- 22 March 2019
Job overview
Northern House School (Oxford) is an Outstanding school that caters for, educates and nurtures children aged 5-11 with Social, Emotional and Mental Health difficulties (SEMH). The school has a reputation for excellence.
The current successful headteacher is leaving at the end of the academic year in order to progress other opportunities, so the Governors are seeking to appoint an inspirational and visionary leader with the energy and enthusiasm to further develop this busy, vibrant and popular Special School situated within the city of Oxford.
This is an opportunity for you to be the inspirational leader our school needs, who understands the many challenges that special schools face, not least the restraints imposed in the current tight funding climate. The successful applicant will have the heart and vision for the continued development of our school. The successful applicant won’t be driven by ego or reward, but by the knowledge that every day leadership will improve the life chances of some of the country’s most disadvantaged children and set them on their path to a successful future.
It is expected that the successful applicant will take up the post on 1 September 2019.
We are looking for:
- A leader with a strong background of SEND education, with high expectations of staff and pupils
- A leader with excellent oral and written communication skills, who will inspire and develop the staff team, and have an open, caring and supportive approach with parents and carers
- A knowledgeable and skilful professional able to effectively manage the performance of colleagues and inspire the highest standards of teaching and learning
- An efficient manager who can interpret data and is keen to collaborate with other schools
- An inspirational leader with the skills and personality to take this excellent school forward
If you are an ambitious senior leader in a good or outstanding department or SEND school, and have an open and positive leadership style with the requisite skills required for headship in this ever-changing, and challenging, educational field we would welcome your application.
Northern House School will give you
- A caring and welcoming family atmosphere
- The ability to support positive relationships with pupils, parents, governors and the wider community
- A Leadership Salary L18 to L23
- Access to the Teachers’ Pension Scheme
- Following a successful probation period access to an array of some of the best discretionary employee benefits that any school or Trust offers
- Employer paid Health Cash Plan, which provides money back on a range of wellbeing and health items, such as Dental Surgery, Opticians, Physiotherapy and Chiropody
- Employee Assistance Programme
- Car leasing scheme through salary sacrifice
To Apply
Please download an application pack from our Trust’s website.(www.northernhouse.org.uk).
In your covering letter tell us:
- what has prepared you for this role
- why you want to join our Trust and school
- what challenges the continuing ‘Outstanding’ label poses for the incoming Headteacher, specifically during times of political and financial challenge
Closing date is 22/03/2019 at 12.00 noon
Interview date is week beginning 25/03/2019
Once you have completed your application please email Jobs@northernhouse.org.uk.
Further Information
For a further discussion about the position please contact Ian Barker, CEO, on 07467952449.
We would also encourage potential applicants to contact and visit the school prior to the closing date. To arrange a visit please contact Kate Bartlett (School Business Manager) on 01865 557 004
Northern House School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people/vulnerable adults and expectst all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
All applicants will be subject to a rigorous, Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check and all references obtained will be checked for authenticity and accuracy.
We are an Equal Opportunities employer and welcome applications from all members of the community.
Attached documents
About Northern House School (Oxford)
- Northern House School (Oxford)
- South Parade, Summertown, Oxford
- Oxfordshire
- OX2 7JN
- United Kingdom
About Us
Northern House School (Oxford) prides itself on supporting all pupils, regardless of their starting points to reach their academic, emotional and social potential. This is achieved by challenging pupils and staff to take the next step for personal development.
Many of our pupils are experiential learners - they learn through the experience of ‘doing’ and enjoying the feeling of success when they discover the next step for themselves. Our curriculum is designed to stimulate the creativity of our pupils and staff by encouraging the use of enrichment activities both on and off site and through the use of Child Led Learning weeks , where our pupils select a topic that is of interest to them to research.The development of our Trust is offering pupils a further dimension to the curriculum, including the use of superb sports facilities, opportunities to work in larger groups and with subject specialists, Epen pals and the opportunity to learn about a different part of the UK first hand. Pupils are enjoying visiting each other in the schools, supporting the development of firm friendships and the essential social skills for successful relationships. Collaboration across the schools is enabling staff to share ideas and learn from one another.This collaboration has also provided further opportunities to enrich our curriculum and to enable the professional development of all staff.The opening of Northern House School (Solihull) was an exciting time for all members of the school community, from Governors, parents and staff to pupils. As our new school beds in, plans are in train to open another Northern House School elsewhere. We are looking forward to growing our expertise and developing as a group of schools, offering the nurture based ethos evident in our Oxford setting. We would love for you to join us as we continue this incredible journey and share the bumps in the road and the successes that follow.
The History
Northern House was built in 1824 and was set in 7 acres of land. It was originally known as Lark Hall and was at one time home to James Wiblin, the creator of Royal Oxford Sausages. It has a long history of being an educational establishment for pupils with special and additional needs dating back to 1840. Northern House School officially opened in 1938 to provide classes for ‘disturbed or maladjusted children who were not of subnormal intelligence’.
Since 1938 the school has continued to grow in terms of size and rationale, but has continued to build relationships with external agencies, based on the legacy started in 1940, when the Educational Guidance Clinic from Bury Knowle was co-located. This was followed in 1958 when the staff of The Park Hospital School moved to the site, until their departure in 1971. In 1972 there were 43 pupils on roll. This increased to 53 in 1963 and to 88 in 2014. The school was at risk of closure in the late 1970s, but a successful campaign led to the school remaining open. Although the main house and stable block, built around 1824 and now listed, still provide teaching accommodation, the school has seen a reasonable amount of building over the past decade. In 2004 a new hall and two classrooms were built to increase capacity by one class, and to provide a hall fit for purpose. The demolition of 3 temporary classrooms in 2011 led to the erection and opening of a two storey block, providing accommodation of five classrooms, a library, a SEN base, a music room and a purpose built food technology room. This development has provided pupils with a spacious, bespoke learning environment. Northern House School is renowned for its expertise in the management and support of pupils with Emotional and Social Difficulties. This acclaim led to its successful application to become an Academy in 2012 and to the Department for Education’s encouragement for us to open a second school in Solihull.
Please note that you are wholly responsible for fact checking in respect of the information provided by schools. Please also check for the latest visa and work permit requirements that may apply. Tes is not responsible for the content of advertisements or the policies adopted by advertising schools. Tes asks that all schools follow Tes' Fair Recruitment Policy.