Headteacher
King Alfred's Academy
Wantage, South Oxfordshire
- Expired
- Salary:
- L35 - 41 £90,773 - £105,132
- Job type:
- Full Time, Permanent
- Start date:
- September 2018
- Apply by:
- 19 February 2018
Job overview
Headteacher for King Alfred's Academy L35 - 41 (£90,773 - £105,132)
Wantage, South Oxfordshire
The Governors of King Alfred's Academy and the Directors of the Vale Academy Trust are seeking to appoint an exceptional new Headteacher for this successful school with its strong academic history based in Wantage.
As Headteacher, you will provide the leadership and direction essential to delivering the highest quality educational offer for our students, enabling them to make good academic and developmental progress, whilst sharing a strategic vision with both governors and the Vale Academy Trust.
Wantage is an attractive market town nestling below the North Wessex Downs in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, in the heart of the Vale of the White Horse and a stone's throw from the oldest highway in Britain - The Ridgeway. Situated 6 miles from the internationally renowned Harwell Science Campus and the Diamond Light Source Synchrotron, the Academy enjoys flourishing links both with the science community and other local employers and organisations.
King Alfred's, a genuinely inclusive school, draws in approximately 1800 students from the town and neighbouring large village of Grove, as well as other surrounding villages in this part of rural Oxfordshire. A growing number of students from South Didcot and Lambourn in West Berkshire are also choosing the Academy in Year 7 and for Post-16 courses, with our 2017 A level/BTEC results being the highest in Oxfordshire for any state school - 40% A*/A.
It is an exciting time for the Academy, having recently undergone £17m worth of capital investment across its two sites, resulting in a state-of-the-art Science Block (open from Jan 2018) as well as other bright, modern teaching facilities and classrooms. Work on a new Sports Hall on its West Site and expansion of the Sixth Form Centre is also due to commence shortly. All in all, these will add up to a portfolio of outstanding facilities for our learning community that will enhance teaching and learning for our students well into the 21st century.
Alongside this, King Alfred's has recently made a move to update and change to a smart new school uniform, as pictured above and below and throughout the Applicant Information Pack.
One of two secondary schools within the Vale Academy Trust and a founder member, King Alfred's is also a National Teaching and Support School, as well as being a lead school within the Oxfordshire Teaching Schools Alliance. This offers outstanding CPD opportunities for our staff and includes School Centred Initial Teacher Training (SCITT), a vital source of teaching talent.
Capitalising on the Academy's place within the community, you will secure and maintain effective networks with other schools, higher education institutions, local employers and organisations, as well as the Trust. (Further information on The Vale Academy Trust is accessible below).
As Headteacher, you will also be expected to model excellent teaching skills and to teach a small part of the timetabled curriculum.
In-depth information relating to this vacancy, including details of the application process, is featured in the Applicant Information Pack, which also features a full Job Description and Person Specification.
Closing Date for applications: Monday 19 February at 10am.
Shortlisting will take place on Wednesday 21 February.
Interviews will be held on Tuesday 6 and Wednesday 7 March.
Attached documents
About King Alfred's Academy
King Alfred’s Academy is a mixed, comprehensive, non-denominational secondary school with sixth form situated in Wantage, Oxfordshire. It is an academy converter supported by Vale Academy Trust, a South Oxfordshire multi-academy trust that supports eight other schools in the area.
A larger than average secondary school, King Alfred’s provides 2,205 places for students between the ages of 11 and 18 when fully subscribed. Current number on roll is 1700. The school converted to academy status in August 2011.
Headteacher
Jonathan Smart
Values and Vision
King Alfred’s is a friendly, ambitious and vibrant school packed full of energy, opportunity and choice. Our mission statement is “Opportunity for all”, this is something we believe in passionately and seek to deliver for our students each and every day. We are committed to helping each and every one of our students find what makes them successful in life. Great teaching and learning across the school is supported by our culture of professional development and collaboration. Each student deserves the very best experience to enable them to achieve their ambitions. Our pastoral care provides security and confidence, supporting our students to be happy and to thrive.
Our ethos of ‘Opportunity for all’ applies to King Alfred’s staff as well as our students. Colleagues at King Alfred’s can be proud to be part of something special, making a real difference to the lives and life chances of our students. It is a rewarding place to work as part of a mutually supportive team where everyone matters and makes a difference. Our thoughtful approach to wellbeing means that staff have the support and challenge to succeed and advance. Our staff well-being charter sets out the high expectations that we have for ourselves in terms of how we support colleagues. Our aim is to be an employer of choice and somewhere that colleagues can be happy, supported and develop their career.
Personal, professional and career development is fundamental to being part of King Alfred’s. Our induction programme for all new colleagues is carefully planned to give colleagues the practical strategies, advice and guidance they need to support a successful start. Continuous professional development is at the heart of our work at school. Our culture of high quality professional development and reflection, supported by practical strategies and collaboration across teams, is enhanced by access to a wide range of training and resources to suit your professional progress and growth in the classroom. King Alfred’s staff all have access to the National College, and many colleagues are pursuing National Professional Qualifications and delivering training for a range of organisations.
Ofsted Report
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