Headteacher

Headteacher

St Peter’s Eaton Square CE VA Primary School, Lower Belgrave Street, London SW1W 0NL

Dates: Job starting September 2021 (or earlier if appropriate)

Salary: £67,556-77,011 (L15-L21) Group 2 (with potential for salary review as and when school grows to become Group 3)

Location: Victoria, London (very close to public transport links)

“Members of staff work as a tightly knit team and morale is high”. SIAMS Report 2018

Built in 1872 and with 293 pupils (including 9 in Nursery), St Peter's is a distinctive, happy and outstanding Church of England primary school. It has the potential to grow to Group 3 in size in the medium term, and the school provides a modern and flexible learning space for the two form entry intake.  

Characterised by a rich curriculum, strong staff team and close community of parents, St Peter's is shaped by Christian values which are reflected in the positive behaviour of children, as recognised in the 2018 SIAMS Inspection. It has a close and rewarding relationship with the church, and staff make exceptional and creative use of the opportunities provided by the fantastic central London location to provide a rich and fulfilling curriculum for all children. St Peter's makes the very best of opportunities for outdoor exploration and exercise provided by the supportive local community. 

The past year has of course forced all schools to adapt in new ways to offer remote learning on digital platforms alongside on-site provision for vulnerable children and children of critical workers. The Governors of St Peter’s recognise the enormity of this challenge for the schools and its staff, and the consequences of so much missed “normal” school for the wellbeing and learning of its pupils. We therefore propose to provide a fund to be allocated to enrichment and extra curricular activities, to compensate in some way for so many cancelled trips and projects over the last year. As we anticipate the end of the pandemic, the successful applicant will need to navigate the school through remaining restrictions and help the school to emerge strong and resilient; eager to regroup after time apart, make up lost ground and step forward with huge optimism into the future.

Because Governors felt strongly that we wanted to meet any new substantive Head before appointing them, and to allow them to visit the school, the pandemic prevented this recruitment in 2020. We therefore appointed an Interim Head and now have an Acting Head and Acting Deputy Head, supported by an experienced Consultant Head from a local school.  Having put appropriate measures in place to ensure the safety of applicants and those in school during visits, the governors are now looking for an outstanding leader and experienced manager at a senior level as Headteacher in our happy and thriving school. 

The successful candidate will 

• display the vision and creativity to harness local opportunities, to embrace a rich curriculum and innovative approaches to learning, and to lead the school out of the shadow of coronavirus

• be an exceptional practitioner with the ability to get the very best out of a highly committed and able staff team who have had to adapt constantly through 2020/2021

• have strong personal commitment to the Christian values of the school 

• have excellent communication and interpersonal skills, and demonstrable experience of working collaboratively to achieve a school's vision

• possess a proven track record of always putting the needs of children and their learning first, as well as experience in leadership during the pandemic.

We welcome visits and the opportunity to show you around our school (which will be handled in a Covid-secure manner) in either the week beginning 22nd February 2021 or 1st March 2021. Visits can be arranged by contacting the Chair of Governors, Revd Ralph Williamson, on 020 7235 4242 or by e-mail at vicar@stpetereatonsquare.co.uk and will be treated as part of the interview process. We would also direct candidates to the virtual tour of the school site available on our website homepage.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. We are also passionate about promoting Equality and Diversity in the school. We expect all staff and volunteers to share these commitments. The successful applicant will be subject to an enhanced DBS check. 

 

Closing date: 9am on Monday 8th March 2021

Shortlisting: week beginning 8th March 2021

Interview dates: Thursday 18th / Friday 19th March 2021

Interviews will combine elements of in-person assessment and online video interviews. The process will be outlined to those shortlisted.

To discuss the role further please contact the Clerk to the Governors, Sue Jacobs, at clerkstpeters@yahoo.co.uk.