Vice Principal (Deadline extended)

About the Opportunity

JMA is an 11 to 19 Mixed Academy situated on the fringe of Reading. The school has 631 students with 141 in the Sixth Form. We currently have 43 teaching staff and 38 Support staff. We accept students from 25 Primary Schools.

The academy is located on a large site and has a sports centre, climbing wall, dance studio, floodlit multi use games area and newly laid 3G astro turf. There are excellent ICT facilities located in 6 fully equipped suites. Whilst we recognise there are some areas of the school site which require further modernisation, the members of our community which make up the school, we feel, make it great. The excellent relationships between students and staff help to create a positive and productive working environment for all.

Whilst we are proud of our improved results, the school is about much more than examination outcomes. We are committed to ensuring the students are challenged to be the best they can be in a nurturing environment designed to develop well-rounded, highly-skilled, confident young people. Students are given a broad range of activities which increase the students’ cultural capital, broaden horizons and firmly teach them the difference between right and wrong. Our simple aim is to ensure our students are able to make a real difference to society when it is their time to leave.

We recognise that staff are the most valuable resource and at JMA we have a nurturing approach to professional development. We have a thorough programme of professional development catering for staff at all stages of their career. We believe that it is our duty to ensure staff are supported to deliver the core business of high quality learning and teaching, whilst at the same time given encouragement and guidance on the next steps of their career. We are proud of our community and the ‘coaching’ culture.

Ultimately, we are, unashamedly, a caring school: the staff care for the students and similarly, staff care for each other to ensure everyone feels supported and valued.

This leadership position is open to dynamic, inspiring, and outstanding senior leaders who have a proven track record of delivering outstanding achievement and an ability to transform the quality of outcomes and standards across the whole school. The role requires strategic thinking and an ability to lead from the front whilst offering challenge and support to all stakeholders. The Senior Leadership Team is an established one, with a range of skills and this is an opportunity for the successful applicant to lead the continued developments as the school realises its aim of becoming the best in the country.  We welcome potential applicants to come and see us in action. We are open to visitors every day!

We want to recruit a fantastic Educational Leader to join our dedicated, dynamic leadership team. This is a fantastic opportunity for someone that is passionate about teaching and learning and dedicated to improving student life chances.   

You will be someone who has

A desire and the resilience to ensure the rapid improvements are leading to an outstanding school within 5 years

Leadership and readiness to assume responsibility for significant areas of the school

Outstanding teaching practice with a passion to help all young people to be the best that they can be

Personal drive, determination and the ability to form effective working relationships that are conductive to a productive and positive atmosphere

A solution focused, self- motivated and determined leader who is proactive and believes that education has the power to transform children’s lives

Belief in the merits of a research-driven profession and ensures they read widely to remain well informed of policy and practice

Work collaboratively with The White Horse Federation

The successful candidate will be

A dynamic, inspirational and enthusiastic classroom practitioner with the highest expectations in your own classroom.

Passionate about your subject; able to inspire and motivate students and staff.

Setting high expectations and will be committed to ensuring all students reach their potential.

Able to recognise opportunities and face challenges, whilst maintaining your sense of humour and care for young people.

Capable of promoting partnerships and collaborative working.

A role model for our students and staff.

We Can Offer You

A good school and a highly supportive Senior Leadership Team

An opportunity to develop your leadership skills 

A well-resourced, hard-working and supportive team

Excellent care and support for all staff

Comprehensive induction and on-going opportunities for Professional Development

A positive and stimulating learning environment which values the contribution of all staff

Enthusiastic students, willing to learn

Benefits

We know that your role requires you to put a lot of time and effort into it and because of this we believe you should be rewarded. As a White Horse Federation employee you will have access to benefits listed below.

Some benefits are accessible by all staff irrespective of their contract type (T). Some are only eligible to permanent (P) employees following a successful probation period as noted:

Car Purchase scheme (P)

Reward Gateway discounts (P&T)

Cashback healthcare plan (P)

Discounted gym membership scheme (P&T)

Hire purchase Cycle to Work scheme (P)

Free and confidential advice, information and counselling service (P&T)

Excellent Pension scheme (P&T)

Why Work With Us

The White Horse Federation (TWHF) is a not-for-profit multi-academy trust that supports and sponsors many primary, secondary and special schools across Wiltshire, Gloucestershire, Swindon, Oxfordshire and Berkshire.

Its shared vision for excellence through partnership means it is also committed to keeping the best of what makes a local school great – in other words, the type of schools where TWHF colleagues would be proud to send their own children.

TWHF combines a relentless drive for academic excellence with a shared moral purpose and shared values, while ensuring that fun and happiness are a key attribute of each of its schools. TWHF believes that partnership-working with its schools, pupils and their parents, as well as the wider community, helps creates the best possible outcomes for all children.

TWHF empowers its colleagues through support, training and career opportunities to recruit and retain outstanding staff who are leaders in their field. That way TWHF can ensure that every student achieves their full potential, regardless of background, culture, heritage or ability.

The White Horse Federation is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. If successful for this position you will be expected to apply for a disclosure from the Disclosure and Barring Service before appointment is confirmed. References will be sought on shortlisted candidates before interview.