Vice Principal (Quality of Education - Curriculum & Student Achievement)

POSITION:          Vice Principal (Quality of Education – Curriculum & Student Achievement)

SCALE:                 Leadership scale (L22-L26)

START:                 September 2025

Closing Date:     Monday 10th March 2025. Interviews will be held on 20th and 21st March 2025.

Interested applicants are welcome to visit the school for a tour and an informal meeting with the Principal on either Tuesday 25th February, Thursday 6th March or Friday 7th March. To book a visit please email recruitment@sydneyrussellschool.com

PURPOSE OF JOB:

The school seeks to appoint an inspirational leader to work alongside the Principal, Vice Principals and the wider leadership team of our large all-through school. The Vice Principal (Quality of Education – Curriculum & Student Achievement) will have a significant role in creating the conditions for all our students to be successful and achieve their full potential.

Key attributes

As a member of the Senior Leadership Team, the Vice Principal will:

• Be a dynamic and committed leader, driven by a passion for wanting to improve the life chances of young people.
• Be tireless in their pursuit for continual school improvement.
• Be a role model, setting high expectations for their own performance and that of others and assist with the setting and monitoring of professional standards.
• Support the Principal and governors in establishing and delivering the vision for the continued success and development of the school.
• Communicate the school’s vision compellingly and support the Principal’s strategic leadership.
• Build positive relationships with members of the school community, recognising and demonstrating that teamwork and communication are critical to this role, promoting a culture in which the views of all members of the school community are valued and considered.
• Play a leading role in the school improvement planning process, taking account of the agreed priorities of the school and contributing to the identification of key areas of strength and weakness in the school.
• Keep up to date with developments and relevant research in education.
• Seek training and continuing professional development to meet own needs and professional learning.
• Attend governor meetings and present reports relating to areas of responsibilities.
• Support the Principal and SLT in the day-to-day management of the school.

Key Responsibilities:

Quality of Education – Curriculum & Student Achievement

• In conjunction with the wider Quality of Education team, evaluate the planning and sequencing of curriculum and assessments to ensure students gain the most relevant knowledge, skills and understanding in each subject.
• In conjunction with the Vice Principals (Teaching, Learning, Assessment & CPDL and Primary) and extended leadership team, ensure the implementation and impact of the curriculum aligns with the school’s vision and the diversity of the school community, meeting the needs of all students, including those with SEND and those from disadvantaged backgrounds, and provides them with the richness, breadth and depth they need to achieve future successes.
• Lead annual reviews of curriculum to ensure the school’s offer is ambitious for all and provides students with a wealth of learning opportunities which enable students to achieve their full potential.
• Maintain a sound understanding of the school’s MIS to ensure maximum impact and efficiency of ways of working.
• Oversee the school’s timetable, supporting the AAVP Curriculum to ensure the timetable is well planned and delivers the highest standards of curriculum across all phases.
• Lead and ensure the smooth running of school processes for Year 6 into 7 transitions (including target setting), Year 9 preferences and Sixth Form recruitment.
• Lead the school’s assessment calendar, communicating with all stakeholders, including students, staff and parents, to ensure the school’s assessment and student progress reporting processes run effectively.
• Lead the Student Achievement strategy including designated assemblies, form time sessions and workshop opportunities for students, as well as parent information sessions (Right Start), parent information packs and on-going communications with all stakeholders regarding curriculum and student progress and achievement.
• Lead the analysis of student assessment data across the school, and subsequently co-ordinate robust action plans to ensure gaps in learning are addressed efficiently and effectively, preventing any barriers to students’ progress over time and maximising attainment.
• In conjunction with the wider Quality of Education team, robustly monitor and evaluate the quality of learning, ensuring that curriculum delivery, assessment and interventions are effective and have impact.
• Develop a strong and effective working relationship with the Data and Exams Manager, ensuring effective communication to maximise impact on student achievement across the school and support in completion of school data reports including census and public examinations.
• Co-ordinate provisions for supervised study before/after school.
• In conjunction with relevant school leaders, contribute to the school’s annual Prize Giving ceremony, lead regular rewards assemblies and ‘mock results’ days.
• Routinely engage student voice across all school years to inform evaluations of the Quality of Education.
• Line manage named curriculum areas and be responsible for performance management of identified staff including carrying out appraisals, providing professional development opportunities, and holding staff to account to their performance.
• Assist with the reporting of the performance of the school to parents, carers, governors and other key partners as necessary, providing reports and information related to your areas of responsibility as required.
• To promote and model good relationships with parents, which are based on partnerships to support and improve students’ achievement.
• To promote links and good relationships with the local community and outside agencies.

Agreed Whole School Procedures 

• Ensure all children are treated equally, regardless of gender, social or cultural backgrounds. 
• Safeguard and promote the welfare of children and young people and follow school policies and the staff code of conduct. 
• Uphold public trust in the profession and maintain high standards of ethics and behaviour, within and outside school. 
• Have proper and professional regard for the ethos, policies and practices of the school, and maintain high standards of attendance and punctuality. 

Review Arrangements  

The details contained in this job description reflect the content of the job at the date it was prepared. It should be remembered, however, that over time the nature of individual jobs will change, existing duties may no longer be required, and other duties may be gained without changing the general nature of the duties or the level of the responsibility entailed. Consequently, the school will expect to revise the job description from time to time and will consult with the post holder at the appropriate time.