Virtual School Headteacher

Virtual School Headteacher
LB Tower Hamlets
Mulberry Place, 5 Clove Crescent, London E14 2BG.

Closing date for applications: 12th February 2016
Interview date: 29th February 2016

In Tower Hamlets as Corporate Parents we want :

“To champion rights and opportunities for looked after children and care leavers, and maximise their chances for the best possible future to ensure our most vulnerable children receive the same if not better standard of education as all our other children”.
Rachael Saunders (Deputy Mayor)

As a local authority we place significant importance on the education provided to the children who grow up in the borough so that they can build better futures for themselves and their families. Education is our key strategy for our children to excel and create successful and happier futures. The education provided in our schools is of a recognised high standard, our children achieve consistently above national curriculum standards as we are able to consistently provide an optimum education offer for a diverse range of students. The Virtual School is responsible for ensuring that the most vulnerable children in from the borough achieve their full potential whichever school or educational establishment they attend. The Virtual School is an integral part of Children’s social care and education provision. Tower Hamlets takes its Corporate Parenting role very seriously and has a well-structured and integrated service for Children Looked After (CLA).

Our Virtual School has developed successful and effective practice over the last few years thanks to a team of committed and skilled staff. It is now time for us to appoint our first full time Head Teacher to post to take the Virtual school forward. We need someone who has experience at a senior level in school or similar environment, and who has an understanding of the issues that face children in care.

Our Head Teacher will:

• ensure that all statutory responsibilities and other requirements of a Virtual School are met
• ensure that arrangements are in place to raise the educational attainment of children and young people in care both within the borough and outside the local area
• work with foster carers, other services and agencies, and schools to ensure the best possible educational outcomes for our young people
• be expected to represent the Local Authority and be the expert within the field of education to support children and young people, their carers and other key professionals
• offer guidance and support to those in the care of other authorities who are placed in Tower Hamlets schools or other educational settings.

To undertake this role you will need to:

• have experience of working with vulnerable children and young people and an understanding of the complex issues facing children in care and care leavers and how these impact on their learning needs and academic attainment
• have a proven track record of leading school improvement and raising standards in a mainstream or alternative educational provision

To do this you have:

• a group of nearly 200 vulnerable children who need strong and effective support in their education
• the support and commitment of an experienced team of staff
• a local authority that holds education central to the future prosperity of all the children and adults in its borough. The Virtual school is a key element of its provision.

If this post holds real interest for you and you have the skills to take it on then we will be delighted to hear from you.

Prior to applying we would encourage you to visit us for a short visit and discuss to understand who we are and our priorities. To arrange this please call Andrew Best on 07917 080201.

For further details of the Virtual School as well as the Head Teacher Job Description and Person Specification please see the Recruitment Pack and Application Form attached.

Further details on Tower Hamlets Local Authority employment terms can be found at:

http://www.towerhamletscareers.co.uk/  

http://www.towerhamlets.gov.uk/lgnl/jobs_and_careers/working_for_tower_hamlets_coun.aspx

 If you have any questions about the role or the process of application please call Andrew Best on 07917 080201.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people, and expect all staff to share this commitment. An enhanced DBS check is required for all successful applicants.

This post is exempt from section 4(2) of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act, 1974, as the duties give you access to persons who are under the age of 18. Applicants are not entitled to withhold information about convictions, which would be regarded as spent for other purposes.