St. Katherine’s School
Headteacher Candidate Application Pack
January 2012
Headteacher Application Pack
Contents List:
Letter from Mr Barry Toogood, Chair of Governors.
Copy of Advertisement
Information on St Katherine’s for candidates with links to website
Senior Leadership Team and Management Structure
Timeline for candidates
Person Specification
Job Description
How to apply
St. Katherine’s is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Enhanced CRB check will be required for the successful candidate.
Letter from Barry Toogood, Chair of Governors
January 2012
Dear Potential Applicant Appointment of Headteacher of St Katherine’s School Thank you for your interest in the post of Headteacher of St Katherine’s School. This vacancy arises because our Headteacher, Stephanie Quayle, is moving to Qatar with her husband who has been appointed Headmaster of Al Khor International School. This is a wonderful opportunity for them and we wish them every happiness and great success for the future. The Governors are seeking a successor who will build on the achievements of Stephanie and her team and who has the vision and skills to lead our school into the next phase of its development. St Katherine’s is a medium sized 11-19 mixed comprehensive school. We are situated on the edge of Bristol in a beautiful rural environment and we enjoy excellent transport links, being just off one of the main routes to Bristol and close to the M5. Although we are a North Somerset Local Authority School, the vast majority of our students live in the neighbouring authority of Bristol and travel out of the city each day to enjoy an excellent standard of education and the vast wealth of opportunities that St Katherine’s has to offer. We have a very well developed outreach programme in place with the primary schools in North Somerset and in Bristol. The students, staff, parents and governors are very proud of our school and its achievements. We have been a Science College since 2003 and were delighted to graduate as a High Performing Specialist School with a focus on Applied Learning in 2009. Standards at St Katherine’s are consistently high and for the past four consecutive years our Year 11 students have been ranked first in North Somerset for pupil progress from Key Stage 2 to Key Stage 4. We routinely meet or exceed our FFTD targets at both school and individual student level. As well as being a High Performing Specialist School and Science College, some of our other notable achievements include being a national lead school for Gifted and Talented, being the first secondary school in the country to receive the Food for Life Gold Award and most recently achieving the School Gold Travel Plan award. We have a beautiful school site and a well maintained learning environment which has been developed significantly in the last few years. Our specialist accommodation is excellent and some of our recent developments include a new £2.8M world class Hospitality facility (which won LABC West of England best education facility), refurbished English facilities including a new purpose built Apple Mac suite, well maintained and looked after general teaching facilities and extensive beautiful school grounds. Our £5M annual school budget is extremely well managed and we expect to carry forward £200K in to the new financial year. Our greatest assets however are the students and staff of St Katherine’s. Ofsted in May 2011 described St Katherine’s as “a good school
that provides a good quality of education with outstanding provision for students’ care, guidance and support. The school community is extremely harmonious and students were keen to let inspectors know how they enjoy school as well as saying they feel safe and well cared for. Links with parents and carers are fostered extremely well and they are highly supportive”. This is an exciting time for an applicant with a passion for making St Katherine’s School “the best place for young people to learn and grow up”. To support you, we can offer you a strong Senior Leadership Team, hardworking, talented and enthusiastic staff, a dedicated, effective governing body, confident, articulate, thoughtful, creative and aspirational students with supportive parents. We hope you will find the information pack for candidates useful. There is plenty of additional information on our school website. Applicants should complete the enclosed application form (there is an electronic version online) and send a supporting letter (no more than two sides of A4 please) highlighting the skills and qualities you feel you would bring to the post. Please address the key points in our person specification in your letter of application. We look forward to receiving your application, and should you wish to visit the school prior to submitting your application, please contact Mrs Moller, the Headteacher’s PA, for an appointment. Yours sincerely
B Toogood Barry Toogood Chair of Board of Governors
Closing date: Monday, 20 February 2012, 12 noon Short listing:Short listing will take place during the week commencing 20 February 2012. Candidates will be invited to interview by telephone and e-mail. Confirmation of the interview programme will be sent on 28/29 February 2012 Interviews: Monday 12 March, Tuesday 13 March, Wednesday 14 March
Copy of Advertisement
Information for candidates with links to the website We would encourage all candidates to visit our school website at www.st-katherines.nsomerset.sch.uk where there are over 200 pages of information. We have selected a few key pages under each heading which we hope will be of interest to you. Home There is an electronic version of our Prospectus on this page, as well as all the latest news and updates, our school blog and ParentPay can also be accessed from this page About Us This section gives you a broad overview of our school including Our Aims and Values, Who’s Who, details about our Ofsted Report from May 2011, last summers excellent GCSE and A Level Results and some of our accreditations such as Lead School for Gifted and Talented and Food for Life Gold Award. Parents also use this page to access School Events and Newsletters. Parents The Parents section gives all the information parents need in relation to their child’s learning and well-being whilst at school including SEN. There is also practical information about making payments, attendance and specific Year Group information. Students The Students section is well visited and is full of information, videos, and podcasts created by the students, as well as other information providing details about health, homework extracurricular activities and examinations. Students also use this section to access the VLE and student emails. Curriculum The Curriculum section gives details of all our KS3 and KS4 curriculum opportunities by subject. Sixth Form The Sixth Form section is the largest section with all the information required about joining, studying and life in the Sixth Form. There is a separate Sixth Form Prospectus. There are full details of all the courses and opportunities available detailed in the online Coursebook. Contact Us and Community These sections have details about directions, lettings and our Outreach Programme.
Senior Leadership Team/Management Structure Stephanie Quayle, Headteacher Deputy Headteacher Assistant Headteachers Business Manager Headteacher’s PA/Operations Manager Steve Welsh, Deputy Headteacher Head of English Head of Humanities Head of Maths Head of Science Justin Humphreys, Assistant Headteacher Head of Year 11 and Sixth Form Head of Design, Art and Technology Head of ICT and Business Systems Manager Mark Kennedy, Assistant Headteacher Head of Years 7 and 8 Human Resources Manager (jointly with Business Manager) Head of Performing Arts Librarian Joseph Mulligan, Assistant Headteacher AST for G+T Head of International Communications Faculty Head of PSHE/Work Related Learning and Enterprise Education Head of Year 9 Hayden Southon, Assistant Headteacher Head of Year 10 Head of PE SEN Teacher Inclusion & Achievement Team Student & Family Support Team Connexions Parent Support Advisors Nigel Cutland, Business Manager Support Staff
Appointment of Headteacher Timeline for Candidates
Dates
Activity
30 January 2012 – 20 February 2012
Advertisement appears in press and Vacancy Bulletin
13 – 17 February 2012
School Break
20 February 2012
Closing date for advertisement
21 – 24 February 2012
Short listing takes place.
28/29 February 2012
Shortlisted candidates invited for interview
12, 13 and 14 March 2012
Interviews take place
14 March 2012
Decision ratified by FGB and post offered
1 September 2012
New Headteacher starts
Person Specification The Governors of St Katherine’s School are passionate about providing the highest quality personalised learning for all of our students. The appointment of a new Headteacher is a critically important task for the Governing Body. We are determined to seek out and appoint the best candidate for our school who will build on previous success and embrace opportunities for the future. The Person Governors are looking to appoint someone who demonstrates energy and enthusiasm, excellent communication skills, the ability to inspire and motivate, and to relate readily with people of all ages and backgrounds. The Headteacher will be open to new challenges, prepared to take risks and demonstrate creative thinking across all aspects of school life. Managing change effectively will be a vital skill, as will the ability to lead on innovation and new opportunities. The Headteacher will be a positive, approachable and creative person who will develop and maintain the productive, harmonious relationships which exist within St Katherine’s School. Our new Headteacher will share the ambitions of students, staff and Governors to ensure St Katherine’s is the best place for young people to learn and grow up.
Person Specification Education and Professional Qualifications
Essential
Degree and qualified teacher status
Further qualifications eg Postgraduate degree or management qualification Evidence of continuous professional development
Teaching and Learning
Essential
Significant experience of teaching at secondary school level
A/I/R A
(NPQH) National Professional Qualification for Headteacher
Experience in more than one secondary school
Desirable
A
A
A
Desirable
A/I/R A/I
A/I
Experience of post -16 education
A/I
Experience of delivering a diverse curriculum to meet needs of all learners
A/I
Evidence of leadership success in exploring and developing teaching and learning strategies
A/I
Ability to create and maintain a climate which promotes high standards of achievement
A/I/R
Ability to maintain a climate which promotes good behaviour and discipline throughout the school
A/I
Strong grasp of strategies for quality assurance, monitoring and measuring performance, including the effective use of data to raise achievement
A/I
Leadership and Management
Essential
Evidence of transformational leadership
A/I/R
Ability to identify and use appropriate leadership approaches for different situations
A/I/R
Leadership and management experience at Deputy Headteacher level
A/I/R
Ability to initiate and manage change and improvement in pursuit of strategic objectives
A/I/R
Experience of financial management and effective deployment of resources
A/I
Ability to create a working environment where all feel secure while being fully accountable to the school
A/I
Experience and ability to form good working relationship with the wider community
A/I
Experience of working within collaborative partnerships
A/I
Ability to work effectively with the Governing Body
A/I
Awareness of a range of school improvement strategies
A/I
Experience of analysing and utilising complex data
A/I
Awareness of key employment legislation
Desirable
A/I/R
A/I
Skills and Attributes
Essential
Desirable
To lead by example, inspiring, motivating and empowering innovation
A/I
An outstanding communicator able to engage all stakeholders with the vision and direction of the school
I/R
Able to create and develop quality relationships with the school and the wider community
I/R
Ability to lead collaborative working with other schools and academies and the wider community
I
Experience of developing pastoral care and a caring ethos within the school
I
Ability to effectively market and promote the school
I
Knowledge of and commitment to the use of IT and new technologies
I
Professional Knowledge
Essential
Knowledge of the statutory framework for education and its impact for funding and curriculum organisation
A/I
Knowledge of best practice in education
A/I
Commitment to the safe-guarding and promoting the welfare of young people
I/R
Personal Attributes
Essential
An absolute commitment to students and their learning, well being and safety above all else
A/I/R
Passionate about securing the best opportunities for all the students and the school community
A/I
Creative and collaborative, able to engage with the creative energies of others
A/I
Demonstrates professionalism, personal integrity and loyalty
A/I/R
Good judgment and political acumen, able to reach and justify difficult decisions
I/R
Clear commitment to inclusion and equality
A/I/R
Willingness to take calculated risk when appropriate
I
Personal resilience, energy, pace and enthusiasm with the ability to work calmly under pressure
I/R
Maintains and encourages a good work life balance
I/R
Desirable
Desirable
A/I/R
A/I/R
A/I/R
Job Description POST:
Headteacher
Group:
Group 6 L28 - L34
Salary:
Agreed at date of appointment
Scope and purpose of the post: The Headteacher provides the overall vision, leadership and direction of St Katherine’s School and is responsible to the Governors and the LA for the effective leadership and management of the school. The specific responsibilities of the Headteacher relate to the following:
the vision for the strategic direction and development of the school;
creating a positive ethos and culture;
creating access for all students to high quality learning and teaching based on a rich, broad and balanced curriculum;
leading and management of staff as well as fostering effective relationships between all those involved within the school, the community and beyond;
the efficient and effective deployment of staff and resources;
being accountable for the efficiency and the effectiveness of the school.
Key responsibilities: The vision for the strategic direction and development of the school: The Headteacher will;
Work with the Governing Body and the Senior Leadership Team to build on the school’s achievements and provide leadership for a clear, soundly based vision and ethos as a high performing school;
Lead the whole school community in maintaining ethos, formulating policy and monitoring the performance of the school;
Lead, oversee and monitor school development planning in consultation with staff and Governors, ensuring that it effectively supports and develops the school values and aims;
Establish good relationships with and between members of the school, and with the wider community;
Promote the school to the wider community and develop robust links with business and industry for the benefit of students’ achievement;
Ensure that governors or their committees are well informed and supported by the SLT to meet their responsibilities.
Creating a positive ethos and culture: The Headteacher will:
Be responsible for maintaining an environment which promotes effective learning and high standards of achievement and discipline;
Maintain and develop systems of pastoral care to support students and facilitate their personal development;
Involve all students in the success of the school, through appropriate support and acknowledgement of their academic and extra-curricular achievements.
Learning and teaching based on a rich, broad and balanced curriculum: The Headteacher will;
Enable the highest standards of achievement from all;
Promote equality of opportunity for every student in order that they may achieve their fullest potential;
Provide a rich environment and a relevant curriculum which will promote successful learning and teaching for students of all abilities;
Maintain a climate which promotes good behaviour and discipline throughout the school;
Determine and maintain self evaluation processes in order to secure improvements to the educational standards achieved by students;
Define priorities and targets for student progress;
Provide for students’ spiritual, social, moral and cultural development;
Ensure that a culture exists which is non-discriminatory in terms of special educational needs, religion, race and gender;
Work proactively with all the agencies concerned with the health, safety and well being of students to ensure the best possible provision for all;
Ensure outreach to partner primary schools and facilitate effective transition for students;
Maintain an effective partnership with all parents and carers to support and enhance the achievement and personal development of their children;
Work to provide school-to-school support where requested, either independently or as part of national or local programmes such as The Learning Exchange in North Somerset;
Develop effective links with the community, including other schools, academies and colleges, and business and industry to extend the curriculum and enhance teaching and learning.
Leading and managing staff and fostering effective relationships: The Headteacher will;
Motivate staff and students by personal influence and concern for individual needs;
Build successful teams of staff, governors, parents and others that are able to work together to fulfil the school aims;
Ensure the professional duties of all staff are fulfilled as specified in the Terms and Conditions of Service of teachers, including those for the Headteacher;
Ensure the management structure of the school meets its needs;
Ensure effective Performance Management procedures which promote professional development activities and secure good practice;
Ensure high quality professional development of all staff based on assessment of needs;
Solve problems and resolve any conflict by applying skills of sensitive leadership and management;
Maintain good communications with organisations representing teachers and support staff.
Efficient and effective deployment of staff and resources: The Headteacher will;
Work with governors and other colleagues to attract and retain high calibre staff;
Manage the recruitment, promotion, continuing professional development and retention of staff, including support for NQT’s;
Deploy staff effectively by the determination of suitable structures and responsibilities;
Ensure that all staff have job descriptions that are regularly reviewed;
Determine the effective and efficient use of accommodation and learning resources through good management, organisation and delegation of responsibilities.
Accountability for the efficiency and effectiveness of the school: The Headteacher will;
Plan, manage and monitor the use of all funding and resources and in consultation with senior staff and governors set the budget for the school, agreeing priorities for expenditure consistent with school development planning, allocating funds and ensuring effective administration and control;
Provide accurate and timely reporting, information, advice and support to the governing body to enable it to meet its responsibilities;
Further develop monitoring systems which secure regular systematic evaluation and review of standards, efficiency and effectiveness;
Ensure an effective reporting system which will meet statutory requirements and inform the appropriate members of the school community and beyond;
Seek opportunities for additional funding and resources where appropriate.
Staff for whom responsible:
All teaching and support staff within the school.
This job description sets out the main duties of the post as currently envisaged. These duties which must be read in accordance with the current School Teachers’ Pay and Conditions Document may change over time, without changing the general character of the post, or the level of responsibility involved.
The Headteacher will be required to safeguard and promote the welfare of children and young people
How to apply 1. To apply for the post of Headteacher of St Katherine’s School:
Please complete the standard application form in full. A copy can be downloaded from the school website and completed electronically.
Please also include an accompanying letter of application addressed to Mr Barry Toogood, Chair of Governors, highlighting the skills and qualities you feel you would bring to the post. Please address the key points in our person specification in your letter of application (no more than two sides of A4 please).
The application form and accompanying letter should be sent to Mrs Julie Moller, Headteacher’s PA, either by email to mollerj@stkaths.org.uk or by post to the school address.
The closing date for completed applications is 12 noon on the 20 February 2012.
2. Short listing will take place during the week commencing 20 February 2012. 3. We will write to all candidates to let them know the outcome of their application. 4. Interviews will be held on the 12, 13 and 14 March. 5. Prospective candidates are encouraged to visit the school. Please contact Mrs Julie Moller, Heads PA email mollerj@stkaths.org.uk, or telephone to arrange an appointment. 6. If you have any queries or questions regarding the application pack or any difficulties in downloading the information/application form please contact Mrs Julie Moller. Links:
Application Form
Equal Opportunities Form
Guidance notes on completing the Application Form