Darwen St James' Headteacher Candidate Pack

Candidate Informa on

Headteacher St James’ CE Primary Academy

Open to both converter and sponsored Academies, we work closely and collabora vely to ensure that we offer a strong caring ethos and clear moral purpose. We encourage all of our academies to see themselves as part of a family with a shared vision, iden ty and purpose whilst maintaining their own dis nc veness.

Primary

Academies

Founded by the Diocese of Blackburn in 2014, Cidari Mul Academy Trust grown to a family of eight Academies across the Blackburn Diocese with sites in the local authority areas of Blackpool, Blackburn with Darwen and Lancashire.

Secondary

2500+

Learners Partnerships with the diocese, mul ‐academy trust and church

are excellent .

Great Marsden St John’s Church of England Primary Academy SIAMS Report ‘Outstanding’ 2017

Employees

Blackpool Blackburn Darwen

Newchurch Nelson ‐in‐ Pendle

Dar C of

Dear Applicant I am delighted that you are interested in applying for a leadership role within Cidari Mul Academy Trust As the Trust evolves we are looking to strengthen strategic and opera onal leadership capacity. By con nuing to raise the standards and achievement for our children, every member of our team is commi ed to working together to provide them with the best start in life and a wealth of happy memories to draw on.

Our Trust is seeking inspira onal leaders who will lead with confidence, faith and purpose. As an outstanding prac oner and passionate leader of learning you will have a desire to ensure every child is equipped with the skills for tomorrow’s world. You will be mo va onal, approachable, strategically crea ve and deep‐thinking with the interpersonal skills needed to build strong rela onships with pupils, staff, parents, governors and the wider community.

In return you will be supported by a team of professionals and colleagues and play a cri cal role in the direc on of our organisa on, and a key player in our future successes.

This is an opportunity to work in an inspiring, energe c and friendly atmosphere within a unique family of academies under the umbrella of the Diocese of Blackburn. You can expect to be supported and stretched in terms of your personal development, exercising your strategic thinking to ensure we achieve our aspira ons and ambi ons to maximise outcomes for children and nurture excellence.

If you are hardworking, have the ability to develop an effec ve team and you are confident in your leadership skills, then we look forward to receiving your applica on.

Yours faithfully Peter Ashworth CEO Cidari Mul Academy Trust

wen St James’

E Primary Academy

Our Aims

Our Vision

Dis nc veness To recognise, encourage and promote the dis nc veness of our Academies, and empower them to thrive within the communi es they serve.

Achievement To create a culture that fosters academic achievement, nurtures ini a ve and rewards success.

Chris an Ethos To prepare our pupils for world ci zenship both explicitly and implicitly through core Chris an values such as responsibility, acceptance, truth and jus ce, and for these to be reflected in all aspects of the curriculum offered.

Governance and Accountability To provide strong and robust Governance and systems to ensure compliance and reassurance around areas of risk.

Our People To become an employer of choice where all colleagues are supported and encouraged to achieve our mutual ambi ons in an environment of equality, accountability and reward.

Aspira onal To achieve excellence in all we do by working collabora vely to deliver world class systems and measures to achieve the aspira ons of our pupils, colleagues and leaders.

Safeguarding & Wellbeing To ensure that our Academies are a safe environment for all who use them with the wellbeing of our pupils and colleagues at the forefront of all we strive to achieve.

Facili es & Resources To invest in world class facili es by crea ng key partnerships with industry leaders to deliver end user benefits in buildings, ICT and resources.

Dis nc ve A together fo

empowered to work excellence through shared Chris an values.

cademies

MAT Central Services Through our central team we provide our Academies with a full range of support, including school improvement support .

We also provide strategic and opera onal and business support services in the following areas:  Finance & Audit  Governance  Human Resources  Recruitment  Payroll  Insurance  Health & Safety  Facili es Management  Academy Development  Projects  Marke ng & Public Rela ons

Darwen St James’

is a Church of England Academy, which is at the heart of the Parish of St James’ Lower Darwen, St Paul’s Hoddlesden & our own church, St James’, OverDarwen. We serve a local community catchment and area of high depriva on. As a “good” school, Ofsted 2011, we took leadership of our local Chapels Children’s Centre in 2012, and established our own Nursery Classes, for children 2‐4 years. We became an Academy within Cidari (Blackburn Diocese Mul Academy Trust) in October 2014. We work alongside our partner academies to con nue to raise standards, whilst preserving our very dis nc ve Chris an Ethos.

In January, Ofsted inspected our Nursery Class, judged to be “good, with outstanding features”, notable strengths lie in our leadership and in our care of the children. In April, our SIAMS Inspec on judged us to be “good” – commen ng that “Dis nc vely Chris an values are at the heart of he Academy’s work. They strongly influence pupils’ behaviour and a tudes and result in a calm and nurturing learning environment” Inspected in Autumn 2017, the Academy retained its “good” Ofsted judgement, demonstra ng con nual improvement. Strengths were leadership at all levels, pupil progress, our crea ve curriculum and pupils’ personal development.

We have built a reputa on for con nuing improvement within an environment where children are nurtured and loved. Building upon our firmly embedded Chris an Values, and our rigorous drive to raise standards, we are now seeking to appoint a commi ed leader with drive and inspira onal vision to lead us in the next stage in our development. You will build upon the many successes made over recent years, working with our highly dedicated and hard working staff team and governors to secure best outcomes for our children.

This is an exci ng me for our Academy and a fantas c opportunity for the right candidate to join our organisa on and achieve our Academy’s, the Trust’s and their own ambi ons and aspira ons. You will be supported by the wider family of schools and a central team within the Trust, dedicated to giving you the means to deliver real improvement and impact across our organisa on.

We thank you for considering both our Academy and this posi on as the next stage in your career and look forward to receiving your applica on.

We have a vision to be a school that treasures and loves every individual. Ou children have a thirst for learning, love for life and embrace the future with Chris an hope and confidence.

Job Descrip on: Headteacher Role

Key Rela onships

Headteacher

 Academy Team

Loca on

 Chief Execu ve

Darwen, BB1

Responsible to Chief Execu ve, Cidari Mul Academy Trust

 Local Governing Commi ee  Trust Headteachers  Trust Head of Opera ons  Trust Central Team

Management Responsibility

 Diocesan Board of Educa on

All Academy employees

 Academy Improvement Advisors  Local Authority & Related Agencies

The Core Purpose of the Headteacher The Headteacher is the prime mover in crea ng, inspiring, and embodying the Chris an ethos and culture of this Academy, securing its Mission Statement with all members of the Academy community, and ensuring an environment for teaching and learning that empowers both staff and students to achieve their highest poten al.

The core purpose of the Headteacher is to provide professional leadership and management for the Academy within the context of the Trust. This will promote a secure founda on from which to achieve high standards in all areas of the Academy’s work. To gain this success the Headteacher must establish high quality educa on by effec vely managing teaching and learning and using personalised learning to realise the poten al of all students. The Headteacher should establish a culture that promotes excellence, equality and high expecta ons of all students within a strong Chris an ethos.

The Headteacher is the leading professional in the Academy. Accountable to the Trust, the Headteacher provides vision, leadership and direc on for the Academy and ensures that it is managed and organised to meet its aims and targets. The Headteacher, working with others, is responsible for evalua ng the Academy’s performance to iden fy the priori es for con nuous improvement and raising standards; ensuring equality of opportunity for all; developing policies and prac ces; ensuring that resources are efficiently and effec vely used to achieve the Academy’s aims and objec ves and for the day‐to‐day management, organisa on and administra on of the Academy.

The Headteacher, working with and through others, secures the commitment of the wider community to the Academy by developing and maintaining effec ve partnerships with, for example, Academies, schools, other services and agencies for children, the Trust, the Local Authority, the Diocese, higher educa on ins tu ons and employers. Headteachers play a key role through such partnerships and other ac vi es in contribu ng to the development of the educa on system as a whole, and collaborate with others to raise standards locally.

Drawing on the support provided by members of the Academy community, the Headteacher is responsible for crea ng a produc ve learning environment which is engaging and fulfilling for all students.

Quali es and Knowledge Within the Academy’s Chris an ethos, the Headteacher will: 1.

Hold and ar culate clear Chris an values and moral purpose focused on providing a world‐class educa on for the students they serve.

2.

Demonstrate op mis c personal behaviour, posi ve rela onships and a tudes towards their students and staff, towards parents/carers, governors and members of the local churches and the wider community.

3.

Lead by example – with integrity, crea vity, resilience and clarity – drawing on their own scholarship, exper se and skills, and that of those around them.

4.

Sustain wide, current knowledge and understanding of educa on and school systems locally, na onally and globally, and pursue con nuous professional development that reflects the needs of a Church of England Academy.

5.

Work with poli cal and financial astuteness, within a clear set of principles centred on the Academy’s Chris an vision, ably transla ng local, na onal and the Trust’s policies into the Academy context.

6.

Communicate compellingly the Academy’s and Trust’s vision and drive the strategic leadership empowering all students and staff to excel.

Students and Staff Within the Academy’s Chris an ethos, the Headteacher will: 1.

Demand ambi ous standards of achievement and a endance for all students, overcoming disadvantage and advancing equality, ins lling a strong sense of accountability in staff for the impact of their work on student outcomes.

2.

Secure excellent teaching through an analy cal understanding of how students learn and of the core features of successful classroom prac ce and curriculum design, leading to rich curriculum opportuni es and students’ well‐being.

3.

Establish an educa onal culture of “open classrooms” as a basis for sharing best prac ce within and between Academies and schools, drawing on and conduc ng relevant research and robust data analysis.

4.

Create an ethos based on Chris an values within which staff are mo vated and supported to develop their own skills and subject knowledge, and to support each other.

5.

Iden fy emerging talents, coaching current and aspiring leaders in a climate where excellence is the standard, leading to clear succession planning.

6.

Hold all staff to account for their professional conduct and performance.

Job Descrip on: Headteacher Systems and Processes In order to provide an efficient effec ve and safe Chris an learning environment the Headteacher will: 1.

Ensure that the Academy’s systems, organisa on and processes are well considered, efficient, and fit for purpose, upholding the principles of transparency, integrity and probity within a Chris an context.

2.

Within the Academy’s Chris an ethos, provide a safe, calm and well‐ordered environment for all students and staff, focused on safeguarding students and developing their exemplary behaviour in the Academy and in the wider society.

3.

Establish rigorous, fair and transparent systems and measures for managing the performance of all staff, addressing any under‐performance, suppor ng staff to improve and valuing and dissemina ng excellent prac ce.

4.

Welcome strong governance and ac vely support the Local Governing Commi ee to understand its role and deliver its func ons effec vely – in par cular its func ons to set Academy strategy and hold the Headteacher to account for student, staff and financial performance.

5.

Exercise strategic, curriculum‐led financial planning to ensure the equitable deployment of budgets and resources, in the best interests of student’s achievements, the Academy’s sustainability and its Chris an character.

6.

Distribute leadership throughout the organisa on, forging teams of colleagues who have dis nct roles and responsibili es and hold each other to account for their decision making.

The Self‐Improving School System Working in a spirit of collabora on to secure Chris an principles of equality and en tlement, the Headteacher will: 1.

Create an outward‐facing Academy which works with other Academies, the Trust, schools, organisa ons and the local community – in a climate of mutual challenge – to champion best prac ce and secure excellent achievements for all students.

2.

Develop effec ve rela onships with fellow professionals, colleagues in other public services, parents/carers and the Church community to improve academic and social outcomes for all students.

3.

Challenge educa onal orthodoxies in the best interests of achieving excellence, harnessing the findings of well evidenced research to frame self‐regula ng and self ‐improving schools.

4.

Shape the current and future quality of the teaching profession through high quality training and sustained professional development of all staff.

5.

Within the Academy’s Chris an ethos, model entrepreneurial and innova ve approaches to school improvement, leadership and governance, confident of the vital contribu on of internal and external accountability.

6.

Inspire and influence others – within and beyond schools – to believe in the fundamental importance of educa on in young people’s lives and to promote the value of educa on especially within a Chris an context.

The applicant will be required to safeguard and promote the welfare of children and young people. The Headteacher is expected to demonstrate this commitment to safeguarding and promo ng the welfare of children and young people and is expected to hold all staff and volunteers accountable for their contribu on to safeguarding regula ons.

This appointment is with Cidari Educa on (the employer) under the terms of the Na onal Society Contract.

This Job Descrip on reflects the Na onal Standards of Excellence for Headteachers (2015). These standards are built upon the Teaching Standards (2011) which apply to all teachers, including Headteachers. It reflects the posi on at the present me only and may be reviewed in nego a on with the employee in the future .

The appointment is subject to the current condi ons of employment of Headteachers, contained in the School Teachers’ Pay and Condi ons document and other current educa onal and employment legisla on, including that of the Department for Educa on, and the terms of the Na onal Society contract. In carrying out his/her du es, the Headteacher shall consult, where appropriate with internal and external stakeholders, including but not limited to the Trust Board of Directors, Trust Central Team, the Local Governing Commi ee, the staff of the Academy, its students and the parents of its students.

Person Specifica on: Headteacher Faith Commitment Full and ac ve member of a church in membership of Churches Together in England. (This requires evidence of current church involvement and a clear indica on of the applicant's beliefs in rela on to a Church Academy).

Essen al

To be able to demonstrate their knowledge and understanding of the following in the context of a Cidari Academy.

Leading collec ve worship

Essen al

A commitment to strategic thinking and planning that builds, communicates and carries forward a coherent and shared vision for the Chris an ethos of the Academy.

Essen al

How rela onships should be fostered and developed between the Academy, local Church and its community Diocese of Blackburn and wider Trust.

Essen al

Ways of leading the spiritual development of all the Academy community

Essen al

Qualifica ons Qualified teacher status

Essen al

Degree

Essen al

Professional Development Evidence of appropriate professional development for the role of Headteacher

Essen al

Evidence of recent leadership and management experience

Essen al

Has successfully undertaken appropriate Child Protec on training.

Essen al

Willing to undertake or has successfully undertaken Designated Senior Leader Training

Essen al

The Self‐Improving School System Experience School Leadership and Management Recent successful leadership as a Headteacher, Deputy or Assistant Headteacher

Essen al

Be able to demonstrate successful/effec ve leadership in a school or Academy in a Essen al similar community/facing similar challenges To have taken an ac ve involvement in school self‐evalua on and development planning.

Essen al

Knowledge and understanding of strategic financial planning and budgetary management in rela on to their contribu on to Academy development and pupil achievement.

Essen al

To have had responsibility for policy development and implementa on

Essen al

To have had experience of and ability to contribute to staff development across the primary range. (E.g. coaching, mentoring, INSET for staff).

Essen al

Knowledge and understanding of the Extended Schools agenda.

Desirable

The Self‐Improving School System Experience and Knowledge of Teaching Experience of teaching in more than one school or Academy.

Desirable

Experience of teaching in a school or Academy in similar circumstances/ serving a similar community.

Desirable

Significant teaching experience within the primary phase

Essen al

To have a knowledge and understanding of all 3 Key Stages in the primary phase

Essen al

To be able to effec vely use data, assessment and target se ng to raise standards/address weaknesses

Essen al

To be able to exemplify how the needs of all pupils (SEN, AEN, AGT, EAL, GRT) have Essen al been met through high quality teaching.

Person SpeciďŹ ca on: Headteacher Professional A ributes Demonstrate an understanding, awareness and empathy for the needs of the pupils in our Academy and how these could be met.

Essen al

Able to demonstrate a clear ra onale for behaviour management and a proven track record of the eec ve implementa on of a range of behaviour management Essen al strategies.

Excellent wri en and oral communica on skills (which will be assessed at all stages of the process).

Essen al

To be a leader of learning demonstra ng, promo ng and encouraging outstanding Essen al classroom prac ce.

Show a good commitment to sustained a endance at work

Essen al

Professional Skills Candidates will be judged on the professional skills deemed essen al which are based on the Na onal Standards of Excellence for Headteachers 2015, as referenced in the Job Descrip on.

ConďŹ den al references Posi ve and suppor ve faith reference from the priest/minister where the applicant regularly worships.

Essen al

Candidates who do not use their Parish priest/minister must give an explana on in the le er of applica on Posi ve recommenda on from current or most recent employer

Essen al

Posi ve recommenda on from previous employer

Essen al

The Self‐Improving Personal Quali es School System Con nue to promote the Trust’s strong educa onal philosophy and values

Essen al

Inspire, challenge, mo vate and empower teams and individuals to achieve high goals

Essen al

Contribute to and ac vely support the wider development and aims of Cidari Mul Academy Trust.

Essen al

Be approachable, person centred.

Essen al

Demonstrate personal enthusiasm and commitment to leadership aimed at making a posi ve difference to children and young people

Essen al

Build and maintain quality rela onships through interpersonal skills and effec ve communica on

Essen al

Demonstrate personal and professional integrity, including modelling values and vision

Essen al

Manage and resolve conflict

Essen al

Priori se, plan and organise themselves and others

Essen al

Think analy cally and crea vely and demonstrate ini a ve in solving problems

Essen al

Be aware of their own strengths and areas for development and listen to, and reflect construc vely and act upon as appropriate, feedback from others

Essen al

Be able to empathise appropriately and take necessary steps

Essen al

Demonstrate a capacity for sustained hard work with energy and vigour

Essen al

Demonstrate impact and presence

Essen al

The School System HowSelf‐Improving to Apply Applica ons will only be accepted when using a Cidari Applica on Form. The form must be fully completed and legible. The suppor ng le er must be submi ed in black ink, word processed and limited to 3 pages. It should be clear, concise and related to the job descrip on and person specifica on. It should have par cular reference to your own experience explaining how as a Headteacher you will mo vate and work with others to create and sustain a school vision and posi ve ethos.

For further informa on regarding this role including closing, shortlis ng, interview and start dates please refer to the job advert at www.cidarieduca on.co.uk.

Alterna vely contact Cidari Mul Academy Trust Tel: 01254 9588888.

Email: admin@cidarieduca on.co.uk

This is a defini ve list of the member churches of

Churches Together in England. It is useful for many reasons, from public informa on to mutual accountability. It is also used in rela on to school admissions (which we do not encourage) and to appoin ng chaplains etc, where a criteria is belonging to a 'member church of Churches Together in England'.

Member churches of Churches Together in England (CTE) are denomina ons in England at a na onal level. There are agreed parameters for belonging, and a recognised process for reques ng membership. All ecumenical instruments such as CTE are autonomous although networked. Belonging to a Churches Together group or County Body does not automa cally give a congrega on membership of CTE. Visit schools admissions for a longer explana on.  An ochian Orthodox Chris an Archdiocese of

 Interna onal Ministerial Council of Great

the Bri sh Isles and Ireland  Apostolic Pastoral Congress  Armenian Orthodox Church  Assemblies of God  Bap st Union of Great Britain  Catholic Bishops' Conference of England and Wales  Church of England  Church of God of Prophecy  Church of Scotland (Presbytery of England)  Churches in Communi es Interna onal  Congrega onal Federa on  Cop c Orthodox Church  Council of African and Caribbean Churches UK  Council of Lutheran Churches  Council of Oriental Orthodox Churches (temporarily defunct)  Elim Pentecostal Church  Evangelical Lutheran Church of England  Evangelische Synode Deutscher Sprache in Großbritannien  Exarchate of Orthodox Parishes of the Russian Tradi on (Ecumenical Patriarchate)  Free Church of England  Ground Level  Ichthus Chris an Fellowship  Independent Methodist Churches  Indian Orthodox Church

Britain  Ixthus Church Council  Joint Council for Anglo‐Caribbean Churches  Mar Thoma Church in Europe  Transatlan c Pacific Alliance of Churches  Unifica on Council of Cherubim + Seraphim Churches (Europe Chapter)  United Kingdom World Evangelism Trust  United Reformed Church  Wesleyan Holiness Church  Methodist Church  Moravian Church  New Testament Assembly  New Testament Church of God  Oecumenical Patriarchate  Pioneer  Redeemed Chris an Church of God  Religious Society of Friends  Ruach Network of Churches  Russian Orthodox Church (Moscow Patriarchate)  Salva on Army  Seventh‐day Adven st Church (observer)  Transatlan c Pacific Alliance of Churches  Unifica on Council of Cherubim + Seraphim Churches (Europe Chapter)  United Kingdom World Evangelism Trust  United Reformed Church  Wesleyan Holiness Church

Churches Together in England

St Luke & Philip’s Church of England Primary Academy

St George’s Church of England Secondary Academy

Clayton House Walker Park Blackburn BB1 2QE Great Marsden St John’s Church of England Primary Academy

Darwen St James’ C of E Primary Academy

St James Crescent, Darwen, Lancashire, BB3 0EY Telephone: 01254 703260 Email: office@darwenstjames.org www.darwenstjames.co.uk

email: admin@cidari.co.uk Tel: 01254 958888 www.cidarieduca on.co.uk Company Number: 08822760