Start Date: 1 January 2023
Contract: permanent (including INSET days)
Hours: 1 FTE (full-time)
Salary: £25,714 (MS1) - £41,604 (UPS3) + TLR2c (£7017)
We are looking for a committed, dynamic teacher who is ready to take on a middle-leadership role here at Backwell School from 1 January 2023. The successful candidate will be an excellent teaching practitioner (all subject specialisms will be considered) with an interest and enthusiasm for pastoral support for students aged 13-16.
The pastoral structure at Backwell is divided into Key Stages; at Key Stage 3 and Key Stage 5, Pastoral Leaders are Heads of Year working under an Assistant Head. At Key Stage 4, there are four Heads of House, working with the Assistant Head for Ks4. Our current vacancy is within Key Stage 4 as the Head of Mendip House.
As Head of House, you would lead a team of seven tutors, working with around 200 students in Years 9 – 11. You would be working with a non-teaching Assistant Pastoral Leader – a new role introduced at Backwell this year to add capacity to pastoral teams. You would lead house assemblies, oversee the tutor time programme and liaise with the wider student support team and external agencies when necessary. Regular communication with parents/carers and other teaching staff is also an important part of this role as our Pastoral Leaders support their students’ wellbeing both emotionally and academically.
Backwell School is a large comprehensive school just outside of Bristol – one of England’s most vibrant and cultural cities. Judged by Ofsted as Good in January 2020 the school has an excellent reputation in the local area and is oversubscribed in regards to student applications. Our latest Ofsted report can be read thought the link on our attached job description.
Backwell School offers its staff a vibrant and stimulating teaching environment and there is a broad range of professional support available for new members of staff both within the department and in the wider school. At Backwell School, we prioritise staff wellbeing; planning time is generous with full time teachers teaching a maximum of 51 lessons out of 60. Pastoral leaders have significant additional non-contact time.
There is considerable support available from other Pastoral Leaders, the Assistant Head in charge of Key Stage 4 and the rest of the Senior Leadership Team. We also provide a fantastic benefits package to our employees including a contributory pension scheme, a broad employee assistance programme and benefits (offering discounts on shopping), cycle to work scheme, fitness suite usage, electric car scheme and on-site parking.
Backwell School is part of the Lighthouse Schools Partnership. This offers us curriculum collaboration and support opportunities with other secondary schools in the local area. We also have a Trust-wide
Professional Development Team organising a wide range of staff training and development.
Before making an application candidates are asked to match their qualifications, experience, skills and abilities against the criteria listed on the job and person specification below.
We are committed to providing a comprehensive education for all our young people and this ethos is summarised in the Backwell School Charter.
To make an application please visit the: Backwell School Eteach page. The closing date for applications is 9.00 am on Friday 7 October 2022. Those who are successful following shortlisting, will be contacted regarding interview arrangements.
You are welcome to contact the Head’s PA through the email provided on the job description to arrange an informal phone conversation, or possible visit, prior to your application if you so wish. We are also happy to arrange an online meeting for candidates based outside the local area who wish to know more about the school and the role. Please be assured that all shortlisted candidates will be given the opportunity to look around the school as part of the interview process.
