Dear prospective applicant,
Thank you for expressing an interest in this key vacancy at our college. This is a key role in our college as we move from good to great.
The last few years have been amazing for our college community, as we have started to gain external recognition for the way we are doing things; from being shortlisted twice for the TES well-being school of the year in 2022 and 2023, to being one of five schools to win the Silver Award for the Pearson's secondary school of the year in 2023.
Our aim has always been to make this school one of the best schools to attend as a child and to work in as a member of staff. That mission is extremely rare and we urge you to come and see us in action, speak to the staff and speak to the students. Every decision that we take is done with a lot of thought and consideration and we put well-being at the centre, so that teachers can teach and students can learn.
Therefore, we are not a college that is driven by OFSTED and whether we are GOOD or OUTSTANDING but we do things because they are at the very essence of helping our children and school community to be the best that they can be.
Our approach is underpinned by leaders understanding their responsibility and fulfilling it, not by wielding their power or authority and we welcome and appreciate challenge if we do not live up to the standards that are expected of us. Therefore, how we lead, is as important as the direction we are taking staff in. You need to have the emotional intelligence to deal with sensitive matters with clarity as well as trusting those around you to deliver and, when needed, have tough love conversations to improve delivery.
You will have the responsibility of up to 12 staff, including two Deputy Head of Faculty, so your ability to work with different groups of people in a dynamic environment is paramount, and a key part of the role.
As Principal, it has always been my philosophy to grow and nurture new talent so that we create the next generation of leaders, it is something that I have done throughout my career, and this role will support the successful individual on their journey. I have personally led on leadership programmes over the last decade with the DFE and supported over 120 leaders to be successful in their next step.
We are well oversubscribed, even though we have increased our PAN from 240 to 300 pupils, we have more applicants than we have spaces. Our P8 score has also increased year on year and we have fluctuated between the top 12% and 20% of schools nationally. We are particularly proud that our PP pupils achieved a score of +0.17 in 2023.
All of our pupils are entered for science and our progress score was 0.14 last year - 0.15 for lower attainers, 0.36 for middle attainers and -0.33 for higher attainers. So, there is still some work to do as we are aiming to be in the top 5% of schools nationally.
We have removed lesson observations from the appraisal process for the last seven years and linked it to professional development. Currently staff are entitled to ‘visits’ and entitled to a professional dialogue to improve their practice. That is a risk we have taken but it is aimed at creating a learning community where teachers can teach and learners can learn, without fear.
Our behaviour policy is clear and simple, “First Time Every Time,” no quibbles, no arguments just do as we expect. Teachers no longer have to do detentions, chase up absence, attendance or punctuality. These are all done centrally with a highly skilled team that has taken the workload away from teachers.
Curriculum is obviously now at the forefront of what we do and is the progression model. We have spent a significant amount of time ensuring that the curriculum is sequenced appropriately so that students are knowing, remembering and therefore able to do more.
We have arranged a compulsory information evening preferably in person or over Teams as this process is very much two-way and you need to be sure that this is a school you want to work in.
The Information Evening will take place on Monday 29th April at 5.00pm, please let Sumaya Seedat know by email if you wish to attend (email in pack)
Please read the attached job description and person specification. If you are interested in applying, please fill in the application form available on our website by Friday 3rd May 2024 9am.
KEY DATES:
Information Evening – 5.00pm Monday 29th April @ CHCC and preferably not online
Deadline – Friday 3rd May 9am
Interviews – Thursday 9th May 2024
Start Date: August 2024
I look forward to meeting you in person or seeing you online and hopefully reading your application!
Yours sincerely,
Mr F Adam
(Principal)
We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. Applicants will be required to undertake pre-employment checks, such as an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) Check.