Assistant Headteacher (Safeguarding & Designated Safeguarding Lead)

Required from January 2024, an ambitious teacher with successful safeguarding and pastoral experience to join our Senior Leadership as we continue to build on our achievements and success.

Buckler’s Mead is an ambitious school on the rise. Following a hugely successful summer where the Academy recorded the best results in its history we are now looking to recruit to key positions to continue this exceptional school improvement journey. We seek to significantly invest in developing all staff and this has been strengthened by our work with Trust partners. If you would like the chance to teach in a rapidly improving school, this may be the ideal post for you.

We are seeking an excellent leader whose skills will complement and enhance those of others in the team. The successful candidate will be required to take on the role of Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) and will be a key leader in the pastoral provision of the academy – taking a lead on areas of pastoral provision which may include behaviour, attendance, PSHE, SMSC, Student Support or Careers (SLT roles are flexible, based on each member’s strengths and experience).

 The successful candidate should be:

• Hard working and fully committed to the ethos of the academy

• A confident teacher with excellent classroom management skills and evidence of sustained, outstanding and successful classroom practice

• Enthusiastic and willing to try new ideas, taking responsibility for new initiatives

• An experienced middle leader

• Experienced in making, auctioning and following through safeguarding referrals

• Experienced in the role of Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead or Designated Safeguarding Lead

• Keen to support the teaching of excellence by improving student outcomes

• Someone with sky high expectations of students, whilst fully appreciating the need to provide encouragement and support to students of all abilities

• A role model of the professional behaviour and attitude of a senior leader

• Highly organised with an eye for detail

• Able to work with and build positive relationships with staff from all areas of the academy, external agencies and partner schools, students and parents

• Interested in continuing professional development.

(Please see the accompanying job description and person specification for full details)

In return we can offer you the opportunity to work with motivated students, the full support of a dedicated and committed team of staff, a supportive induction programme and ongoing professional development, plus the opportunity to work in a developing academy in a beautiful area of the South West. Staff benefits include free on-site parking, membership of the Teachers’ Pension Scheme and access for all staff to the Employee Assistance Programme “Health Assured”, which is a telephone based advice, information and counselling service. A selection of meals, snacks (hot and cold) and drinks is available for staff to purchase at lunch and break times.

Buckler’s Mead Academy is a highly inclusive academy in the east of Yeovil, close to the Dorset border. Our vision as an academy is “an inspiring education for all”. We believe that all members of our community should be given the opportunity to be happy, to achieve, participate and become successful. Our job as professionals is to ensure this happens. All our staff sign up to these aspirations and play a full role in contributing to this vision through inclusive teaching. We seek to recruit dedicated and talented staff, highly committed to making a difference. We are part of the Midsomer Norton Schools’ Partnership – a highly successful Multi Academy Trust, often considered the ‘market leader’ in the South West for school improvement. The successful candidate will benefit from trust wide opportunities, such as early careers induction, CPD and working with colleagues across trust schools.

The academy is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All appointments are subject to references and a full Disclosure and Barring Service check. Please note that we may carry out online searches on shortlisted candidates as part of our Safer Recruitment and Due Diligence checks. Buckler’s Mead Academy is an equal opportunities employer. The campus is a no smoking site.

If you think this could be the role for you, we would love to hear from you. Applications should be sent for the attention of Mr Mark Lawrence, Headteacher and should include details of your current experience and suitability for the role as well as your particular areas of expertise and interest.

Thank you for your interest in this post. We look forward to receiving your application.

CLOSING DATE: Monday 9 October 2023 (9.00 am)

(We review all applications on receipt and reserve the right to close this vacancy earlier if we receive sufficient applications)