At The Aurora Group, we believe in giving people the opportunities they need to lead fulfilling, independent lives. Established in 2015, we are now one of the UK’s largest providers of education, care and support services for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities.
Here at Aurora Meldreth Manor, many of our students have complex learning difficulties, often associated with profound physical disabilities and/or medical needs. Their ages range between 6 – 19. Whatever a student’s abilities or challenges, we aim to provide them with memorable experiences and stimulating activities that promote self-esteem and personal independence. This approach is enhanced by the imaginative use of a variety of suitable and interesting resources and environments – from the rich experiences of sound, colour and touch in the sensory room, through to energising rebound therapy and physical exercises in the hydrotherapy pool.
We are recruiting for a Head of School to join Meldreth Manor School.
The Role
Similar in nature to a Headteacher position; you will ultimately be accountable for all areas of operational and educational performance within the School, as well as the financial performance and management of education and support staff.
To achieve in this role you will be someone who inspires creativity and collaboration, a strong leader and a passionate advocate for your students, finding ways to deliver educational outcomes that make a real difference to them. It is an exciting time to be part of Aurora and this is a unique career opportunity to make your mark on our growing services.
Key duties
- Establish and sustain the school’s ethos and strategic direction together with the Principal and governing board and through consultation with the school community.
- Establish and oversee systems, processes and policies so the school can operate effectively.
- Identify problems and barriers to school effectiveness, and develop strategies for school improvement that are realistic, timely and suited to the school’s context.
- Make sure these school improvement strategies are effectively implemented.
- Monitor progress towards achieving the school’s aims and objectives.
- Allocate financial resources appropriately, efficiently and effectively.
- Undertake safeguarding duties supported by the Principal which will entail reporting and following up incidents in a timely manner and where appropriate liaising with both internal and external stakeholders.
- Work in close partnership with the Principal in actively and demonstrably promoting enrichment, entitlement and achievement through building and implementing agreed school policies and practices.
Skills and Qualifications
Successful candidates are likely to demonstrate:
- Qualified Teacher Status with further professional qualification in a relevant area. Candidates with Head Teacher qualification (such as NPQH) or a willingness to gain such a qualification preferred.
- Experience of working as a senior leader within an ASD & PMLD environment
- A clear understanding of Ofsted frameworks and Safeguarding legislation in relation to independent schools.
- Quality assurance experience (such as lesson observations and performance management)
- Team management experience.
- Superb communication and stakeholder management skills.
Additional Information
Successful applicants will be subject to pre-employment safeguarding checks including an enhanced disclosure and barring service (DBS) check.
The post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the Aurora Group is therefore permitted to ask job applicants to declare all convictions and cautions (including those which are "spent" unless they are "protected" under the DBS filtering rules) in order to assess their suitability to work with children."
The Aurora Group is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of the children and young adults in our care and is a disability confident and equal opportunities employer
This advert could be taken down at any point in time without prior notice if the position is filled.
Please note that candidates that are shortlisted might be subject to an online search.
Meldreth Manor School - A Scope School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.We particularly welcome applications from under represented groups including ethnicity, gender, transgender, age, disability, sexual orientation or religion.