Assistant Head Teacher

Candidate Information Pack

September 2018 Start

Launched February 2017

Going beyond what schools ordinarily do

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Assistant Head Teacher – Post Details

The Kingston Academy seeks an ambitious and motivated Assistant Head Teacher. We invite applications from candidates with the following attributes for this pivotal role:

With recent experience of acting as a middle or senior leader within a secondary context;

With the ability to lead, have clear vision and command respect;

Passionate about their subject, teaching excellence and inspiring pupils to achieve their full potential;

Flexible and committed to engage in the wider curriculum through our Going Beyond and enrichment activities;

With the ability to think strategically.

More details on the person specification are provided at the end of this document.

Position: Assistant Head Teacher

Scale: L15 – L19

Commitment: Permanent

Contract type: Full Time

Commencement: September 2018

Application Process

Applicants are required to visit the website where they are able to submit their application

using our recruitment portal.

Interview Procedure

Our selection procedure will aim to identify with rigour whether the candidate fulfils the

requirements of the post and will include the consideration of the candidate’s suitability to work with

children and young people. The process will include:

Teaching an observed lesson to a full class of pupils;

ASSISTANT HEAD JOB PACK

Meeting with a panel of our pupils for informal question and answer session;

Written safeguarding exercise;

Interview with Head Teacher, Deputy Head Teachers and member of the Trust Board.

Key Dates

Deadline for applications is midnight on Sunday 25th February 2018.

Shortlisted candidates will be notified on Wednesday 28th February 2018.

Assessment day will take place on Friday 2nd March 2018.

Safeguarding and Safer Recruitment Statement The Kingston Academy is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and

young people. We expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment and undergo appropriate

checks, including enhanced DBS checks (with a barred list check for regulated activity), checks with

past employers and eligibility to work in the UK. Identity and qualification documents will be checked

prior to any offer being made.

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Letter to Candidates from Ms Sophie Cavanagh, Head Teacher

Dear Candidate,

Thank you for your interest in The Kingston Academy. I am delighted that you

are considering joining our accomplished team of teaching professionals in

this important role of Assistant Head. The opportunity to share in the

architecture of a new school and be integral in its delivery is unique. As we

grow to capacity over the next few years, this role will play a pivotal part in

supporting this growth, helping to ensure every child reaches their potential.

The successful candidate will join us at an exciting stage in our development.

The project to build a large modern extension with state-of-the-art STEM facilities to house our growing

school will be nearing completion. The addition of a new Year 7 intake in September 2018 will take

total pupil numbers to over 700, whilst our original History Makers, entering in Year 10, will be starting

their KS4 studies. Planning for the development of our Sixth Form will have begun in earnest.

Recruitment and development of exceptional staff is a top priority for us at The Kingston Academy. Our

team comprises committed professionals who are invested in the process of ensuring our pupils achieve

to the very best of their abilities. We understand that our drive to build an exceptional school relies

upon our ability to recruit a fantastic team of staff and offer them excellent opportunities for

professional development.

We hope you will be able to see your place in The Kingston Academy story and come forward to apply

for this exciting, central role. Prospective candidates are very welcome to come for an informal visit to

the school prior to submitting their application. Our head teacher, Ms Sophie Cavanagh, would be

delighted to meet and talk about the role and the Academy, the staff and our pupils. Alternatively, you

may call her to discuss any questions you may have prior to submitting your application. You can

contact Justine Free on 0208 465 6208 in order to arrange a suitable time. However, please do not feel

that you will be disadvantaged in any sense if you choose not to.

I very much look forward to receiving your application.

Ms Sophie M Cavanagh

Head Teacher - The Kingston Academy

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Background to the school

The Kingston Academy is an ambitious new free school set up by The Kingston Educational Trust, a

partnership between Kingston University, Kingston College and Royal Borough of Kingston. The over-

riding aim of the school is to provide our pupils with an outstanding education and, in line with our

school motto, to go beyond what schools ordinarily do. TKA first opened its doors to Year 7 pupils in

September 2015. The school currently has three year groups (7, 8 & 9) and will grow annually by one

additional group, eventually to include a sixth form.

As a school, we offer a traditional core curriculum grounded in the basics of numeracy and literacy,

merging the very best of traditional pedagogical practice with cutting edge new technology. All our

pupils use Chromebooks to take advantage of the many benefits of eLearning in furthering

education. All pupils will take either 9 or 10 GCSE subjects depending on whether they take separate

sciences or the combined science award.

The Kingston Academy is an inclusive school that focuses on the serious business of achievement for

our pupils. Pupils are expected to behave well, work hard and embrace all the opportunities presented

to them. The school nurtures respect,

responsibility, reflectiveness and

collaboration. Above all, the focus of

the school is to ensure that pupils will

move forward in life as kind, resilient,

confident individuals who are equipped

to make a positive contribution,

anywhere in the world.

A distinctive feature of the school is our

extended school day when pupils take

part in our enrichment programme

delivered by all teaching staff and external providers. There are an abundance of exciting enrichment

opportunities for pupils to explore in sport, enterprise, music, community engagement and cultural

events. Enrolment in our enrichment programme is compulsory for pupils, but they are also

encouraged to look beyond their own school and engage with the community around them and all it

has to offer in other local schools and local organisations.

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Assistant Head Teacher – Job Description

Post Title: Assistant Head

Salary: The Kingston Academy Teaching Pay Scale (UPS Outer – spine point dependent on

experience)

Reporting to: Deputy Head Teacher

Hours: 08.00 to 17.00 daily

At this stage we are not seeking to be prescriptive about the precise remit the successful candidate for this role will adopt. For example, it could be pastoral or focused on teaching, learning and assessment or CPD. We also invite applications from candidates with any teaching specialty. We are keen to open up this role to a wide field of candidates and, as a growing new academy, have the flexibility to accommodate individuals with a range of skills and experience.

The precise job description will be confirmed on offering the role to the successful candidate,

however, this role is likely to include the following Leadership and General responsibilities:

Specific Leadership Responsibilities:

The list of tasks below is illustrative of the general nature and level of responsibility of this

Senior Leadership post which is likely to change over time following consultation with the

Head Teacher, in response to the needs of the school and the experience and skills of the

team as a whole. The post reports to one of our Deputy Head teachers.

To be an advocate for our vision of being a school where everyone will succeed and

flourish through improved academic outcomes.

To maintain and develop the School’s positive behaviour systems to ensure teachers

have the freedom to teach, and pupils have the right environment for learning.

To support the Deputy Heads in responding to serious breaches of the School’s

Behaviour Policy.

To manage pupil welfare and attendance.

To be involved with the planning of the induction and transition programmes for all

pupils across key stages.

This job description is a general outline of the typical duties and responsibilities to be carried out whilst

accepting that these may change at the discretion of the Head Teacher. It is vital that, as the new

Academy grows to full capacity, you have the ability and willingness to be flexible and versatile within

this role. If you are recruited to a position which does not currently have a full teaching load you will be

expected to fulfil other duties and/or roles.

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To be an outstanding role model for pupils, staff and parents/ carers at all times,

showing positive optimism, empathy and exemplary professionalism.

To build relationships outside school with other professionals, parents/carers and

the Kingston University/College partners.

To keep abreast of developments nationally and internationally that will impact on

the flourishing of pupils, and to embrace research informed practices.

General Leadership Responsibilities:

To play a role, under the overall direction of the Head Teacher, in:

Formulating the aims and objectives of the school.

Establishing the strategy and policies through which they are to be achieved.

Managing staff and resources.

Supporting the School’s responsibility to provide opportunities for personal and

professional growth of all staff.

Creating a school environment with an outstanding care and guidance of, and for, each

other.

Ensuring that there is outstanding achievement, behaviour, leadership and teaching and

learning across the school.

Monitoring the progress of strategy and policies in accordance with the policies of the

School and the School Improvement Plan determined by the Governing Body.

Undertaking any professional duties reasonably delegated by the Head Teacher.

To undertake an appropriate programme of teaching as determined by the Head

Teacher.

To contribute to supervision arrangements at break and lunchtime.

General Duties

To support The Kingston Academy’s ethos by ensuring the values and principles of the

school are at the heart of learning and relationships.

To maintain the highest possible personal, presentational and professional standards

as an example to colleagues and pupils.

To assist in the setting of The Kingston Academy’s targets and the implementation of

The Kingston Academy Development Plans.

To promote good relationships and communications between all members of The

Kingston Academy and the wider community and to attend relevant school and

community meetings (including parents’ evenings and promotion / information events).

To participate in meetings at the school which relate to the school curriculum,

administration and the organisation of the school (including pastoral arrangements).

To support and share in the delivery of year group and house assemblies.

To ensure the highest possible academic outcomes for all pupils taught and to

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contribute ful ly to the development of an enriching, relevant and innovative

curriculum delivered in the extended school day and week.

As a Form Tutor to support the personal development and academic progress of the

pupils in your form group through mentoring and intervention support.

Maintaining good order and discipline among the pupils and safeguarding their health

and safety both when they are authorised to be on the school premises and when they

are engaged in authorised school activities elsewhere.

The Kingston Academy is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children

and young people and expects all staff to share this commitment. An enhanced DBS check with

barred list information is required for all successful applicants in addition to checking the

individual is not subject to a prohibition order. Applicants are required, before appointment

to disclose any conviction, caution or binding over including ‘spent convictions’ under the

Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exemptions) Order 1975.

Non-disclosure may lead to termination of employment. However, disclosure of a criminal

background will not necessary debar from employment – this will depend upon the nature of

the offense(s) and when they were recorded.

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Assistant Head - Person Specification

E = Essential D = Desirable O = Optimal E D O

Qualifications

5A*-B grades at GCSE including at least C grade in English and Mathematics

Qualified teacher status (QTS)

Honours degree or equivalent

An Upper Second or 1st Class Degree

A Middle Leadership Qualification (e.g. NCSL – MLDP)

Masters degree or equivalent

Professional Development

Evidence of sustained participation in INSET, especially School leadership/management programme or similar

Participation in work with other schools/agencies

Knowledge of current educational policy and developments in the secondary sector

Strong appreciation of character education as an integral part of student learning and development

A thorough understanding of OfSTED inspection framework

An understanding of initial and continuing teacher education and school improvement

An understanding of what constitutes quality in educational provision and the characteristics of effective schools

An informed appreciation of and commitment to evidence-based research as a basis for informing learning and teaching policy and practice

Personal Qualities and Relationships

A strong commitment to the vision and ethos of The Kingston Academy

To have personal impact and presence

To be able to establish and develop good relationships with all involved in the school

To have experience of dealing effectively with students, staff and parents

To have a positive and energetic approach to work

To be flexible and approachable

To be able to think strategically and work in collaboration with others

To be able to handle situations immediately as they arise whilst maintaining personal warmth and

resilience

Interpersonal and Communication Skills

Have the ability to communicate effectively in writing and orally

To be competent in the use of ICT

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The ability to work flexibly as a member of a team and to take on initiatives

To have the ability to deal sensitively with people and resolve conflicts

Leadership/Management Experience

To have recent experience as Middle or Senior Leader in a Secondary school

To have the ability to lead, provide clear vision and command respect

To be an incisive and clear strategic thinker

To have the ability to motivate pupils and staff to achieve challenging targets

To have the ability to delegate responsibility, set high standards and provide a focus for improvement

To have the ability to manage change in a school and monitor and evaluate its impact

To have experience of playing a leading role in implementing aspects of a Subject or School

Improvement Plan

To have experience of conducting Performance Development

To have experience in the use of data (academic and pastoral) to achieve whole school improvements in

student outcomes

To have experience working with other schools/agencies

Teaching and Learning

To be an outstanding classroom practitioner

To have a practical understanding of effective teaching and learning strategies

To have an understanding of actions to be taken to promote equality, racial harmony and prepare

pupils to live in a culturally diverse society

To have evidence of successful leadership of people/teams

To have experience of monitoring and evaluating the quality of teaching and learning

Resource Management

To have experience of managing and/or co-ordinating staff

To have experience of monitoring and developing school administrative systems

School Improvement

To understand the characteristics of an outstanding school

To have an awareness of strategies to raise pupil achievement, manage behaviour, prevent racism,

radicalisation and bullying

Experience of delivering operational planning in order to achieve strategic objectives

To have evidence of involvement in whole school improvement work

Other:

To demonstrate best practice in providing a safe and secure learning environment

Experience of working directly with parents to support pupil learning and achievement and dealing

effectively with poor behaviour

To understand the role and importance of ‘pupil voice’ in schools

Awareness of the role of Governors

Have experience of working with Governors

To have a commitment to equality and diversity