Head of School

Job Description

Head of school

Required for: January 2019

Salary Range: Leadership

The HEARTS Academy Trust seeks applications from outstanding applicants with integrity, creativity, stamina and promise for this rewarding role.

HEARTS Academy Trust is committed to ways of working which support staff well-being and health. As a result, we are open to discussions about a range of flexible working options with all employees.

We are seeking to appoint a Head of School at Hilltop Junior School who will enhance the quality of teaching, learning and assessment across all year groups as well as be responsible for the effective and efficient running of the school day to day in collaboration with the partner Head of School.

HEARTS Academy Trust is a small, growing Academy Trust committed to achieving great outcomes for all of its students but in particular the most vulnerable. It has established high quality professional development and career opportunities for all staff. We are also a Teaching School with a large group of schools in our alliance and a School Direct lead school.

As an aspiring head, you will have a track record of improving performance, driving change and raising standards and aspirations for your school community. You will need tenacity and determination and the ability to communicate a vision that inspires, motivates and enthuses staff, students and the community as a whole. Previous experience of managing change and working collaboratively to deliver school improvement will be an advantage. However, this role will have a clear focus on teaching and learning and therefore successful candidates will have a recent record of high quality teaching which impacts positively on all pupils' outcomes.

The person we are seeking to appoint will be dedicated, enthusiastic and motivated to develop the life chances of our young people through inspirational and passionate commitment to them. You will have a large team of people to support you to make your school even better than it currently is.

Closing date: Monday 1st October 2018 at 4pm

Visits welcome on the following dates by appointment. Please email p.partridge@heartsacademy.uk

• Tuesday 18th September from 8-11am
• Thursday 20th September from 1- 6pm
• Tuesday 25th September from 2- 6pm
• Friday 28th September from 8am-6pm

Shortlisting: Tuesday 2nd October 2018

Interviews: Held between the 8th and 10th October 2018

www.hearts-hilltopjun.uk

Information about the School

Hilltop Junior School is child-centred and believes in high expectations for all. We are an over-achieving, oversubscribed school, with strong links with the community and feeder schools. We pride ourselves on positive relationships that benefit the pupils at the heart of the community.

We are proud to have recently been graded as "good" by Ofsted and shortlisted as TES Primary School of the Year. We are a creative school with an inspiring, vibrant and engaging curriculum. We have the highest aspirations for all of our children and believe in providing them with a full, varied learning experience that is exciting and equips them for life.

At Hilltop, we have a strong and passionate team of teachers who are dedicated to ensuring that every single child achieves their full potential. Our pupils consistently achieve above national averages in reading and writing.

We are a leading school in Wickford, set in beautiful grounds and well-served by transportation links. We are close to major road networks, making it easy for pupils to access our school.

Hilltop Junior School is ranked in the top 5% of schools and is the proud recipient of many awards including;- • Pearson Centre of Excellence 2022 • SENDIA; the Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Inclusion Award from Optimus Education • L.P.P.A. (Leading Parent Partnership Award) • Fully accredited National Online Safety certified school • History Quality Mark – Gold Status • Wellbeing Award • SMSC Quality Mark Gold • Young Carers Award • Healthy Schools Award • SAFE CIC Gold Award • An Artsmark School • working towards UNICEF Rights Respecting Gold • IQM – Inclusive School Award • Green flag status • Forest Schools

Hilltop Junior School is part of the HEARTS Academy Trust, a trust of local schools that has the values of happiness, achievement, self-esteem, respect & responsibility, truth, spirituality & service. The trust is truly innovative and rewards outstanding staff for outstanding outcomes. The school calendar consists of 184 contact time with pupils, 5 non-pupil days and the equivalent of 6 days of high quality continuous professional development.

The Trustees are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people, and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. The post will be subject to an enhanced DBS check, online searches, medical check, prohibited from teaching check and references. References are taken up prior to interview. A copy of the trusts Child Protection Policy is available on our website:- https://www.heartsacademytrust.co.uk/policies

We can offer you:

• access to the HEARTS Extra Programme (Rewards and Benefits)

• an excellent CPD entitlement with purposeful training, including trust-wide twilights throughout the year

• a two-week October half-term

• supportive colleagues who want to provide the best possible opportunities for their pupils

• a highly effective learning environment

• a responsive and involved leadership team

• The HEARTS four-day face-to-face teaching week model whereby all teachers in the trust receive 20% non-contact time. This goes above and beyond the national entitlement of 10% PPA.

• a school with a highly positive culture that supports all staff; mental health, workload and wellbeing are at the forefront of our vision and values

• access to our school counsellor and network of Mental Health and Wellbeing champions

For further information about HEARTS, including policies and procedures, please refer to our website www.heartsacademytrust.co.uk