Job Description

The Governing Body of White Bridge Primary School and Epping Forest Schools Partnership Trust is recruiting an inspiring leader to build on the many strengths of our good school and drive excellent educational outcomes for all our children.

This is a rare opportunity to lead a large and well-respected primary school which is intending to open a Pre School in September 2024 (subject to final DFE Approval). The school prides itself on its pastoral care of the children, and is looking for a Headteacher who is committed to sustaining this strength alongside a rich and rigorous curriculum. We also have a 5 place SEMH unit within the school, which serves the wider locality in the Epping Forest area.

The School was expanded to a three form entry by Essex County Council in 2017 but due to a drop in pupil numbers locally the PAN will be reduced to a two form in September 2024.

Our school is based in Loughton, at the edge of Roding Valley Nature Reserve, and is sited in a quiet, residential location. We work together to create a happy, safe and stimulating environment in which all children can develop their independence and resilience, reach their potential and develop a love of learning.

You will have:

• Proven leadership and management skills, with a clear vision of excellence in education
• A desire to continue to develop the school's dedication to providing a high level of pastoral care to children with a broad variety of educational and emotional needs.
• A strong ability to communicate with staff, children, parents and governors
• A track record of strategic thinking and planning
• Determination to drive higher educational standards at every level of the school
• A commitment to the continuing development and motivation of all staff
• A commitment to the well-being of staff

We can offer you:

• Happy, motivated and well-behaved children who are excited about their learning and eager to contribute
• An enthusiastic, talented and hard-working staff, augmented by a strong and very experienced senior management team
• A supportive and committed Governing Body which will proactively seek to work with you to realise a shared vision for the school
• The full support of the Epping Forest Schools Partnership Trust

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. The appointment will be subject to satisfactory references and enhanced DBS checks.

Visits to the school are encouraged and may be arranged by contacting the school office 020 8508 8624.

If you would like to discuss the vacancy any further please contact the CEO of the EFSPT Peter Tidmarsh ptidmarsh@efspt.org

Information about the School

White Bridge Primary School is a thriving, welcoming, two-form entry school. We are set on the edge of Epping Forest and next to a large area consisting of Nature Reserve and Parkland. We are easily accessible on public transport as we are situated just a short walk away from Loughton Underground Station.

We are fortunate that our school is set in expansive and attractive grounds – offering a wonderful environment for inside and outside learning. Our building is spacious, with well-equipped classrooms, halls, library, computer suite and study areas.

White Bridge Primary School is a caring and aspirational community. We pride ourselves as being at the heart of our community and have staff who are committed to the values of trauma informed practice.

Our school motto is to “be the best version of you.” We have a strong conviction to develop each child socially, emotionally, spiritually, and academically in order that they can be the very best version of themselves.

Our aim is to develop curious, independent, and confident children who have a love of learning whilst giving them the foundations they need for whatever they seek to achieve in their future.

Our staff are enthusiastic, positive, happy, and are dedicated to the work they do. Staff actively engage in the Trust - finding benefit, support, and collaboration to enhance and develop opportunities and experiences for their pupils, and develop as practitioners.

Staff work incredibly well as part of a team and realise the value of shared empathy and compassion to make it the healthy working environment that they thrive in, sharing expertise, thoughts, and ideas.

Our children are well-behaved, happy, motivated, and love to learn. They strive to show our school values and make us proud every day.

We are part of The Epping Forest Schools Partnership Trust, a Multi-Academy Trust of fifteen Primary and one Special School all based in the Epping Forest District. Along with our SCITT (School-Centred Initial Teacher Training), School Improvement Team, Well-being Service, and Resourced Provisions based in three of our schools, we are a leading educational organisation in Epping Forest.

EFSPT was formed in 2018 from a consortium of schools, which had worked together for over 20 years, and are committed to collaborative working to ensure the best possible outcomes for our children and school communities. The schools maintain their identities but work in a highly collaborative manner supported by a small but very experienced Central Team.

Our Mission is to provide an exceptional education that is inclusive and challenging for all, which provides wider opportunities for the children within the EFSPT to flourish.

EFSPT is committed to Trauma Perceptive Practice; the Essex approach to understanding behaviour and supporting emotional well-being. Being trauma-perceptive means that through our values, policies, and practice, we are able to effectively support the children, families, and communities in our Trust, creating spaces of belonging and safety that enable everyone to flourish, become resilient, and learn.

We are an Equal Opportunities employer and we are committed to safeguarding our school’s communities. The appointment will therefore be subject to satisfactory references and enhanced DBS checks.

West Essex SCITT is an outstanding provider of Initial Teacher Training. We currently have student finance or self funded postgraduate trainee teacher vacancies available to start in September 2024 across all of our 16 primary schools.

Please visit the below website for further information;

https://www.westessexscitt.co.uk/