Job Description
Download printable version
Headteacher required for September 2024 to lead Kingsdown Special school into its next stage of development. The current Headteacher is taking her planned retirement at the end of the school year.
Kingsdown is an oversubscribed school for pupils aged 3-14 with severe and profound learning difficulties and associated physical difficulties. It was inspected by Ofsted last year and was 'good' and considered to be possibly Outstanding so will be re-visited soon. There are currently 129 pupils, and many more requests for places are received each year. It is well regarded and a popular school.
Kingsdown school is part of a special school Multi-Academy Trust- SEN Trust Southend. This is a group of four special schools who work very closely together to meet the diverse needs of pupils from across Southend and some areas of surrounding Essex.
Kingsdown school is the only special school in England considerably affected by RAAC. There are a number of temporary classrooms on site to enable the school to remain open whilst work is being undertaken to make some parts of the older part of the building safe and useable. There is a team of support from the DfE, ESFA, LA and outside agencies working with the school to move forwards and decisions are being taken as to how to mitigate the safety of the current building, enable more of the school specialist areas to be open and also how and what the future building will be like. - (funded by the DfE)
The new Headteacher will have a challenge to continue to manage this process, supported by the team, the MAT and the LA. It should lead to a great new building designed and specific to the needs of the pupils, incorporating all the brilliant facilities already in place.
Despite the challenges we would welcome applicants with appropriate experience and understanding of special education to visit ( in a prescribed time frame and by appointment) and be aware of the great supportive staff team and the outstanding provision for our pupils.
For further information about the school please visit the school website;www.Kingsdownschool.org
For further information about the MAT visit; sentrustsouthend.co.uk
As a Trust we are committed to ensuring the welfare and safeguarding of all our pupils. All staff are subject to an enhanced DBS check.
For further information about the position please contact Jackie Mullan- CEO of the MAT via email or ring the MAT offices on 01702 524193 asking for Jackie Mullan.
For an application pack please contact:Keith Haywood- Governance Professional for the MAT via email onKHaywood@tscs.southend.sch.uk
Informal visits to the school are scheduled for: week of November 20th; contact current Headteacher; Louise Robinson on:01702 527486
Closing date for applications:27thNovember
Formal interviews to take place between:7/8thDecember 2023