Mayfield Grammar School, Gravesend

Information for Candidates about the role and the School

Assistant Headteacher:

Teaching and Learning

Required for September 2018

Mayfield Grammar School

Gravesend

Appointment of

Assistant Headteacher

Teaching and Learning

required for September 2018

Closing date: 1pm – Monday 12th March 2018

Interviews likely to be held before the Easter break during the week of 19th March or 26th March 2018

Mayfield Grammar School, Gravesend

Introduction

As a member of the Senior Leadership team at Mayfield Grammar School, your fundamental shared responsibility will be for helping to lead the school to achieve its vision of maintaining its outstanding provision within the values and ethos of our school environment.

We expect current and future members of the leadership team to lead in a range of areas over time both for their own professional development and also to best deploy the relative strengths of team members. Our priority is to seek to recruit the highest calibre of Senior Leaders to our team. Whilst we have set out the main areas of responsibility with the job description we will seek to optimise roles and allocate final responsibilities across the team by mutual agreement once appointments have been made.

We are reorganising our SLT due to the promotion of one of the current Assistant Headteachers to Deputy Headteacher at MGSG from September 2018 and the retirement of another member of the Leadership team. We are, therefore, advertising for three new Assistant Headteachers to join our Leadership team.

The structure from September 2018 will be as follows:

Headteacher:Elaine Wilson

Deputy Headteacher (Curriculum & Staffing):Caroline Kemp

Assistant Headteacher (Post 16):Louise Absolon

Assistant Headteacher (Teaching & Learning):To be confirmed

Assistant Headteacher (Assessment, Progress & Achievement):To be confirmed

Assistant Headteacher (Pastoral Care Yrs 7 – 11):To be confirmed

This is an exciting time to join our school. Due to the popularity of Mayfield we have expanded our Year 7 intake over the last 3 years and have moved from a 5 form entry school to 6. Our PAN has increased from 145 pupils to 180. In fact, in September 2017 we welcomed 192 pupils into Year 7.

Coupled with the growth in pupil numbers we are working closely with the ESFA and the Local Authority to update our facilities and buildings to ensure they are fit for the 21st Century and we recently took possession of a brand new sixth form study area and refurbished common room.

Plans are presently underway to remodel our canteen and dining area and improvements in our learning environment and teaching spaces will commence during the remainder of this academic year and beyond.

We are proud of our traditions and the history of our school which was established in 1914 and we feel very much a part of our local community. We are also forward thinking and are determined to remain a beacon of excellence within the community and for the community.

We hope you are interested in joining our school and that the information supplied and school website are useful sources in helping you decide whether you wish to join our Senior team and help shape the future direction of our school.

Mrs E Wilson

Headteacher

Mayfield Grammar SchoolGravesend

Pelham Road, Gravesend, Kent DA11 0JE

Telephone: 01474 352896 Fax: 01474 331195

Website: www.mgsg.kent.sch.uk Email: enquiries@mgsg.kent.sch.uk

Assistant Headteacher

Teaching and Learning

Required for September 2018

Leadership payscale L12-L16

This is an exciting opportunity for an enthusiastic and committed colleague to join a very successful school within a high performing 11-18 selective girls’ school with boys in the Sixth Form.

We are looking to appoint a Senior Leader who is flexible, highly motivated and creative with a real commitment to outstanding achievement for all pupils.

The person appointed will receive high quality mentoring and support and there is also plenty of scope to be involved in a wide range of extra-curricular activities.

The school has a high profile for achievement locally and nationally and prides itself on its strong record of internal professional development. The school was judged by Ofsted to be ‘Outstanding’ in all categories of inspection in June 2013.

Further details and an application form are available from the Staff Vacancies section of the school website www.mgsg.kent.sch.uk

Applications made via TES Online will be accepted.

CVs will not be considered and should not be submitted.

All applications with a covering letter addressed to Mrs E Wilson, Headteacher

must be received by 1.00pm on Monday 12th March 2018.

Interviews are likely to be held before the Easter break during the week of 19th March or 26th March 2018.

This school is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

Mon

Mayfield Grammar School, Gravesend

JOB DESCRIPTION – ASSISTANT HEADTEACHER: TEACHING AND LEARNING

The exact nature of your responsibilities will be agreed upon your appointment.

Post title:Assistant Headteacher: Teaching and Learning

Reporting:Headteacher and Deputy Headteacher

Pay range:Starting salary L12, range L12-16

Responsible to:The Headteacher

Responsible for:Leadership of all aspects of Teaching, Learning across the school, including

e-learning.

Strategic development and implementation of behaviour for learning

Whole school continuing professional development for all staff including training

sessions.

The duties outlined in this job description may be modified by the Headteacher, with your agreement, to reflect or anticipate changes in the job commensurate with the salary. This job description is not a comprehensive definition of the post; duties may vary within this framework in line with its general character and level of responsibility entailed. It should be read in conjunction with the School Teachers’ Pay and Conditions Document (STPCD) 2017.

Core Purpose & Accountability

In keeping with the STPCD 2017, an Assistant Headteacher, in addition to carrying out the professional duties of a teacher must play a major role under the direction of the Headteacher in:

· formulating the aims and objectives of the school;

· establishing the policies through which they shall be achieved;

· managing staff and resources to that end and monitoring progress towards their achievement;

· to undertake the professional duties of an Assistant Headteacher as reasonably delegated by the Headteacher. To undertake the professional duties of the Headteacher in the event of absence from school, of the Headteacher or Deputy Headteacher (if required to do so).

Strategic Leadership – as an Assistant Headteacher you have a responsibility

· to contribute as a member of the Senior Team to the development of the direction of the school;

· to support and secure the commitment of others to the vision, ethos and policies of the school and promote the highest levels of achievement for the students;

· to embed ambition and drive improvement across the school;

· to articulate the vision of the school and ensure that it is understood, shared and acted upon by all and to demonstrate the vision and values of the school in everyday practice;

· to effectively support colleagues in how they lead and manage students and staff;

· to contribute to the Governing Body to enable it to meet its responsibilities;

· to promote school self-evaluation in order to drive improvement at all levels across the school particularly in relation to safeguarding and outcomes for students;

· to review and evaluate the work of teams and individuals in the context of school needs and plans;

· to implement and support school policies and review any specific policies as linked to your area of responsibility or as directed by the Headteacher;

· to ensure that policies and practices are inclusive;

· to contribute to the creation and implementation of the School Improvement Plan and take responsibility for leading key aspects of it;

· to contribute to the SEF as directed by the Headteacher and the Deputy Headteacher.

Leading/managing learning – as an Assistant Headteacher you have a responsibility

· to lead by example and act as a role model for staff and students by displaying those qualities expected of excellent teachers with regard to subject knowledge, teaching skills, assessment and pastoral care;

· to promote an aspirational ethos in the school for staff and students;

· to review and develop the teaching and learning in line with educational legislation and good practice;

· to monitor the quality of teaching and learning through quality assurance processes;

· to provide coaching as needed to team leaders, teachers and students to ensure outstanding learning and teaching practices;

· to accelerate the rates of progress for all students with the school;

· to share responsibility for student progress interviews and mentoring;

· to support colleagues in setting and monitoring standards of conduct and behaviour;

· to provide strategic direction for the Mayfield Minds programme including Yr 7 Preparation Course and the VESPA programme;

· to develop and establish the school’s excellence programme for high performing students including enrichment opportunities;

· to lead and manage the development of the school’s e-learning programme/VLE as a teaching and learning tool in liaison with Assistant Headteacher (Assessment, Progress and Achievement) and subject staff;

· lead the NQT induction programme and action research strategies to inspire teaching and learning;

· to liaise with middle leaders and teaching staff to secure timely interventions in support of pupil progress;

· to have oversight of Equal Opportunities and Race Equality Policy monitoring and review.

Leading/managing people – as an Assistant Headteacher you have a responsibility

· to ensure that the appraisal system is robust, operates effectively and drives forward improvement in consultation with the Deputy Headteacher and the Headteacher;

· to support staff in achieving high standards through effective professional development;

· to promote positive working relationships with and between students and staff throughout the school;

· to monitor and review the performance of colleagues for whom you line manage;

· to lead subject leader/faculty leader/pastoral leader meetings as they relate to your sphere of influence;

· to ensure that the Headteacher and Governors are well informed and advised about educational plans, policies and priorities in the areas you have responsibility, progress is evaluated and outcomes shared;

· to be a visible presence around the school during the day;

· to advise the Headteacher on staffing appointments as appropriate;

· to plan and organise professional development days each year;

· to lead on the effective induction of new staff;

· to liaise with staff to produce the Teaching and Learning bulletin three times a year;

· to coordinate the work of the Sixth Form Teaching and Learning post holder in consultation with the Assistant Headteacher (Post 16);

· to lead and manage the School Council;

· to undertake regular key stage assemblies throughout the year.

Managing resources – as an Assistant Headteacher you have a responsibility

· to monitor health and safety practice and report any issues to relevant staff;

· to ensure the school and the people and resources in it are organised and managed to provide an efficient, effective and safe learning environment;

· to monitor the management of accommodation and resources within your line management areas, in order to promote the creation of a stimulating learning and teaching environment;

· to manage budgets for your areas of responsibility.

Community – as an Assistant Headteacher you have a responsibility

· to represent the school and its interest, in meetings and other relationships with parents, members of the community and a wide range of organisations and outside agencies;

· to foster links with feeder schools to promote the school’s reputation and influence locally;

· to liaise with and promote opportunities for professional development with ITT partners;

· to participate in and play a lead role in planning for major school events such as Open Evening, Prizegiving, school productions;

· in the absence of the Headteacher and Deputy Headteacher, to liaise with appropriate authorities and advise on such decisions as may be necessary to ensure that the school can continue to function in a safe and effective way, taking account of agreed policies and working practices.

“Mayfield Grammar School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.”

Mayfield Grammar School, Gravesend

Selection Criteria

Essential

Desirable

Qualifications and Training

· Degree and a strong academic record

· PGCE or equivalent

· Wide range of up-to-date CPDL

· Leadership training

· Up-to-date knowledge of key national guidance, agendas and frameworks

· Honours graduate, 2.1 or better

Experience

· Sustained track record of successful teaching at secondary school level across the full range of prior attainment levels

· Substantial secondary school leadership experience resulting in deep and lasting improvements to student experience and outcomes

· Experience of high-quality monitoring and evaluation leading to demonstrable improvements in the performance of a team of individuals

· Experience of instigating and managing sustained changes to systems and culture that have directly enhanced learning

· Experience of leading effectively when faced with significant pressures, challenges and setbacks

· Experience in more than one school

· Experience of successfully leading on whole-school improvement initiatives

· Experience of dealing successfully with challenging colleagues/students

· Experience of successfully organising large-scale and complex school events.

· Experience of successfully introducing new learning and curriculum opportunities

Skills

· Expert classroom teaching skills

· Highly effective written and oral communication skills for a range of audiences and purposes

· The interpersonal skills to engage, motivate and enrol a diverse range of student and adult personalities

· Strong analytical intelligence and strategic planning capability, balancing “big picture thinking” with attention to detail

· The capacity to successfully hold others to account with high levels of support and challenge

· High levels of personal organisation and effectiveness through the efficient management of time and energy

· Competency and fluency in using IT for a wide range of uses including data analysis

· Advanced skills in using new technologies to enhance learning

Attitudes and Values

· A deep commitment to social justice and working with young people to enhance their lives

· A deep commitment to the school values and mission “Per aspera ad astra”

· A Growth Mindset orientation

· An ethic of continually striving for personal and organisational excellence

· A commitment to team working and willingness to sacrifice the achievement of personal goals for the achievement of collective ones

· A commitment to research, reading and evidence-based school improvement

Other qualities and attributions

· Honesty and integrity

· Reliability

· Loyalty and trustworthiness

· Flexibility and adaptability

· Grit, determination and resilience

· Eternal optimism and positivity

· Humour and a sense of perspective

· Creativity, innovation and a willingness to take risks

· Self-awareness

· Common-sense and good judgement

· Compassion

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