WYVERN ACADEMY

DEPUTY HEADTEACHER

with responsibility for

CURRICULUM, DATA & ASSESSMENT

Dear Applicant,

Thank you for your interest in the post of Deputy Headteacher – Curriculum, Data and Assessment at Wyvern Academy.

For this exciting position, I am determined to recruit a talented individual who shares the school’s vision to provide exceptional comprehensive education. You will show the drive, tenacity and ability to realise this ambition. You will need to demonstrate a commitment to your own education and to yours and others’ professional development. This role is one where you must provide clear leadership, challenge and support to others and you must have the capacity to do this in a way that is professional, based on evidence and motivates your colleagues.

Ours is a culture of enthusiasm for high performance plus continuous improvement; and one of teamwork and open communication.

Attracting and keeping the best talent is the most effective way to grow a successful school, which is particularly important for us now as we push our pupils to greater GCSE success and continue on our journey to success.

I am therefore looking for a talented leader who will use their proven experience, knowledge and vision to join our leadership team and drive change. Whilst your direct strategic responsibility will not be for the quality of teaching, or the behaviour and safety of pupils, you will help quality assure these as part of the Senior Leadership Team. You will provide evidence of this by contributing to our self-evaluation and the preparation and monitoring of the school development plan. You will be an excellent communicator and have the ability to manage key meetings within the school attended by a variety of stakeholders, including parents, governors and staff.

Working alongside the leadership team you will make a real impact, achieving outstanding outcomes for our pupils and ensuring as soon as possible that the area on which you will lead within the academy is recognised as outstanding. This key role is a central part of Wyvern Academy achieving that ambition to outstanding by addressing some of our development priorities and an exciting opportunity to join our Academy Leadership Team. You will contribute to provide outstanding pupil outcomes so that the pupils love the challenge of learning and demonstrate a thirst for knowledge.

I hope my determination to take the school to the next level is evident. I recognise that this is by no means easy and demands a relentless focus on standards and improvement to get there and stay there. The successful candidate will be someone who is genuinely up for the challenge. In return, we can promise an investment in you and your future.

We are working with children from all backgrounds, aged 11 to 16 and of all abilities, raising expectations of them and working hard to prepare them for life beyond the school. This job offers you an opportunity to showcase your talent and demonstrate your capacity to make a real impact in education.

Applying for a new role is a decision which comes with much thought and reflection and I hope that we have given you all the detail and information that supports you in making the decision to proceed with your application. If you are seeking a career move, that will challenge and develop your skills for headship, where high standards and expectations are the norm, within a supportive and outward facing environment, then I should be really delighted to hear from you and receive your completed application form by email no later than 12 noon on Thursday 27 April 2017.

Good luck with your application.

Mo Wilkinson (Headteacher)

JOB DESCRIPTION

Deputy Headteacher - Curriculum, Data and Assessment

Core Purpose of the Role

To play a major role under the direction of the Headteacher in delivering the aims and objectives of the Academy, to lead the curriculum and its development, to ensure there is an effective, accurate and robust Assessment and Reporting regime; to use data and student tracking information to inform a constant improvement agenda and to ensure student progression, attainment and achievement are maximised; to develop systems, policies, people and structures through which the goals of the Academy are achieved, managing staff and resources to achieve the aims and objectives of the Academy, particularly with regard to Curriculum Data & Assessment matters, and monitoring progress towards their achievement; and to support our values. These responsibilities may vary over time to suit the needs of the school or to allow staff wider experience and professional development.

The Deputy Headteacher is responsible for:

1. Devising and maintaining a curriculum which, at all stages, offers appropriate, challenging and enriched opportunities for academic development aimed at:

a. all students achieving their personal best;

b. providing suitable platforms at the end of each Key Stage from which students can maintain progress into each “best-next-step”.

2. The monitoring and development of the Academy curriculum in order to ensure the specific details of, and new opportunities in, course assessment and qualifications.

3. Analysing and reporting on the results of assessment, and implementing action with staff, students and parent in response.

4. Ensuring there is an accurate and robust Assessment and Reporting regime which establishes targets, tracks progress and measures outcomes at the levels of individual student, individual staff member, individual Department and ‘Whole School’ so that all stakeholders are fully aware of how well the Academy is performing at every level and how it can improve.

5. Collecting, analysing and utilising academic data at all levels to inform a constant improvement agenda, embracing remedial action as well as rewards, and the celebration and sharing of good practice.

6. Tracking and monitoring individual student progress and establishing intervention strategies to develop student academic performance and department performance.

7. Establishing internal and external examination and other assessment systems which ensure that proper and steady progression is being achieved across and between all year groups.

8. The analysis of internal and external assessment data throughout the Academy in order to identify trends and provide support improvement for students anddepartments where appropriate.

9. Revision programme for internal and external examinations.

10. Co-ordination and monitoring of controlled assessment deadlines and progress.

12. Designing, directing and appraising the work of key staff working under the Head teacher’s immediate supervision and who have day-to-day responsibility for:

a. data management and reporting;

b. examinations, cover and invigilation;

c. educational visits;

13. Teaching and assembly duties.

14. Any other duties as reasonably required by the Headteacher, including an appropriate amount of classroom teaching.

Strategic Development

  • Support the Headteacher in developing and communicating a clear strategic vision

articulated with clarity in the Academy improvement plan

  • Motivate and empower others to carry the vision of the school forward
  • As a result of the work on self-evaluation, advise the Headteacher and SLT of the priorities

for the Academy improvement plan and manage the production of this plan;

  • To ensure the Academy improvement plan reflects increasing challenge each year and in doing

so motivates leaders in the school

  • Monitor and report on the implementation of the Academy improvementplan to the Headteacher

and SLT

  • Model the values and vision of the school and Consilium
  • Contribute to the preparation of all academy documentation, including the Academy

Handbook, the Self Evaluation, the Academy improvementplan, Governors’ reports and

academic standards reports for the Headteacher

Accountability

  • Attend and report to Governors’ meetings as required by the Head teacher and CEO
  • To take responsibility for own professional development in discussion with the Head teacher
  • To liaise regularly with parents to create a cooperative and effective relationship whichpromotes learning and supports teaching at all Key Stages
  • Ensure that parents and students are well informed about student attainment andprogress and that a high quality reporting system is in place
  • Encourage and develop good relations between the Academy and the local community
  • Work collaboratively with the other academies within the Consilium Academies group aswell as other schools locally, nationally and internationally where possible

Other

  • Deputise for the Head teacher as and when required
  • Assist in the oversight and management of the day to day organisation of the Academy
  • Chair staff meetings and briefings as required across the Academy
  • Planning and coordination of Academy events as required, including performances, parents evenings / consultation, community, charity events etc.
  • To have an allocation of classes to teach
  • Undertake any other tasks reasonably required by the CEO or Headteacher and the above jobdescription will be subject to annual review.

All teaching staff are responsible, through their Line Manager as applicable, to the

Head teacher for:

1. The detailed knowledge and understanding of the Schemes of Work and Assessment Criteria for all classes for whom they have responsibility.

2. An awareness of the general requirements and standards of work required by their classes in the years before and after the year in question, thus ensuring a professional sensitivity to matters of progression, development and preparedness for future study.

3. Detailed record of the prior attainment and target levels / grades / outcomes for each child in each class for which they are responsible, and the ongoing recording of performance against these measures.

4. The effective teaching, setting, assessment and marking of appropriate class work and homework in line with the Schemes of Work provided by their Line Manager /Curriculum leader.

5. The planning and delivery of differentiated work suitable to stretch all students in their teaching group(s), with particular reference to students with Individual Education Plans (IEPs).

6. The planning and delivery of appropriate opportunities to contribute to students’ spiritual, moral, social and cultural development.

7. Clear, accurate and informative reporting to parents, whether oral or written, on students’ progress as directed by their Line Manager / Curriculum leader.

8. The proper preparation of students, including revision advice, for internal and external examinations.

9. A full account of the attendance / absence of all students in all lessons for which they have a responsibility.

10. The good order, appearance and discipline of all students within and beyond the classroom.

11. An active involvement in the Cover and Duties programmes as directed by the Head teacher.

12. Familiarity with, and adherence to, Academy policies as detailed within the Professional Handbook for staff.

13. Liaison with their Line Manager / Curriculum leader with regard to any student whose progress is the cause of some concern.

14. Any other duties as reasonably required by the Head teacher, including an appropriate amount of classroom teaching.

The Standards for Curriculum leaders may also apply for this role

Please note that this detail is indicative and can be amended, updated or replaced as felt appropriate at any time and in order to remain in line with any future legal requirements or expectations.

Wyvern Academy is committed to the safeguarding of children and all staff are expected to ensure that the Academy is a safe and secure environment for students.

Person Specification

Essential / Desirable
Qualifications
  • Qualified Teacher status
  • First degree or equivalent
/
  • Evidence of additional further
educational qualifications
  • NPQH

Experience
  • At least 5 years successful teaching experience in the secondary age range
  • Substantial knowledge and understanding of learning and teaching at Key Stage Four.
  • Leadership experience in the secondary age
  • range
  • Experience of Assessment for Learning and Assessment of Learning
/
  • Experience of working with and
involving school Governors
  • Experience of teaching in more
than one key stage
  • Experience of working with and
developing links with the community
Knowledge & Understanding
  • Confident use of ICT communication skills
  • Knowledge and understanding of data analysis
and the ability to use data to set targets for improvement
  • Confident in whole school self-valuation
  • Up to date knowledge & understanding of the
current national education agenda
  • Understanding of how children & adults learn
and effectively apply their learning
Leadership Skills
  • To assist the Head teacher in leading an
expanding secondary school with ambition for further improvement
  • Evidence of highly effective teaching
This will require the ability to:
  • Lead the school’s Curriculum,
  • Lead and manage people to work both
individually and in teams
  • Delegate and monitor effectively
  • Aid the Head to initiate and manage change
  • Motivate and inspire by setting and following
high standards
  • Seek advice and support when necessary
  • Deal sensitively with people and resolve
Conflicts. /
  • Evidence of successful school
improvement planning and delivery
  • Support the Head teacher with the
school’s performance
management
Decision-making Skills
  • Ability to investigate, resolve problems and
make decisions
This will include an ability to:
  • Collect and weigh evidence, make judgements
and take decisions in line with good educational practice
  • Think creatively and imaginatively to solve
problems and identify opportunities
Communication Skills
Personal quality:
  • The Ability to communicate clearly and take into
account, where appropriate, the views of others
Professional quality:
  • Effectively communicate orally and in writing to
a range of audiences
  • Negotiate and consult

Self-Management Skills
  • Ability to plan time and organise work effectively
This will include an ability to:
  • Prioritise and manage time
  • Work under pressure and meet deadlines
  • Be self-motivating and set personal goals

School Ethos
  • Capacity to influence others
  • Ability to support and help develop a vision for
high quality education which promotes spiritual, moral and cultural development
  • Ability to ensure that the school atmosphere is
welcoming and that parents are encouraged to take an active part in the life of the school and their child’s education
Personal Attributes
  • Adaptability to changing circumstances & ideas
  • Energy and enthusiasm
  • Reliability and integrity

Please include the following in your letter of application which should be no longer than 2000 words:

  • A clear, succinct statement of your educational philosophy and practice
  • Demonstrate how this relates to the post of Deputy Headteacher Curriculum, Data and Assessment at our school.