Deputy Head Information

Pack

Welcome to Salterford House

Thank you for your interest in this exciting and stimulating senior leadership role. Salterford House School is seeking to appoint a whole school Deputy Head for September 2019 following the impending retirement of the current Headteacher. Mrs Venables will be taking a back seat 38 years after opening the school in 1981. While she will remain as the proprietor and Principal of the school, her daughter is taking on the role of Head of School after serving as Deputy Head since 2009.

The successful candidate will be a key senior leader with overarching responsibility for academic development across the school at a time when the school is seeking to further develop a curriculum that equips our children with the skills required for a wide range of 21st century employment opportunities. The Deputy Head also assists the Head of School with the smooth running of the school, both on a day to day basis and during special events. He/she will be a key member of the Senior Management Team.

We are seeking an inspirational, innovative and dedicated professional who is keen to make a real difference to the lives of all involved in our School community; someone who is forward thinking, energetic, strong, empathetic and ambitious to achieve the very best for each of our children. If you possess those qualities and are seeking a new leadership opportunity where you can help guide a highly successful school to the next stage of its exciting development, then this could be the ideal job for you.

About Salterford House

HistorySalterford House School was established in 1981 as a fee paying independent prep school for 3- 11 year olds by Mrs Marlene Venables who had a vision for education which focused on the individual. It was based on creating a caring and nurturing environment where children are provided with all the tools to perform at the very best of their ability.The school started with 8 pupils and now has 75 children who are taught in small classes of around 10-12 by dedicated and well-qualified professionals supported by enthusiastic and talented teaching assistants.The school is a family business, still owned and run by Mrs Venables and supported by her daughter who will take on the role of Head of School in September 2019.One of the unique aspects of the school, as well as the family feeling you get as soon as you arrive at reception, is the quite stunning 4 acre site set in the heart of rural North Nottinghamshire. The woodland area is perfect for playtime fun but also afford the pupils ample opportunity to investigate nature as well as participate in organised outside activities. Salterford House has always been a school where creative minds are encouraged to be inquisitive and excited by learning.

Aims and Ethos

AimsAt Salterford House School we aim :• To ensure that all pupils receive their full entitlement to the whole curriculum• To provide a relevant challenging curriculum in which pupils will be encouraged to reach their maximum potential.• To provide a curriculum that will not only motivate children but also encourage them to understand the purpose and enjoyment of learning.• To provide an environment where children apply their knowledge, skills and understanding with confidence whilst developing their ability to investigate and problem solve through discussion, prediction and evaluation.• To provide a stimulating and vibrant environment in order to support positive attitudes to learning.• To encourage children to respect and value other cultures and beliefs, to uphold British values and ultimately to become caring, confident and educated members of a multi-faith, multi-cultural society.• To develop positive attitudes and an awareness of the needs, strengths and qualities of others in order to work, share and grow socially and emotionally, spiritually and morally, physically and intellectually• To equip children with the resilience and perseverance to become creative and independent thinkers and to become learners for life within an ever-changing world.EthosAt Salterford House we:• Encourage all children to 'be the best that they can be'• Value each individual regardless of race, gender, faith or ability• Provide a secure and caring environment• Encourage positive relationships between all members of the school community• Develop a sense of ownership, pride and respect

Job Description

Leadership and Management

• To play a full and active role in the life of the School, as a member of the School’s Senior Management Team, and to lead by example and carry out your professional duties to the highest possible standards. To work with the Head to provide inspirational leadership and management across the School

• To deputise for the Head of School in her absence

• To be autonomous in your role, and to actively seek help and guidance when required from the Head, who is there to support you

• To ensure that staff are fully informed of developments and their responsibilities and to represent the views of the staff team to the Head

• To treat all members of the School community fairly, politely and with respect at all times

• To work with the Head to maintain a strong team identity across the staffroom and to monitor the welfare of staff and children across the School

• To work with the Head to ensure that the School timetable is completed and disseminated to staff in good time for them to prepare for the new academic year

• To play a leading role in promoting the values and mission statement of Salterford House School and to implement the policies and procedures

• To play a full and active role in the School’s appraisal system

• To promote relationships with other schools, particularly with regard to those chosen as future schools by the Year 6 parents

• To take a leading role in the implementation of systems of monitoring and evaluating the effectiveness of teaching and learning in the School

• To support the Head in monitoring the Health and Safety of all those who work within the School

Job Description

Strategic Development • To advise and support the Head in the strategic development of the School

• To focus on the further development of the curriculum to ensure that our children will be provided with the skills necessary to succeed in an ever changing world

• To work with staff to ensure that all team members seek to recognise areas that require improvement and develop strategies to achieve their goals

• To contribute to regular evaluations in relation to how the School meets its statutory obligations and to work with the SMT to ensure that the School is always ‘inspection ready’

• To assist the Head in the regular review of school policies

• To plan and review the termly and annual calendar with the Head

Teaching and Learning • To liaise, with the Head on curriculum and other matters and to help ensure that the whole school approach is followed

• To be an outstanding teacher who leads by example in the classroom

• To teach a reduced timetable of lessons commensurate with the seniority of the leadership position and agreed with the Head

• To value each child as a unique individual and to put the needs of our learners first, by seeking to maximise each child’s future opportunities

• To ensure appropriate teaching standards are maintained across the School in conjunction with the Heads of Subjects and EYFS staff

• To play a key role in devising the School timetable and to review this regularly, together with the curriculum and organisation of the school day to ensure appropriate developments take place

• To be aware of national curriculum developments and, in conjunction with the Head, to implement them where appropriate

• To be up to date with ISI regulations and Updates and to work to ensure that the School’s documentation in relation to the curriculum is of the standard required for inspection

Job Description

Pastoral and Day to Day

• To be responsible for the education and welfare of the children in accordance with our corporate responsibility for our pupils’ discipline, well-being and pastoral care

• To be available to speak with any member of the school community that requires support

• To set high standards of communication across the school, ensuring clarity and empathy

• To attend Parents’ Evenings, Open Mornings, Taster Mornings and to support/participate in school trips as agreed with the Head

• To be prepared to work out of ‘normal’ hours as and when required (on occasion)

Other• To perform any other duties which may from time to time be required

Person Specification

The successful candidate will possess/display a considerable number of the qualities listed below:-

• Commitment to the values and ethos in all areas of school life

• Outstanding communication skills both verbally and written

• A team player who thrives on working with others

• Excellent management, administrative and organisational abilities

• Understanding the role of a Deputy Head and the leadership responsibilities that entails

• Ability to think strategically and view any issue from a whole school perspective

• Ability to motivate and get the very best out of staff, even in situations where there might not be common ground

• Excellent academic profile and classroom practitioner with proven ability to teach to an outstanding standard in at least one Primary Key Stage

• Experience in teaching or leading a core subject in KS2

• Ability to work calmly under pressure and set priorities successfully when faced with numerous challenges

• Confident and skilled with modern technology

• Discretion, respect, honesty and integrity

• Willing to work hard with energy, enthusiasm and a generosity of spirit, which accepts that there will be a significant amount of out-of-normal-hours work to be done

• Composed and calm disposition

• Be able to debate and discuss issues constructively and strategically and to accept the principle of collective team responsibility for key decisions

• Attention to detail when reviewing and delivering policies and procedures

• Highest standards of safeguarding

• A ‘finisher’ who will always see a task through to completion

• Instilling excitement for high expectations, creative thinking and setting and achieving of ambitious targets in all areas of School life and strategy

• Drive and ability to implement change

• Empathy to deal sensitively with parents, children and staff

• Charisma, warmth, enthusiasm and a keen sense of humour

Safer Recruitment

Salterford House School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expects all staff to share this commitment. Applicants must be willing to undergo child protection screening appropriate to the post, including checks with current and past employers and the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).

The successful applicant will be given a conditional offer of appointment subject to the following pre-employment checks:

identity qualifications

barred listenhanced DBS

right to work in the UK

overseas check (if lived abroad) European Economic Area check (if applicable)

a Section 128 Order

prohibition from teaching prohibition from management

two satisfactory references a complete employment history

How to Apply

The deadline for the receipt of applications is 12 noon on Wednesday 20th March 2019. Long list interviews to take place the week commencing Monday 25th March 2019.. Short list interviews will take place on Tuesday 2nd April.

In the first instance, please do ensure availability on these dates and inform us at the time of application if you cannot attend on these dates.

Decisions on candidates to be invited to the shortlist interviews will be notified by Friday 29th March. The invitation will include a copy of the School Prospectus but can also be viewed on our website www.salterfordhouseschool.co.uk where you will also find lots of other information about the School. You are most welcome to visit before submitting an application in order to get a feel for the School. Please call the Head's PA on 0115 9652127 to arrange an appointment.

Applications

Your application should consist of:- A covering letter or email confirming your availability to attend for interview.

Application forms can be requested from the school office.

As an employer committed to safeguarding the welfare of children, it is necessary that when completing your application form there are no gaps shown in your career history. Any breaks of service must be accounted for.

Referees

We require you to provide two referees who can vouch for your suitability to work with children, one of whom must be your current or most recent employer. Please note that unless you expressly request otherwise we will contact your referees prior to interview to verify the information you provide in your application; we may also contact previous employers. Please note that references will not be accepted from relatives or from people writing solely as a friend.

Submitting your application

Preferably, your application should be submitted by email to office@salterfordhouseschool.co.uk If this is not possible please send your application by post to the School marked 'Strictly Private and Confidential' and addressed to:

The Head of School, Salterford House School, Calverton, Notts NG14 6NZ

How to Apply