Curridge Primary School

Headteacher Information Pack

February 2016

Our current Headteacher has been with us for 9 years and is sadly leaving us to retire at the end of the Spring term. So we’re looking for someone new, who’s keen to continue to lead and develop the school for the future. We have an amazing, enthusiastic staff team and an extremely committed and supportive set of Governors. Start date for this permanent position would be September 2016.

As a small village school we recognise that finding the right person for the job is the most important thing. Whether you are an experienced Headteacher looking for a new challenge, a Deputy Head looking for the next step in your career, or an outstanding teacher with other skills to bring to the table we would like to hear from you. In short, we are looking for someone who can help us to get to the next level.

Curridge is a friendly school, where the children enjoy coming to school and staff enjoy teaching. The school has a unique woodland environment, we have invested to support teachers to deliver outstanding lessons inside and outside the classroom. We have an active PTA, who assist with fundraising goals and enable the children to enjoy additional activities outside of the school day.

The pupils at Curridge love learning, they are polite and well behaved – they are a credit to the school. Our parents are engaged, passionate and willing to support the school whenever possible. Please view the video to see what the Curridge children had to say.

We have some money set aside to improve on our buildings in the very near future, which further adds to this exciting opportunity. If this might be the challenge for you, then we would like to talk to you.

The information in this pack, along with a look at our website, will enable you get a flavour of Curridge Primary School. We are proud of our school and would love to meet you informally and show you around. To arrange a visit please phone the school directly on 01635 200486 to arrange a convenient time.

In the meantime if you have any questions please do not hesitate to email me directly on: twillsher@hotmail.co.uk

Tammy WillsherChair of Governors

Curridge Primary SchoolCurridge, Thatcham, Berkshire RG18 9DZ

Telephone: 01635 200486 Fax: 01635 202295e-mail: office@curridge.w-berks.sch.ukwebsite: www.curridge.w-berks.sch.uk

About Our School

Curridge is a pleasant village in the Downland area of West Berkshire. Our school is situated in a quiet, rural environment approximately four miles north of Newbury and one mile south of Junction 13 of the M4 motorway. Small schools such as Curridge are able to provide unique opportunities for children to develop as individuals, whilst membership of a federation of schools provides fellowship within a larger group when necessary. The maintaining authority is the unitary authority of West Berkshire Council.

Our ValuesWe want all of our pupils

To realise their dreams To become responsible citizens To become creative thinkers To become confident individuals

Our Ethos

A love of learning is at the heart of everything we do. We consider everyone to be a learner and every experience a learning opportunity. We believe every child should feel safe, understand that they are valued and that their opinions matter. We recognise everybody has talents and that success should be celebrated. We instil an awareness of spiritual, moral, social and cultural development. We appreciate the importance of our local community and acknowledge our responsibilities towards the worldwide community.

Our Aims

We aim to:

Inspire and challenge Achieve excellence and experience success Build confidence and independence Develop a strong sense of right and wrong Respect ourselves, each other and the world around us

In an environment which is:

Exciting and stimulating Purposeful and motivational Welcoming and secure Positive and supportive Inclusive and sustainable

We will achieve this by:

Providing engaging learning opportunities which extend beyond the school day Having high expectations in all areas of learning Creating a climate of trust and listening to everyone’s views Providing a clear moral code as a basis for behaviour Celebrating individuality and differences, and demonstrating our commitment

to the global dimension

Ofsted and Our Results

Achievement is good. By the end of Year 6 attainment is consistently above average. Attainment is often well above average in reading and writing.

The provision for children in the Early Years Foundation Stage is outstanding and they make rapid progress in their learning.

The high-quality and detailed marking provides pupils with very clear guidance on how they can improve their work.

Robust school self-evaluation enables leaders and managers to quickly identify where improvement is needed. This information is then used effectively to inform a

very well focused school development plan that sets out ambitious but realistic improvement targets.

“Pupils behave extremely well and have very positive attitudes to learning. They say that they feel very safe

in school and understand how to keep themselves safe.”

Curridge Primary School

Person Specification for the post of Headteacher

The Governing Body and the local authority are committed to safeguarding and promotingthe welfare of children, and Headteachers must ensure that the highest priority is given to following guidance and regulations to safeguard children. The successful candidate will be required to undergo an Enhanced Disclosure from the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Essential/ Desirable

1. Qualifications & experienceQualified Teacher Status E

Graduate level qualification E

Experience of teaching children in a primary school E

At least three years in a senior management role (SMT/SLT) D

Previous headship experience or acting headship D

Evidence of professional development E

2. KnowledgeKnowledge of national educational policy and the contribution of education to promoting and sustaining a fair and equitable society E

Evidence of the ability to acquire and apply new skills and up-to-date knowledge in a professional context E

Experience of successfully initiating, leading and evaluating change and development D

A good understanding of the quality of teaching in all phases of the school EAbility to build, communicate and implement a strategic plan which inspires and motivates the school community E

Knowledge of monitoring and evaluation. Use of school self-evaluation in order to raise achievement. E

Knowledge of how to use, analyse and monitor pupil assessment data to identify needs and trends in order to promote an appropriate level of challenge for all pupils

E

Awareness of, and commitment to, legal issues relating to managing a school, including health & safety, safeguarding, safer recruitment, equal opportunities, race relations, disability, human rights and employment legislation

E

Ability to make professional, managerial and organisational decisions based on informed judgments E

3. Desirable Personal Qualities and Skills (including those required to be a Headteacher in a small school)Shares the values of the school and demonstrates them by example (care, respect, compassion, valuing individuals, integrity, honesty) E

Strong interpersonal skills (empathy and awareness) E

Excellent communication skills, both oral and written EAbility to engage parents in raising the educational standards and aspirations of their children E

Ability to enable and develop good relationships with parents and the wider community. E

Flexibility in leadership styles and in management E

Ability to set targets for self and others, and to meet deadlines E

Good time management and ability to work under pressure E

Resilience: the ability to deal with challenging situations E

Committed to the teaching role in a small school E

A good listener E

Actively promotes inclusion E

4. Pupils and staffAble to promote and sustain a positive, sensitive and caring ethos and pride in the school and its physical environment E

Ensuring that the school is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. Ensuring that all the school practices, policies and procedures reflect this commitment

E

Excellent skills as a class teacher E

A clear understanding of how to promote effective learning across the school EAble to meet the needs of all pupils through personalised learning so that each child can reach their potential E

Able to lead motivational collective worship. E

Caring and supportive of staff EAble to work effectively as part of a team, encouraging the strengths colleagues bring to school effectiveness E

A good team player, but also confident to work alone and independently E

Willing to accept personal responsibility for decisions EAble to identify appropriate professional development for self and all members of school staff E

Ability to motivate and challenge others to reach for higher goals E

5. Managing the organisationWork effectively with the school’s governing body as partners in school leadership EWork with the local federation of small schools for the benefit of the children and the staff E

Be proficient in the application of ICT in relevant areas of the work of the school E

Be able to establish robust systems to monitor implementation and impact E

Curridge Primary School

Job Description for the post of Headteacher

Main Purpose: To provide professional leadership for the school in order to secure its success and improvement, ensure high quality education for all its pupils and improve standards of achievement.Authority: West Berkshire Council Location: Curridge Primary School

Job Title: Headteacher Salary Range: £45,876- £53,180Reporting to: the Governing Body, and will work with them and other colleagues in relation to the key areas.

Strategic direction and development of the school

The Headteacher, working with the Governing Body, will develop a strategic view for the school in its community within the local, national and international context, and will:

Lead by example, providing inspiring and purposeful leadership for the staff and pupils Work in partnership with the Governing Body, staff, parents, and West Berkshire Local

Authority to maintain and continue to develop the ethos and values which underpin the school

Formulate the overall aims and objectives for the school Create and implement a Development Plan that is underpinned by sound financial planning,

which identifies priorities and targets for ensuring pupils achieve high standards and make progress, increased teacher effectiveness and securing school improvement Ensure that all those involved in the school are committed to its aims, motivated to

achieve them, and involved in meeting long, medium and short term objectives and targets which secure the educational success of the school

Ensure that the management, finances, organisation and administration of the school supports its vision and aims

Ensure that policies and practices take account of national, local and school data including inspection and research findings and the outcomes of school self review

Monitor and evaluate the performance of the school and respond and report to the Governing Body as required

Monitor, evaluate and review the effects of the school’s policies, priorities and targets and take action if necessary.

Teaching and Learning

The Headteacher, working with the Governing Body, will secure and sustain effective teaching and learning throughout the school and will:

Monitor and evaluate teaching and learning and the standards of pupils’ achievement and set targets for improvement

Create and maintain an environment and a code of behaviour to promote and secure good teaching, effective learning, high standards of achievement, good behaviour and discipline

Determine, organise, implement and monitor the curriculum and its assessment and ensure that they:

o meet with statutory requirementso are relevant to the needs of all pupilso fulfill the head teacher’s duties under the 1988 Education Act and any subsequent

revisions, in relation to the National Curriculum and Religious Educationo lead to improved educational provision

Maintain and develop effective links with the local community, the parish and the wider community, to extend the curriculum and enhance teaching and learning

Create and maintain an effective partnership with parents and friends of the school to support and improve pupils’ achievement and personal development

Ensure that improvements in Reading, Writing and Maths are priority targets for all pupils, including disadvantaged, SEND and more able pupils.

Determine, organise and implement a policy for the personal, social and moral development of all pupils in the school

Determine and implement policies which promote:o Safeguarding for pupilso self-discipline and regard for authority and the lawo good conduct and behaviour and the prevention of all forms of bullyingo positive strategies for developing good race relations and dealing with racial incidentso preparation for life in modern Britain, including the promotion of the fundamental

British values of democracyo positive strategies and programmes for pupil support and clear guidance on

exclusions and other disciplinary matterso To participate, to such an extent as may be appropriate having regard to the head

teacher’s other duties, in teaching pupils in the school.

Leadership and Management

The Headteacher will lead, motivate, support, challenge and develop staff to secure improvement and will:

Participate in the recruitment and selection of teaching and non-teaching staff Plan, allocate, support and evaluate work undertaken by groups, teams and individuals,

ensuring clear delegation of tasks and devolution of responsibilities in a manner consistent with conditions of employment

Implement and sustain effective systems for the management of staff performance, incorporating appraisal and target setting

Lead, co-ordinate and monitor the continuing professional development of staff, including the induction of newly qualified teachers, based on assessment of needs and in relation to the standards for qualified teacher status (QTS), the career entry profile and standards for induction

Ensure that professional duties are fulfilled, as specified in the Terms and Conditions of Service of Teachers, including those for Head teachers

Arrange for a suitable person to assume responsibility for the discharge of the head teacher’s function at any time when absent from school

Continue to develop good working relationships with governors, staff, pupils, parents/carers, the local community and West Berkshire Local Authority.

Efficient and effective deployment of staff and resources

The Headteacher, in conjunction with the School Business Manager, will deploy people and resources efficiently and effectively to meet specific objectives in line with the school’s strategic plan and financial context and will:

Contribute to the formulation of policies and procedures of the Governing Body concerning the school’s resource and asset management

Set appropriate priorities for expenditure, allocation of funds and effective administration and control by:

o effective management of the school’s budgeto rational allocation and monitoring of time, space and material resourceso ensuring effective and safe arrangements for the siting and storage of material and

equipment Manage and organise the accommodation efficiently and effectively to ensure it meets

the needs of the curriculum and health and safety regulations Make arrangements for the security and effective supervision of the school buildings,

their contents and the grounds Ensure that any lack of maintenance, repairs or modification, including breaches of

Health and Safety legislation is acted upon promptly and in accordance with the delegation arrangements of the Governing Body

Ensure effective working relationships with external agencies and services contracted to the school, to the Governing Body and West Berkshire Local Authority

To work with governors and senior colleagues to recruit and retain staff of the highest quality

Manage, monitor and review the range, quality and use of all available resources in order to improve the quality of education, improve pupils’ achievements, ensure efficiency and secure value for money.

Accountability

The Headteacher will account for the efficiency and effectiveness of the school to the community, and will:

Create and develop an organisation in which all the staff recognise that they are accountable for the success of the school

Present a coherent and accurate account of the school’s performance in a form appropriate to the range of audiences, including governors, the LA, the local community, OFSTED, and others to enable them to play their part effectively

Ensure that parents/carers and pupils are well informed about the curriculum, attainment and progress and about the contribution they can make in supporting their child’s learning and achieving the school’s targets for improvement

Maintain such records of the school as are appropriate to show its historical development

Provide information, objective advice and support to the Governing Body to enable it to meet its responsibilities for securing effective teaching and learning and improved standards of achievement, and for achieving efficiency and value for money

To carry out any such duties as may be reasonably required by the Governing Body Ensure the school is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and

young people and ensuring all the school practices, policies and procedures reflect this commitment.

This job description forms part of the contract of employment of the person appointed to this post. It reflects the position at the present time only and may be reviewed in negotiation with the employee in the future. The appointment is subject to the conditions of employment in the Schoolteacher’s Pay and Conditions as they relate to Head Teachers.

Curridge Primary School, Curridge, Thatcham, Berkshire, RG18 9DZ

HEADTEACHER (Salary range: £45,876- £55, 951)

The Governors are seeking a forward looking and inspirational Headteacher with a passion for excellence in education and leadership to build upon our success to date.

With this in mind we have revised the pay range offered for this position.

We are looking for someone who:

identifies with our ethos and values is a passionate and skilled educator loves a challenge and has the skills to lead an able teaching and support staff will continue to drive the school towards Outstanding

Visits to the school are welcome and encouraged. Please contact the School office on 01635 200486 to arrange.

Our School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. We will ensure that all our recruitment and selection practices reflect this commitment. All successful candidates will be subject to Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks along with other relevant employment checks. We are committed to securing genuine equality of opportunity in all aspects of our activities as an employer and education provider.

Apply online for this role via the West Berkshire Council Vacancies site at

INSERT WEST BERKSHIRE LINKClosing Date: Friday 20th May 2016, 12 noonInterviews: 23/24th May 2016