Head of School

Leadership and management of the school

•Under the strategic leadership, take responsibility for the day-to-day operation of the school

• Work with the Executive Principal to drive strategic improvement in all areas of the school, taking a lead role in strategic implementation and in monitoring impact
• Provide strategic leadership of key school improvement priorities, determined by the Executive Principal and the School Strategic Improvement Plan
• Be a leading figure in the drive for high standards, in attendance, behaviour and in the quality of education
• Work with the Executive Principal to improve the school within the approved budget and resources
• Support the Executive Principal in managing senior and middle leaders, developing a professional culture amongst all staff at the school
• Work with the Senior Leadership Team, Trust team and local governors to ensure robust operational systems are in place that support the schools efficient and effective functioning
• Support and challenge staff, dealing with underperformance effectively while making sure staff are given the support to do their jobs well
• Providing challenge and support to leaders at all levels, to ensure that they have the capacity and drive to transform the learning experience of the pupils and in their specific area of the school responsibility
• Support in the implementation of the trust’s appraisal policy and other management processes and systems
• Support the implementation of trust-wide policies and school-level policies
• Lead and manage staff in an appropriate manner, offering support, encouragement, guidance and advice to ensure effective practice
• Ensure all staff are well supported and can see a clear path to career progression
• Play a critical role in ensuring high levels of staff wellbeing and morale
• Undertake self-evaluation and school improvement planning alongside the trust-wide strategy to improve areas of weakness in the school
• Support the recruitment of teaching and non-teaching staff where necessary in conjunction with the Trust’s HR Professional Services Team
• Provide training and continuing professional development (CPD) opportunities for all school staff
• Model exemplary conduct, encouraging all adults and pupils to interact positively beyond the school both in the community and later in further education and the workplace.

Teaching and learning

•Work with staff to promote high quality teaching across all subjects

• Identify any areas of weakness in teaching and implement, monitor and review interventions to improve these areas as well as teaching and learning across the school
• Promoting high expectations of attainment and progress for all, relentlessly demonstrating and promoting high aspirations for all pupils and staff
• Make sure the school’s assessment system is fit for purpose and provides teachers with useful information about pupils
• Ensure all staff and pupils embrace the curriculum and school expectations and understand its principles
• Identify areas where staff may benefit from sharing good practice or accessing support from other schools in the trust
• Monitor the outcomes of pupils and draw out any patterns of underperformance in key groups of pupils, such as disadvantaged pupils or pupils with special educational needs
• Make sure standards of behaviour are high to foster an environment in which learning can thrive.

Communication

•Work with the Executive Principal to ensure Governors, Trustees and the Trust are fully informed of the financial and educational performance of the school, giving them what they need to provide support and challenge

• Be the initial point of contact for parents who have concerns about the school’s effectiveness and raise this with the Executive Principal and/or the Trust
• Help to build on the vision of the trust and share with colleagues across the trust how this is being demonstrated in the school
• Attend any relevant local governing body and/or trustee meetings
• Contribute to reports to the CEO or board as necessary

Managing resources

•Contribute to the budget setting/business planning processes as required

• Ensure value for money in any delegated financial responsibilities for purchasing and procurement
• Ensure the efficient and effective use of school resources.

Other Senior Leadership Responsibilities

•Anticipating, planning and making provision for future demands

•Identifying the need for and leading the process of innovation, change and improvement in relation to the specific responsibilities outlined above

•Develop middle leaders and subject leaders to ensure effective leadership across the School

•Take responsibility for measuring the impact of leaders’ work on the school’s priorities

•Undertake the professional duties of other members of the Senior Leadership Team in the event of their absence from the school as required

•Take the lead role in ensuring that communication with parents, pupils and staff is positive and that the School has a good reputation in the local community

•Monitoring standards of achievement through regular meetings with the relevant members of staff and through lesson observations and attendance at meetings; offering advice, support and challenge

•Working closely in a coaching role with the staff being line managed in planning for and implementing improvement

•To lead staff by example, being highly visible and promoting good order throughout the School.

•Assist in the appointment of staff consistent with the School’s vision, Trust Values and Safer Recruitment Policy

•Assist in the preparation and review of School policy documents, leading, in this regard, on areas of responsibility

•Share the Trust’s and School’s commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all young people through having knowledge of Government guidelines and safeguarding policies as appropriate within the school.

The responsibilities above are subject to the general duties and responsibilities contained in the current statement of Teachers’ Conditions and Employment. This job description takes into account the recommendations of the roles and responsibilities as outlined in the TTA National Standards as well as the broad guidelines for Subject Leaders. This job description is not necessarily a comprehensive definition of the post and will be subject to modification or amendment at any time after consultation with the post holder. The post-holder will undertake the professional duties of a member of school staff as circumstances may require under the reasonable direction of the Headteacher.