Deputy Headteacher for Inclusion and Belonging - Alfriston School

You will lead our inclusion, behaviour and safeguarding strategies, ensuring all pupils receive the support they need to become agents of their own personal growth. You will guide staff in implementing strategies for diverse needs and collaborate with children, families, and external agencies to promote wellbeing and achievement., The Deputy Headteacher for Inclusion and Belonging, under the direction of the Headteacher, will take a major role in:

• Formulating the aims and objectives of the school

• Establishing policies for achieving these aims and objectives

• Managing staff and resources to that end

• Monitoring progress towards the achievement of the school’s aims and objectives

• If the headteacher is absent, the deputy headteacher will deputise, as directed by the governing board and fulfil the professional responsibilities of a headteacher, as set out in the School Teachers’ Pay and Conditions Document (STPCD).

Duties and responsibilities:

School culture and behaviour

• Work alongside the senior leadership team (SLT) and other staff members to create a culture where pupils experience a positive and enriching school life

• Uphold educational standards in order to prepare pupils from all backgrounds for their next phase of education and life

• Ensure a culture of staff professionalism

• Encourage high standards of behaviour from pupils, built on rules and routines that are understood by staff and pupils, and clearly demonstrated by all adults in school

• Use consistent and fair approaches to managing behaviour, in line with the school’s behaviour policy.

Additional and special educational needs (SEN) and disabilities

• Promote a culture and practices that enables all pupils to access the curriculum

• Have ambitious expectations for all pupils

• Make sure the school works effectively with parents, carers and professionals to identify additional needs and provide support and adaptation where appropriate

• Be responsible for coordinating pupils EHCPs in line with statutory guidance ensuring plans are implemented effectively

• Make sure the school fulfils statutory duties regarding the SEND code of practice.

Organisational management and school improvement

• Establish and sustain the school’s ethos and strategic direction together with the Headteacher and governing board and through consultation with the school community

• Establish and oversee systems, processes and policies so the school can operate effectively

• Ensure staff and pupils’ safety and welfare through effective approaches to safeguarding, as part of duty of care

• Manage staff with due attention to workload

• Ensure rigorous approaches to identifying, managing and mitigating risk

• Allocate financial resources appropriately, efficiently and effectively

• Identify problems and barriers to school effectiveness, and develop strategies for school improvement that are realistic, timely and suited to the school’s context

• Make sure these school improvement strategies are effectively implemented

Professional development

• Ensure staff have access to appropriate, high standard professional development opportunities

• Keep up to date with developments in education

• Seek training and continuing professional development to meet needs

Governance, accountability and working in partnership

• Understand and welcome the role of effective governance, including accepting responsibility

• Ensure that staff understand their professional responsibilities and are held to account

• Ensure the school effectively and efficiently operates within the required regulatory frameworks and meets all statutory duties

• Work successfully with other schools and organisations

• Maintain working relationships with fellow professionals and colleagues to improve educational outcomes for all pupils

We are seeking a ‘Deputy Headteacher for Inclusion and Belonging’. The ideal candidate will be passionate about enabling access and inclusion and will have a proven track record of breaking down barriers to learning. This brand new role offers the right candidate an unique opportunity to make a profound impact in a thriving school environment., Essential Experience:

• Recent successful experience of Senior Management, including experience in leading teams.

• Able to demonstrate successful teaching experience with evidence of exemplary practice.

• Evidence of taking the lead in preparing, implementing, monitoring and reviewing a whole school policy or a major change in school.

• Recent relevant experience working with children/ young people with communication and interaction needs including but not limited to ASC or ADHD.

• Experience of working with partners including school Governors.

Essential Knowledge:

• Knowledge of national educational standards and expectations

• Substantial knowledge and understanding of teaching and learning at KS3/KS4

• Knowledge of special educational needs.

• Knowledge of governance at national, local and school level.

• Up to date knowledge & understanding of the current national education agenda.

• Understanding of how children with MLD/SPLCN learn and effectively apply their learning.

• Understanding of the contribution of the school to the community.

Essential Leadership Skills:

• Evidence of highly effective teaching

• Be capable of setting and achieving ambitious goals for students and staff

• Demonstrate strategic thinking and leadership, a commitment to creativity, innovation and the use of new technologies

• Experience of leading CPD including staff meetings and when appropriate providing support to colleagues who are required to organise staff meetings.

• Have the ability to build relationships with the governing body and parents

• An effective decision maker able to initiate, implement and monitor policies and practices

• The ability and skills to mentor, challenge, influence and motivate others to attain high goals

• Have experience of promoting principles and practice of effective teaching and learning

Website: http://www.alfristonschool.com, Visits to the school are warmly welcome. To arrange a visit or to find out more about the role, please contact Ellie Davison on the number below.

Please send completed application forms to the email address below.

Tel No: 01494 673740

Email: [email protected]