Curriculum Lead for Geography (Deputy Head of Humanities Faculty)

Dear prospective applicant,

Thank you for expressing an interest in this key vacancy at our college. I am on a mission to try and do something different in education; trying to improve the life chances of pupils but not at the expense of staff well-being or trying to chase the next OFSTED grading. Our success thus far has been very close to that balance but the challenges continue as the goalposts keep moving and that is why we are led by what we believe and not the next fad. Balance is important to us and we recognise that in order to achieve amazing things, we need amazing people and I am hoping that you will be one of them.

At the centre of our approach to working with parents/carers and pupils is the way that we lead, so that teachers can teach and pupils can learn, without the additional noise that distracts teachers from doing just that. Our leaders hold responsibility but they are not authoritarian figures that deserve followership; leaders have to earn the right to lead and we welcome and appreciate challenge if we do not live up to the standards that are expected of us.

We are attempting to go beyond the OFSTED framework because we believe in more than ticking boxes and we invest in people to help make that happen. We are also very clear that the gender, background, colour, poverty, wealth or social status of a child should have no bearing on how well they perform and staff here work extremely hard in trying to close that gap between the different starting points that students have.

As a Deputy Head of Faculty, you will deputise for the Humanities lead but will also specifically lead on Geography. Parents/Carers and the community trust us and have supported our journey and so we are well oversubscribed and have close to 900 applicants for 300 places every year.

We were one of the first nearly a decade ago to have removed lesson observations from the appraisal process and link it to professional development. Currently, staff are entitled to 'visits' and entitled to a professional dialogue to improve their practice. At a time when the profession was ratcheting up accountability, we took it away to trust staff to do what they have been paid to do and through that process, we have achieved amazing things!

Behaviour at CHCC is exceptional because we provide clarity, "First Time Every Time," no quibbles, no arguments just do as expected. Teachers do not have to do detentions, chase up absence, attendance or punctuality. These are all done centrally with a highly skilled team that has taken the workload away from teachers. If you walk the building during lessons, it is as if the school is empty; you will only hear the sound of delivery from teachers through an open door.

The leadership qualities we are looking for are smart, hungry and humble and the skills we are looking for is to deliver lessons in a knowledge-first way that enables students to know more and remember more.

I would also urge you to look at our "Join us" video on the school website and also our well-being charter that provides you with clarity about how you will be supported in your role by leaders at the college.

We have arranged a compulsory information evening which will take place to hear about our school and our vision and values. The Information Evening will take place on Tuesday 24th February at 5.30pm, please let Rachael Barnett know by email if you wish to attend.

Please read the attached job description and person specification. If you are interested in applying, please fill in the application form available on our eteach portal, please include e-mail addresses of all referees, together with a letter of application (no more than 2 sides of A4, font 12) outlining your skills, qualifications and experience relevant to this post by 9.00am on Monday 2nd March. Please include your cover letter in the supporting statement section.

KEY DATES: Information ... Deadline: ... I look forward to receiving your application.

Yours sincerely, Mr F Adam (Principal)

Safeguarding Statement: We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. Applicants will be required to undertake pre-employment checks, such as an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) Check.