Head Teacher - Southampton

Job Title

Head Teacher

Reports to: Executive Head Teacher

Contract Type: Full time, permanent

Location: Bournemouth

Salary: £55,000-£65,000

Overview / Main Purpose of the Role

The Headteacher will support and promote an educational vision which is consistent with the White Trees Group strategic direction. They will maintain and support the development of the conditions and opportunities which enable pupils and teachers to achieve effective learning, so that the school\’s aims and objectives are implemented in accordance with the policies of the governing body and organisational vision.

The headteacher is accountable to the Directors of the organisation, governing body and Executive Head Teacher. The headteacher, working with the Senior Leadership Team, is responsible for evaluating the school\’s performance to support driving continuous improvement and development and raising standards; ensuring equality of opportunity for all; monitoring policies and practices; ensuring that resources are efficiently and effectively used to achieve the school\’s and organisation\’s aims and objectives and for the day-to-day management of the school.

Duties And Responsibilities

Main Duties

• Oversee all aspects of the day to day running of the school site alongside the leadership team in consultation with the Executive Head and at times, White Trees Group Directors
• Support and uphold the White Trees Values and Ethos that set our organisation apart from others
• Duties as requested by Executive Head and White Trees Group Directors
• Support driving the School Improvement Plan
• Contribute to the school\’s Self Evaluation Form
• Ensure the site meets and runs in line with the Independent School Standards

Safeguarding Responsibilities

• Be the DSL
• Ensure all the pupils are safe and that their risk assessments are regularly updated in line with the company policies and procedures.
• Oversee and ensure the robust and rigorous use of CPOMS in line with policy
• Ensure all systems and policies are in line with the standards set out by the regulatory bodies who regulate our school
• Ensure that every aspect of the day to day is in line with current standards or education set by our regulatory bodies
• Ensure that the health and safety of the school and everybody within it is held to the highest possible standards and that the systems we have for doing this are both robust and easy to follow

Operational Responsibilities

• Ensure the site is running to the timetable, including pupils\’ bespoke timetables are in line with their pathway to full-time, ensuring timetabling is robust and effective for learning
• Ensure staff are utilised effectively without compromising day-to-day running
• Make sure day-to-day reporting systems are followed and useful with the data they capture and that data is stored safely
• Ensure all information within the school is stored safely and in line with GDPR standards
• Work with the Executive Head to ensure the school runs to its highest possible standard and address issues
• Support in the preparation and delivery of strategic reports to the board of directors and board of governors alongside the Executive Head
• Ensure school budgets are adhered to and fit for purpose
• Work closely with the Exams Officer & Teaching Excellent Lead to ensure all KS4 are on appropriate qualification journeys and are registered for the correct programs to gain certification
• Lead on Local Authority monitoring visits & Ofsted inspections
• Oversee arrangements for end of term celebrations for staff and pupils
• Oversee arrangements for termly celebration of learning and achievements
• Liaise with parents and professionals effectively to foster positive working relationships
• Ensure practice is in line with all school policies
• Drive and prioritise the use of school systems daily (e.g., Class Dojo, CPOMS)
• Support deadline dates across the sites for reviewing ILPs, risk assessments, behaviour waves, impact risk assessment and other key documentation

Teaching and Learning

• Support driving the school\’s teaching and learning practices to be underpinned by the White Trees Core Values and Ethos
• Uphold ambitious expectations for all pupils, including those with additional and special educational needs
• Ensure the school works effectively with parents, carers and professionals to identify additional needs and SEND and provide support and adaptations where appropriate
• Ensure the school fulfils its statutory duties with regard to the SEND code of practice
• Ensure White Trees is at the forefront of learning in innovative, effective and evidence-based teaching and learning practices
• Collaborate with the SENCO to ensure every pupil receives appropriate support and interventions tailored to their needs
• Work with the Leadership Team on Learning Data, ensuring assessment and tracking systems are regularly reviewed for effectiveness
• Support overseeing and driving pupil day-to-day teaching and learning processes through regular review of Schemes of Work and Lesson Plans
• Oversee regular reporting of pupils’ progress to parents and caregivers in line with school policies
• Establish and sustain high expectations of behaviour for all pupils, based on relationships, rules and routines
• Ensure high standards of pupil behaviour and courteous conduct in accordance with the school’s behaviour policy
• Implement consistent, fair and respectful approaches to managing behaviour

Staff Management

• Foster a culture valuing emotional intelligence and empathy in professional relationships
• Model adherence to school standards and promote high staff professionalism
• Ensure effective systems for staff wellbeing and development through regular consultations, supervisions and performance management
• Prioritise professional development of staff with planning, delivery and evaluation aligned to teachers’ standards
• Support the Head of Wellbeing to implement and regularly evaluate staff training and inductions
• Meet regularly with the Executive Head and other Heads of the company to align on growth of the school
• Ensure changes or new systems are run by and agreed with the Executive Head and Director of the organisation
• Ensure a robust annual performance management cycle for staff with targets linked to the School Improvement Plan
• Monitor and ensure regular performance management meetings and supervisions

Community Engagement

• Forge constructive relationships beyond the school with parents, carers and the local community
• Commit to working with other schools and organisations in a climate of mutual challenge and support
• Establish and maintain relationships with professionals across public services to improve educational outcomes

Communication

• Engage in regular formal and informal meetings with the school team to plan and support day-to-day activities
• Facilitate meetings to support development through peer supervisions and team planning
• Ensure robust daily handover meetings and end-of-day debriefs

Planning

• Plan school diary events with appropriate team members, including focus weeks, summer camps and trips with risk assessments to ensure safety
• Invite the organisation’s extended team to events for inclusive participation
• Communicate with the White Trees Group community and utilise the established support network
• Seek approval from the executive head and owners/directors for new systems and processes
• Facilitate clear lines of communication within the school and organisation so that successors can take over smoothly
• Ensure staff undertake Keeping in touch visits in half terms per policy
• Hold daily operations meetings with deputies to maintain clear communication and plan for upcoming events

Person Specification

Qualifications

• Undergraduate degree in chosen subject (minimum 2:1 or equivalent)
• QTS
• Postgraduate qualifications in education or willingness to undertake further study

• Experience
• Minimum 10 years teaching experience with demonstrated excellence, 3 of which at a Deputy Head level
• Extensive experience in working with pupils who have SEMH/SEND
• Experience of being a DSL

• Skills And Abilities
• Ability to create a safe and secure learning environment
• Ability to break down barriers to learning
• Be creative in approach to teaching, utilising pupils\’ interests to engage them
• Flexible and adaptable
• Effective communicator
• Ability to create a fun, challenging learning environment
• Be highly organised
• Caring, sensitive and responsive to the needs of our pupils

• Other Requirements
• Commitment to safeguarding children
• Be passionate about teaching and providing the best opportunities for all pupils
• A commitment to the school\’s ethos and vision
• Resilient and positive