HARPENDEN ACADEMY

Assistant Principal Candidate Pack

March 2016

Celebrating children, learning and leading

Vaughan Road, Harpenden, Herts, AL5 4EN

www.harpendenacademy.org

01582 716910

Thank you for your interest in the position of Assistant

Principal of Harpenden Academy. We hope this

application pack and the information on the school’s

website will give you the knowledge that you need to

assess whether this is the right post for you.

The school website will give you a flavour of the vision

and ethos of our school, how we learn and work

together; nourishing our children and adults to develop

leadership and an outstanding education. We think it

shows how our school genuinely encourages children to

lead their own learning and to make their own

decisions; having a tangible impact on their personal

development and those around them. We believe this is

what sets us apart.

We understand the difference that great teaching makes

and know that teachers are central to unlocking the

potential of every child in our school. We place great

emphasis on the development of the child as a 'whole

person'. At the same time recognising the individuality

and uniqueness of each pupil and the ways in which

these differences can enrich the school and the staff and

pupils alike.

There are plenty of challenges ahead in securing our

mission. This won’t be an easy role. As an outstanding

leader, it will be the most rewarding role you could

ever choose to take and a unique opportunity to grow a

school from its infancy. If you are passionate about

driving high standards and are uncompromising in your

pursuit of high expectations please consider applying.

Harpenden Academy is committed to working in

partnership with our parents and children. We aim to

nurture, support and challenge our children, to raise

their aspirations and build their capacity for life-long

learning. You will have the wholehearted support of a

committed Governing Body, a truly passionate teaching

team and inspiring children.

You are welcome to visit us and to experience our truly

exceptional school. Our amazing new building is in the

heart of Harpenden town, designed to mesh the history

of its Victorian school roots with an open and flexible

design that supports excellent teaching and learning.

You might also want to take the time to explore

Harpenden if you aren’t familiar with it. Harpenden is a

thriving, beautiful town that boasts an outstanding

reputation for its primary education and has a vibrant,

active family community. It is next door to the beautiful

cathedral city of St Albans with its cultural heritage and

also benefits from the greater diversity offered by towns

such as Luton. Harpenden has superb connections with

London, it’s just a 30 minute train ride.

The following job description and person specification

should inspire you to be brave and show us in your

application “how your experience to date uniquely

equips you to lead the Harpenden Academy community

to fulfil its mission”. We are curious to read it.

Please do not hesitate to contact us should you require

any further information.

Best wishes,

Harpenden Academy Governing Body

Dear Applicant

Thank you for being brave and exploring this unique opportunity to be Assistant Principal

of Harpenden Academy.

Celebrating children, learning and leading

ABOUT OUR SCHOOL

Harpenden Academy is a co-educational school for

children aged 4-11 years old in the heart of Harpenden

town centre. The school is over 100 years old and is

housed in a beautiful Victorian building that is

modernised to the needs of the 21st Century child and

teacher.

We started our journey in September 2012 with 22

children and 5 staff members in an ancient barn. In

September 2015 we arrived in our new purpose built

building in the heart of Harpenden. We now have

approximately 230 primary age pupils and an

extraordinary team of highly motivated teachers. The

school will continue to grow towards a 420 pupil school.

What an incredible time to join us.

The school has a distinctive and innovative ethos with a

broad and balanced curriculum, which weaves together

the requirements of the National Curriculum with

children leading their own learning and a strong

commitment to community engagement. Teaching and

learning at Harpenden Academy is through a topic-based

Curriculum, where links are made between subjects, so

that children develop a broad and coherent understanding

of a topic.

Our culture fosters a child’s natural curiosity, allowing

them to make sense of the world they live in and expand

their own horizons. It is built around the views and

interests of the children, guided by the wisdom and

experience of the adults.

Harpenden Academy believe that all children should

experience the world beyond the classroom as an

essential part of learning and personal development. We

encourage learning outside the classroom and recognise

the impact that how and where we learn can have on per-

sonal and social development as well as our capacity

and motivation to learn.

Job Description Responsible to: The Principal

IDENTITY OF THE SCHOOL

The Assistant Principal (AP) must understand the ethos and values of Harpenden Academy and know that his or her

first responsibility is to support the Principal in establishing and sustaining the clear identity of the school as a place

where learning and life are inspired by the child and safeguarding the values embedded.

He or she must ensure that this ethos is reflected in every aspect of their conduct and in the life of the school, in

particular: in the curriculum; the day to day organisation of the school; staff development; staff and pupil

relationships; the partnership between school, home; extended partnerships with the wider local community, other

schools, the MAT and other agencies.

This duty provides the context for the proper discharge of all other duties and responsibilities

LEADERSHIP IN CHILD INSPIRED EDUCATION

With the Principal, the Assistant Principal shares responsibility for the leadership of a Child inspired school

community. An Assistant Principal has the responsibility to develop an ever-deeper understanding of this leadership

role through regular reading and participation in appropriate courses, together with frequent reflection and personal

striving.

Job Description KEY AREAS OF THE ROLE

STRATEGIC DIRECTION AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE SCHOOL

The AP will:

Be able to clearly articulate the school’s child inspired values, mission and ethos

Help to formulate the aims and objectives of the school and to develop policies and whole school strategies to

achieve them

Promote the USP of wellbeing and family feel

Lead the implementation of new strategies for school improvement.

Effectively take a major lead in school improvement and staff development

Work in partnership with the Principal and Governors to contribute to the cycle of planning, implementation,

review and evaluation of the School Improvement Plan

Monitor and evaluate the impact of the school’s policies, practices, targets and priorities, identifying

developments needed and work with the Principal to achieve them

TEACHING AND LEARNING

The AP will:

Assist the Principal in the delivery of the school’s Education programme

Provide an excellent role model of teaching in a Child inspired school

Assist the Principal, through rigorous monitoring activities, to maintain high standards of teaching and learning

throughout the school

Provide additional support for colleagues whose performance has been identified as requiring improvement over

time.

Ensure that pupils across the school make good progress by regularly monitoring classroom practice and

analysing assessment information.

Take a lead in planning for intervention support when pupils are identified as in danger of falling behind.

Job Description KEY AREAS OF THE ROLE

LEADERSHIP AND MANAGEMENT

The AP will:

Undertake, in the absence of the Principal, the professional duties of the Principal

Take a major role in the leadership of the school as a member of the Senior Leadership Team

Lead in organising the day-to-day running of the school with the support of the Principal.

Provide an excellent model of wellbeing leadership.

Recognise and develop leadership potential in others

Challenge and support colleagues and support the Principal in holding staff to account for poor performance.

Support the Principal and Governing Body in the recruitment and deployment of staff to best meet the needs of

the children.

Support the Principal in the performance management of staff

Have an ongoing commitment to personal continuing professional development

Have a commitment to promoting and embedding safeguarding, in all its aspects

Provide analyses and reports on the school’s performance to a variety of audiences.

Motivate and enthuse children and colleagues by a positive, active, solution focussed and supportive attitude

Be responsible for the school’s budget and financial management alongside the business manager, in the

absence of the Principal

Be responsible for income and expenditure of any specifically allocated budget(s).

Adhere to the School’s Financial Policy and Procedures

PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT, BEHAVIOUR AND WELFARE

The AP will:

Strive to live out the school’s ethos and values in every aspect of their professional and private life.

Provide an excellent model of positive professional behaviour and self-discipline.

Lead on safeguarding in school ensuring compliance with all duties and with Ofsted schedule

Promote the highest standards of behaviour for pupils

Job Description KEY AREAS OF THE ROLE

COMMUNICATION

The AP will:

Fully support the ethos and educational mission of the school

Help maintain and further develop positive relationships with parents, Governors, local partners and the wider

community.

Be the school lead on parent relations and ensuring we respect home as part of the child

Help maintain and further develop positive relationships with the MAT, other schools and Advisory and

Support Services

Provide information and support to the Governing Body to enable it to meet its statutory responsibilities

This job description will be reviewed at least annually as part of your Performance Management programme.

The post-holder will be expected to operate under the current School Teachers Pay and Conditions of Service

Document.

The Assistant Principal will have access to a range of professional development activities such as: conferences,

support groups and appropriate training courses.

Person Specification

Category Essential Desirable

Ethos Commitment

Passionate support of education inspired by children to Celebrate Children, Learning and Leading

Demonstrates the values of Boundless, Brave, Curious, Playful, Responsible, Unique

Understanding of the leadership role in the spiritual and social development of pupils and staff

Experience in embedding cultures Experience in crystallising and marketing

USP’s

Qualifications Qualified Teacher Status Minimum of 6 years UK Primary teaching experience

Experience Clear understanding of current safeguarding procedures.

Experience of teaching in more than one Key Stage. Evidence of previous school leadership and its positive

impact

Professional Development

Evidence of continuing professional development relating to school leadership

Participation in Deputy Head Preparation training MAT / Local Authority / Other

Experience of developing links with other schools / organisations / agencies

Teaching & Learning

Proven record of outstanding classroom practice Knowledge of the demands of the new curriculum and

understanding of assessment without levels Commitment to equal opportunities

Knowledge of Steps behaviour practices and using intrinsic motivation

Person Specification Category Essential Desirable

Leadership & Management

Understanding the expectations of the Ofsted Framework

Experience in leading improvements in the standards of teaching and learning in a key curriculum subject

Involvement in whole school strategic planning/policy development and implementation

Experience of the monitoring and appraisal of staff performance and the evaluation of teaching and learning

Successful involvement in staff recruitment and induction

Skills and Abilities

Ability to enthuse and motivate others Ability to work with parents, governors and the wider

community Good organisational and time management skills Ability to analyse and interpret school performance

information and use it to inform planning for improvement

Confident in use of ICT Commitment to extra - curricular

activities

Personal Qualities

Willingness to strive to live out our ethos and values at all times

Understanding of the importance of confidentiality Ability to remain positive, solution focussed and

enthusiastic when working under pressure

Candidates are asked to submit:

a covering letter in support of your application which should be no more than one page of A4 expressing your interest in this position at Harpenden Academy

a completed Application Form (CV’s are not acceptable)

a completed application grid (optional).

These documents should be returned to our Recruitment Officer, Kathryn Jackson, no later than 12 noon on Monday, 21 March in one of the following ways:

Email: recruitment@harpendenacademy.org

Post: Harpenden Academy, Vaughan Road, Harpenden, Herts, AL5 4EN

We will seek references on any short listed candidates and will approach previous employers for information to verify particular experience or qualifications before interview. Successful candidates will be observed teaching in their own school on Thursday, 24 March. Candidates will be invited to interview at Harpenden Academy on Tuesday, 29 March. Please ensure your availability for these dates. We will aim to make offers to the candidate of our choice by the end of the day on Wednesday, 30 March. If you are not clear about any aspect of the application procedure, please do not hesitate to contact us for clarification.

If you would like to know more about Harpenden Academy before you apply please see our website www.harpendenacademy.org. If you would like to visit the school before submitting your application please arrange this with Kathryn Jackson, recruitment@harpendenacademy.org, 01582 716910.

On behalf of the Board of Governors, thank you for your interest in Harpenden Academy and this unique opportunity for what we know will be a challenging and rewarding post.

Yours sincerely

Our Governing Body