Our Goal: To ensure that all students learn to their full potential in an informed, caring and supportive

environment and that challenging learning experiences develop students as successful confident young

adults.

Headteacher Mr P Earnshaw BA (Hons), MA

office@highcliffeschool.com www.highcliffeschool.com

Tel: 01425 273381 Fax: 01425 271405

Dear Colleague,

I am delighted you have expressed interest in applying for a post at Highcliffe School. Please find enclosed a range of

information which, I hope, provides an insight to our school and the opportunities which await the successful

candidate.

Highcliffe is a remarkable school with a special atmosphere. We are very highly respected in our community, with

whole generations of families coming here for over 50 years. Former students, current students and their parents

frequently speak of their powerful emotional bonds to our school lasting a lifetime. This is a result of our caring and

aspirational ethos combined with our engaging curriculum and excellent package of extra-curricular opportunities.

Former students go on to work in the Paris fashion houses, in international finance, law, education, politics,

engineering, medicine and science, or as great chefs, carers, artists, musicians, mechanics, gardeners and much more

– but not before they have thrived at Highcliffe academically, creatively and socially. Our students are lovely young

people to work with. Our record of success means we are significantly oversubscribed in the main school and have

grown rapidly post-16 to a Sixth Form of 330+.

Our teaching staff are highly experienced, knowledgeable professionals who work together superbly. Our SEN,

pastoral, clerical, financial, technical and site staff are also extremely good at their jobs and committed to the school’s

success, and form a great team. Our response to the current range of government-led changes will help us excel in all

areas despite the many challenges they present. We are aiming to improve examination results still further by

developing more effective ways of tracking and intervening on student progress; strengthen our links with partner

primary schools to build a stronger learning community at transition; and develop a distinctive Highcliffe teaching and

learning pedagogy based on creating self-motivated, resilient independent learners experiencing stimulating,

differentiated and academically exciting teaching. In addition we intend to deepen our immersion in our local

community, and strengthen our international links with schools in Europe and Japan.

It is a very exciting time to join the team. Highcliffe is a thriving, happy place to work and learn with plentiful

opportunities for professional development and fulfilment. We welcome applicants who share our ethos, bring

outstanding professional skills and personal qualities, and believe in their ability to make a difference to young lives

through education. Unfortunately we will not be able to contact every applicant with feedback and take this

opportunity to thank you for responding.

I look forward to hearing from you but whatever your decision may I wish you all the best for your professional future.

Regards

Patrick Earnshaw

Headteacher

Parkside, Highcliffe, Christchurch, Dorset, BH23 4QD

Deputy Headteacher Mr N Campbell BA (Hons)

Deputy Headteacher

Mr N O’Connor BSc (Hons)

Registered in England and Wales Number: 07631213

Application:

Completing the application form you should use section 5 to set out your relevant skills, knowledge and

experience.

Please also provide an application letter addressed to the Headteacher. It must be of no more than 2 sides

of A4 paper, in Calibri font size 11, outlining your vision for the post, how you will achieve excellence in

the post making use of relevant knowledge, skills and experience you possess.

Please do not include a CV as they will not be accepted.

Notes for Guidance for Applicants

The following guidance is intended to help you to complete your application form in the best way.

Application Form

The form must be completed in full and signed. Please use black ink or word processing as your form will

be photocopied. Please complete all sections of the application form and ensure that your employment

record is set out in full with an explanation of any gaps.

Please do not include photocopies of open testimonials. We will always write to your current or previous

employer for a reference and to ask for a professional assessment of your suitability for the post. We

reserve the right to approach any previous employer for a reference.

Please complete the application form carefully and ensure that you sign it at the end. The closing date is

12 noon on Tuesday 17th March 2015. Your completed application form and letter should be returned to

Patrick Earnshaw, Headteacher, Highcliffe School, Parkside, Highcliffe, BH23 4QD. Or you can email to

aparsons@highcliffeschool.com . Applications will not normally be acknowledged. Owing to the high

volume of applications we usually receive the School does not provide feedback to candidates who are not

shortlisted.

Please label the outside of the envelope or entitle the email confidential/application.

Information about the area

Highcliffe School is ideally situated minutes from Highcliffe and Avon beaches, Mudeford Quay and

Christchurch Harbour. A few minutes’ drive or cycle away are the beaches of Bournemouth while Poole

Harbour, a mecca for watersports, is approximately 12 miles away. As a result, sailing, kitesurfing,

kayaking, paddle boarding, surfing and beach life are prominent parts of life in the area.

Highcliffe is also on the doorstep of the New Forest, meaning that equestrian sports, cycling, walking and

running are also prominent features of local life. There is an extensive range of top-class pubs, cafes,

clubs, theatres and cinemas throughout the area catering for people of all ages and tastes.

Highcliffe School is easily accessible from the urban centre of Bournemouth and Poole. With its large

student population Bournemouth uniquely offers a multicultural city buzz combined with the relaxed South

Coast surfing and holiday culture. London, the South East and the South West are easily reached by road

or rail links. The European mainland is easily reached by ferry from Weymouth, Poole, and Portsmouth,

while Bournemouth and Southampton airports offer continental and worldwide flights.

Information about the School

We encourage potential applicants to explore in depth the School’s website which includes recent

publications and a prospectus. Potential applicants are also encouraged to read both the most recent

Ofsted reports which are available via the school website or directly from www.ofsted.gov.uk and the

published performance data available on the DfES performance tables site. www.education.gov.uk/schools/performance

Equal Opportunities

This school is an equal opportunities employer. Our policy is to ensure that no job applicant or employee

receives less favourable treatment because of race, colour or nationality, sex, marital status, religion or

disabilities. Selection criteria and procedures will be frequently reviewed to ensure that individuals are

selected or promoted on the basis of their individual relevant merits and abilities. All employees will be

given equal opportunities and, where appropriate, further training to progress within and beyond the

organisation.

Disclosure of Criminal Convictions

The post you have applied for is subject to a police check with the DBS. If you are offered the position

you will be required to complete a Disclosure Form. The result of the police check will be sent to you.

The school will need to see and note some original documentation as part of the police check procedure.

To speed up the process and avoid important documents getting lost in the post, if you are called to

interview please can you bring the documents listed below which establish your identity and date of birth

in addition to certificates of qualifications gained and in order to meet the requirements of the Asylum and

Immigration Act, and a formal document showing your National Insurance Number.

Documents:

Pay slip, P45 or P60

Passport and driving licence with green counterpart

Birth certificate/marriage certificate

Utility bill showing your current home address and dated within the last 3 months

Medical Fitness

In accordance with the Education (Teachers) Regulations 1993, all teachers are required to satisfy their

employers of their medical fitness on entry to the teaching profession and also during the subsequent

employment. In this connection, teachers will be required to complete a medical questionnaire, which is

then considered by a Medical Officer.

No Smoking Statement

The School operates a No Smoking Policy.

Academic Year 2015/16

Post Profile

Teacher

Name of Teacher:

Line Manager: Head of Department

Goal: To ensure that all students learn to their full potential in an informed, caring and

supportive environment and that challenging learning experiences develop

students as successful, confident young adults.

Core purpose and scope of post:

It is the role of the subject teacher to deliver high quality lessons to maximise the students

learning.

This post profile may be amended at any appropriate time, following consultation between the

Headteacher and Head of Department and will be reviewed annually. Priorities for the year will be

negotiated and highlighted in line with the Progress Plan and Performance Management Targets.

Responsibilities:

Assessment/Progress Profiles:

- To complete student assessments and progress profiles carefully and promptly and to adhere to

the school’s procedures for formal assessments and examinations.

Preparation:

- To ensure that all lessons are thoroughly prepared and carefully structured in line with the

scheme of work and that the work is appropriate to the needs and abilities of each student. A

record of lesson contents should be kept and be made available on request. This should be

recorded in the teacher planner. Teacher planners should show work to be covered (as a

forecast) and/or work covered (as a record) depending on the subject matter/curriculum policy

and the individual teacher’s preference. These books should be available to the Headteacher,

Deputies and relevant Head of Departments.

Attendance and Punctuality:

- To record attendance electronically in line with the school student information system.

- To insist on punctuality and to lead by example in this respect.

General Conduct (including corridors and external areas):

- To maintain high standards of discipline and control and refer to Head of Department and Form

Tutor any students who are difficult or disruptive.

- Be courteous to colleagues and students and provide a welcoming environment for visitors.

Homestudy:

- To set homestudy regularly on the nights specified in the homestudy timetable in accordance with

the school policy.

Marking:

- To mark work regularly, in line with school and Curriculum Team guidance, and to keep up to

date records of each student’s work and progress. These records should be available to the

Curriculum and senior management team.

- To provide clear feedback to inform learning.

Meetings:

- To attend and contribute to subject and curriculum meetings.

- To attend parents’ evenings and any other meetings as directed by the Headteacher.

- To take part in the consultative groups and exercises (e.g. Progress Groups)

Specialist School Status:

- To support the aims and objectives of Specialist School Status and to promote the International

Dimension in the curriculum as appropriate.

Students:

- To inform the Head of Department of students worthy of praise and students causing concern.

In conjunction with the Head of Department make the appropriate home/school contact with

regard to these. To praise students in line with school policy on Rewards.

Whole School Development:

- To represent the Curriculum team on School Progress Group.

Working Environment:

- To ensure that teaching areas are organised appropriately and provide a pleasant, stimulating

and tidy working environment.

- To play an effective part in maintaining high standards and behaviour across the school.

Associated Responsibilities:

To follow subject syllabuses and schemes of work and contribute to their enhancement and

development.

To contribute to and make good use of the relevant curricular performance and student progress

data to inform teaching and learning.

To develop a range of teaching and learning styles in the teaching and learning environment.

To ensure that each lesson starts and ends in an orderly fashion.

To take responsibility to extend professional expertise by seeking, identifying and undertaking

relevant professional development.

To contribute to the drafting and implementation of the Progress Plan.

To use SEN Register and Learning and Support Handbook to inform the appropriate teaching and

learning and student progress.

To plan activities in the effective use of Teaching Assistants in teaching and learning as

appropriate.

To ensure that class registers are accurate and maintained on a timely basis.

To contribute to and comply with agreed policy and priorities as per the Team Handbook.

To undertake any other reasonable duty, as required, and from time to time, by the Headteacher.

To undertake any other duty as specified by STRPC (not already mentioned).

Key Documents:

Class Register.

Schemes of work.

Register of Particular Needs (including G&T).

Learning, Support and Guidance handbook

Performance and Progress Data Analysis.

Curriculum Action Plan.

PROFESSIONAL ENTITLEMENTS/EXPECTATIONS.

As set out in the schools 1265 Time Budget.

44 teaching contact periods.

10% PPA.

Gained time: Work programme: Subject to direction and delegations of the Headteacher through

the Head of Department.

Additional ‘non-contact’ (over 10%) will be assigned to priorities as outlined in the School Progress

Plan

Rarely cover.

Schools are required to ensure that teachers may be required to cover only rarely from September

2009 (paragraph 52 STPC Document 2009). This is consistent with current practice and therefore

should not be interpreted as ‘if ever’ or ‘never’. This is in line with the management paragraphs

(61-66 inclusive) within the STPC Document.

NQTs: 90% timetable ‘contact’ that is 40 on 44 periods per cycle.

Signed: ...................................................................................................................

Teacher

Signed: ...................................................................................................................

Headteacher

Date: .......................................................................................................................

Curriculum Area Information

The curriculum area of Art, Design & Technology consists of 12 teachers and 4

support staff.

Art and Design & Technology are taught in the purpose built Da Vinci Centre. A

building of exciting concept, designed to embrace Highcliffe’s commitment to an

integrated approach to this area of the curriculum. Particular features of the Da

Vinci Centre include:

• A high & spacious atrium for exhibiting and celebrating student outcomes.

• Glazed and illuminated display provision along both sides of the corridors.

• Separate, yet interconnected, studios / workshops for Product Design,

Electronics, Graphics, Textiles / Printing, 2D & 3D Art, together with Food

and Catering areas.

• Floor to ceiling glazed Key Stage 5 Art studio space.

• Bespoke ceramic teaching space housed within one of three spacious Art

classrooms.

• Excellent Textiles Design equipment is housed adjacent to the Textiles Technology and Art

spaces.

• Traditional dark room facility accommodated adjacent to the Art Studio.

• A spacious Computer Aided Manufacturing area complete with Laser Cutter,

CNC Lathe, CNC Mill and CNC Vertical Router.

• Excellent provision for ICT. There are two fully equipped computer spaces

supporting Adobe software, Solidworks and numerous other subject specific packages. Additionally,

there is discrete access to computers across the curriculum area.

Curriculum

In Years 7 and 8, students are taught in mixed gender and ability groupings for Design Technology

and gain contact time for 5 hours a cycle. Art is taught in single hour lessons per week and

students are taught in tutor groups. A significant number of Level 6’s & Level 7’s are secured in

end of KS3 assessments at the end of Year 8. Students may opt to follow GCSE courses in Art,

Design & Technology starting in Year 9.

GCSE courses in Art & Design - Fine Art, Art & Design - Graphics, Art & Design - Textiles Design,

Catering, Electronic Products, Resistant Materials and Textiles Technology are currently offered.

Results are often far exceeding the national average. Last year saw students attain the following:

Fine Art (78% A*-C) Textiles Design (69% A* C).

Sixth Form Curriculum

Curriculum developments continue post 16 as new specifications are embraced and

their popularity increases. Further developments are set to take place as new Specifications are

released to adapt to curriculum change. Currently followed are

A levels in Art & Design, Textiles Design, Electronics (Systems and Control), Graphics,

Photography and Product Design. Results are consistently strong with large numbers of students

opting for courses in ADT and also extending their study within the Da Vinci building in non-contact

sessions.

Staff are highly motivated and passionately believe Art, Design & Technology should be enjoyable

and play a prominent role in the life of the school. This is reflected in their enthusiasm for, and

commitment to, the subject as well as the outcomes produced by their students.

Recent extra-curricular activities highlight this fact. These include:

• Art together with the Modern Languages, host a Japanese ‘Artists in Residence’ student

workshop.

• ‘A’ level artists have designed and completed murals now displayed in Christchurch Railway

Station and prepared ‘banners’ for display in Bournemouth Hospital.

• Students are encouraged to exhibit their work in public exhibitions including Highcliffe Castle, The

Redhouse Museum, Bournemouth Hospital and the end of year annual summer exhibition hosted in

the Da Vinci building.

• Development of Artist in residence scheme.

• STEM extra-curricular programme raising student awareness of Science

and Engineering.

• Curriculum booster sessions.

• London gallery & exhibition visits.

• GCSE and A Level students contribute to an end of year exhibition hosted within the curriculum

area.

• Post 16 Electronics students supporting school productions, creating advanced stage lighting

design.

• Product Design workshops for Dutch and Italian exchange students and environmental projects

with Science.

• Catering celebrates the ‘Best of British’ food and traditions with Highcliffe’s Indian and Japanese

‘partner’ schools and is involved annually in the Christchurch Partnership Food festival as well as

hosting a Rotarian meal annually.

ART & DESIGN (FINE ART) AS/A2 - AQA 2200 ARTB

Why choose this course?

This popular A Level is a practical course that allows you to be as creative as you want to be. You will be introduced to

a variety of experiences exploring a range of fine art media, techniques and processes. Exploring relevant images,

artefacts and resources relating to art and design from the past and from recent times. Your responses to these

examples will be shown through practical and critical activities that demonstrate your understanding of different

styles, genres and traditions. You will also explore drawing; using a variety of methods and media on a variety of

scales. Sketchbooks, workbooks and journals will be used to underpin your work (where appropriate).

What will this course involve?

Your focus will be on developing a folio of practical work that may be produced in any medium. Emphasis is upon

observation and research combined with experimentation and creative idea development leading towards a final

outcome per unit. Visual literacy is essential to realising this and so the course is underpinned by drawing tuition.

You will explore relevant, contemporary themes and be able to respond to them in a very personal way.

The course is supported by visits to art galleries and field trips to other relevant places of interest. You will carry out

research into an aspect of art that is of personal interest to you. At the end of the course there is an exhibition of your

work that will be assessed and displayed, (this exhibition is not a students’ work assessment)

Course structure and assessment

AS LEVEL

A2 LEVEL

ARTB1 Coursework Portfolio

50% AS Marks, 25% A2 Marks

Candidates should produce a collection of materials

which exemplifies work carried out during the AS

course.

ARTB2 Externally Set Assignment

50% AS Marks, 25% A2 Marks

The emphasis of this unit will be the development of ideas.

ARTB3 Personal Investigation

25% A2 Marks

This a practical unit with written elements in which candidates are expected to develop a personal investigation

based on an idea, issue, concept or theme leading to a finished piece or pieces.

ARTB4 A2 Externally Set Assignment

25% A2 Marks

Separate question papers will be set for each option. These will consist of a choice of eight questions to be used as

starting points. This unit culminates in a 15 hour period of unaided and supervised time.

Art and Design: Textile Design

Why choose this course? This is an extremely creative, exciting and experimental course that provides you with an opportunity to work with a

wide variety of fabrics and materials using many different processes and techniques to produce innovative outcomes.

You will be working in the Da Vinci building which is a large, purpose built accommodation with well-equipped studios

incorporating the latest technology to enable you to try out many different techniques and processes. There will be a

number of opportunities to exhibit your work throughout the course.

After this course you can progress on to fashion design, surface pattern, and constructive textiles decorative textiles

such as accessories, printed textiles, garment construction costume for

stage, theatre and film, interior design, Arts events management public art,

gallery and commission work. All these options offer numerous career

opportunities as well as placements for self-employment.

What will this course involve? This is a practical course concerned with the study of creative surface

decoration and textile construction. The focus is on you developing

your imaginative ideas through research, observation and

experimentation leading to a variety of Textiles outcomes, these range

from fashion/costume, interior design, constructed textiles and textile

based works of Art.

You will study a range of contextual sources in order to inform and

develop ideas. This will include both contemporary and historical Art and

Craft from both European and non-European.

This will lead to the exploration of processes, techniques and outcomes (surface pattern, decoration, construction,

installation, digital design, technological processes, printed and dyed textiles, constructed textiles, (e.g. weaving,

embroidery etc.) to combine with the students’ own personal themes/interests are emphasised.

Course structure and assessment

AS LEVEL

A2 LEVEL

1 practical, project unit of work (50% of AS grade)

1 externally set practical assignment including a 5 hour exam (50% of AS grade).

1 practical unit of work;self- initiated period of study. Critical studies essay.

1 externally set practical assignment culminating in a controlled text of 15 hours of supervised time

ART & DESIGN (Photography: lens-based and light-based media)

AS/A2 - AQA 2200 ARTF

Why choose this course?

This popular A Level is a practical course that allows you to be as creative as you want to be. You will be introduced to

a variety of experiences exploring a range of photographic media, techniques and processes (including traditional and

digital techniques to produce images). Exploration of relevant images, artifacts and resources relating to Photography

and a wider range of art and design, from the past and from recent times is integral to the investigating and making

process. You will respond to these examples through practical and critical activities that demonstrate your

understanding of different styles, genres and traditions

The course is supported by visits to art galleries and relevant places of interest that will allow you to explore elements of

visual language through lens and light-based media

What will this course involve?

AS

During the first three months you will explore a broad range of basic photographic skills including; use of camera (film

and digital); use of dark room (film developing and printing) and basic photo manipulation techniques (Adobe

Photoshop). You will then have the opportunity to apply these taught techniques in more depth in response to an

internally set assignment. The second unit of the AS course is a personal response to an externally set assignment. The

focus of the AS course is highly experimental, students are expected to develop a broad range of techniques that will be

further refined on the A2 course.

A2

The unit 3 – Personal Investigation is an opportunity for students to write their own theme to explore practically and

critically. The course culminates with unit 4 – Externally set assignment. The focus at A2 is slightly less experimental

than AS, students are expected to begin to discover their own personal languages. There is more focus on refinement

and resolution.

A key element of the A2 course is helping students to prepare for application to further and higher education.

ART & DESIGN – APPLIED (AQA)

The Applied GCSE is varied and highly creative course for which you will work towards producing practical

outcomes in response to project briefs related to client-orientated contexts. Enthusiasm and commitment

make a significant difference and students are given the opportunity to develop their imaginative, creative

and critical skills. You will be introduced to a variety of experiences exploring a range of two and three-

dimensional media including traditional and new technologies. You will develop practical art, craft and

design skills, techniques and processes by working on project briefs and will explore other artists,

designers and craftspeople.

Sketchbooks

Sketchbooks and portfolio work are needed throughout the course. This visual diary will enable you to

record ideas and observations and gather information ready to use in the classroom sessions. These are

available to be purchased on the first day of the course and from the shop, at a very reasonable price.

Trips

During the course there will be the opportunity to visit the National Art Collections in the London galleries,

to attend workshops and to work with professional artists.

Course Structure

For each project, students work on a given theme, to produce evidence of recording, experimenting,

developing and refining, before completing a personal response. Work is assessed and feedback is given

at regular intervals.

Assessment

The course is made up of 2 Units; Unit 1 - Portfolio of Work, and Unit 2 - The Externally Set Task

Unit 1 - Made up of 3 projects completed over the course of two years. These are then viewed as a whole

for the final assessment.

Unit 2 - The externally set task culminates in a 10-hour controlled assessment completed over two days,

with preparation time being given prior to the examination taking place.

ART & DESIGN - FINE ART (AQA)

Fine Art GCSE is an exciting course that offers a wide range of experience to stimulate, encourage and

develop an awareness and understanding of Art. Enthusiasm and commitment make a significant

difference and you are given the opportunity to develop your imaginative, creative and critical skills.

Throughout the course you will be introduced to a variety of media, processes and techniques. A mixed

media approach will enable you to explore your ideas and the project themes that will form the basis of

the coursework.

Sketchbooks

Sketchbooks and portfolio work are needed throughout the course. This visual diary will enable you to

record ideas and observations and gather information ready to use in the classroom sessions. These are

available to be purchased on the first day of the course and from the shop, at a very reasonable price.

Trips

During the course there will be the opportunity to visit the National Art Collections in the London galleries,

to attend workshops and to work with professional artists.

Course Structure

For each project, students work on a given theme, to produce evidence of recording, experimenting,

developing and refining, before completing a personal response. Work is assessed and feedback is given

at regular intervals.

Assessment

The course is made up of 2 Units; Unit 1 - Portfolio of Work, and Unit 2 - The Externally Set Task

Unit 1 - Made up of 3 projects completed over the course of two years. These are then viewed as a whole

for the final assessment.

Unit 2 - The externally set task culminates in a 10-hour controlled assessment completed over two days,

with preparation time being given prior to the examination taking place.

ART & DESIGN –Textile Design (AQA)

Textile Design GCSE is an exciting practical course. You will be introduced to a variety of experiences

exploring a range of textile media, techniques and processes, including both traditional and new

technologies. You will explore relevant images, artefacts and resources relating to art and design from the

past and from recent times.

Through this course you will be able to demonstrate an expressive, decorative or functional response

through the use of textiles media, fabrics, fibres, dyes and printing. In responding to your chosen

activities in Textile Design, you will be expected to demonstrate skills through a variety of processes and

techniques. You will develop a portfolio of work in Textile Media covering the areas of visual research,

critical and contextual studies, practical and experimental development leading to a final piece.

Sketchbooks

Sketchbooks and portfolio work are needed throughout the course. This visual diary will enable you to

record ideas and observations and gather information ready to use in the classroom sessions. These are

available to be purchased on the first day of the course and from the shop, at a very reasonable price.

Trips

During the course there will be the opportunity to visit the National Art Collections in the London galleries,

to attend workshops and to work with professional artists.

Course Structure

For each project, students work on a given theme to produce evidence of recording, experimenting,

developing and refining, before completing a personal response. Work is assessed and feedback is given

at regular intervals.

Assessment

The course is made up of 2 Units; Unit 1 - Portfolio of Work, and Unit 2 - The Externally Set Task

Unit 1 - Made up of 3 projects completed over the course of two years. These are then viewed as a whole

for the final assessment.

Unit 2 - The externally set task culminates in a 10-hour controlled assessment completed over two days,

with preparation time being given prior to the examination taking place.