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Rewarding careers where you can help yourself and our pupils to ….

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CONTENTS Page Number

Message from the Chief Executive 3

About the Greenwood Academies Trust 4

About the Purples Oaks Academy 5

Benefits of Working for the Greenwood Academies Trust 7

Application Process 8

Thank you 9

Appendix 1: Purple Oaks Academy Information for Parents 10

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A MESSAGE FROM THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE Thank you for your interest in working for the Greenwood Academies Trust (GAT).

For anyone looking for a career where you can make a difference, I can assure you

that the GAT is the place for you.

Our academies are led by outstanding Principals. Whilst working to achieve our

organisational core values each Principal is free to develop the curriculum and

structures within their own academy to best serve their communities. The GAT does

not impose a standard central curriculum or structure. We have created a Trust

where each academy can evolve individually, developing best practice that can be

shared both within the Trust and more widely meaning that staff can reap the

benefits of a collaborative working style.

I am passionate about ensuring that our staff are involved in the Trust’s future, feel

valued and are given opportunities to succeed. The recent addition of the Learning

Alliance to the Trust will help to embed a strong culture of learning and

development throughout our workforce by providing professional skills and learning

opportunities to help staff invest in their futures.

I look forward to welcoming new staff to the Trust and hope that you can reap the

benefits of working for a successful Multi Academy Trust and assist in our mission

to inspire and transform the minds of tomorrow!

Wayne Norrie

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THE GREENWOOD ACADEMIES TRUST

The Greenwood Academies Trust (GAT) is dedicated to enhancing young lives across the East

Midlands. We focus on giving every child a real chance to succeed and transform schools in difficulty

to ensure positive outcomes and consistently high achievement.

With 31 academies in the East Midlands, our long term aim is to develop the most successful and

innovative group of academies in the country delivering outstanding progress and above average

attainment in socially disadvantaged communities.

This document is designed to provide you with information on the role available and the application

process. If you have any questions please contact the HR department on 0115 7483315 or email

vacancies@greenwoodacademies.org.

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Our vision for the new academy is to provide an inspiring curriculum which prepares pupils for a

successful working life, stable relationships and rewarding community engagement.

The academy will be co-located with the Green Oaks Primary Academy which is already a member

of the Greenwood Academies Trust (GAT). The mainstream primary academy currently educates 30

pupils with an Education and Health Care Plan (EHCP) arising from their diagnosis of Autism in the

Designated Special Provision (DSP). The DSP can no longer provide sufficient places and the

necessary specialist environment to meet the needs of the locality. Northamptonshire Education

Authority approached GAT to support them in extending their provision for pupils with Severe

Learning Difficulties (circa 20%) and Autistic Spectrum Conditions (80%). There is a predicted

significant shortfall in special school places by September 2016.

The Purple Oaks Academy will provide 100 places for pupils (3-18) with a diagnosis of Autistic

Spectrum Disorder (ASD) / Asperger’s and/or Severe Learning Difficulties with a SEN statement or

EHC Plan. In the first year of opening the academy will admit 30 pupils from the DSP (Reception –

Year 7) and a further 20 pupils into these year groups. The academy is expected to grow each year

with nursery and Year 8 provision added in the second year of opening followed by Year 9 etc.

The academy will cater for a wide range of abilities from pupils who are able to function academically

at their chronological age level or above, to those who are working at P levels.

ABOUT THE PURPLE OAKS ACADEMY

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Photographs of Northamptonshire

ABOUT THE PURPLE OAKS ACADEMY CONTINUED …

Co-location with the mainstream Green Oaks Primary Academy will offer additional curriculum and

social engagement opportunities.

A number of experienced staff currently working in the DSP will form the nucleus of the new staff

team.

As an existing provider of high quality education in the county, sponsoring two secondary and five

primary academies as well as a successful Free Special School in Peterborough, the GAT was

identified by the LA as the preferred group to establish a new special school; the LA having

confidence in our track record.

We will also offer places to Northamptonshire pupils for assessment prior to a Single Plan, where

there is an expectation that the academy will be the most appropriate long term placement.

Northampton itself has a £20 billion economy and sits at the heart of one of four designated

Growth Areas in England. With plenty of countryside on the doorstep and great transport links, it is

a great place to live, work and play, providing a great chance to step into the traditional rural

lifestyle yet still be within reach of the big cities.

Further information on the Purple Oaks Academy can be in:

Appendix 1: Purple Oaks Academy Information for Parents

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Making a difference. If you really want to make a difference to the life chances of pupils then why not join an organisation that can demonstrate experience in providing these opportunities for its staff? GAT is a well established multi academy trust and has a track record of working to help raise standards in areas of social and economic deprivation and / or educational underachievement. The Trust has improved the overall effectiveness of 20 academies since they joined GAT. A further two academies have remained good. A supportive leadership and central team. GAT is led by educationalists who have significant experience in a wide range of schools with expertise in areas such as curriculum, SEND, staffing and finance. The central team provides a wide range of high quality services to academies, enabling them to focus on teaching. GAT is a not for profit educational charity. We always prioritise our resources to achieve outstanding educational outcomes for our pupils. A close knit support network. With academies across the East Midlands the chance of sharing best practice and collaborative working is second to none. We offer extensive development opportunities. We are keen to promote from within, so if you are looking for a career with real potential for progression, then GAT is the place for you. Professional development is actively encouraged at all levels. The Learning Alliance is the CPD arm of the Trust which offers a programme of development courses to all employees. Find out more by visiting www.greenwoodacademies.org/learningalliance. We support working parents. Every employee is eligible for childcare vouchers for registered childcare providers, to offset some of the costs of being a working parent. The cost of the vouchers is taken out of your wages before tax and national insurance, meaning that you make a saving on the costs of your childcare every month. Helping you plan for the future. Teachers joining the Trust will become a member of the Teachers’ Pension Scheme. For support staff we adopt the Local Government Pension Scheme which is one of the most competitive in the country. Candidates moving from the public sector without a break in service can be reassured that continuous service will be honoured.

BENEFITS OF WORKING FOR THE GREEENWOOD ACADEMIES TRUST

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THE APPLICATION PROCESS

In line with our continued commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults we apply safer recruitment practices across our selection process and all posts within the Trust are subject to an enhanced DBS with Barred List check in accordance with the requirements of the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS), the Police Act 1997 and the DFE’s Keeping Children Safe in Education guidance. Visits: Prior to applying for a post we are happy to arrange a private conversation regarding the role or arrange a visit to the academy. Please contact the HR to arrange a mutually convenient time. Applying: Application forms can be found on our website; alternatively you can call our recruitment line on 0115 7483344 to request a form to be posted out to you. Completed application forms should be emailed to vacancies@greenwoodacademies.org or posted to the below address: HR Recruitment Greenwood House Private Road No. 2 Colwick Quays Business Park Nottingham NG4 2JY Shortlisting will take place shortly after the closing date and candidates meeting the right criteria will be taken forward. We aim to contact all successful candidates within two weeks of the closing date. Interviews: Shortlisted candidates will be contacted prior to interview with details of the proceedings. Candidates should be aware that as part of the interview process any gaps or discrepancies on their application form will be explored. References: References will be requested, where permission has been given, before interview for all shortlisted candidates and where necessary employers may be contacted to gather further information. Offers: Any offers of employment will be made as soon as possible after interview and will be subject to satisfactory background checks.

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GOOD LUCK

Thank you again for your interest in the Greenwood Academies

Trust.

Kind regards

Human Resources

http://www.greenwoodacademies.org/vacancies

Follow @GDFTCareers

Greenwood Dale Foundation Trust

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Information for Parents

APPENDIX 1: INFORMATION FOR PARENTS

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A brand new Special School will open in Kingsthorpe, Northampton in September 2017,

sponsored by the Greenwood Academies Trust (GAT).

The Purple Oaks Academy will provide 100 places for pupils (3-18) with a diagnosis of

Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD)/Asperger’s and/or Severe Learning Difficulties with an

Education and Health Care Plan (EHCP) naming the Purple Oaks Academy as the

appropriate provision. The academy will cater for a wide range of abilities from pupils who are able to function

academically at their chronological age level or above, to those who are working at P

levels. Purple Oaks Academy will be co-located, on Whiston Road, Kingsthorpe, with the Green

Oaks Primary Academy, which is already a member of the GAT. The mainstream Green Oaks Primary Academy currently provides a Designated Specialist

Provision (DSP) educating 30 pupils with a Statement of SEN or EHCP arising from their

diagnosis of Autism. The DSP unit can no longer provide sufficient places and the

necessary specialist environment to meet the needs of the locality. Northamptonshire

Education Authority approached GAT to support them in extending their provision for

pupils with Autistic Spectrum Conditions and/or Severe Learning Difficulties and to

accommodate some of the predicted shortfall in special school places. As an existing provider of high quality education in the county, sponsoring two secondary

and nine primary academies as well as a successful Free Special School in Peterborough

(The City of Peterborough Academy Special School http://www.copaspecialschool.org/),

the GAT was identified by the Local Authority (LA) as the preferred group to establish a

new special school. The LA has confidence in our track record. The new academy will provide 3-18 education for 50 pupils from Reception Year to Year 7

in the first year, moving to full capacity of 100 pupils including Nursery by 2022

and will specialise in the education of pupils who have an EHCP linked to their diagnosis

of Autism (80%) and/or Severe Learning Difficulties (20%).

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We may offer places to Northamptonshire pupils for assessment prior to a Single Plan,

where there is an expectation that the academy will be the most appropriate long term

placement. Co-location with the mainstream Green Oaks Primary Academy will offer additional

curriculum and social engagement opportunities. About the Sponsor

Governance of the academy will be the responsibility of the Greenwood Academies Trust

(GAT). The GAT provides central support for all aspects of education, HR, finance, Health

and Safety, site management and maintenance, procurement, IT and media engagement

thereby freeing the Principal and the staff to concentrate on the day to day business of the

school. The GAT believes that all our pupils will achieve high levels of success.

The GAT is a not for profit charitable trust sponsoring and actively supporting 31 other academies in the East Midlands region in:

Nottingham City

Nottinghamshire

Lincolnshire

Derby City

Leicester City

Northamptonshire

Peterborough

Central Bedfordshire The GAT provides educational experience and expertise. The Trust also has considerable experience in designing and managing new academy buildings having managed 7 new builds and £170m capital funding.

The GAT is led by educationalists who have significant experience in a wide range of

academies. The Chief Executive is Wayne Norrie. Wayne has been an outstanding Primary

Head Teacher and was a senior HMI with Ofsted. Wayne takes the professional lead on all

the GAT’s work and leads the work on all new projects, utilising the expertise from the

central team. To find out more about the Trust visit: www.greenwoodacademies.org or follow @GreenwoodAcad on Twitter

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The vision of this new academy is to ensure that pupils have enhanced educational

opportunities in terms of:

specialist teaching and learning approaches

excellent learning facilities

high quality curriculum

access to wider socialisation opportunities

specialist therapies, where needed

access to well-planned vocational opportunities, and post-16 pathways

external accreditation for KS4 courses. Organisation of pupils and staffing

A Principal will be in post by April 2017 to manage further staff appointments, pupil

familiarisation visits, parent/carer liaison and readiness for opening.

The academy will grow each year from a 50 place intake in the first year to a full capacity of

100 places by 2023. The initial intake will be a single form entry, Reception through to

Year 7, with an additional year group added each academic year until 2022. In September

2018 the 6 place nursery provision will open.

Places available:

2017 50 places for Reception to Year 7

2018 64 places for Nursery to Year 8

2019 72 places for Nursery to Year 9

2020 80 places for Nursery to Year10

2021 88 places for Nursery to Year11

2022 94 places for Nursery to Year12

2023 100 places for Nursery to Year13 What we will offer

We aim to educate our pupils in a positive, caring, secure environment which gives them

access to a mainstream school experience wherever appropriate. We value and

celebrate achievement at an individual level and each pupil will follow an educational

programme that is designed to his/her needs.

We will develop a strong partnership with parents and we recognise that a team effort is

needed to ensure pupils can make the best progress possible.

We will also work closely with the Northampton Health Care NHS Trust and therapists to

ensure good quality Speech and Language Therapy and Occupational Therapy provision

for groups of pupils and individuals.

We will invest heavily in up to date ICT resources in order to support the delivery of the

curriculum, helping to engage our pupils in their learning.

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Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) Policy and Meeting the needs of Pupils with Disabilities (including accessibility)

All pupils in the new academy will be admitted through the LA with an EHCP. Having

been designed to meet the specific needs of children and young people with Autism and

other barriers to learning it is totally accessible for wheelchair users.

Curriculum

The planned curriculum will be holistic and inclusive, meeting the needs of the whole

child with respect to their physical, emotional, cognitive and spiritual development.

We aim to provide a specialised National Curriculum for pupils with autism and other

barriers to learning.

The Primary curriculum will follow a traditional model with KS2 SAT’s being an

indicator of progress providing a benchmark with peers in mainstream and special

schools.

The core curriculum of literacy; numeracy and scientific exploration will be taught

supplemented with humanities, design, technology, art, PE (movement) and PHSE.

The teaching of ICT skills will be an integral part of all classroom based subjects and

Literacy will be a key feature of the whole curriculum.

The Secondary curriculum would include all subjects required for the English

Baccalaureate supplemented by additional choice subjects. Given the nature of the

pupils’ needs there would be a formal and informal Personal and Social Development

Programme.

Curriculum differentiation

and adaptation

We do recognise that pupils

may be particularly talented in

some curriculum areas and

working at lower levels in

others; a ‘spiky profile’ is

not unusual for ASD pupils.

For example, a pupil may be

‘gifted’ in a mechanical subject

with consistent rules, e.g.

mathematics, but struggle to

achieve in a more creative

subject, for example, art.

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Autism Intervention programmes and therapies

The academy will plan intervention programmes based on the principal belief that

young people with autism and learning difficulties can be very different and what may

work for one pupil may not work for another. There are now a great number of

approaches available for people with autism and the academy will ensure that parents

and professionals plan together which approach is best-suited to their individual

circumstances.

To enable this, the educational curriculum will be enhanced by specialists such as:

speech and language therapists

occupational therapists

music therapists

art and drama therapists

behavioural psychologists

health professionals

In summary:

Pupils will be taught using a range of evidence-based autism and learning interventions.

The aims of the academy are to deliver learning in small groups with increasingly specialist

teaching, while constantly reviewing the possibility of pupils accessing mainstream

education.

Assessment and development of social, communication and literacy skills will underpin all

planning to ensure easy access to the curriculum for all pupils.

Homework

We will provide pupils with homework

book bags when they start the academy to

carry reading books, home school diaries,

letters and homework between home and

the academy.

Community Links

The GAT has a policy of accessing local

community provision for its pupils of all

ages. We will start this policy in Reception

with visits to parks, farms, shops and

continue it through to the primary and

secondary phases, with outings linked to

course work and opportunities to develop

sporting activities.

Risk assessments will be completed for all off- site activities.

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Behaviour At this academy we will expect high standards of behaviour and work at all times. We take

a positive approach to discipline and in all matters of behaviour we encourage pupils to

show consideration and care for people and property.

Behaviour Management is considered a matter of joint co-operation between the

academy and home thus ensuring a consistency of action. We aim to understand the

underlying factors causing the behaviour in order to respond positively, consistently

and effectively to provide structures and strategies to empower the individuals to

manage their own behaviour, promote independence, enhance communication and

socialisation and raise self-esteem.

Bullying

The academy is totally opposed to bullying in any of its forms and it will not be

tolerated. There will be an anti-bullying policy available to parents on request.

A Home-School Agreement

We believe that pupils perform better when the home and academy work

together in partnership.

To achieve our aims and support our home-school agreement the staff will:

Write in home-school diaries weekly.

Be available for parents to telephone before or after academy.

Contact parents if a pupil is ill or behaving in an unusual manner that causes concern.

Administer medication where necessary with explicit written instructions.

Hold termly parents meetings to inform parents of pupil’s progress and encourage parents to take an active interest in academy.

Set challenging targets for pupils to achieve the Annual Review process.

Ensure that the environment is warm, welcoming, clean and safe.

Set and mark homework regularly in accordance with the homework policy.

Provide opportunities for celebrations, for example, birthdays.

We ask that parents:

Ensure their child attends the academy regularly, equipped for the school day and

dressed in the full uniform.

Write in home-school diaries at least weekly.

Keep the academy informed of up to date contact numbers where messages

can be received at all times.

Contact the academy if child is to be absent and be available to collect a sick child

Attend meetings that involve their child.

Support the all academy policies.

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Be familiar with and support the academy behaviour policy.

Keep the academy informed of any events that may affect the behaviour of their child.

Submit written instructions for the administration of medication and supply

staff with adequate and up to date supplies.

Notify staff of any allergies, special diets and alternative therapies that the

child is involved in.

Create the best possible conditions for homework.

Whilst we make all appropriate and reasonable adjustments for specific needs we do

require pupils to:

Observe the academy/class rules.

Be caring and considerate of others.

Respect their surroundings.

Make every effort to do class work and homework as well as they can.

To wear the academy uniform and look clean and presentable during the school day.

Meals

Meals will be prepared on the premises and served in the dining hall. Arrangements can

be made for pupils requiring a special diet and a vegetarian meal is always available.

Mealtimes are an opportunity to practice life skills and good social and table manners are

encouraged.

Parental Involvement

Parents are actively encouraged to become involved in the academy. A dialogue between

parents and staff will occur through the Home/School diary and parents are welcome to

telephone the academy to discuss any concerns or issues regarding their child and to

make an appointment to speak to staff.

Parents’ evenings will be held where parents can meet teachers and the support staff

and discuss their child’s progress. These evenings will also offer opportunities for parents

to be briefed on curriculum development.

Each year an Annual Review is held to which parents and other professionals involved

with each pupil are invited. At this meeting there will be a detailed review of your child’s

progress and planning for the next year’s provision.

The Academy Uniform

The Purple Oaks Academy has strict guidelines on dress and all primary and secondary pupils are expected to wear the full academy uniform.

The wearing of our distinctive uniform gives pupils a sense of ‘belonging’ helps foster pride in the academy and stops pupils coming to school in inappropriate clothing or footwear.

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Primary Uniform

Sensible black shoes (not boots or trainers)

White polo shirt with purple stripe or plain white polo shirt

Grey trousers or skirt or pinafore dress (jeans and cords are not allowed)

Purple sweatshirt or cardigan with Academy logo*

Black or grey socks with trousers. Grey or white socks or mid-grey tights with

skirts or pinafore dresses

A warm coat (not denim) for travelling to and from the academy

A school bag to carry books and equipment

Summer uniform

For girls, a lightweight summer dress in the academy colours. For boys, grey shorts may

be worn. All other uniform items, especially sensible black shoes, remain the same.

PE Kit

For boys, black shorts with the academy logo

For girls, a black skort with the academy logo may be worn

Purple sports polo shirt with black panels and the school logo

Suitable trainers or other PE footwear

PE bag, in purple, with the academy logo

Secondary Uniform

As above but pupils should wear black trousers or a black skirt. Tracksuit bottoms instead of PE shorts/skort may be worn.

The Greenwood Dale Foundation Trust will provide this package of brand new uniform items and sportswear to every new pupil joining the Academy in September.

For parents to provide:

suitable mid-grey trousers or skirt or pinafore dress.

suitable socks or tights.

sensible black shoes.

suitable footwear for PE.

a warm coat (not denim) for travelling to and from school.

* These items are made from sweatshirt material to give a softer feel for pupils

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Arrangements for visiting the Special School We will offer informal visits to parents at open mornings held regularly throughout the year.

This gives parents the opportunity to meet with the Principal or deputy and to visit

the academy on a working day.

Visits for professionals and others interested in knowing more about the academy are

scheduled regularly throughout the year unless special arrangements have been made.

The Purple Oaks Academy is an exciting new development. We look forward to

working in partnership with you, to ensure your child is safe, happy and has the

best possible educational experience.

‘Be Inspired’