The High Weald Principal Candidate Information Welcome Aspiration, Achievement, Ambition Brook Learning Trust

Thank you for your interest in the post of Children in our academies make strong The academy is progressing with a capital The is an aspirational This comprehensive and aspirational The High Weald Academy is part of the Brook principal at The High Weald Academy. progress, learning and growing with us. project in collaboration with the EFA which 11-18 non-selective academy operating in provision will enable students to gain Learning Trust, a successful and nationally Brook Learning Trust, working with The High will see the majority of its teaching spaces the selective county of . The academy high level qualifications to go on to higher recognised multi academy trust whose other The Brook Learning Trust is proud to Weald Academy, brings energy, passion and rebuilt or refurbished over the next two serves the town of Cranbrook and its local education, apprenticeships or employment. academies are The and have The High Weald Academy as part of expertise to the education of our children. years under the Priority Schools Buildings villages. In recent years the demographic has . In addition, the our family of schools. As a Trust we bring Programme. As principal, you will oversee seen a decline in pupil population however Alongside our drive for academic success Brook Learning Trust is an accredited SCITT together our unique academies in our belief The High Weald Academy is at a pivotal point the design and implementation of this this is now beginning to grow and High our provision of enrichment activities provider, training high quality future teachers in the power of education to change lives and in its development. Whilst progress for pupils improved accommodation and will also be Weald is again set to welcome a rise in year encourages confidence in our students and for the Trust and beyond. communities. is improving we are committed to effecting afforded the rare opportunity to recruit to seven pupils in September 2017. We enjoy develops them into active citizens in our more rapid and sustainable improvement. your senior team from the outset. strong relationships with partner primaries community. The working farm is a unique A tenet of the Trust is that all of its It is our steadfast purpose to challenge Brook Learning Trust will provide the right and our reputation in the community goes resource which, Ofsted reported, ‘is used academies should have their own individual and defy the barriers that constrain the blend of challenge and support to enable you If you are interested in this unique opening from strength to strength. well’ and contributes to the distinctive identity and ethos and reflect the community educational progress of any child. We to instil a culture of high expectation in every and you lead with ambition, drive and courage experience offered at High Weald. in which they are situated. To that end, all set high aims for aspiration and secure aspect of academy life. Parental engagement then we look forward to hearing from you. Significant advances in improving the life have substantive principals, local governance collective responsibility for all our children’s is integral to success and deepening this chances of students have been made and we We are tremendously excited about the and their uniforms and cultures are different. achievements. Our work is underpinned by relationship will be an important aspect of Yours faithfully, are driving for further improvement. We major redevelopment project that will vastly However, all are united in the Trust’s intent the values of Integrity, Respect, Courage, this role. Our reputation in the locale has embrace challenge and change in order to improve our teaching facilities at The High to realise outstanding achievement for Optimism, Excellence and Accountability. grown and it is imperative that we continue Carol Morris achieve this. At post 16 it is our vision for Weald Academy. These improvements students and all work well together, sharing to translate this into growing our academy CEO, Brook Learning Trust all students to aspire and achieve through are much needed and include plans for expertise in order to maximise impact. A strong focus on teaching and learning community. the introduction of the IBCP (International the construction of state of the art as well as unwavering high standards and Ian Daker Baccalaureate Career related Programme) in accommodation. Finance, HR and Estates Management expectations has led the Brook Learning There are exciting times ahead. The academy Chair, Brook Learning Trust September 2017. are all centrally organised by the Trust, Trust to become one of the highest aims to be an IB World School in September allowing academy leaders to focus on the performing multi academy trusts in the 2017 and will offer the IBCP at post 16 core areas of student achievement, learning county in recent years. providing a curriculum experience suited to and teaching. As principal of The High our student body. Weald Academy, you will benefit from the “There is a culture of safety support of the executive team which has a wealth of experience, expertise in financial management and national leadership across the school.” Ofsted 2016 recognition.

2 3 “Professional development is rigorous and focused on improving the quality of teaching” Ofsted 2016

Job Profile

The core purpose of this role is to deliver • Devise and communicate the school’s effective leadership and management of vision within a clear set of principles, The High Weald Academy, to provide an translating vision into a practical exceptionally high standard of education implementation plan and to be accountable for all aspects of students’ educational outcomes. • Set and demand ambitious standards for all staff and pupils To achieve this purpose, the principal will: • Drive improvements in standards to • Inspire and influence others – within achieve excellence school and across the Trust – to believe in and promote the fundamental • Provide a safe, calm, well-ordered importance of education environment for pupils and staff, focused on safeguarding pupils and maintaining • Have a genuine passion and a belief in the exemplary behaviour in school potential of every student; with a drive to overcome disadvantage and advance • Lead, coach and motivate staff within equality for pupils a fair and transparent performance management framework, including • Take personal responsibility for their professional development and effective own actions and instil in all staff a strong management of underperformance sense of accountability for the impact of their work, holding all staff to account • Secure excellent teaching through an for their professional conduct and understanding of how pupils learn practice • Create an ethos where all staff are • Possess an effective management style motivated and supported to develop that encourages participation, innovation their own skills and subject knowledge and confidence • Identify and nurture emerging talent as • Demonstrate optimistic personal part of coherent succession planning, behaviour; forge positive relationships developing the leadership skills of others and attitudes with pupils, staff, parents, governors, the Trust and the community • Establish robust operational systems that support the academy’s efficient and • Lead by example with clarity, integrity, effective functioning creativity and resilience, demonstrating emotional intelligence and excellent • Embed strong governance supporting the communication skills Local Governing Body to understand and deliver its functions effectively • Have sufficient stamina to lead the academy through day-to-day challenges • Develop effective relationships with while maintaining a clear strategic vision fellow professionals across the Trust and direction and the local community of schools and academies. • Show attention to detail, consistency of judgement and high level analytical skill

4 5 Person specification

Qualifications and professional development

NPQH (working towards) Essential

Good degree Essential

Evidence of masters level study Desirable

PGCE/QTS Essential

Record of CPD relevant to headship Desirable

Experience

Successful senior leadership experience at least at Vice Principal level or equivalent Essential

Recent significant experience at a senior level of improving standards with demonstrable outcomes and Desirable results

Experience of successful growth of Post 16 provision Desirable

Experience of effectively leading schools through Ofsted inspections Desirable

Experience of successful change management Essential

Experience of working effectively with Governing Bodies and committees Essential

Knowledge, skills and competencies

Secure knowledge and understanding of education policies Essential

The ability to drive the vision and strategic direction Essential

Excellent organisational skills and the ability to delegate Essential

Strong interpersonal, written and oral communications skills Essential

An ability to develop and sustain positive relationships with a range of stakeholders Essential

Excellent IT skills and an ability to use data to diagnose and address weaknesses Essential

Financial, budgetary and resource management acumen Essential

Ability to challenge underperformance and to act decisively with dealing with underperformance Essential

What the post offers: • The full support of the Brook Learning Trust Board and executive team “The school enjoys strong • An exciting opportunity to make your own mark, taking The High Weald Academy forward to greater success • The opportunity to appoint your own Vice Principal links with the community and • A student body who enjoy school, behave well, work hard and are fully engaged • A well-qualified ambitious and caring staff who are committed to The High Weald Academy’s success • The majority of teaching spaces will be rebuilt or refurbished over the next two years under the Priority Schools Building Programme other schools” Ofsted 2016 • Competitive pay – L25 to L31 however negotiable for the right candidate

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