Information Pack 2016/2017

Bitterne Park School

An 11-19 Teaching School with Outstanding features

Headteacher’s Information Pack 2016/2017

BITTERNE PARK SCHOOL 1 COPSEWOOD ROAD SOUTHAMPTON SO18 1BU t: 023 8032 5200 e: [email protected] w: www.bitterneparkschool.org.uk

Contents

Letter from our Chair of Governors Page 2

Letter from the Executive Headteacher (Designated) Page 3

Welcome to Southampton Page 4

Overview of our School Pages 5-6

Data and statistics Pages 7-8

Record of Ofsted Inspections & Specialism Status Page 9

Our ethos, values and aims Page 10

Proposed Senior Leadership Team Structure Page 11

Our Governing Body Page 12

What the parents and children say Page 13

Job Profile Pages 14-16

Teaching Schools Page 17

Sixth Form Page 18

New Build Page 19

Application and selection process Page 20

Map, contact details and grounds Page 21

Letter from Kevin Turner, Chair of Governors

Dear Applicant

On behalf of the Governing Body of the Southampton Riverside Federation, I would like to thank you for expressing your interest in this exciting opportunity to become the new Headteacher of Bitterne Park School in Southampton.

We have been working towards this significant moment over recent years and believe the time is now right to fully restructure our leadership team to allow us to take the next steps in support of our vision to create and sustain a world-class education establishment for the families in our communities who are at the heart of the eastern side of Southampton.

Bitterne Park School is currently a LA maintained community school for 11-19 year-olds and will expand by 300 spaces to support nearly 2000 students as we move into a brand-new building for 1800 KS3 and KS4 students during the autumn of 2017. This is part of the government-funded Priority Schools Building Programme, complementing our recent Sixth Form Building for 180 KS5 students completed in 2012.

Through the leadership of our existing Headteacher, Mrs Susan Trigger, the last 19 years has seen the school build an excellent reputation with an outstanding track record of leadership development and school-to-school support. Our status as both a National Support School and as a Teaching School, leading the Bitterne Park School Teaching Alliance, spanning a range of primary and secondary schools across Southampton and the south of England is second to none.

Most recently in September 2015, the Governing Body formally federated Bitterne Park School with Townhill Junior School, one of our major primary feeder schools, to create the Southampton Riverside Federation and to formalise the cross-phase working and development that we believe to be key to the success of our students all the way through their schooling. In this ongoing spirit and belief of the value of outward-facing collaboration, it remains our stated intention to convert to Multi-Academy status as a sponsoring Academy, to be effective not later than September 2018, and we are currently exploring options for collaboration and partnership with a number of other local and Alliance schools to this effect.

We intend the restructuring of our leadership team to be effective in September 2017 and it will include the formalisation of Mrs Susan Trigger as Executive Headteacher, Teaching School Alliance and Business Development Executive, through a newly defined outward-facing and revenue-generating role. In parallel, this appointment of a new substantive Headteacher for Bitterne Park School will ensure outstanding day-to-day operational management and drive the ongoing success of our school for the next stage of its development journey to become one of the largest and most successful schools on the south coast.

I trust you will find all the other necessary information in this pack to answer your initial questions and I very much look forward to receiving your application and the opportunity to discuss in person this exciting career development - for an experienced Headteachers’ next step.

Yours Faithfully

Mr Kevin Turner Chair of Governors Southampton Riverside Federation

Letter from Susan Trigger, Executive Headteacher (Designated)

Welcome and thank you for your interest in the Headship of Bitterne Park School. This is a very exciting time as we embark on the next phase of our outstanding journey.

As you know, we are currently a massively oversubscribed school of 1650 students. Our planned growth to 1800 on roll in the main school, with a target of 200 in our Sixth form, will create one of the largest and successful schools in the UK. The leadership and management of what are being called “Titan” schools must not be underestimated which is why I am delighted the Governors have supported and encouraged the move to a strengthened leadership model.

Our future planning also has to take into account the anticipated journey we will make as a small federation into a MAT. Firm foundations are being laid for a small group of like minded schools to work together and convert to a MAT status. I am looking forward to being able to spend more of my time on this important work knowing that the daily leadership and management of Bitterne Park School is safely in the hands of our new Headteacher.

Our MAT model will be based on each of our partner schools having strong hands on and charismatic leadership with a clear identity for each community. Our passion for teaching and learning will join us together and we will continue to prove we can achieve well above the average for the students in our schools. The Teaching School will be a central source of opportunity and support for all the schools in our partnership. We also work well beyond our local boundary on Teaching School activities.

The number one priority for the new Headteacher will be to regain our overall outstanding school position. The bar continues to be raised but we have a clear understanding and ambition to reach this. The challenge is to not lose sight of this goal whilst undertaking the move into our exciting new school building in the Autumn term 2017.

In summary, we are looking for an outstanding Headteacher with the skills, leadership and enthusiasm to direct Bitterne Park School on a daily basis to become a centre of educational excellence for its pupils and community. If you believe you have the skills and expertise to make such a significant contribution I do hope that you will apply. I very much look forward to working with the successful candidate.

Best Regards

SUSAN TRIGGER Headteacher

Welcome to Southampton (a brief overview)

Southampton lies on the south coast of England and is the largest city in the ceremonial county of Hampshire. It is 75 miles (121 km) south-west of London and 19 miles (31 km) north-west of Portsmouth. Southampton is a major port and the closest city to the New Forest. It lies at the northernmost point of Southampton Water at the confluence of the Rivers Test and Itchen, with the River Hamble joining to the south of the urban area. The city, which is a unitary authority, has an estimated population of 253,651.

The city has an important aviation and maritime heritage. Henry V marched his troops through the Westgate (still standing) to sail for France and the battle of Agincourt. The Mayflower sailed from Southampton taking settlers to the New World of America. The Titanic embarked from Southampton on its fateful maiden voyage, taking over five hundred Southampton residents who would never return. Southampton was home of some of the first flying boats, and it is thought that the term ‘air port’ was first used in reference to Southampton in this role. Local resident RJ Mitchell designed the Spitfire and it had its maiden flight from what is now Southampton airport. Local people kept production of this vital plane going throughout the war. The port also served as a critical base for American soldiers amassing in secret for the D Day landings.

In 1620 the Pilgrims chartered the Mayflower to sail to the New World to escape religious oppression in England. They also bought a smaller boat the Speedwell, which was originally built in Southampton, to use permanently when they reached America.

Old Town today still contains a wealth of historical attractions – the Bargate which was originally built as the main gateway to the medieval city, the 800 year old Bargate stands as a prestigious entrance to the Old Town where you will find the third longest stretch of unbroken medieval defensive walling in England and Tudor House are some of the many sites worth visiting.

The city has magnificent theatres, unique galleries and museums, plus lots of intimate music and comedy venues for its tourists and residents alike. The award winning parks make Southampton the greenest city in Southern England and Southampton Common has over 300 acres of flora and fauna for you to enjoy.

An overview of our school

Bitterne Park, an 11–19 mixed comprehensive community school, is set in a splendid site of eighteen acres overlooking the River Itchen and Riverside Park. The School has its own seven and a half acre field for recreational use and nearby are Bitterne Leisure Centre and Woodmill Outdoor Education Centre, both extensively used by our students.

Our current on-site facilities include specialist accommodation for Technology, Art and Ceramics, Photography and a Hair Salon. There is one gymnasium for Physical Education and one converted into two Dance Studios. We have a state of the art Fitness Suite with staff membership. The Sports Hall is also used by the community in the evenings. There is a separate Music/Drama building and a brand new theatre. Ten laboratories enable the School to offer a full programme in Science to every student. We have relocated and upgraded our “library” and learning resources into a Destinations Lounge sponsored by Southampton Airport, our main business sponsor. Our school day timings are 8.30am to 2.55pm but the site is often open until 10.00pm which encourages many after school clubs and events for students in the evening. Adult Education evening classes are run on our site by Eastleigh College and the Gantry Youth theatre are based at Bitterne Park School. We are fully licensed for evening functions and bookings.

Our brand new state-of-the-art Sixth Form building opened in January 2012 to accommodate our new Sixth Form offering an exciting, modern learning environment. Students have access to a vast variety of cutting edge facilities and its three levels are able to accommodate our projected 250+ post-16 students. Our third set of A level results in 2016 were a great success securing University entry for all who applied.

In addition, the School benefits from twelve Information Technology suites as well as IT clusters in most departments. The school continues to upgrade our Information Technology facilities and a continuing programme of further improvement and extension is planned. There is easy access to inter- active whiteboard technology throughout the school. However! Our Priority School Building is underway with our new school due to open in Autumn 2017. This wonderful building will have many exciting features and secures the future expansion of Bitterne Park School. There is a virtual tour of the new building on our website.

AIMS OF BITTERNE PARK SCHOOL

An essential characteristic of Bitterne Park School is its high level of commitment to partnership in education. Students, teachers, non-teaching staff, governors and parents all have a unique and valuable contribution to make towards achieving the school aims.

The school's primary aim is to raise standards in a pleasant environment with a readily identifiable sense of stability and security. The student experience should be satisfying, worthwhile and essentially enjoyable, despite the challenge. The aim is supported by the more specific aims detailed below.

and religious diversity, equality, diversity and tolerance. • to provide a diverse range of individualised teaching and learning opportunities which encourage creativity, imagination and independence of mind in all aspects of the curriculum; • to assist students in acquiring and developing skills which will enable them to cope with a changing society, with the skills to cope with problems and new experiences. A sense of community responsibility and accountability is to be encouraged.

THE CURRICULUM

We strive to achieve with each student the very best of which he/she is capable. Clearly, much can depend on the attitude of the student but the co-operation of parents is constantly sought to ensure that the climate for learning is appropriate and students are supported to thrive and achieve. Homework is an integral aspect of the curriculum and opportunities exist for students to participate in numerous after school activities or supervised homework clubs.

THE STAFF

The school currently benefits from the contribution of 162 full-time equivalent staff in total, which means over 200 actual personnel. The Senior Management Team, when fully staffed, is based on a total of 10. Headteacher; 3 Deputy Headteachers and 5 Assistant Headteachers. We are increasingly invited to support secondments in/out and our expertise in learning and management keeps many staff busy locally and around the country.

NOR

Currently 1650 and more than full! We are the largest mixed comprehensive in Southampton and work hard to maintain an excellent reputation that reflects this position. We are regularly oversubscribed as a school drawing in applications from the whole city and beyond. The area review of School Places proposed an increase in NOR to 1500 (11 – 16) due to our popularity with a pupil admission number of 300 now in place. The Sixth Form NOR is 180, but the minimum target of 90 per year has already been exceeded. The new school will open with a 360 admission number which means we grow to 1800 11-16 by 2021!

Data and Statistics

Profile of the School

KS2 Banding SEN SEN Year Students Boys Girls DP K EHC H M L 7 314 147 167 91 52 4 51* 184* 68* 8 298 161 137 76 51 4 179 91 18 9 300 145 155 72 41 7 178 79 21 10 298 159 139 92 71 6 119 137 26 11 296 147 149 89 68 6 128 130 32 12 55 38 17 14 4 21 18 12 13 42 17 25 10 2 12 21 7 14 16 8 8 4 0 5 8 1

* Key Stage 2 banding for Year 7 is based on L<100, M<110.

Key Stage 4 Results

2015-16 2014-15 Basics % 64 62 Attainment 8 50.6 50.3 Progress 8 0.04 0.16 EBACC % 26.5 25

Key Stage 5 A2 Results

2015-16 2014-15 A*-B % 24 39.2 A*-C % 64 75.9 A*-E % 99 98.7 Alps grade 7 3

ADMISSION NUMBERS FORWARD PLANNING YEARS 7 – 13

Academic Academic Academic Academic Academic Academic Academic Year Year Year Year Year Year Year 16 – 17 16 – 17 17 – 18 18 – 19 19 – 20 20 – 21 21-22 Projected Actual Projected Projected Projected Projected Projected 7 303 314 360 360 360 360 360 (PAN 300) (PAN 330) (PAN 360) (PAN 360) (PAN 360) (PAN 360) (PAN 360)

8 300 300 314 360 360 360 360 (PAN 330) (PAN 360) (PAN 360) (PAN 360) (PAN 360)

9 300 299 300 314 360 360 360 (PAN 330) (PAN 360) (PAN 360) (PAN 360)

10 300 300 300 300 314 360 360 (PAN 330) (PAN 360) (PAN 360)

11 300 298 300 300 300 314 360 (PAN 330) (PAN 360)

Total 1503 1511 1574 1634 1694 1754 1800 11-16

12 110 55 60 70 80 90 120

13/14 70 43/15 50/15 60/15 70/15 80/15 60/20

Total 150 113 125 145 165 185 200 16 -19

Grand 1653 1624 1699 1779 1859 1939 2000 Total

Record of Ofsted Inspections + Specialism Status

• 10 & 11 June 2014 (FULL) Lead Inspector: Jackie Jones Outcome: Good, with Outstanding Features (Leadership & Management and Behaviour & Safety)

• Careers and Information & Guidance – themed survey: 26 March 2013 HMI Adrian Lyons.

• Design & Technology (Subject) 19 & 20 January 2010 Reporting Inspector: Paul Scott Outcome: Good with Outstanding Features

• 29 & 30 January 2009 (FULL) Reporting Inspector: Michael Smith HMI Outcome: Outstanding

• ICT (Subject) 3 & 4 December 2007 Reporting Inspector: Gehane Gordelier Outcome: Outstanding

• 8 & 9 March 2006 (FULL) Reporting Inspector: Alan Marsh Outcome: Outstanding

• 30 April to 4 May 2001 (FULL) Reporting Inspector: Dee Wheatley Outcome: Good

OTHER INFORMATION

► HIGHER PERFORMING SPECIALIST SCHOOL STATUS – Obtained in June 2007

► APPLIED LEARNING SPECIALISM – Granted 16 December 2007

► NACE CHALLENGE AWARD 2010 (Accredited) and 2014 (Re-accredited)

Our ethos, values and aims

The school’s primary aim is to raise standards in a pleasant environment with a readily identifiable sense of stability and security. The student experience should be satisfying, worthwhile and essentially enjoyable, despite the challenge. The aim is supported by the more specific aims detailed below.

• to create an educational environment which will encourage all students to develop their abilities, interests and talents to the full; • to develop attitudes that will enhance a student’s ability to work independently in order to encourage self-discipline, self-confidence and a sense of responsibility; • to prepare students to enter an adult world equipped to make a full contribution as responsible citizens and family members; • to enable each individual to examine his/her position in relation to others and the views of others and to develop an understanding of the concept of co-operation, teamwork and group membership; • to provide opportunities for individuals to develop a reasoned set of attitudes, good behaviour, values and beliefs and to develop an awareness of, and respect for, cultural and religious diversity, equality, diversity and tolerance. • to provide a diverse range of individualised teaching and learning opportunities which encourage creativity, imagination and independence of mind in all aspects of the curriculum; • to assist students in acquiring and developing skills which will enable them to cope with a changing society, with the skills to cope with problems and new experiences. A sense of community responsibility and accountability is to be encouraged.

Proposed Senior Leadership Team Structure

Executive Susan Trigger Head/NLE/Teaching School

outreach

Headteacher

Chris Chris Sykes Neil Pritchard Deputy Whitbread Heads

Assistant

Heads

Vicki Shah Tom Chris Jayne Tanya Richard (maternity Adams Cove McLaren Noble Cosford leave from Sept 16 " May 17)

Shaun Cox Paul Overton Teaching School Extended Data, SIMS & Head of Sixth Co-ordinators: Leadership Roles Timetable Form & Pupil Damian Dean Office Premium Andy Foster Manager

Currently seconded to Acting Headship: Deputy Headteacher, Dave Nicholson " to Townhill Junior School

Extended Leader, Graham James " to Mount Pleasant Junior School 11

Our Governing Body

Southampton Riverside Federation GOVERNING BODY

Steering Committee Pay Committee

Resources Committee Teaching & Learning Teaching & Learning (Bitterne Park) (Townhill Junior)

What the Parents and children say

What the Children Say

• Bitterne Park is a school full of opportunities, activities and plans to make school a better place. • Bitterne Park School supports solid foundations from Year 7 in team work, resilience and diversity. It enables students to flourish and develop as mature and reflective young people ready for life beyond school. • Bitterne Park School has an excellent quality of learning. • BPS helps us in all aspects of life and makes students feel supported as individuals. • BPS has a friendly community. • You can make lots of friends and have lots of new opportunities. • BPS is a good place to learn and be a part of an inclusive community. • BPS is a school where everyone can grow and flourish. • A positive and friendly community. • A place where you can thrive. • Amazing atmosphere. • The teachers are kind and helpful. • BPS motivates you every day by introducing new opportunities which further our education and development.

What the parents say

• I am pleased with child’s progress it is a very good school. • I am pleased with my son’s progress and his growing confidence. Thank you. • Awesome teachers, big respect, really inspires confidence. Thank you very much. • Happy with all the support we have received. • Many thanks to all for fantastic and enthusiastic teaching! • Thanks to all the staff for all your hard work. • Very happy with school. • I’m really pleased with the way my son has settled in and pleased that I can communicate with staff when I need to. Thanks a lot.

Year 7 2017 admissions - The provisional figures are the best we have ever seen and reflect the huge excitement we all have in anticipation of moving our current quality of education and ethos into our new school building. Total applications were 752, with 420 naming us as first choice.

Job Profile

The National Standards of Excellence for Headteachers – 2015

This document sets out in four domains a set of aspirational standards. The Governing Body at Bitterne Park School will use these standards with the Headteacher in developing strategic targets for the school and for the setting of performance management objectives. The National Standards of Excellence for Headteachers 2015 sets out a useful preamble that is quoted in order to set a context for this job description.

“Headteachers occupy an influential position in society and shape the teaching profession. They are lead professionals and significant role models within the communities they serve. The values and ambitions of Headteachers determine the achievements of schools. They are accountable for the education of current and future generations of children. Their leadership has a decisive impact on the quality of teaching and pupils’ achievement in the nation’s classrooms.

Headteachers lead by example the professional conduct and practice of teachers in a way that minimises unnecessary teacher workload and leaves room for high quality continuous professional development for staff. They secure a climate for the exemplary behaviour of pupils.

They set standards and expectations for high academic standards within and beyond their own schools, recognising differences and respecting cultural diversity within contemporary Britain. Headteachers, together with those responsible for governance, are guardians of the nation’s schools.”

Personal Specification

Criteria Essential/ Assessed by Desirable Application/ Interview Process E D A I A Qualifications 1 A first degree or equivalent √ √ 2 Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) √ √ 3 NPQH and Higher Education qualification other than √ √ initial teacher training 4 Evidence of recent and relevant training and √ √ development at headship level and/or in preparation for headship B Professional experience and knowledge 5 Substantial experience of teaching √ √ √ 6 Successful strategic experience of leading and √ √ √ managing at headship/deputy headship level in a secondary school or other educational organisation 7 In depth knowledge and understanding of the wider √ √ √ educational agenda including current national policies and educational issues as well as the statutory and legal framework governing the operation of a school/academy 8 Proven track record in leading and managing staff √ √ √ including building a successful team, delegating effectively and implementing and managing change

9 Successful experience of raising standards for all with √ √ √ measurable outcomes as a result of one’s contribution in a school in the pursuit of excellence C Personal aptitudes, qualities and skills 10 To have high expectations and the ability to think and √ √ plan strategically to reflect, promote and deliver the school’s vision, ethos, priorities and targets whilst empowering others to take them forward 11 To be articulate and approachable with excellent √ √ √ interpersonal skills both verbally and in writing 12 To have proven, sound decision-making skills √ √ √ combined with the ability to lead, influence and manage change 13 To be astute and perceptive with strong analytical √ √ skills and the ability to use sound judgement in order to anticipate and resolve conflict and issues imaginatively 14 To be proactive, innovative and versatile with a high √ √ level of drive, energy and enthusiasm, resilience, reliability, integrity and a sense of humour 15 To be able to relate empathetically to parents/carers, √ √ staff, students, governors/trustees and the wider community 16 To be able to prioritise, plan and organise effectively √ √ D Leading learning and teaching 17 An outstanding classroom practitioner with the ability √ √ √ to monitor and evaluate performance continuously in order to improve the quality of teaching and learning and maintain and stretch high standards 18 Successful experience of positive behaviour √ √ √ management and of developing a student-focused, inclusive and effective learning environment so that behaviour and attendance are outstanding 19 Successful experience of curriculum development √ √ √ along with an understanding of the issues associated with choice and flexibility to meet a personalised learning agenda 20 Proven experience of the implementation of effective √ √ √ assessment procedures and an understanding of the use of assessment for the learning needs of all students E Improving the life chances of children and young people 21 Recognition and promotion of the role parents and √ √ √ carers play in helping children and young people succeed and thrive 22 A commitment to a student-centred approach, within √ √ √ an equitable and inclusive school in which the academic and personal welfare of each student is paramount F Shaping the future 23 Experience of and a commitment to working with a √ √ √ √ Governing Body to develop collaboratively a school vision which embraces excellence, high standards and inclusion

24 Proven record of providing vision, a sense of purpose √ √ √ and high aspirations for a school with a determined focus on raising student achievement G Developing self and working with others 25 To be a high-profile role model with a professional √ √ approach that demands excellence, confidence, trust and respect of the entire school and the wider community and is approachable 26 To have substantial experience of building on staff √ √ √ good practice and expertise so that they have the necessary skills and knowledge to raise standards and promote personal wellbeing so that young people can play an active and positive role in modern society 27 To demonstrate the importance of a work life balance √ √ √ 28 To have a good sense of humour and is easily √ √ √ accessible H Leading and managing the organisation 29 Evidence of highly developed skills in performance √ √ √ management, recognising high performance and tackling under-performance through to resolution 30 Successful experience of effective strategic financial √ √ √ and resource management to achieve educational priorities and to ensure efficiency and value for money 31 Evidence of the skills to harness the potential of ICT √ √ √ for the benefit of the school around the delivery of the curriculum and school support systems 32 A demonstrable understanding of the processes of √ √ √ safeguarding, safer recruitment and safeguarding procedures 33 Commitment to sustain a safe, secure and healthy √ √ √ school environment I Securing accountability 34 Proven successful experience of school self-evaluation √ √ √ and accountability and the school improvement process J Strengthening accountability 35 Successful experience of securing and raising √ √ √ standards in an inclusive school and working with external agencies locally, nationally and internationally 36 A commitment and vision to collaborating with √ √ √ neighbouring schools in support of the development of the wider school community and a federated approach

Bitterne Park Teaching School Alliance

Bitterne Park School successfully gained teaching school status in 2012 as part of cohort 2. The Bitterne Park Teaching School Alliance (BPTSA) has grown over the years and currently has a range of schools across all phases.

Higher Education:

Southampton University

Secondary & Sixth Form:

Bitterne Park School The Burgate School Chamberlayne College for the Arts Matravers School The Petersfield School Pewsey Vale School Redbridge School Regents Park St Georges Catholic School Primary:

Bitterne Manor Primary School Mount Pleasant Junior School Moorlands Primary School St Denys School Townhill Junior School

The Bitterne Park Teaching School is a dynamic, challenging and successful organisation that has been recognised by the DFE, Ofsted and HMI for its positive impact. The Alliance continues to offer support, challenge and development across all areas of the ‘Big 6’ but specialises specifically in school-to-school support and ITT.

We have a very successful track record of school improvement through both Susan Trigger’s NLE role and the work of the teaching school. We are proud of our successes which include supporting 3 different schools, moving them from an Ofsted category 4 to 2 in a significantly short period of time.

Within our ITT provision we run our School Direct programme. This has grown considerably over the past 4 years with 30 trainees with us for this academic year. Our comprehensive and high quality training programme has proved very successful with a significant number of trainees gaining employment within the alliance.

The teaching school also supports with internal training and development. The school runs regular training sessions focusing on different aspects of pedagogy, leadership & management development and bespoke CPD as required. As part of the school’s quality assurance process annual department reviews and termly lesson observations determine individuals’ training needs.

Sixth Form

Bitterne Park Sixth Form opened in 2011/12 in a £7.5 million pound state of the art building to give students from Southampton area the opportunity to access high quality post 16 education within a fun, relaxed community. Now entering its Sixth year, the college continues to go from strength to strength.

Academic Excellence

• A proven track record of achieving academic excellence. • Expert staff including Examiners and Senior Examiners in both A Level and vocational courses • 99% of students achieving A*-E in A levls in 2016 with 24% of students achieving A*-B • 100% of students achieving Level 3 BTEC qualifications in 2016 with 53% of students achieving a distinction or above • In 2016 64% of students continued their journey on to university

Ethos

• Our smaller student community enables all students to thrive and feel secure allowing them to mature and develop into the individuals they want to be • The Sixth form experience is built around a personal journey within a close knit and fully inclusive community

New Build

Bitterne Park School was one of 261 school selected nationwide for a rebuild / refurbishment as part of the EFA Priority School Build Programme. The new school is being designed and being built for 1800 11-16 students as part of the Southampton City Council expansion programme and will include new internal dining and social spaces in addition to the large number of teaching rooms. The construction of the building is well underway with a planned occupation by the school in the Autumn of 2017.

Both staff and students have had the opportunity to be involved with site visits and contributing to aspects of the design. Phase 2 will then commence with the existing school building being demolished and being replaced with playing fields. This is a very exciting time to become part of the school community moving to the new school as we plan to recreate the positive and vibrant ethos of the school into a completely new building.

Application and selection process

Candidates should complete the application form and return it to Miss Rodway Meldrum address below so that it is received no later than midday on Wednesday 8 February 2017:

Bitterne Park School 1 Copsewood Road Southampton SO18 1BU

Telephone: 023 8032 5200 Email: [email protected]

Please provide a full statement in support of your application, addressing the job profile and not exceeding two sides of A4 paper. In doing so, please do not restate the factual details included elsewhere on the application form. There is also a task to complete which should be submitted along side your application.

School Visit dates: Visits to the school, as part of the recruitment process, are warmly welcomed and positively encouraged. Our preferred visit dates are:

Tuesday 24 January 2017 9.00am Friday 27 January 2017 1.30pm Wednesday 1 February 2017 9.00am

Please contact our Personnel Officer, Miss Rodway Meldrum, on 023 8032 5200 or email her on [email protected] to request and confirm a time slot.

Selection process

The shortlist will be drawn up on Friday 10 February 2017. Candidates will be advised within three working days after the shortlisting date whether they have been successful or not.

Interviews will take place on Tuesday 7 March 2017 and Wednesday 8 March 2017. There will be a drinks reception on Monday 6 March from 6.30 pm. Please do not apply if you are unavailable on either of these dates. Further details will be sent to those candidates who are called for interview.

Equality Monitoring

All applicants will be required to complete an Equality Monitoring Form.

Safer Recruitment

Bitterne Park School are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. We will ensure all our recruitment and selection practices reflect this commitment. All successful candidates will be subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service along with all other relevant pre-employment checks.