The Pilgrim Federation Executive Headteacher Application Pack

‘We all play our part to achieve excellence in everything’

EXECUTIVE HEADTEACHER APPLICATION PACK

Contents

1. Welcome letter from Chair of Governors 2. Message from our departing Executive Headteacher 3. About our Schools 4. Our current Schools’ Action and Development Plan 5. Church and School 6. Parents and Friends 7. Governance 8. Job Description 9. Person Specification 10. Advertisement

1 Welcome letter from Chair of Governors

Dear Candidate,

Thank you for your interest in the position of Executive Headteacher at the Pilgrim Federation. We are a group of four North Church of Primary Schools: Blakeney, , and . We came together as a Federation in 2013, under the leadership of one Executive Headteacher, one Governing Body, and a Deputy Headteacher who leads on Teaching and Learning.

The Christian values of love and compassion for others, kindness, tolerance and respect for others are at the heart of our Federation community. Our schools work together to provide the best possible education for each child: each school benefits from collaborative working, as do our dedicated and committed staff. At the same time each school preserves and enhances its own unique identity whilst contributing to our overall aim, “We all play our part to achieve excellence in everything”.

The retirement of our current Executive Headteacher, Miss Mary Dolan, offers an outstanding opportunity for a dedicated and inspiring candidate to build on the foundations she has laid and lead our schools into an exciting future. This candidate pack includes information on all aspects of our schools, in addition to details of the application and selection processes. We hope it encourages you to apply.

John Burrows, Chair of Governors

2 A message from our departing Executive Headteacher

I have had the privilege of being the Executive Headteacher of The Pilgrim Federation since it first began in April 2013. The governors of the four schools had the foresight to create the Federation as they wanted the schools not only to survive, but to positively thrive, and this has certainly been the case.

Having been an experienced head of a single school, I was excited about leading four schools, but was unsure how it would work, as a new venture for myself, governors, staff and parents: we all worked together, and together we made the Federation really successful. Our Federation motto is ‘We all play our part to achieve excellence in everything’ and that has certainly been the case. The Federation also works in partnership with the local communities of the schools and of course the churches.

The staff at the four schools all train together and share their expertise and resources. They have also been involved in developing Federation policies and practices. Our mantra is ‘to make learning irresistible’ and the staff all work tirelessly to try and achieve this, removing barriers to learning and going the extra mile. The governing body are proactive and fully involved in the lives of the school; I have enjoyed working closely with them to lead and manage the Federation.

The children at the four schools get together regularly, so whilst benefitting from being part of a small school family, they are also part of something bigger; they are proud to be part of their own school and part of The Pilgrim Federation. After a long career as a teacher, I will be retiring at the end of August 2021. I look forward to passing the Federation on to the successful candidate for the next part of the Pilgrim Federation journey.

Mary Dolan, retiring Executive Headteacher

3 About our schools

All four of our schools are embedded in flourishing and supportive village communities; the most recent (2011) census figures for each village are: Blakeney 801; Hindringham 457; Kelling 177; Walsingham 819. Each school attracts children from several neighbouring villages in addition to its own, and most Federation children progress to secondary schools in either Wells or .

Information about each school can be found on its website: see http://www.blakeney.norfolk.sch.uk/ http://www.hindringham.norfolk.sch.uk/ http://www.kelling.norfolk.sch.uk/ http://www.walsingham.norfolk.sch.uk/

The four schools share resources as well as a common ethos and aspiration. The Executive Headteacher and Deputy Head set shared goals and standards and divide their time equally between the schools. The teachers are in regular contact with each other, some of the teaching assistants work across more than one school, while the children themselves meet each other for Federation-wide events as well as sporting and other appropriate year group projects and activities. At the same time, each school preserves its own unique character and traditions:

• Blakeney School maintains a historic tradition of ‘ringing out’ leavers at the end of the year; the school has access to the adjacent Plantation, a grove of mature trees amongst which the children have recently planted hundreds of new saplings.

• Hindringham School occupies a relatively modern building (completed in 1962), with spacious outdoor areas for play and sport; a recent initiative here has seen the establishment of a nursery class, and a thriving toddler group meets here once a week.

• For some families, the third or fourth generation of children is now attending Kelling School; traditional school bells are still used; it’s very picturesque, with attractive Victorian buildings set in plenty of green space, near the sea at Kelling Hard; the school preserves an archive of diaries from the first headmaster of the school, dating from 1877.

• At Walsingham School the annual Christmas carolling is a great tradition. Every year the children practise new carols, complete with actions; they then perform for Christmas shoppers in as well as at Walsingham Parish Church.

Key information and statistics

Pupil numbers on roll

School Sept Sept Sept Sept Sept Sept Sept 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 Blakeney 50 44 43 43 42 35 29 Hindringham 44 52 56 54 28 20 16 Kelling 59 63 53 54 55 51 55 Walsingham 33 28 23 24 33 31 37 186 187 175 175 158 137 137

Pupil Numbers October 2020 Pupil numbers Blakeney Hindringham Kelling Walsingham

R 5 0 8 4 17 1 2 3 11 5 21 2 6 3 5 3 17 3 6 0 5 5 16 4 4 3 7 8 22 5 2 2 9 6 19 6 4 5 10 6 25 Total 29 16 55 37 137

Looked After Children: 0 Post looked after children/Special Guardianship: 3 Pupils with English as an additional language (EAL)

School June Sept June Sept June Sept June Sept number 17 17 18 18 19 19 20 20 Blakeney 0 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Kelling 8 6 5 6 5 4 4 3 Hindringham 1 2 2 2 1 1 1 1 Walsingham 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Pupil Premium Numbers

School Jan June Oct 20 20 20 Blakeney 3 5 5 Kelling 9 10 6 Hindringham 6 6 6 Walsingham 10 10 11

Hindringham Nursery (Our first 3 year old joined us in November 19.)

Jan June Oct 20 20 20 Number 3 4 6 of children on role

Staffing structure:

Blakeney Hindringham Walsingham Kelling Class 1 Class 2 Class 1 Class 2 Class 1 Class 2 Class 1 Class 2 Class 3 Full time Full time Full time Full time Full time Full time Full time Full time Full time teacher Senior teacher Senior Job share Senior Senior Job share teacher Teacher Teacher X 2 staff Teacher Teacher X 2 staff 5 days 5 days 5 days 5 days 5 days 5 days 5 days 5 days 5days TA TA TA TA TA TA TA TA TA including including including including including including including including including 2.5 HLTA 5 HLTA 2.5 HLTA 5 HLTA 2.5 HLTA 5 HLTA 5 HLTA 2.5 5 HLTA hours hours hours hours hours hours hours HLTA hours hours (NQT)

OFSTED status: All four schools currently enjoy a ‘Good’ OFSTED rating: OFSTED reports are available on each school’s website, or: for Blakeney (Sept. 2016) see https://reports.ofsted.gov.uk/provider/21/121108 for Hindringham (July 2018) see https://reports.ofsted.gov.uk/provider/21/121086 for Kelling (December 2017) see https://reports.ofsted.gov.uk/provider/21/138796 for Walsingham (May 2018) see https://reports.ofsted.gov.uk/provider/21/138797

4 Action Plan on a Page for 2020-21

5 Church and School

Each of the four schools benefits from a good working relationship with the Parish Church to which it is attached. Representatives of the respective PCCs, together with certain members of the clergy, serve on the Governing Body. The Education Department of the Shrine of Our Lady of Walsingham also provides a member of staff to serve as a Governor. Clergy together with volunteers provide weekly collective worship in different ways, including 'Open the Book'.

Often local churches are used to hold services for Harvest, Christmas, Easter, and for the Annual Federation Celebration Day held during the summer term. Local churches also provide enhancement to the children's well-being and spiritual development through the provision of after school clubs, Sunday schools and Messy Church. Through a variety of means, the members of the local churches seek to support the Pilgrim Federation in its desire to maintain and promote Christian values within the daily rhythm of school life.

6 Message from the Parents, Teachers and Friends Associations

The Pilgrim Federation has active Parent, Teachers and Friends Associations across all four schools. Their main aim is to provide support, raise funds and offer additional extracurricular activities for the pupils. With the Federation ethos underpinning the work of each PTFA we wish to help make learning irresistible and to help each individual pupil achieve their best, building confidence, aspiration, kindness and a sense of community.

Each committee has kept their individual identity and each works independently from the other. As with the Federation of schools, the committees come together for certain events throughout the year. An annual Federation Firework display is one example and providing new PE kit for each new pupil in the reception class annually is another. The PTFAs work closely with the teachers at each school, aiming to work cohesively and support the teaching staff for the benefit of the school and all the pupils.

Some examples of the works achieved through the PTFAs are:

o Christmas parties for the children. o Easter events. o Easter Bingo, Christmas Bingo. o Sponsored outdoor activities. o Summer Fetes. o End of year party to celebrate the Y6 students. o Supporting new road signage to make children safe on their way to school. o Providing outdoor all-weather clothing to assist with Forest Schools and outdoor learning. o Providing playground equipment to enhance outdoor space. o Supporting school trips and visits.

By showing the pupils what can be achieved by working together, by communicating with others and having a process for open discussion and decision making, we can help them understand the importance of engagement and the achievements that can be made by all working together.

7 Governance

The Governing Body is responsible for the long-term management and direction of the Pilgrim Federation. It acts as a ‘Critical Friend’, holding the activities of the schools to account whilst also supporting the Executive Headteacher, other staff, children and parents. It has three core functions: - setting strategic goals and direction - maintaining accountability - ensuring financial probity.

The full Governing Body of 18, consists of up to seventeen volunteer Governors, each appointed for a four-year, renewable term. Ten are Foundation Governors appointed from and by the local community and churches. Two Parent Governors are elected from among the parents. There is one elected Staff representative, one representative of the Local Education Authority and three Co-opted Governors. The Executive Headteacher attends Governing meetings ex officio and the Deputy Head is an associate member.

The full Governing Body meets once each term. Each Governor additionally undertakes monitoring visits to at least two schools each year, and serves on one or more Committees responsible for particular areas of school life. The Curriculum Committee looks at the teaching and learning environment, scrutinising progress and attainment data and paying particular attention to outcomes of children identified with SEND. The Resources Committee has oversight of finance, staffing and premises including carrying out Health & Safety inspections. The Vision, Values and Ethos Committee ensures a Christian ethos is embedded in the schools and supports social, spiritual and cultural development. Individual Governors also take the lead in specific areas such as SEND and Safeguarding, or the organising of monitoring visits, and several also volunteer in their local schools.

8 Job Description

Job title EXECUTIVE HEADTEACHER

Responsible to Chair of Governors

Responsible for All employees of The Pilgrim Federation of schools and the education and wellbeing of its pupils.

Salary range Educator Solutions Optional Pay Scales (ESOPS) Leadership Scale, Group 2 School: L15 – L21 (starting salary negotiable).

To lead and manage this Federation of Church Schools; providing a Christian vision and setting a culture that puts the children’s welfare, a thirst for learning and a desire for continual improvement at the heart of what we do. The Headteacher shall carry out their Job purpose professional duties in accordance with safeguarding legislation, the current School Teachers’ Pay and Conditions Document (detailing teaching and personal professional conduct), School policies and will be a Designated Safeguarding Lead.

MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Leadership and Management

• To steer the strategic direction and vision of the Federation by working collaboratively with the governing body, staff and relevant external bodies and to successfully deliver the desired outcomes. • To ensure the governing body is provided with accurate and timely Federation performance and financial information. • To implement and evaluate the Federation’s policies, practices, procedures and improvement plans ensuring they take account of DfE requirements, school data, inspection and research findings. • To ensure that individual staff responsibilities and targets are clearly defined, understood and agreed and are subject to rigorous and timely review and evaluation. • To lead with high expectations of pupils and staff, working with senior staff and Governors to set ambitious and optimistic goals across all areas. • To have overall responsibility for the safeguarding of pupils and ensure that rigorous procedures are in place to meet statutory duties and promote good practice. • To be responsible for the well-being of all staff and promote a supportive team environment across the Federation. • To manage resources effectively and transparently in line with Federation priorities. • To ensure that the Federation’s strategic plans are created following a rigorous process of evaluation, review and analysis of data and practice and to draw on the experiences of senior leaders and teaching staff. • To create an environment with a Christian ethos that promotes and supports health and wellbeing, a love of learning, mutual respect, resilience and a feeling of safety for the benefit of the children, staff and parents. • To inspire respect and trust throughout the Federation and within the wider community. • To ensure all employees work in compliance with the Federation’s Health and Safety policies; ensuring the safety of all parties they encounter in premises controlled by the Federation.

Teaching and Learning

• To lead and manage outstanding teaching and learning throughout the Federation, ensuring that high-quality teaching and a rich and vibrant curriculum is provided for all children, including preparation for secondary education, to inspire a love of learning and enable them to achieve their full potential. • To ensure that effective systems are in place to evaluate standards of teaching and learning, encouraging the sharing of good practice and addressing areas in need of improvement. • To work with the Deputy Headteacher and senior staff to analyse school data, identify areas for improvement and engage the whole Federation team in developing and implementing actions to progress and develop the Federation. • To work with the Deputy Headteacher and senior staff to ensure pupil progress is consistently and effectively monitored and used to further pupil progress and development.

Community engagement and external partnerships

• To continue to find ways to encourage greater parental/guardian participation in Federation life in order to raise aspirations and promote a sense of pride and value in education. • To identify opportunities to collaborate with other schools in the wider community to share experiences and expertise that contribute towards raising standards, support continual professional development and promote the Federation. • To maintain positive links and relationships with the local community and churches. • To nurture relationships with local pre-schools and High Schools to best secure a happy and successful transition for pupils.

Professional development

• To promote the value of continual professional development and training for self and all staff. • To ensure arrangements for performance management are in place for all teaching and support staff; leading by example in commitment to self-review and performance management and seeking advice and support where required. • To annually agree with designated governors the school development and improvement targets, as part of the Executive Headteacher appraisal process.

Other duties

• To undertake such other duties as may be reasonably required and commensurate with the post of Executive Headteacher.

9 Person Specification

Applicants must be able to demonstrate their competency against the National Standards of Excellence for Headteachers (2020) and the following essential and desirable skills and experience:

Qualifications, Experience and Professional Development Essential:

• Qualified Teacher Status. • An enhanced DBS check. • Up-to-date knowledge and understanding of the primary curriculum. • Evidence of appropriate professional development, as a Headteacher or Deputy Head, relevant to school leadership and management within the primary range. • Recent experience in a leadership role. • Experience of Ofsted Inspection as a Headteacher, Deputy Head or Senior Leader. • The vision and commitment to further develop the Federation’s distinctive Christian ethos founded on Christian values and moral purpose. • Experience of and a commitment to promoting and safeguarding the welfare of pupils. • Experience of DSL or Deputy DSL. • The ability to create an ethos within which all staff are valued, motivated and supported to develop their own skills and subject knowledge and to support each other.

Desirable:

• NPHQ or equivalent • Experience of SIAMS inspections and frameworks. • Experience of working in a church school. • Safer Recruitment, Prevent and Child Protection training • Active involvement in school self-evaluation and improvement planning. • The ability to work with governors to manage the strategic direction and operational aspects of the Federation. • Experience of setting and managing budgets, including setting procedures for expenditure. • The ability to identify and encourage aspiring leaders, in a climate where excellence is the standard, leading to clear succession planning.

The successful candidate will also be able to demonstrate the following desirable skills and characteristics:

Teaching and Learning:

• Experience of developing and implementing a creative, exciting and inclusive curriculum where pupils are nurtured to achieve their full potential and find learning irresistible. • A thorough understanding of assessment and how it can be used to inform teaching and learning, plan interventions and improve pupil progress. • Experience of using pupil performance data to assess, monitor and analyse pupils’ progress in order to improve teaching and learning. • Have high expectations of achievement, attendance and behaviour and an ethos where all children are valued, can contribute and achieve success. • Experience of enabling pupils to become motivated, resilient and independent learners. • Able to evaluate the quality of teaching and support teachers to improve their practice to become outstanding practitioners. • Able to provide a safe, secure and healthy learning environment. • Ability to inspire, motivate and challenge others.

Managing the Federation:

• Have a genuine care and interest in staff and be able to professionally develop and support an ethos which motivates and empowers them to work together and coaches them to develop their full potential. • Able to maintain and develop effective staff relationships and teamwork, whilst being mindful of workload and well-being. • Able to delegate responsibilities, where staff are encouraged to develop management and leadership skills, review performance and take necessary action. • Able to recognise and welcome strong governance, actively supporting the governing body to understand its’ role and deliver its’ functions effectively. • Ability to understand and implement budget planning and expenditure control across the Federation. • The ability to ensure the Federation’s systems, organisation and processes are well considered, efficient and fit for purpose. • Able to engage with parents and families, encouraging involvement, collaborative working, feedback and ensuring they are well informed about the curriculum, pupil attainment and progress. • Able to manage all aspects of the Federations resources to achieve each schools aims and objectives. • Able to plan strategically, prioritise and meet deadlines. • Able to present a clear account of the Federation’s performance to all concerned. • Able to maintain and develop a school culture and curriculum that recognises and celebrates diversity and challenges prejudice.

Personal Qualities:

• A highly skilled communicator who is approachable and who engages effectively with pupils, teachers, parents, governors, external agencies and the wider communities. • Able to create an inclusive working environment where all opinions and challenges are considered, treating all people fairly, equitably and with dignity and respect to maintain a positive school culture. • Committed to high quality teaching and learning. • Acts in accordance with accepted Christian principles. • Able to be resilient and calm under pressure. • Able to be flexible and adapt to changing circumstances • Self-motivated and organised with an ability to delegate and prioritise work effectively. • Commitment, integrity, creativity and good humour.

10 Advertisement

Executive Headteacher

Location: The Pilgrim Federation of Church of England Primary Schools Blakeney, Hindringham, Kelling & Walsingham (Norfolk) Salary: L15 - L21, £59,581 - £68,347 (starting pay negotiable Job start: September 2021 Job Term: Full Time Job Type: Permanent Combined NOR: 143 (includes 6 Nursery children)

Following early notification that our current Executive Headteacher will be retiring at the end of the academic year, the Governors are now seeking to appoint an enthusiastic and inspirational Headteacher to lead our Federation of four Church of England Primary Schools, and build on the excellent foundation that has been put in place since our inception in 2013.

We are looking for an inspirational leader with a proven record of outstanding teaching. You will either be a current, serving Headteacher, Deputy Headteacher or Senior Leader looking for an exciting new challenge with the ambition to motivate our children and staff to excel and who has high expectations for success.

The Federation comprises of four individual schools with their own distinctive character, which Governors have sought to protect whilst developing a common Christian ethos. The pupils love the breadth of the curriculum on offer and have benefitted from a wide range of extra curricular opportunities and are looking for a Headteacher who is ambitious for them to achieve the best they can.

The four staff teams work collaboratively and are very forward thinking and supportive of each other and our common aims. “We all play our part” has become a fundamental tenet of our success.

The Governing Body have recognised that Executive Headship can be an isolated position and have always provided ongoing solid support to our Headteacher and this will continue. The successful candidate will need to demonstrate a commitment to working closely with governors to provide high quality leadership and the best possible education for the children.

We are fully supportive of career development opportunities and have a proven record of investing in CPD and other opportunities to ensure individuals achieve their own potential.

All four of our schools have a sound “Good” Ofsted rating and each have also been judged “Good” during their SIAMS inspections. Each individual site has benefitted from capital investment every year since the Federation formed. The budget is very well managed and currently projects a surplus for each of the next 3 years allowing scope for future capital projects.

Visits to the Schools are positively encouraged to allow candidates to appreciate the potential presented by this opportunity. Despite the national lockdown, schools will be operating as normally as possible and visitors will be expected to comply with social distancing, hand sanitising arrangements and wear a face covering during their visits. Please contact Sarah Saunders, Finance Officer, on 01263 588230 or email [email protected] to arrange a visit.

How to apply

For further details and to complete an online application form, please view the advert at www.educationjobfinder.org.uk and click on “Apply for Job”. For safeguarding reasons, CVs will not be accepted and only applications on the specified application form will be considered.

Closing date for applications: Monday 23rd November 2020, 12.00noon Shortlisting date: Tuesday 24th November 2020 Interview dates: Tuesday 8th & Wednesday 9th December 2020

The Pilgrim Federation of CE Primary Schools is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. You will be subject to an enhanced DBS check and pre-employment checks, including providing evidence of your right to work, evidence of your “Qualified Teacher Status” and satisfactory references.