Rowland Hill Nursery School & Children's Centre
Headteacher Candidate Information Pack
Rowland Hill is an inclusive, supportive Nursery School and Children’s Centre in which all children and their families can make posi- tive relationships, learn together, grow in confidence, self-respect and be happy.
Contents
Welcome from the Chair of Governors Page 3
About Us Page 4
Key Information Page 5
Our Values Pages 6-7
Safeguarding Statement Page 8
Job Description Page 9-10
Person Specification Page s 11-13
How to Apply Page 14
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Welcome from the Chair of Governors
Thank you for your interest in the Head teacher role at Rowland Nursery School. The Governing
Body are looking to appoint a dynamic, visionary leader for our unique learning community.
Rowland Hill Nursery School consists of a Nursery School and Children’s Centre with a wonder- ful array of well-resourced learning environments both inside and outside. We strive to provide interesting and inspiring environments for our children, families, visitors and staff. Our previous Head teacher will be moving on to take on a new challenges leaving behind a strong, outward facing school that is always seeking to evolve to provide the best possible out- comes for the community that we serve.
We are our proud of our Nursery School and the collaborative work that we are currently en- gaged in with two other Nursery Schools within the borough. We are also a member school of HEP (Haringey Education Partnership), we believe that schools can achieve more by working collaboratively. At Rowland Hill we pride ourselves on our inclusive approach to education. We work tirelessly to provide our children and their families with the support that they need in order to achieve the best possible outcomes. Governors and staff alike are committed to building upon the strong foundations that are embedded throughout and are extremely enthusiastic and focused on maintaining our high expectations. We are passionate about finding a new Head teacher who will continue to raise our standards and lead us towards outstanding. The culture and ethos of Rowland Hill permeates through all parts of the establishment where dedicated staff, strong leaders and keen, eager children who love to learn can be found alongside parents and carers who contribute to and value our unique community. We are really looking forward to the next step on our jour- ney to outstanding and hope you consider joining us. If you feel you are the candidate best placed to lead our work I encourage you to apply. We look forward to meeting you.
Michael Fernandez Chair of Governors
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About Us
Rowland Hill Nursery School and Children’s Centre is named after Sir Rowland Hill, the
founder of the Penny Post (1840), who lived much of his life at Bruce Castle. There has been a nursery on this site since 1942 and it is deeply rooted in the community. Some of the pupils from the nursery grew up to become employees!
At Rowland Hill we provide excellent early education, childcare, information and support for the local community. Our inclusive Centre has 122 full time equivalent places for 2-4yr olds. We also provide extended care and are open for some children 8am—6pm, 48 weeks
of the year.
Learning Environments have been developed to a high standard to provide young children with a curriculum that fosters their curiosity, agency, risk taking, resilience and creativity. In particular our beautiful, large, outdoor space has a wealth of different trees, shrubs and landscapes. This is particularly important as it provides a contrast to the urban environment we are situated within and enables children to access nature pedagogy.
The onsite Children’s Centre strives to provide the highest quality services for the families in our area. We are committed to developing strong partnerships and building trusting relationships with families who use the Centre. We implement a rich and varied programme of parental involvement, including co-constructed community events and adult learning opportunities.
Rowland Hill is one of three Nursery Schools in Haringey who form the Haringey Nursery Schools Training Consortium. This partnership was formed in 2011, in order to support young children and train practitioners in Early Years settings locally and further afield.
The Senior Leadership Team work in collaboration with the Governing Body to drive the strategic development and decisions across all services; Nursery School, Childcare, Children’s Centre and Training Consortium.
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Key Information
Location: North East Tottenham, Haringey
Staff: Approx. 40 staff with a range of qualifications
Ofsted Rating: Good
Children with EYPP: 20%
Children with SEND: 28%
Children with EAL: 59%
Languages: 21
30hr Places: 38
“ What wonderful Nursery! It’s been a fantastic learning and playing experience. My son loves coming every day ” parent
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Our Values
Rowland Hill actively promotes the fundamental values of democracy, the rule of law,
individual liberty and mutual respect and tolerance of those with different faiths or beliefs. These are interpreted by our youngest children as learning right from wrong; learning to take turns and share; and challenging negative views and stereotypes. We do not promote views and theories that are contrary to established scientific or
historical evidence and explanations.
Equal Opportunities
•Children have the right to learn together •All children are unique and should have the opportunity to celebrate and value their own and others endeavour •All children should have equal access to resources
Teamwork •Respect for each other •Support all colleagues •Recognising each person’s unique qualities and maximising them
Professionalism •Proactive approach •Qualified staff for quality interaction •A commitment to disseminating our practice
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Our Values
A Quality Child-Centred Curriculum
•Children learn best through play, talk and meaningful first-hand experiences
•Through play a child can explore, imagine and socialise
Positive Impact on Society •Recognising each child has the right to be valued for whoever they are
•Each child’s contribution is essential for the enrichment of the community
•Children are encouraged to understand each others feelings and to help one another
•We aim to help each child develop a sense of self-respect, self-confidence, self- discipline and an awareness of and sensitivity to the needs and beliefs of others
Partnerships •Education is a continuous process that starts at birth and involves the home, the community and the school •We work with parents and carers,
valuing their knowledge and expertise •We value the expertise of other profes- sionals and welcome the opportunity to share our professional knowledge.
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Safeguarding Statement
Rowland Hill is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all children within its reach. It is the duty of all members of staff to play an active role in ensuring this. All members of staff are expected to be aware of and fol- low Child Protection and Safeguarding policy and procedures. In particular they need to be aware of their duty to:-
Report concerns in an accurate timely fashion Read and understand the guidance for identifying child abuse and safeguarding issues Know what to do if a child makes an allegation Knowing when to and when not to keep confidence
All applicants for positions within Rowland Hill must be willing to undergo checks with past employers and the DBS. These will include the following:
Full Employment History Rowland Hill requires all applicants to supply a full employment history.
Explanation of Gaps in Employment History Rowland Hill requires an explanation of any gaps in an applicant’s employment history, with a written record by the applicant explaining the reason for any gaps. Where staff are recruited from abroad, or have resided overseas within the last five years, Rowland Hill will try to obtain a ‘certificate of good conduct’ or overseas DBS or equivalent from the applicant’s home country where such facilities are available. This is in addition to the checks outlined above. If Rowland Hill discovers an applicant has made a false statement in attempting to gain employment this will be reported to the Department for Education for them to consider misconduct action.
Verification of Medical Fitness Rowland Hill verifies the medical fitness of staff to work with children in accordance with the DfE and the London Borough of Haringey.
References Two written references are required, one of which must be from the most recent employer. Referees are required to state any known reason why a person should not be employed to work with children. Direct contact will be made by Rowland Hill to verify the reference of the successful candidate before employment can begin.
Disclosure and Barring Checks The enhanced disclosure is required for anyone whose duties include regularly caring for, training, supervising, or being in sole charge of children under eighteen years of age.
Identity and Right to Work To confirm an employee’s identity and right to work, checks are made against official documentation such asa passport.
Verification of Qualifications Rowland Hill requires evidence of or verification of any qualifications gained by the candidate.
8 Page 8 Job Description The National Standards of Excellence for Headteachers are set out in 4 domains:
QUALITIES AND KNOWLEDGE PUPILS AND STAFF
SYSTEMS AND PROCESS THE SELF-IMPROVING SCHOOL SYSTEM
Within each domain there are key characteristics expected of the nation’s Headteachers; some of these have been expanded to give a more comprehensive description of the role at Rowland Hill Nursery School. Domain 1 -Qualities and knowledge 1.Hold and articulate clear values and moral purpose, focused on providing a world-class education for Early Years pupils within the nursery, children’s centre and training consortium. 2.Demonstrate optimistic personal behaviour, positive relationships and attitudes towards their pupils and staff, and towards parents, governors, members of the local community and the learning communities.
3.Lead by example across the school-with integrity, creativity, resilience and clarity -drawing on their own scholar- ship, expertise and skills, and that of those around them.
4.Sustain a wide current knowledge and understanding of early years education and nursery school systems locally, nationally and globally, and pursue continuous professional development.
5.Work with political and financial astuteness, within a clear set of principles centred on the school vision, trans- lating local and national policy into the school’s context. 6.Communicate the school vision and drive the strategic leadership, empowering all pupils and staff to reach their full potential regardless of their background.
Domain 2-Pupils and staff 1.Demand ambitious standards for all pupils, overcoming disadvantage and advancing equality, instilling a strong sense of accountability in staff for the impact of their work on pupils’ outcomes. 2.Secure excellent teaching across the nursery through an analytical understanding of how pupils learn, shared plan- ning and practice of successful curriculum design and classroom practice for the age ranges within the setting. 3.An understanding of learning through play and outdoor learning to enrich curriculum opportunities and pupils’ well-being. 4.Establish an educational culture of ‘open classrooms’ as a basis for sharing best practice within the nursery, chil- dren’s centre and training consortium drawing on and conducting relevant research and robust data analysis. 5.Create an inclusive ethos within which all staff across the setting are motivated and supported to develop their own skills and subject knowledge, and to support each other. 6.Hold all staff to account for their professional conduct and practice. 7.Identify emerging talents, coaching current and aspiring leaders in a climate where excellence is the standard, leading to clear succession planning.
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Job Description—Cont.
Domain 3 -Systems and processes 1.Ensure that the school’s systems, organisation and processes are well considered, are efficient and fit for purpose, up- holding the principles of transparency, integrity and probity. 2.Provide a safe, calm and well-ordered environment for all pupils and staff, focused on safeguarding pupils and devel- oping their exemplary behaviour in nursery, children’s centre and in the wider society. 3.Establish rigorous, fair and transparent systems and measures for managing the performance of all staff across the nursery and children’s centre addressing any under-performance, supporting staff to improve and valuing excellent practice. 4.Welcome strong governance and actively support the governing body to understand its role and deliver its functions effectively –in particular its functions to set school strategy and hold the Headteacher to account for pupil, staff and financial performance. 5.Exercise strategic, curriculum-led financial planning to ensure the equitable deployment of budgets and resources across the school, in the best interests of pupils’ achievements and the Nursery’s sustainability. 6.Distribute leadership throughout the nursery and children’s centre, forging teams of colleagues who have distinct roles and responsibilities and hold each other to account for their decision making.
Domain 4 -Self-improving school system 1.Create an outward-facing setting which works with other schools and organisations -in a climate of mutual challenge - to champion best practice and secure excellent achievements for all pupils. 2.Develop effective relationships with fellow professionals and colleagues in other public services to improve education- al and social outcomes for all pupils and be at the forefront of best practice across the country. 3.Challenge educational orthodoxies in the best interests of achieving excellence, harnessing the findings of well evi- denced research to frame self-regulating and self-improving schools. 4.Shape the current and future quality of the teaching practice within the nursery, children’s centre and training consor- tium through high quality training and sustained professional development for all staff. 5.Inspire and influence others to believe in the fundamental importance of education within the Early Years and to pro- mote the value of education within the nursery and children’s centre. 6.Maintain strong links with the other maintained nursery schools in Haringey through the Training Consortium (HNSTC) to disseminate outstanding practice in Early Years.
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Person Specification
Important information for candidates who are thinking of applying for this Headteacher post.
Please ensure that you provide evidence relating to the person specification.
Criteria Essential A (Application), or I (Interview) or Desirable T (Task)
Qualification and knowledge
Qualified Teacher Status E A
Degree E A
Relevant Leadership qualifications (Masters, NPQICL) D A
Has successfully undertaken appropriate Child Protection E A
training/ Designated Safeguarding Lead training
Commitment to Safeguarding E A, I
Knowledge and understanding of the Early Years Foundation E A, I, T
Stage and can demonstrate strategic leadership
Knowledge and Understanding
Familiarity with current national developments in the Early E A, I, T Years practice and SEND legislation Recent professional development in educational leadership D A, I
A sound knowledge of Children’s Centre core purpose E A, I
A deep rooted understanding of child development, pedagogy E A, I, T and factors affecting development and well-being A comprehensive understanding of the Common Inspection E A, I Framework A clear and unequivocal understanding of the role and impact E A, I of effective school governance
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Person Specification—Continued
Experience
Experience in the delivery of a child-centred active learning E A, I curriculum A proven track record in raising achievement for a range of pupil E A, I groups Experience of leading and developing a team with inclusion at E A, I the heart of all practice Experience in supporting, monitoring and performance E A, I, T management of staff members
Direct experience in working with or in Children’s Centres D A, I
Direct experience of strategic budget management E A, I, T
Skills and Abilities
Able to demonstrate and articulate outstanding teaching E A, I, T practice
The ability to manage and resolve conflicts in high pressure E I contexts An organised and methodical leader who can manage him/ E A herself and others with competing demands A coach and mentor who is able to nurture and develop middle E A, I and senior leaders Flexibility, commitment and a desire to be involved in new E A, I initiatives The ability to extract salient points from complex data, such as E T pupil progress or financial reports A skilled and versatile communicator who is able to adjust tone E I, T and content to suit context A leader who walks the talk with resilience, reflection and E A, I, T energy
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Person Specification—Continued
Safeguarding
Demonstrate understanding of and commitment to E A, I safeguarding children
To know how to sustain a safe environment and employ E A, I practices that promote everyone’s health and safety
Updated professional development regarding current E A, I safeguarding legislation
Undertaken Safer Recruitment training D A
Strategic Development
Experience of school improvement planning E A, I A commitment to the ongoing development of school to E I school support and partnership opportunities beyond the school An understanding of the benefits of the Haringey Nursery D A, I Schools Training Consortium (HNSTC) and collaborative work with the Haringey nursery schools
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How To Apply
Rowland Hill is a dynamic and exciting place to work, to fully understand the school and centre visits are expected.
To book a visit please contact our School Business Manager Jainee Shah on 0208 808 6089. You can also find out more about Rowland Hill and the Haringey Nursery Schools Training Consortium by visiting the websites:
Rowland Hill: http://www.rowlandhill.haringey.sch.uk/ Training Consortium: http://www.haringeynurseryschoolsconsortium.co.uk/
Closing date for applications: Friday 12th April
Shortlisting date: Thursday 18th April
Interview date: Friday 26th April
Please do not submit a CV in place of the application form.
If you choose to email your application please ensure it is marked confidential and send to [email protected]
Rowland Hill Nursery School & Children’s Centre White Hart Lane, London, N17 7LT Email: [email protected] Tel: 0208 808 6089
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