Principal Candidate Information December 2018 Ormiston Rivers Academy Principal Candidate Information – December 2018 Contents Letter from the Chairman .................................................................................................................................... 3 Job description ................................................................................................................................................... 4 Person specification ............................................................................................................................................6 Our ethos and vision ........................................................................................................................................... 5 Our sponsor ........................................................................................................................................................ 6 Our student leadership ..................................................................................................................................... 11 Welcome from our students ............................................................................................................................. 12 Our community ................................................................................................................................................. 13 How to apply ..................................................................................................................................................... 14 Ormiston Rivers Academy Southminster Road, Burnham-on-Crouch, CM0 8QB • 01621 782 377 • [email protected] • www.ormistonriversacademy.co.uk 2 Ormiston Rivers Academy Principal Candidate Information – December 2018 Letter from the Chairman As the Chairman of Ormiston Academies Trust (OAT), I would like to extend a very warm welcome to you. Thank you for the interest you have shown in the position of Principal at Ormiston Rivers Academy. I hope the information pack will be helpful to you and convey exactly what we are looking for – an exceptional leader who shares our vision and is fully committed to excellence in all aspects of teaching and learning for the benefit of all our students and their families. Ormiston Rivers Academy is based in Burnham-on-Crouch, Essex, 20 miles from the vibrant city of Chelmsford, Essex. We are a smaller than average, flourishing and oversubscribed 11-18 co-educational academy, set in a semi-rural riverside location. The majority of our students live in local communities in and around Dengie, although some travel considerable distances to attend the academy. Most students are of white British heritage and few students speak English as an additional language. The proportion of students who are supported at school action and school action plus, or with a statement of special educational needs, are higher than average. There are a higher than average number of students eligible for the pupil premium. Students’ ability on entry is historically lower than average. However, we have consistently received national recognition for the value the academy adds to students’ achievements at GCSE. Outcomes in 2016/17 placed the academy in the top 10% nationally for student progress, and we are the highest performing non-selective school in Essex. This is a fantastic time to join our small, vibrant and caring learning community at Rivers. Our strong code of values guides our work and creates a secure learning environment where all students can thrive and succeed. We are committed to ensuring every student reaches their full potential: being aspirational and committed to academic excellence. Since joining Ormiston Academies Trust (OAT) in September 2011 the academy has been on an incredible journey. It was recognised by Ofsted in 2016 as ‘Good’, maintaining its position as one of the top education providers in the area that the continuing improvements have transformed the ethos of the school. We are driving towards ‘Outstanding’ and are on track to achieve this. This outcome is a testament to the hard work and belief of our staff body, the commitment and partnership of our families, the unfailing support from our sponsor, Ormiston Academies Trust, the challenge and constant encouragement of the Governing Body and, most importantly, our wonderful student voice who are the epitome of excellence and endeavour. Ormiston Rivers Academy offers a wide range of extra-curricular activities including sports clubs and arts clubs, to cater for students’ different hobbies and interests. All students are encouraged to get involved and find their passion through the whole school extra-curricular programme. We provide an inspirational education where every young person is ready for life in our global community. Our students have an appetite for success and our staff are committed to unleashing their potential. Parents are supportive and loyal to the academy. The strong alignment amongst stakeholders makes this academy a great place to work and take your career on to the next level. We know that academic achievement of the highest order is within our reach and we now look to consolidate this progress and continue to push for further sustained improvement, as we strive to become a truly outstanding academy. With this in mind we are looking for exceptional professionals to join our staff body who demonstrate the ability to achieve outstanding student outcomes and make a significant difference to the lives of the young people at the academy. I hope you enjoy reading about Ormiston Rivers Academy and if you feel you can deliver what we are looking for, please submit your application to reach us by 5pm on Friday 25 January 2019. We encourage you to contact us for an informal discussion about this role. Please see details in How to Apply on page 14. Dr Paul Hann, OBE Chairman, Ormiston Academies Trust 3 Ormiston Rivers Academy Principal Candidate Information – December 2018 Job description Reports to: Regional Director Start date: September 2019 Salary: Competitive with benefits The Role The overall purpose of the role is to develop and sustain an exceptional educational provision for all students in the academy. Strategic direction and development of the academy • Establish a culture that promotes excellence, equality, high expectations and aspirations of all students. • Work alongside the local governing body and OAT Executive in implementing OAT and the academy procedures and policies. • Ensure that the management, finance, organisation and administration of the academy, support its vision and aims. • Ensure the commitment of parents and the wider community to the vision and direction of the academy. • Continue to develop effective relationships with other academies in OAT. • Create and implement a strategic plan, underpinned by sound financial planning, which identifies the priorities, actions and targets that will guide the academy on its journey to ‘exceptional’ in all areas. • Monitor, evaluate and review the impact of the academy’s policies, priorities and targets to drive continuous improvement. • Present accurate accounts of the academy’s performance that are appropriate for a range of audiences including parents, governors, OAT and Ofsted. • Ensure a commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. Teaching and learning • Ensure that outstanding teaching and learning is the primary objective for all staff. • Monitor and evaluate the quality of teaching and standards of learning and achievement of all students, including those supported through enhanced resources, in order to set and meet ambitious targets for improvement. • Lead, motivate, support, challenge and develop staff to secure improvement. • Develop a curriculum that promotes outstanding literacy and numeracy skills while ensuring that the needs, interests and aspirations of individual students are addressed. • Ensure that effective, appropriate pastoral support is available to students. • Ensure that the academy complies with the statutory requirements that promote equal opportunities for all. • Build upon the effective partnership with parents to support and improve students’ achievement. • Ensure appropriate enrichment opportunities are provided and given a high priority. Leading and managing staff • Lead, motivate, support, challenge and develop staff to secure improvement. • Maximise the contribution of staff to improve the quality of education provided. • Develop effective and transformational leadership and management across the academy. • Implement ‘best practice’ OAT performance management processes. • Acknowledge the responsibilities and celebrate the achievement of individuals and teams. 4 Ormiston Rivers Academy Principal Candidate Information – December 2018 Efficient and effective deployment of staff and resources • Work with OAT, governors and senior colleagues to recruit staff of the highest quality available. • Advise the governing body on the adoption of effective procedures to deal with the competence and capability of staff. • Agree and set appropriate priorities for expenditure with the governing body to enable the academy to secure its objectives. • Manage and organise accommodation efficiently and effectively, to ensure that it meets the needs of the curriculum and health and safety regulations. • Manage, monitor and review the range, quality, quantity and use of all available resources in order to improve the quality of education,