Headteacher Recruitment Pack

Kelmscott School “Putting Learning First” HEADTEACHER RECRUITMENT PACK February 2019 Kelmscott School “Putting Learning First” Contents Letter from the Chair of Governors Page 3 Message from the Current Headteacher Page 4 School Background Information Page 5 Advert Page 6-7 Job Description Page 8-11 Person Specification Page 12 How to Find Us Page 13 P a g e | 3 Kelmscott School “Putting Learning First” “I do not want art for a few any more than education for a few, or freedom for a few” William Morris Dear Prospective Candidate We appreciate your interest in this exciting and challenging opportunity. Kelmscott is a successful, mixed comprehensive secondary school in Walthamstow, birthplace of William Morris; named after the press of the Arts and Crafts designer and socialist. This is not a job you should take lightly. As governors of a proudly community school, we see ourselves as custodians of a community asset, investing in and preserving it for the next generation of local children and their parents. Our Headteacher of eleven years has been our torchbearer, taking our school from strength-to-strength through hard work, team work, humility and, above all, a clear sense of moral purpose. As she retires, her successor will be expected to keep the torch burning brightly. This will be a difficult job too. Though financially stable, we face the same funding challenges as schools nationwide. This September we will embark on a three-year expansion, from six to eight- form entry. Our students have extremely varied ethnic, social and economic backgrounds – their challenges are our challenges and we strive to meet them together. We are determined not to compromise our core values as we negotiate these challenges: child- centred education and provision of a broad and balanced curriculum that instils a lifelong love of learning amongst all our students. Finally, we believe this will also be an immensely rewarding job. As well as bringing energy, wisdom and hard-work to this job, you will also find the same qualities all around you at the school; likewise, kindness, courage and optimism. You will be able to harness a stable and highly-motivated staff with an engaged governing body, all committed to working alongside you to ensure our students are the best they can be, irrespective of ability or background. Please read our Application Pack carefully and visit our website. You may also wish to visit the school on 7th March 2019. We look forward to receiving your application. Best wishes Mark Holding Chair of Governors P a g e | 4 Kelmscott School “Putting Learning First” Dear Prospective Candidate Thank you for taking the time to enquire about the position of Headteacher of Kelmscott School. As you have requested the pack I assume you are considering applying for this post and I would encourage you to do so. In my view, Kelmscott is a very special school and the governors, staff and students are looking for a talented and dedicated person to continue to move the school forward. I joined the school in 2007 when the school was in the middle of being redesigned through the original Building Schools for the Future (BSF) programme, and although that work was completed nearly 10 years ago, we are still immensely proud of the facilities it left us with, such as our main school hall and our amphitheatre. Over time the school has changed in many ways but central to our ethos remains a caring and supportive community where students are happy to come to school and staff want to stay. It would be wrong of me to suggest that, over the time I have been here, it has been an easy headship; there have been many challenges and I believe there are more to come. The right candidate therefore, will be someone who has an understanding of those challenges and has the ability to address them with intelligence, creativity and an understanding about what is right for our students and school community. Kelmscott is not an academy or free school; it remains a locally maintained community comprehensive. Despite considered and detailed debate, the governors and staff community believe this is still the right decision for the school, and therefore, the new Headteacher would be someone who shares those views and beliefs. The successful candidate will find themselves working with a very supportive Governing Body, an excellent Senior Leadership Team and a strong and dedicated staff. I believe Kelmscott School is now ready to move forward into the next phase of its journey and I look forward to handing over that challenge to the successful candidate. I wish you all the best Lynnette Parvez Headteacher P a g e | 5 Kelmscott School Teaching & Learning “Putting Learning First” Learning is at the heart of everything we do, but our aim is not just to achieve the best results, but to develop our students so that they possess a profound social conscience and an enlightened cultural awareness. Our School We are dedicated to improving teaching and learning and We are a local authority maintained school of developing strong and effective professionals. Many of approximately 900 students, aged 11-17, and 130 staff, our middle and senior leaders began in the school as situated in the heart of Waltham Forest; the 2019 London NQTs or student teachers. Borough of Culture. In addition, we have a small specialised Post-16 Provision accommodating students “A highly supportive environment transitioning from secondary school to further education with an emphasis on putting or training. learning first” (Ofsted 2016) We are proud that our intake reflects the rich cultural diversity of the community, and we strive to ensure that Curriculum our students are not educationally disadvantaged by We are proud of the breadth and balance or our social deprivation. curriculum and that it reflects our moral purpose of ensuring that every child can access their fullest We are consistently in the top quartile of schools potential, irrespective of their background or ability. nationally for progress and have been praised by Ofsted for our inclusive yet aspirational curriculum. Our curriculum has been praised by Ofsted in their last two visits and we strive to ensure that our students have We believe our success is built on the professional many options and pathways open to them when they commitment of all staff -both teaching and support- leave us at the end of Year 11. where we develop enquiring, knowledgeable, responsible, global citizens through challenge and Our School Community understanding. We work closely with our community partners including Cenlig and the recently established West Walthamstow Partnership. With our linked primary schools we have Our Vision established close working practices designed to ensure Our vision of teaching and learning in Kelmscott there is a smooth transition to secondary school. School is to ensure it provides the best possible Students at Kelmscott work widely with members of the opportunity for students of all abilities and community. backgrounds to reach their fullest potential. Our Facilities At the heart of our vision is a commitment to equality All of our facilities –set across two buildings- are of opportunity and a celebration of diversity. wheelchair accessible and include dedicated maths and Our motto 'Putting Learning First' is testament to our English classrooms. Our specialist facilities include a belief in the importance of the child and our sound-proofed music suite and a drama studio with recognition that achievement will occur where access to the main hall stage, and an amphitheatre for outside productions. In addition, we have six well- students are nurtured in a stimulating and safe environment where learning is paramount. equipped science laboratories and specialist technology rooms for food, textiles, art and media photography. We understand the importance of teaching and learning within the classroom whilst also recognising The Future the need to promote learning through all other areas This is an exciting time for Kelmscott as we are entering of the school’s work. phase one of a three phase building programme to extend our building and enable us to accommodate and Our vision is to ensure that all staff understand the increase from 6-form to 8-form entry. The plans include link between good teaching and effective learning and additional technology and science facilities, a new activity therefore strive continually to improve their practice studio, an English suite and an extended dining area. in order to create the best environment in which to learn. Our ultimate vision is to ensure that through our teaching and learning policy we equip our students “School Leaders and Governors are with the skills, knowledge and understanding to take “highly committed and ambitious for their place as valued citizens able to take a place in pupils to achieve” (Ofsted 2016) adult society. P a g e | 6 Kelmscott School “Putting Learning First” 245 Markhouse Road | Walthamstow | London | E17 8DN | 020 8521 2115 | www.kelmscottschool.co.uk HEADTEACHER To start September 2019 Salary: L30 – L35 Outer London (£84,864 - £94,362) plus up to 25% discretionary payment This is an exciting and challenging opportunity to lead this highly successful and innovative 11-17 mixed comprehensive school, at the heart of Walthamstow’s vibrant and ethnically diverse community in north east London. Our current Headteacher is retiring and the Governors are looking for a new Headteacher with similarly strong values, great drive and clarity of vision. We stand for: . Child-centred education that recognises that achievement occurs where students are nurtured in a stimulating and safe environment where learning is paramount. Ensuring every student has the opportunity to reach their full potential, irrespective of ability or background. Teaching and learning that equips our students with the skills, knowledge and understanding to take their place as valued citizens, ready to meet the challenges of an ever-changing world.

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