Executive Principal of Hardwicke Parochial and Clearwater C of E
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Application Pack for: Executive Principal of Hardwicke Parochial and Clearwater C of E Primary Academies MESSAGE FROM THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE Thank you for your interest in the post of Executive Principal; I am sure that you will find we have much to offer you. Originally established in 2012 as one of the first Diocesan Multi-Academy Trusts, The Diocese of Gloucester Academies Trust (DGAT) is now recognised as a successful and growing MAT. There are currently ten schools within the Trust, including nine church schools and one community school; we anticipate this number will to rise to thirteen by September. Nine of the ten schools within the Trust have now been rated as at least ‘good’ by Ofsted. Our family of schools work in close collaboration with each other to share good practice and develop innovative approaches to teaching and curriculum development. Whilst close working has led to Trust academies undertaking Achievement for All accreditation and adopting enquiry-based approaches to learning, each academy retains its distinctive characteristics, driven by the needs of the local community it serves. Whilst some of our academies are developing an international curriculum, others focus on the outdoor environment or approaches to formative assessment; it is the breadth and diversity of our schools, and the willingness to share learning, which is a unique feature of the Trust. This post offers an exceptional opportunity for an outstanding school leader to work across two Trust academies: one a long-established and oversubscribed church school in the village of Hardwicke and the other a brand new school, scheduled to open in September 2017, serving the community in Quedgeley. When the new buildings are complete, the two schools will be less than two miles apart. In the first instance, all pupils will be educated on the Hardwicke site, providing an exciting opportunity from the outset to explore a shared vision for educational excellence within the locality. The new Executive Principal will be an inspiring school leader who can build on existing good practice, command the confidence and trust of families enrolling in the new school and move both academies forward in further championing the mission of the Trust: to ensure that every pupil enjoys human flourishing. I look forward to hearing from you. Chief Executive THE VISION OF THE DIOCESE OF GLOUCESTER ACADEMIES TRUST The vision of the Diocese of Gloucester Academies Trust (DGAT) is to provide children of all faiths and none, with excellent educational provision “[Primrose Hill] has which transforms lives within a caring and supportive Christian ethos. received effective support from the In all our academies we seek to provide a complete and fully-inclusive academy trust, education which: particularly for leadership and teaching. * enables human flourishing by encouraging pupils’ and adults’ Senior and middle gifts and talents; leaders commented that nurtures developing relationships * the social, moral, spiritual and cultural development of the academy community, as well as maximising the progress, with other schools achievement and attainment of every child; through the Diocese of Gloucester Academies * celebrates the intrinsic value of every person, made in the Trust has helped them image of God. to improve teaching and raise expectations.” The Christian ethos of the Trust underpins all that we do. In order to deliver our vision we endeavour to ensure: OFSTED REPORT FOR PRIMROSE HILL CHURCH * high expectations and a shared vision of excellence which is OF ENGLAND PRIMARY acted upon by all ACADEMY, OCTOBER 2016 * at least good or outstanding teaching across the Trust * an inclusive culture in which all pupils can achieve, relative to their ability * a collaborative culture of shared accountability * staff are empowered to make significant contributions to their academy and the wider Trust * robust self-evaluation drives policy and priorities * effective partnerships with parents and carers, and the wider community within and beyond Gloucestershire * effective stewardship of resource. BENEFITS OF LEADING A DGAT ACADEMY the use of Teaching Assistants to support learning. No school is an island * Several Trust academies have also shared their Good practice is shared * good practice with a wider audience. For example, Opportunities to lead Trust-wide initiatives * Minchinhampton C of E Primary Academy has also led Professional support and challenge from an * a one year long research project which looks at how academy development partner formative assessment can support children’s learning. * Regular facilitated discussion and dialogue with other academy leaders With high expectations the norm, we have facilitated a number of professional development opportunities * Trust-wide professional development opportunities, driven by the needs of schools for staff based on the collective needs of academies. This has included a six day ‘good to outstanding’ * Comprehensive support for all business, finance and estate management functions teaching programme, training and support for teaching assistants and an annual conference for all academies. Trust academies work together to build capacity, Each academy receives at least three visits per year support the professional development of staff and from an academy development partner to monitor ensure that each academy remains a vibrant and performance and engage in professional dialogue and dynamic place where everyone can flourish. We challenge. want our academies to remain places of learning, not just for pupils, but for staff and governors too. In order to ensure that each academy remains free to focus on what schools do best, the education In adopting a collaborative approach, we have of children, we undertake a range of financial developed flexible models of working which fully and business activities for our academies, from utilise the expertise which exists within our schools. compilation of statutory accounts, to VAT and All DGAT academies play an active role in sharing best pension returns. In 2016, we secured a total of practice and learning from one another. Currently, £612,043 of funding from central government to we run three forums, meeting up to six times a year: improve the conditions of our buildings at five the Principals’ Forum, the Chairs of Local Governing academies, including Hardwicke. Body Forum and the Business Managers’ Forum. “The Diocese of Gloucester Academies In addition, teachers and senior leaders have Trust provide an Academy Development participated in a range of peer reviews to share Partner who gives good support to the best practice, ensuring there is mutual accountability academy. There has been some effective across the Trust. To date, staff and governors support, specifically in identifying have worked together to review the leadership of underachievement of pupils and maths, the use of funding to support pupil premium, identifying area for school development.” effective governance, safeguarding procedures and (OFSTED REPORT FOR DURSLEY CHURCH OF ENGLAND PRIMARY ACADEMY, MARCH 2015 THE LOCALITY OF HARDWICKE AND QUEDGELEY Hardwicke lies on the A38, 4 miles south-west of Gloucester City, close to the River Severn and within close proximity to Junction 12 of the M5 motorway. Clearwater Church of The village serves a community of approximately England Primary Academy 4,000 people and is located in the Benefice of Hardwicke, Elmore and Longney. Hardwicke Parochial Primary Academy is one of two DGAT academies in the Benefice, the other being a 100 pupil primary S e academy in the village of Longney. Hardwicke is served v e r n v by St Nicholas’ Church. Despite its proximity to a e l n e La l D o ho r c i S v Gloucester, Hardwicke is actually located within e Stroud District Council. e l Lan Since the 1970s, suburban developments to the Schoo North East side of Hardwicke Parish have led to the ne l La oo ch establishment of Quedgeley, which serves a growing S F i e l population of more than 17,000 people. The civil parish d C o u of Quedgeley was transferred to Gloucester district in r t D r i v 1991 and is the only civil parish within the city. The day to e day amenities in Quedgeley and neighbouring Kingsway have grown over the years and are served by two main shopping centres. The Severn Vale shopping centre is home to a large Tesco supermarket and a variety of adjoining stores, including a post office and library. e iv Quedgeley has five schools, of which one, Fieldcourt r D e n r C of E Infant Academy, is a member of the Trust. u o b t s e All local schools have been judged as at least ‘good’ by W Ofsted. There is one main feeder secondary school: Severn Vale School (an academy). The new Clearwater Church of England Primary Academy is located in the parish of Quedgeley and Kingsway and is served by Hardwicke Parochial St James’ Church. Primary Academy CLEARWATER CHURCH OF ENGLAND PRIMARY ACADEMY: A BRAND NEW OPPORTUNITY Why a new Free-School in Quedgeley? Transitional Arrangements for Clearwater The bid for a new free school has been approved Church of England Academy because of an increase in basic need for school The new academy is a 4 - 11 co-educational Church provision alongside the development of new housing of England academy accommodating 420 pupils when in the area. With neighbouring schools performing full. In the first year of opening, the new academy well, the need for the new school is based on a will admit pupils to the Reception Class and Year 1. marked rise in demand in the area, as opposed to We anticipate that the academy will be at full concerns over the standard and quality of provision capacity within six years. The academy will include locally. Gloucestershire County Council has reviewed on-site nursery provision for children from the age and analysed pupil numbers and projections for the of two.