The Billericay School a Maths and Computing College
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THE BILLERICAY SCHOOL A MATHS AND COMPUTING COLLEGE Headteacher Candidate Information THE BILLERICAY SCHOOL Letter from the Chair of Governors Dear Applicant, Thank you for your interest in our The timetable for the recruitment headteacher vacancy. I hope you find process is as follows: the information we have provided helpful. Closing date 2nd March, 4pm The appointment of a new headteacher is one of the most important tasks any References collection nd th governing body will undertake, so we 2 to 11 March wish to take our time to get to know all the applicants as best we possibly can. Shortlisting th It is vital that we find the right person 12 March for our school - someone who can Information to shortlisted candidates recognise its many strengths and 13th March maintain its ethos and stability, whilst at the same time being innovative, Panel Interviews &assessment tasks visionary and a skilled leader of change. 23rd March As you will note from the advertisement, Panel Interviews & assessment activities we welcome informal visits to the school 24th March during week commencing 23rd February, when you may tour the All candidates will be advised on 13th school and, if she is available, speak to March of the timetable and programme Sue Hammond, the current of activities for the three assessment headteacher. If she is not available at and interview days, as well as the the time of your visit, another senior presentation subject. It is expected that member of staff will undertake the tour. further shortlisting will occur after day There will also be opportunities on the two, and possibly after day one. first assessment day for shortlisted candidates to ask further questions and I hope, if you feel you have the skills, there is a large amount of information experience and personal attributes we on the school website, including our are looking for, that you will apply. We prospectus. look forward to receiving your application. Please note that all applications must be submitted using the application form Yours sincerely provided, though additional sheets may be included if you feel it necessary. All applications will be acknowledged via email. If you do not receive an acknowledgement within 24 hours (allowing for weekends and half term) Colin Breathwick please contact us to check your application has been received. Chairman of The Governing Body 2 THE BILLERICAY SCHOOL Information about the school The Billericay School is a large, over- subscribed academy located in the KEY FACTS & STATISTICS pleasant and prosperous commuter town of Billericay, in South Essex, School type approximately 25 miles from London. Converter academy, comprehensive There are two large comprehensive schools serving the town and both Age range 11 to 18 schools attract students from the wider area, especially from Basildon and NOR Main School Laindon. Our intake is very 1400 comprehensive and we pride ourselves in educating the whole child and NOR 6th form responding to the individual needs of 310 our students who have a range of Specialism abilities and come from diverse socio- Maths & Computing economic backgrounds. Admission number (PAN) The local authority area is Essex and the 280 school is grouped with 9 other Number of year 7 preferences 2014 secondary schools within the Basildon 943 District, which also incorporates Wickford. Admissions 10% selection by ICT aptitude Our school mission statement is „Caring about Success.‟ Our over-arching aim is Number of Teachers 114.8 FTE (132) „to ensure that every child reaches his or her potential in a caring and supportive Number of support staff environment‟ and we strive to achieve 84.4 FTE this by ensuring that our ethos and values are central to our decision Total number of employees (incl casual) making at all times. 319 FSM The school has a well-established 96 (5.6%) primary to secondary transfer programme with our main feeder Pupil premium students primaries and other schools in the wider 224 (13.1% ) area. The admissions policy makes Budget provision for 10% of our intake to be £11 million plus £700k consortium funds admitted via an aptitude test in ICT. This allows the possibility of a place for those Number of SEN statements students who live outside our 29 catchment area but who would not GCSE results 2014 otherwise qualify. 5+ A* to C grade incl English and Maths (first entry) = 73% Each year the school is heavily Post 16 results 2014 oversubscribed, resulting in a number of A* to B grade = 44% independent appeals. Pass rate = 99% 3 THE BILLERICAY SCHOOL STAFFING CURRICULUM STUDENTS Relationships in our school are excellent We greatly value a broad and balanced The school operates a vertical tutoring and there is a tangible air of common curriculum and try to support and house system. We have 5 houses: purpose and community spirit. We have innovative, creative approaches to Curie, Edison, Keller, Newton and Scott. an excellent, loyal and committed teaching and learning. Most students Students are supported by a well- teaching and support staff, and will study between 9 and 11 subjects at developed and effective pastoral care outstanding leaders and managers at all GCSE (or equivalent); 2 in each of the system with five Heads of House, a levels who are dedicated to ensuring all core subjects (English, Maths & Science) Pastoral Support Team and full Student pupils reach their full potential. plus an additional 4 options selected Services provision who deal with all The Senior Management Team is made from a free choice of GCSEs and student administration. up of Headteacher, 1 Senior Deputy, 2 Technical Awards. Post 16 we offer in Deputies, Business Manager, 3 Assistant excess of 20 A Level subjects (drawn Behaviour of students is very good and Heads and a Senior Teacher/Timetable from the broad areas of English, Maths, the vast majority of our students are Manager. The school is organised on a Natural & Social Sciences, Humanities, well mannered and respectful. We faculty basis with each faculty allocated Expressive Arts and Business & ICT) plus operate a “uniform card” system to a manager from the leadership team. 5 BTEC L3 Technical/Vocational maintain high standards in uniform and We have a diverse and well qualified qualifications. we have an efficient system of sanctions support staff who are organised into at various levels, including “cause for teams. The school also employs a home The school provides a comprehensive concern” and “discipline slips,” detention school liaison manager who is a alternative education programme for a and an internal withdrawal unit. qualified social worker and a home- small number of students who are Rewards systems are important to our school attendance officer. challenged by main stream schooling. ethos and we organise a number of Our pay policy follows national terms The timetable is based on 50 x 1 hour events during the year to celebrate the and conditions for teachers and local periods a fortnight, with a “lesson 6” success of our students, such as reward government terms and conditions for added to enable a more personalised assemblies, reward lunches, prize-giving most support staff, although cleaners, programme for some students. and governor awards. invigilators, catering staff and sports The school has a very wide-ranging centre staff are employed on “local” extra-curricular programme and many contractual terms. staff give their time to organise visits and special events, both in term time and during holidays. Each year there are many opportunities for students to experience overseas trips, including World Challenge, become involved in charitable work or learn more about the world of work and higher education. The Duke of Edinburgh Scheme is well established within KS4 and the 6th Form; we currently offer students the opportunity to gain both Bronze and Silver Awards. Our careers guidance is comprehensive and has been externally recognised as “outstanding” at KS4 and KS5. 4 THE BILLERICAY SCHOOL 6TH FORM The Billericay School 6th form is dedicated to the achievement of academic excellence, the fulfilment of students‟ potential and the expansion of their horizons. Some 60% of our Year 11 students opt to continue into Year 12 and contribute to our vibrant and busy 6th form. Students achieve excellent examination success and a large majority progress to higher education, many at prestigious universities. Our admission policy requires a minimum point score plus GCSE Maths and English at grade C for enrolment onto any of our Level 3 courses. Our Post 16 provision is led by a Head of 6th Form, together with a Deputy Head of 6th Form and a dedicated assistant who undertakes an administrative, pastoral and mentoring role. PARENTS The school works hard to form strong and lasting partnerships with parents. Contact is predominantly via parent evenings and on academic monitoring day when each parent joins their child SPECIAL EDUCATIONAL NEEDS GOVERNANCE for an extended target-setting/review interview with the tutor. All parents Our Personalised Learning Department Our governing body is made up of 16 have access to our sims learning is extremely effective and provides a full members, three of whom are staff and gateway and receive messages via in programme of support to our 29 three parents. We are fortunate in touch and through letters, website and statemented students and others with having a good number of experienced a termly newsletter. Attendance at key identified special needs. The and long-serving governors who are information evenings is always good. department is led by two Heads of very committed to the school and its Parents are also very supportive of Personalised Learning, one of whom is success. Mr. Colin Breathwick is in the school events and drama also the school SENCO and the other third year of his chairmanship.