THE 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 , 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 and NOR Main School . 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 . 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. productions, etc. responsible for coordination of alternative provision. They are The work of the governors is organised There is a parent association, Friends of supported by an Inclusion Manager into the following committees, all of Billericay School (FOBS), which meets on and a Literacy Manager. which are supported by the school‟s a termly basis, facilitated by a deputy business manager who also undertakes head; its key role is the organisation of The department employs 20 learning the “clerk to the governing body” and fund-raising events which support support assistants and HLTAs who “company secretary” roles: various projects in school. work both in main stream lessons and with individual students and small Curriculum, Finance, Audit, Personnel groups. There is also a dyslexia support & Pay, Premises and Sports Centre, teacher and provision for study support Student Related, Headteacher Review. for identified KS4 students.

5

THE BILLERICAY SCHOOL

PREMISES

The school site comprises a number of teaching blocks, dating from the 1930s to the current decade, and this allows each faculty to occupy its own discrete area. In the past few years we have extended and refurbished several areas, so much of the school is in good condition and provides excellent and modern facilities. We have a swimming pool and sports centre on site and we have recently completed an all- weather 3G pitch. There are extensive playing fields and our facilities are used regularly by the community at evenings and weekends.

The school does not have a dedicated dining room, so the school hall is used to serve school meals, supplemented by a number of other areas around the school. We operate a cashless system.

Our school house has been converted to provide accommodation for the Teaching School Alliance and SCITT personnel. We also have a Montessori nursery on site, which is rented on a lease basis

FINANCE & RESOURCES

The school is in sound financial health, with an annual budget of over £11million and significant reserves. We are, however, mindful that over the next few years the financial climate will be difficult for all schools and it is likely our reserves will be utilised to support unfunded cost increases, particularly in staffing. We try to allocate resources to have maximum impact for our students and their educational attainment and have therefore tended to resource departments generously in comparison to other schools.

We are fortunate to have a very large and well-resourced library, managed by a chartered librarian. We have also invested heavily in ICT to ensure teachers have the tools they need to deliver outstanding lessons. The majority of classrooms have an interactive whiteboard and the school has 23 computer suites (including 5 with Apple Macs), with 980 desktops in total, supported by a network manager and two technicians. All members of the school community have 24 hour access to the school system via the “school portal” straight to their desktop.

The school runs its sports centre as a company limited by guarantee, under the governance of the Premises and Sports Centre committee

The school also holds the funds for a number of consortia groups, some of which are chaired by the current headteacher, including:

Billericay Teaching School Alliance

Billericay SCITT (primary and secondary)

Behaviour and Attendance Partnership (Basildon, Billericay and Wickford)

Consortium for School Improvement (10 schools across Essex)

Basildon District Sports Association

Billericay Music Association

6 THE BILLERICAY SCHOOL

COMMUNITY & OUTREACH

The school has very well established links to many groups and organisations and is currently working with another secondary school to provide advice and support. In 2014 the school applied for, and was awarded, academy sponsor status. Although the school has not yet formed a multi academy trust, this remains an option for the future.

The Billericay School is a partner to the Billericay Community Trust, whose membership is made up of representatives from each of the secondary, primary and special schools in the town. The Billericay School works closely with its primary feeder schools and provides support for Maths transition.

The teaching school alliance was developed in 2013 and is now very successful in providing professional training and support to schools right across Essex, with its base at The Billericay School.

Billericay Primary SCITT has “outstanding” status from Ofsted and has been the highest ranked SCITT provider nationally for a number of years. The school is employer to the staff who run the SCITT programme, which has this year been extended its reach to become a secondary provider.

7 THE BILLERICAY SCHOOL

KEY PRIORITIES These are the principal priorities identified within the current Development Plan

Strategic Direction and Shaping the Future

 Strive to achieve “Outstanding” Ofsted status for the school  Further develop the work of the Teaching School Alliance and ITT partnership  Explore the role of the school as an academy sponsor and the development of governance of the school as a multi academy trust

Leading and Managing the Organisation

 Review and implement new KS3, KS4 and Post 16 curriculum where necessary  Preparation to ensure success in the new terminal exams at KS4 and Post 16  Managing change to external assessment systems  Maintain staff morale in times of change

Leading Teaching and Learning

 Strive to ensure outstanding teaching and learning where all students are stretched and challenged  Aim for outstanding assessment, progress tracking and intervention at all key stages including Post 16  Ensure outstanding information, advice and guidance that will lead to continued success in higher education outcomes

Developing and Managing People

 Ensure a high quality in-house CPD offer for all staff  Provide leadership development opportunities for senior and middle leaders  Continue to develop outstanding teachers and leaders at all levels

Leading Students Behaviour and Safety

 Furthering student engagement through student leadership, Student Voice and our house system  Pastoral curriculum review focusing on student wellbeing and the values underpinning British society  Continue to develop gender based intervention projects to raise aspirations

8 THE BILLERICAY SCHOOL

JOB DESCRIPTION Job Title : Headteacher

Accountable to: The Governing Body

Salary : Group 8 ( negotiable )

Core Purpose of The Role

 This role’s core purpose is to provide professional, authentic and pragmatic leadership of the school that will ensure that students achieve highly, participate fully and decide wisely. To achieve success the Headteacher will:

 Work with Governors and staff to provide a shared strategic plan that inspires and motivates students, parents and staff and other members of the community

 Develop vision, leadership and direction, focusing on excellence and high expectations

 Sustain authentic and collaborative engagement with staff. Encourage leadership development by a charismatic and collaborative approach to the management of the school community

 Identify priorities and manage change, seeking ways of developing structures based on rigorous self-evaluation

 Embed strategic planning which focuses on impact and delivers outcomes

 Ensure outstanding teaching and learning

 Deploy resources to achieve the school’s aims according to best value principles

 Ensure effective deployment of staff to facilitate effective day to day management and administration

 Develop and sustain excellent working relationships with external partners for the benefit of the school and the wider educational community

· Ensure a safe and engaging learning and working environment

9 THE BILLERICAY SCHOOL

JOB DESCRIPTION continued

Strategic Direction and Shaping The Future

 Work with the Governing Body and key stakeholders to ensure the school‟s vision is clearly articulated, shared, understood and acted upon effectively by all

 Work within the school community to translate the school’s vision into agreed objectives that promote and sustain school improvement

 Demonstrate the school’s values in everyday work and practice

 Motivate and work with others to create a shared culture and positive environment

 Ensure strategic planning takes account of the diversity, values and experience of the school and the community.

Leading and Managing the Organisation

 Create an organisational  Manage the school‟s financial  Manage the school structure that reflects the resources effectively and environment efficiently and school’s values, and enables efficiently to achieve effectively to ensure it meets management processes to work educational goals and priorities the needs of the curriculum and effectively in line with legal health and safety regulations requirements  Recruit, retain and deploy staff appropriately and assist in  Ensure the range, quality and  Produce and implement clear, managing their workload to use of all available resources is evidence-based improvement achieve the school’s vision and monitored, evaluated and plans and policies for the goals reviewed to improve the quality development of the school and of education for all pupils and its facilities  Implement successful provide value for money performance management  Ensure that within an processes with all teaching and autonomous culture, policies support staff and practices take account of national and local circumstances, policies and initiatives

10 THE BILLERICAY SCHOOL

JOB DESCRIPTION continued

Leading Teaching and Learning Developing and Managing People  Acknowledge responsibilities and celebrate achievements of   Maintain a consistent and Regularly self-assess, set teams and individuals continuous school-wide focus personal targets, and take on pupils’ achievement, using responsibility for own personal  Build a collaborative learning data and benchmarks to development culture within the school and monitor progress in every actively engage with other  Develop and maintain child‟s learning schools to build effective effective strategies and learning communities  Ensure that learning is at the procedures for staff induction, centre of strategic planning professional development and  Manage own workload and and resource management performance reviews that of others to allow an appropriate work/life balance  Create a culture and ethos of  Treat all people equitably, and challenge and support where with care, dignity and respect, all pupils can achieve success to create and maintain a and become engaged in their positive school culture and own learning good staff morale

 Demonstrate and articulate  Ensure clear delegation of high expectations and set tasks and responsibilities, so stretching targets for the whole that teams and individuals school community undertake effective planning, allocation, support and  Implement strategies that evaluation of work secure high standards of behaviour and attendance

 Determine and implement a diverse, flexible curriculum and put in place an effective assessment framework

 Take a strategic role in the development of new and emerging technologies to enhance and extend the learning experience of pupils

· Monitor, evaluate and review classroom practice and promote improvement strategies

11 THE BILLERICAY SCHOOL

JOB DESCRIPTION continued

Securing Accountability

 Fulfil commitments of contractual accountability to the Governing Body and ensure that the school’s legal and statutory responsibilities are met

 Work with the Governing Body to ensure it is provided with information, objective advice and support, to enable it to meet its responsibilities

 Develop a school ethos that enables everyone to work collaboratively, share knowledge and understanding, celebrate success and accept responsibility for outcomes

 Ensure individual staff accountabilities are clearly defined, understood, agreed and subject to rigorous review

 Develop and present a coherent and accurate account of the school’s performance to a range of audiences, including governors, parents and carers

Strengthening Community

 Build a school culture and curriculum which take into account the richness and diversity of the school’s communities

 Ensure learning experiences for pupils are integrated with the wider community, and that some of these are community-based

 Collaborate with other agencies to promote the academic, spiritual, moral, social, emotional and cultural well-being of pupils and their families

 Create and maintain an effective partnership with parents and carers to support and improve pupils‟ achievement and personal development

 Seek opportunities to invite parents and carers, community figures, businesses or other organisations into the school to enrich the school and its value to the wider community

 Co-operate and work with relevant agencies to protect children

· The Headteacher will carry out his/her professional duties in accordance with current education and employment legislation.

 The Headteacher is accountable to the Governing Body for the standards achieved and the conduct, management and administration of the school, within the proscribed legal framework

 This job description is subject to annual review.

12 THE BILLERICAY SCHOOL

HEADTEACHER PERSON SPECIFICATION

QUALIFICATIONS  Act with care and  A demonstrable understanding consideration and demonstrate of and commitment to the  Degree or Hons Degree integrity, honesty, loyalty and a process of safeguarding and  Qualified Teacher Status sense of humour safer recruitment, retention,  Evidence of recent and effective induction and relevant training and performance management development at headship level STRATEGIC DIRECTION AND SHAPING  Proven experience of and/or in preparation for THE FUTURE successful self-evaluation and headship  Proven ability to plan the school improvement

strategically to reflect, promote process PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE AND and deliver the school‟s vision, KNOWLEDGE ethos, priorities and targets LEADING TEACHING AND LEARNING  An understanding of  Substantial experience of curriculum, innovation and  Implementation of effective teaching strategies to meet the needs of assessment procedures and an  Substantial successful strategic all students including the sixth understanding of assessment experience of leading and form for learning needs of all managing at headship or students  Experience of effective deputy headship level  An outstanding classroom strategic financial and resource  Experience of having worked management to achieve practitioner with the ability to in an 11 to 18 school educational priorities and continuously monitor and

ensure efficiency and value for develop staff, evaluate performance, celebrate PERSONAL APTITUDES, QUALITIES money excellence and challenge poor AND SKILLS  Experience of and commitment performance to working collaboratively with  Ability to identify, access and  Experience of and commitment Governors to sustain and manage external funding to providing excellent provision enhance a school vision which streams throughout the curriculum and embraces excellence, high  Ability to communicate orally to develop innovative ways of standards and inclusion and in writing and inspire a learning including the use of  Sound knowledge and wide range of audiences both ICT understanding of the wider verbally and in writing  The ability to lead on the use of educational agenda including  Ability to prioritise, plan and data, track student current national policies and organise effectively taking performance to enhance educational issues as well as account of the need for a educational provision and statutory and legal framework healthy work/life balance improve outcomes governing the operation of  Ability to manage change,  Commitment and Academies delegation and team building determination to raise

 Successful professional standards for all and be development of colleagues LEADERSHIP AND MANAGING THE ambitious for the students and  Excellent decision-making skills ORGANISATION the school

combined with the ability to  A high profile role model with lead, influence, manage a strong visible presence who change and delegate earns the confidence, trust and appropriately respect of the entire school  Proactive, creative, innovative and wider community and versatile  A high level of drive, energy and enthusiasm, resilience and reliability 13 THE BILLERICAY SCHOOL

HEADTEACHER PERSON SPECIFICATION continued

DEVELOPING AND LEADING STUDENTS – THEIR MANAGING PEOPLE BEHAVIOUR AND SAFETY  Substantial experience and  Recognition and promotion of ability of using sound the role parents/carers and judgement to anticipate and families play in helping young resolve conflict and issues with people succeed and thrive sensitivity  Ability to sustain positive  Substantial experience of behaviour management and building on staff good practice ensure that student behaviour, and expertise and in attendance and punctuality are implementing shared outstanding leadership and devolved  A commitment to furthering management pupil engagement through  Ability to inspire and foster a promoting behaviour for sense of community and high learning level of staff morale  A commitment to an approach  A commitment to system in which all students are leadership and working to valued, have a sense of continue to support the wellbeing and are enabled to teaching school and the become independent learners. school‟s Initial teacher Training Partnership

14