Headteacher Candidate information hjhjhjh January 2015 Dear Applicant, Thank you for the interest you have shown in becoming Headteacher of our school. This is an exceptional opportunity to lead Wilmslow High School through the next stage of its evolution and I do hope that this Information Pack and the school website give you a deep understanding of our ethos, culture and vision. Wilmslow High School is a community school that enjoys an excellent working relationship with the Local Authority and we have taken a very deliberate decision not to convert to an Academy at this time; however we keep this decision under regular review. The current school population of 2017 students including 488 in the Sixth Form, is expected to grow substantially over the coming years as a result of the pending local plan that includes proposals for significant housing development coupled with the current expansion of some feeder primaries. New build accommodation will be required very soon. In common with many other schools in many other authorities we have a major concern about the progress of our pupil premium students and are working hard to ‘close the gap’ whilst at the same time further improving outcomes for all students. School sport is an important part of school life at Wilmslow as is an extensive programme of ‘Extra’ activities before and after school. Our students undertake many school visits at home and abroad each year and you will be a keen supporter of these programmes. We are looking for a strong and inspirational leader to build rapidly on the achievements of our highly respected former Head who we were very sorry to lose. Whether you are an experienced Head looking for new and exciting challenges, or a first time Head looking to establish yourself as an educational champion, you will have a proven track record of raising standards and of successful leadership gained over the past six or more years in a 900+ (11-16) student school, or larger if including a Sixth Form. Assistance with relocation expenses will be considered to secure the appointment of a truly exceptional candidate. You will be working with an established and experienced SLT and a governing body that craves success and holds the school rigorously to account in pursuit of excellence for our young people. If you feel that you may be the right person to fill this position of Headteacher at Wilmslow High School the governing body look forward to receiving your application for our consideration. You are welcome to come and visit us at one or more of the open sessions where you will be shown around by the students and have an opportunity to meet with members of staff and governors. Full details are contained on the back page of this Information Pack and in the original advertisement. Yours sincerely David Bennett Chair of Governors Inclusive, supportive, inspiring Wilmslow High School, an 11-18 comprehensive, is the only state School Culture secondary school in the town. It enjoys good relationships with the partner primary schools in Wilmslow, Handforth and Alderley Edge, The school works hard to maintain from where the majority of our students come. The school is heavily a culture in which learning is pre- eminent, which is ultra-professional oversubscribed in both the 11 – 16 sector and the Sixth Form, which and efficient, which is inclusive and has increased in size with more and more students from outside the participatory, which is prepared to town and from the independent sector seeking places. undertake radical change in the pursuit of genuine quality, which The school was designated as a specialist Sports College on 1st is never complacent in aiming September 2003 and gained re-designation in 2008. The specialism to improve and which acts in now includes sports and the arts. Although specialism is no longer partnership with the community adequately funded, our specialism is at the heart of the school’s culture to promote appropriate values, and ethos in raising participation, expectations and standards and individual growth and the concept of a ‘common good’. underpins the school’s vision of continuing improvement in all areas of its operation. It is based on mutual respect for all staff and students with all people After achieving High Performing School Status (HPSS) in 2008 of equal value in Wilmslow High Wilmslow bid for, and gained, second specialism in applied learning School and its wider community. from September 2009. Funding for this specialism has now been The school recognises its withdrawn: nevertheless the school continues to offer skills-based responsibilities within the Equality personalised learning opportunities to students across the ability range. Act 2010. Wilmslow High School is also a school committed to nurturing talent of all kinds, with Ofsted commenting in 2013 that students “who have high About the role attainment on entry to the school achieve very well”. Governors and staff are looking for In June 2014 Wilmslow was awarded the Inclusion Quality Mark’s a leader who shares our values and “Centre of Excellence Award”. ethos. A forward thinking, strategic and innovative leader, you will have “Disabled students “There is no room for a proven track record of driving up standards as an aspiring or current and those with special complacency as all Headteacher. You will bring the skills educational needs, members of the whole- required to strategically oversee including hearing impaired school team are committed leading and managing change, nurturing talent and developing and those on the autistic to further development and productive relationships both inside spectrum, make good continuous improvement. and beyond our growing learning community. Above all, you will share progress overall relative to This ensures that students’ our commitment and determination to their starting points.” needs are fully met, providing a learning environment, which Ofsted 2013 both academically and develops the potential and abilities of each and every one of our young personally.” Ofsted 2013 people. Learning students and staff Learning enables individuals to change and to grow, becoming • using a variety of assessment ▪ welcoming the community into independent and confident. techniques Wilmslow High School Wilmslow High School has a • using assessment data ▪ developing business links commitment to improving the constructively within the community quality of learning for all members • seeking learner feedback ▪ promoting the work and values of the school community in the • encouraging self-evaluation of the Wilmslow Educational following ways: Partnership supporting the learning process ▪ supporting the life of the preparing individuals for their by: whole community future by: • ensuring a safe, well-resourced ▪ encouraging creative thinking environment Management and reasoning • using the community to enhance ▪ instilling self-esteem and learning Management ensures the school’s self-confidence • creating an atmosphere which is commitment to improving the ▪ developing reading, writing, conducive to learning quality of students’ learning and communication and • having high expectations of all school experience by: mathematical skills ▪ encouraging life-long learning Leadership deploying people, time and and problem solving resources to: Leadership is a quality that is to be ▪ provide the highest quality recognising that individuals learn encouraged in all members of the teaching and learning in different ways by: school community. It ensures the ▪ provide pastoral support for ▪ understanding the learning school’s commitment to improving students and staff process the quality of students’ learning by: ▪ monitor and evaluate the work ▪ using a variety of learning and of the school teaching styles developing a shared vision and ▪ ensure responsible behaviour ▪ being adaptable and flexible evaluating progress ▪ ensure a safe, secure and ▪ appreciating that learning is attractive environment interactive sustaining a culture which: ▪ work with the community ▪ adapting the learning process ▪ respects and values all its accordingly members using structures and systems ▪ making learning fun and ▪ is open and accessible which: enjoyable ▪ develops individuals and teams ▪ are effective and efficient ▪ providing opportunities for ▪ challenges and motivates ▪ define roles and responsibilities success for all ▪ listens and responds ▪ define lines of support and ▪ enthusing, challenging, accountability stimulating and inspiring sharing and communicating ▪ ensure legal requirements are ▪ nurturing and supporting ▪ a love for learning met ▪ providing opportunities for ▪ an understanding of how people ▪ are simple and unbureaucratic independent and interdependent learn ▪ enable decisions to be taken at learning ▪ the belief that learning never appropriate levels stops ▪ use effective communication checking the effectiveness of learning by: actively engaging with the providing value for money ▪ being clear about the learner’s community by: starting point ▪ encouraging and enabling community involvement by Job description Job purpose Key job responsibilities ▪ To lead the strategic Lead the strategic development Ensure the effective working of development of the school of the school by: the school by: ▪ To ensure the effective working ▪ Maintaining and developing the ▪ Monitoring, supporting and of the school partnership with the Governing working in partnership with the Body in strategic planning for the members of the Senior ▪ To be the school leader in links school Leadership