Sheffield Park Academy Vice Principal Information Pack • Letter from the Principal • About the Academy • About United Learning Letter from the Principal Vice Principal Information Pack September 2018 Dear Colleague, Thank you for your interest in applying to become Vice Principal of Sheffield Park Academy. Sheffield Park Academy is part of United Learning, a national group of schools and academies which are united in their mission to bring out 'the best in everyone' and improve the life chances of the children and young people in their care. We pride ourselves on a team of staff who are supportive, friendly and dedicated to providing the very best teaching and learning for our students. Staff across the academy set a culture of high expectations and continuous improvement for students which, in turn, is reflected in the emphasis we place on continuing professional development (CPD) for our staff. We have made significant, sustained progress at GCSE and are proud to be the most improved secondary school in Sheffield over the last nine years. Our summer 2018 Progress 8 score was 0.54, which means that every single student, on average, achieved over half a grade more than what was expected of them. Nevertheless, we are committed to further development in both teaching and learning. The role has arisen due to our increasing student numbers and therefore a subsequent need to expand our Senior Leadership Team. Therefore, we are looking for candidates who have current Senior Leadership experience and who have made a significant impact on the lives and education of students in current roles to make a positive and immediate transition into the role of Vice Principal at Sheffield Park Academy. The academy is situated in purpose-built £30million premises, benefitting from excellent, state-of-the-art facilities and situated within ten minutes of major transport links in the city. As part of United Learning, staff and students are able to access professional development, shared experiences and national opportunities with colleagues and others from across the country. Likewise, as part of a cluster of United Learning academies in the area, there are significant opportunities for joint working, career development and leadership positions. If you are looking for an exciting, challenging and rewarding career, I can think of none better than to become a Vice Principal at Sheffield Park Academy. If you are interested in a role offering equal measures of support and challenge, in making a massive difference to the life-chances of young people, and in becoming a part of our success, then I encourage you read the pack further, arrange a visit to come and see us, and see what you could achieve at Sheffield Park Academy. Yours faithfully, Mrs D. McShane Principal Sheffield Park Academy Beaumont Road North Sheffield S2 1SN t 0114 2392661 f 0114 2659835 e [email protected] Principal: Mrs D. McShane www.sheffieldpark-academy.org Sheffield Park Academy is part of United Learning. United Learning comprises: UCST (Registered in England No: 2780748. Charity No. 1016538) and ULT (Registered in England No. 4439859. An Exempt Charity). Companies limited by guarantee. VAT number 834 8515 12. Registered address: United Learning, Worldwide House, Thorpe Wood, Peterborough, PE3 6SB. About the Academy Vice Principal Information Pack With almost 1,200 pupils aged between 11 and 18 housed in our purpose built, £30m facilities, the academy is a busy and vibrant place. The colourful display of the national flags of our students’ countries of origin in our main atrium illustrates the rich diversity of our student body, with over 50 countries represented and languages spoken. Our sports, technologies and performing arts facilities are modern, well equipped and provide fantastic opportunities for our talented and creative youngsters, in all manner of activities, both within the curriculum and outside school hours. Success Links The academy’s sustained academic As a successful, outward-facing success has been recognised locally and academy, we are proud of our links with nationally and we are pleased to have been other schools locally, and nationally as identified as one of the top 25 schools in the part of United Learning. As well as providing country for pupil progress in research carried support and training to others, we are out by the New Schools Network in 2017. determined to keep improving, learning and developing ourselves and work closely with a range of partners in education and industry in support of this aim. About the Academy Vice Principal Information Pack Ethos Our ethos is underpinned by a sense of moral purpose and commitment to doing what is right for children and young people, supporting colleagues to achieve excellence and acting with integrity in all our dealings within and beyond the organisation, in the interests of young people everywhere. We summarise this ethos as ‘the best in everyone’. This ethos underpins our core values Ambition – to achieve the best for ourselves and others; Confidence – to have the courage of our convictions and to take risks in the right cause; Creativity – to imagine possibilities and make them real; Respect – for ourselves and others in all that we do; Enthusiasm – to seek opportunity, find what is good and pursue talents and interests; Determination – to overcome obstacles and reach success. “Behaviour in the school is good. There is a calm, purposeful atmosphere in both classrooms and around the school.” Ofsted 2017 “Outstanding resources and support enable us to reach our goals” L, VI Form pupil “Pupils say they feel safe in all areas of the school and clearly appreciate the strong staff presence around the campus.” Ofsted 2017 “Teachers are willing to go the extra mile” A , VI Form pupil About the Academy Vice Principal Information Pack Continued Professional Development We believe that successful organisations make a priority of developing their staff; all the more so in education, where the people of the organisation are its most important asset. While the development of all staff is important, we make support and professional development of Heads and senior leaders a particular priority, given the impact that leaders have on the life of staff and students alike. Our extensive CPD facilities include: • Talent identification processes to promote staff internally. • Leadership development to prepare our staff for potential promotion. • A pathway of bespoke training opportunities for every member of staff. • CPD within school clusters, using shared resources and facilities to identify strengths and weaknesses. • Meetings with other United Learning staff from similar roles to share ideas and best practice solutions. • Regular peer reviews with action plans that include the option to pursue professional qualifications such as a Masters or NPQML/SL. About the Academy Vice Principal Information Pack The Best From Everyone Our aim is to bring out ‘the best in everyone’. So we must expect the best from everyone, all the time. Every child is a special individual, capable of extraordinary things. Who can know the limits of any child’s potential? So, we expect unreasonably – we constantly challenge children to do what they think they can’t, to persist, to work hard and to be at their best. From every adult we expect the same: that they are at their best, expect unreasonably of themselves, are determined and resilient and pass those expectations on to the children in all they do. We act with the utmost love, care and good faith – the highest standards come with the greatest attention to the wellbeing of all. Powerful Knowledge Our most important purpose is to teach young people things they would not learn outside school, which free them to think and act more powerfully in their lives. Words and numbers are our most powerful ways of representing the world. Mastery of language and fluent mathematical skills are therefore our top priority. We aim to prepare young people to make a success of their lives: a core entitlement to subject-based learning; the development of talents; an understanding of work and society. Worthwhile learning is often hard. Inspiring teaching is what gives access to difficult concepts and the thrill of intellectual discovery. Powerful knowledge is not static or backward-looking. It includes the ability to critique, challenge the status quo, think and learn. Education with Character Academic success is very important. Exam passes are an important aspect of that. But there is more to a good education. Our schools also aim to develop character, compassion and service. Young people are expected to contribute to their school and to society; to try things which they think they cannot do; to persist in the face of difficulty; to become resilient in overcoming obstacles; to manage themselves; to work independently on things which challenge them; to work with others and in teams; to be courageous and caring; to lead. We want young people to look back on a joyful schooling which has inspired and challenged them, given them wide opportunity and prepared them for the ups and downs of life. About the Academy Vice Principal Information Pack Leadership in Every Role Our children are leaders of the future. We expect them to start today – taking advantage of structured opportunities to lead and taking responsibility for themselves and others. Every adult in the school is a leader. In every word, tone and gesture, they set direction and expectation. We expect every adult to take responsibility and the initiative to do what is right for the children. All those in formal leadership positions create the climate in which others work. They demand the highest standards, build a performance culture, develop their teams and create the space for others to lead. All leaders listen, grow relationships, act with integrity and care and expect the best from themselves and others in building a happy, confident school.