‘Excellence Through Effort’ St Martin’s CE VA Primary School Fangfoss Headteacher Recruitment Pack April 2018 ST. MARTIN'S C. E. PRIMARY SCHOOL Fangfoss, York, YO41 5QG Telephone / Fax: 01759 368446 Email: [email protected] Head Teacher: Mr Paul Edwards April 2018 Dear Applicant Thank you for your interest in St Martin’s Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School. We are a small school in the village of Fangfoss on the edge of the Yorkshire Wolds, with the school being on the current site since 1976 and having 104 pupils. We have created a calm and happy atmosphere where everyone is encouraged to reach their full potential and thrive in the love of God. We are proud of our Outstanding SIAMS reputation, strong sense of community and Christian ethos. In our safe, nurturing environment every child gets the opportunity to develop skills for life. We have a dedicated and enthusiastic staff, great children, some of which serve on a school council, after school clubs, St Martin’s Out of School Club (SMOOSC) for before and after school care, links with the local parish and a supportive Friends of St Martin’s School (FOSS) group. Our committed Governing Body are supportive and challenging and are seeking an inspirational and dynamic leader to build on current successes, to sustain and develop the religious character of our school, and to lead the school to be recognised as Outstanding by Ofsted. The successful candidate will also be required to navigate the changing educational environment, and lead the school amidst new challenges and opportunities facing us in the next few years. If you decide to apply for the post, please ensure you clearly detail how you meet all the essential requirements in our employee specification. In addition, please outline your vision for primary education in the section of the application form headed ‘Supporting Statement’. We look forward to receiving your application. Yours sincerely Chris A Grey Chair of Governors St. Martin’s School, Fangfoss from Revd. Jan Hardy St. Martin’s School Fangfoss is a Church of England Aided Primary School for children aged 3-11. It is also a community school serving the villages of Fangfoss, Spittal, Bolton, Yapham and Meltonby. Central to the ethos of the school is its foundation and links with the church. The incumbent Revd. Jan Hardy leads an Act of Collective Worship once every two weeks. She also helps deliver Religious Education when there is a topic which is particularly apt. Walking around the school one is able to see clear and visible links with the school, parish church and the Diocese of York. Last year, 2017, the school was visited by the Bishop of Selby and the Archbishop of York. The children attend St. Martin’s Church at the end of each term for a service in Church. As St. Martin’s Church is a relatively small rural church two services are held, one for Early Years Foundation Stage and Key Stage 1, and one for Key Stage 2. St. Martin’s Day is celebrated on 11th November each year with the emphasis on the life of St. Martin and the links between church and school. Children in Year 6 are offered the opportunity to be Confirmed if they wish and classes are held in school during the summer term led by Revd. Jan. A Christmas Fair is held at the beginning of December in school; this is a joint venture between the Friends of St. Martin’s school and St. Martin’s Church. Messy Church has also been held on the third Sunday of the month in St. Martin’s School, but is currently on hold pending a relaunch in September. Messy Church aims to further increase the links between church and school. The School was judged to be Outstanding in its last SIAMS Inspection and links between the school and church were particularly recognised. One of the recommendations was to have a dedicated notice board in church, which has been acted upon. The congregation of St. Martin’s Church prays regularly for the school and is involved in the appointment of Foundation Governors, which is something it takes very seriously. We consider it a great privilege to enjoy the positive links we currently have with the school and would hope that the person appointed would seek to build further on the existing links. The positivity regarding the Christian ethos of the school and the church’s links with the school is equally valued by parents and the wider community. We will be particularly remembering the school in our prayers in this time of change and look forward to working with the new Headteacher, in ways that promote the Christian ethos of a very lovely and special Church of England, Aided Primary School. Are you the person we are looking for? The governors of St Martin’s Church of England VA Primary School are offering an exciting opportunity for an inspiring and dynamic Headteacher to take the lead in our school’s journey from good to outstanding through actively modelling and embedding the Christian vision and core Christian values of the school, and promoting our school motto of excellence through effort. St Martin’s is located in the small village of Fangfoss at the foot of the Yorkshire Wolds in the East Riding of Yorkshire, situated approximately 11 miles to the east of the city of York and 4 miles north west of the town of Pocklington. Our school has 104 pupils in four classes and currently is rated “Good” by Ofsted and “Outstanding” by SIAMS. We aim to develop and nurture our pupils so that they are prepared for life’s events and challenges along their journey into adulthood; this includes supporting them to develop spiritually, academically, physically and socially. This happens in a caring and loving environment based firmly on a Christian vision, and in particular the four school values of Compassion, Trust, Responsibility and Creativity. As Governors we are looking for someone who: • will lead by example, actively modelling and embedding into all areas of school life, the Christian vision and core Christian values of the school • can promote the school’s Christian distinctiveness in all areas of school life • demonstrates a commitment to the highest standards of teaching, learning & assessment, and shows great enthusiasm for embedding these in every stage of a child’s journey throughout the school • can provide evidence of a significant impact on teaching and learning in their current role • has a proven track record of effective leadership in all areas and can lead an outward-facing, vibrant school at the heart of a thriving community • demonstrates excellent, appropriate communication skills at all levels with pupils and their families, staff, governors, the community and all those involved with the school • can inspire, nurture and challenge all pupils and staff to realise their full potential • is committed to safeguarding all pupils and understanding their individual needs • is fully committed to ongoing staff development for all, creating a team who model and share best practice • has the ability to maintain and strengthen links and partnerships with governors, parents, the Church, the Diocese of York and wider community • demonstrates an awareness of national policy and anticipates trends, showing a proactive approach to future school development both academic and extra-curricular. In return we will offer: • a school where the Christian ethos and values permeate throughout all areas • a welcoming, supportive and friendly learning environment • happy children who feel valued, listened to and safe • children who enjoy learning and are encouraged to make excellent progress academically, becoming confident well rounded young people • the support of a hardworking, enthusiastic staff team who care for and know each child individually • governors who embrace change and are excited about the opportunity of ensuring all pupils make outstanding progress and achieve their full potential • committed parents who support their child’s learning journey • a school that has strong links with the church and wider community and plays a valuable part in the village life. You will be offered a comprehensive induction package from both the Diocese and Local Authority, as well as mentoring. Appointment is subject to a DBS check. We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. Our School A recent visit from the Archbishop of York. Key Stage 2 summer production, Ali Baba. Year 5 and 6 pupils leading classroom worship. Early Years Foundation Stage pupils having a go at Chinese writing. Early Years Foundation Stage on World Book Day 2018. Years 1 and 2 having outdoor fun at the Yorkshire Arboretum! Years 3 and 4 science practical. Staff, parents and Year 1 pupils having fun on Sports Day. Years 3 and 4 autumn art in the outdoor classroom. About our school Classes The school has been on its present site since 1976 and pupils are organised into four classes: • Class 1 – Early Years Foundation Stage pupils Our Foundation Stage Unit caters for children from the age of three and follows the Foundation Stage curriculum. FS1 is affectionately known as “Red Tops” to the school and Reception as “Blue Tops” on account of the colour of the uniform. The published admission number in Reception is 16. • Class 2 - Key Stage 1 pupils • Class 3 - Lower Key Stage 2 pupils (Years 3 and 4) • Class 4 - Upper Key Stage 2 pupils (Years 5 and 6) Each class is staffed by a teacher and teaching assistant or nursery nurse in the case of Class 1, with additional teaching assistants working on a one-to-one basis in some classes with pupils with SEND.