Appointment of a HEADTEACHER Newspaper Day Shine Media Award Winners for Best School Newspaper 2012-2013 Contents Chair of Governors’ Letter 3 Letter from School Council 4 Some information about the Area 5 The School 6 Role Description 15 Person Specification 16 The Application 17 Dear Prospective Applicant Thank you for your interest in the position of Headteacher at Caistor Grammar School. The forthcoming retirement of our current Headmaster after 21 years offers an exciting opportunity for a new leader. I hope that, having looked through this literature, you will get a sense of why we are so proud, not only of our impressive academic record, but of the School as a whole and of all that it achieves. The School is located close to the centre of the historic market town of Caistor on the edge of the Lincolnshire Wolds. The original ironstone school hall, which dates from 1631, stands at our entrance and remains in regular use. The modest size of this original building belies the fact that Caistor Grammar School has grown to become one of the highest performing schools in the country and the leading School in Lincolnshire for many years. We benefit from a highly committed, experienced and loyal staff, supportive parents, an effective governing body and sound finances. Students are highly motivated and our annual student survey confirms that they enjoy coming to school and have a strong desire to learn. An unashamedly academic curriculum is balanced by a broad range of extra-curricular activities which we see as integral and vital to a balanced education. A successful new Headteacher will be a highly visible leader playing an active role in all aspects of school life. They will be approachable with excellent written and verbal communication skills, able to quickly build a strong rapport with staff, governors, students and parents. A proud keeper of tradition who is not afraid to introduce new systems and best practice where there is clear benefit. On behalf of the Governing Body, thank you once again for your interest. We would like to extend a warm welcome and an invitation to visit our school during the week commencing 21st March 2016, prior to submitting an application. If you have the vision and skills to lead Caistor Grammar School into the next chapter of our proud history, we would be delighted to hear from you. Yours sincerely John Colley Chair of Governors Caistor Grammar School • Appointment of a Headteacher 3 Letter from the School Council We would firstly like to thank all prospective applicants making learning enjoyable and exciting, but also going for considering the position of Head Teacher at Caistor the extra mile both inside and outside the classroom, Grammar School. We would like to offer a student offering lunchtime clubs, revision sessions and perspective on behalf of the student body as to why we memorable school trips. The student body at Caistor believe our school is so special and what unique qualities excellently complements the attitude of its teachers: the new Head Teacher can expect. highly motivated and enthusiastic and, towards the latter years of their school life, committed to achieving the We believe that Caistor Grammar is an outstanding very highest marks. school for a variety of reasons and one that the new Head Teacher can be proud to say is under their The school also offers its students a wide range of leadership. The reasons we love our school go far opportunities in a variety of different fields. It has beyond just academic excellence, although we certainly excellent connections with local businesses which make appreciate the high-standard of teaching we receive here. open evenings, work experience and events such as One advantage of CGS is the homely feel to the school, challenge of industry extremely rewarding. It provides and with only 650 students (including the Sixth Form), opportunities on the sports field, through entering the there is great co-operation between year groups and various super-zone regional competitions which in the being able to identify with most of the students and all last few years alone have resulted in a netball trip to the teachers within the school creates an inclusive feel. Barbados and a football game at Reading’s Madejski The size of the school and its tight-knit community have stadium. The school’s broad programme of also bred a culture of leadership. The School Council is extra-curricular activities and trips seems to provide just one of many leadership groups within the school, everyone with something they can enjoy outside of the comprised of 1 student elected on behalf of each form classroom. The House System is another integral part from years 7-12, the meetings themselves chaired by the of the school community, again echoing a wide and Senior Prefect Team, with the helpful direction of the inclusive range of activities students can get involved Head Teacher. This culture of leadership is also evident with, as our inter-House activities span from music and in many of the events conducted in school, days such as drama to chess and even the renowned pancake race! Holocaust Memorial, Upstanding, European, whereby it is often students who plan, organise and deliver the We will always be grateful for the opportunities main activities, ever encouraged and supported by our provided to us by CGS, helping us to become the fantastic teachers and non-teaching staff. mature, responsible and aspirational young people we want to be. Our school is a place where we want to The attitude of both students and teachers within the work hard and to play hard, to seize the day, and to grow school is one that is conducive to success. Not only through sharing. 4 Caistor Grammar School • Appointment of a Headteacher Some information about the Area Caistor Grammar School is situated in Caistor, and the castle houses an original copy of the Magna Lincolnshire, which is a small country town, dating Carta. Hull has a historic old town with several back to Roman Times, standing on the edge of the museums, an art gallery and an award winning Lincolnshire Wolds. Although most of the town aquarium, The Deep. It is going to be the UK City is Georgian, it has small remnants of its Roman of Culture in 2017. The Lincolnshire coast is also origins such as fragments of wall to the south of not too far away and holds hidden gems such as the the parish church of St Peter and St Paul, which nature reserve at Donna Nook. is used from time to time for School concerts and Compared to many areas of the country, house prices the annual Awards Evening. Caistor is 24 miles to in Lincolnshire are very competitive, with the average Lincoln in the south and 12 miles to Grimsby in the cost of a detached house being just over £180,000 east. Caistor is on the A46 which allows easy access (September 2015). There are many villages and small to the A1 going south. Close proximity to the M180 towns within easy reach of Caistor such as Grasby, allows equally simple access to the north and west Tealby, North Kelsey, Brigg, Louth and Market and all the major motorway networks. A short route Rasen as well as towns further afield such as Lincoln, will take you over the spectacular Humber Bridge to Grimsby, Barton upon Humber and Scunthorpe. Hull in about 30 minutes. From our nearest railway There are also some excellent primary schools. station, Market Rasen, the journey to London King’s Cross takes between 2½ to 3 hours and the Fresh air, big skies, pleasant areas to live but with a train from Barnetby Station will take you direct variety of activities within a short drive - Lincolnshire to Manchester. Lincoln is a historic cathedral city has many attractions and a warm welcome. Caistor Grammar School • Appointment of a Headteacher 5 The School Lincolnshire is a county which still retains many daily use. Our Sixth Form are accommodated in an grammar schools. There are 15 in all but many parts attractive 19th century country house and our Library of the county offer comprehensive service including is housed in what was once a Victorian Chapel. Our the City of Lincoln and nearby Market Rasen. school overlooks Caistor’s beautiful mediaeval parish Caistor Grammar School was founded in 1631 and church, St Peter and St Paul. the original school building shown above is still in 6 Caistor Grammar School • Appointment of a Headteacher We occupy an attractive site on the side of a hill with and the renovation of our English and Maths facilities views towards the Humber. Most of our work is done in the Lindsey building. We have a number of recently in buildings which were substantially remodelled and refurbished computer rooms and extensive facilities extended about 15 years ago. Recent improvements for music and for science and technology. include a new building for Science, the Olympic Our main sports facilities are on a separate site some Torch building, the development of our Manning five minutes’ walk away and include an all-weather building to provide improved PE and classroom pitch and a modern sports pavilion. We also have a accommodation for Modern Languages and History popular Fitness Suite on the School site. Caistor Grammar School is an outstanding school. It is proud of its past but shows no complacency. (Ofsted) Caistor Grammar School • Appointment of a Headteacher 7 In recent years, Caistor Grammar School has recent years can be viewed on the School website. achieved distinction in a number of fields.