HEADTEACHER Moorthorpe Primary School Behaviour in and around school is outstanding. Pupils are extremely polite and welcoming and are exceptional ambassadors for their school. Ofsted 2014 Pay Range L13— L19 (£52,930 to £61,341) Required for September 2018 Contents 1. Welcome from the Chair of Governors 2. Our School 3. Pupil Performance Data 4. Pupil Comments 5. Contact Details 6. Headteacher Induction 7. School Leadership in Wakefield 8. Living and Working in the Wakefield Area 9. The Role 10. Advert 11. Job Specification 12. How to Apply / Feedback Celebrating Achievement, Sustaining Success 1. Welcome from the Chair of Governors Dear Applicant, I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your interest in becoming our Head teacher. We hope that the information you have received in this pack is informative and helpful, and that it encourages you to apply for the exciting Head teacher vacancy at our school. Moorthorpe Primary is a dynamic school with a dedicated and committed teaching and support staff. We provide our children with every opportunity to achieve their full potential using a range of stimulating learning techniques, extra curricula activities and community involvement. The school is making great progress in raising the attainment of our children. We are proud of the recognition our accelerated progress has achieved in the last six years, and are looking for a dynamic and inspirational leader who will continue to bring the latest techniques to the school. We are looking for someone with the proven experience and skills necessary to effectively manage this school and carry it forward. We are also keen to sustain and increase the important relationships we have built through working with, and supporting other schools in the surrounding area. I am pleased to discuss further any queries or questions you may have regarding the school or position. Yours sincerely Mark Spink, Mark Spink Chair of Governors. Celebrating Achievement, Sustaining Success 2. Our School Aims of the School 1. To provide a broad and balanced curriculum which will enable all children to acquire the skill, attitude, concepts and knowledge appropriate to the Primary Stages of Education. 2. To ensure that the curriculum which is offered to each pupil is appropriate for their age, experience, and stage of development. 3. To recognise that each child is an individual. 4. To enable children to experience enjoyment in learning. 5. To help children develop self-discipline and responsibility for themselves and others. 6. To encourage children to have a tolerant attitude towards other people and different cultures in the world in which they live. 7. To provide equal opportunities for all children, regardless of gender, race, creed or ability. 8. To provide a challenging and stimulating environment in which each child can develop to their full potential and feel secure and valued. 9. To foster an atmosphere of welcome and visible care. 10. To form close connections between home, school and the community. 2. Our School 2. Our School Moorthorpe Vision We aspire for all our children to become confident, secure, caring individuals who achieve personal success and develop a love of learning. Moorthorpe Mission Statement To provide a secure and welcoming learning environment for all children. To encourage a love of learning and celebrate every child’s contribution to the school. To provide a broad and balanced curriculum that meets the needs of all of our children Curriculum Provision At Moorthorpe Primary School we believe that the School Curriculum should be broad and balanced, offering children the opportunity to achieve success in many different areas. Although our curriculum is based on the National Curriculum, there are other planned opportunities that make up the wider curriculum. We follow a theme-based approach to learning, in the belief that children learn best when logical connections are made between different aspects of their work. The school also implements the National Curriculum which provides detailed frameworks for the teaching of all subjects, including English and maths. We believe passionately in giving the children ownership of their learning. We support our children in becoming ‘aspirational’ – aiming high – in order to make the most of their learning opportunities. Moorthorpe Primary School believes in an active partnership between school, pupil and home. Teaching and Leaning is matched to pupils preferred learning styles, is differenti- ated to match ability and makes the most of our developing provision in ICT to support this. International and Wider school Links The school has an international link with a South African school and the children write and share letters. We also have links with other schools in London and the more local area. This has proved very popular with the children. An area we are looking to expand in here is developing video links via computers to these schools. 2. Our School This is a GOOD School Pupils feel very safe at school and know how to keep themselves and other safe ‘Pupils are enthusiastic learners who like finding out about new things. This has a very positive impact upon their learning. They describe school as being ‘friendly’, ‘terrific’, ‘interesting’, ‘supportive’ and ‘fun’ Governors support and challenge the school. They are knowledgeable and track the work of the school closely All groups of pupils, including those eligible for pupil premium and the most able achieve well over time because teaching is now much better and teachers provide An effectively managed and stimulating Early Years some exciting learning Foundation Stage ensures that children make a good experiences start to school and become confident learners 3. Pupil Performance Data Celebrating Achievement, Sustaining Success 3. Pupil Performance Data Celebrating Achievement, Sustaining Success 4. Pupil Comments “Moorthorpe is the best because we are all unique” “We have lovely teachers and lovely children all around school” “In this school we are all different, but all equal” “We are kind and helpful” “Moorthorpe is the best because everyone is kind and generous” 5. Contact Details Contact Details: Moorthorpe Primary School Telephone: 01977 642820 Website: www.moorthorpeprimary.co.uk Wakefield Council Twitter: @MyWakefield Wakefield Council Facebook: www.facebook.com/ mywakefield Celebrating Achievement, Sustaining Success 6. Headteacher induction Wakefield Council is committed to supporting all Headteachers who are new in post. This might be a first headship or an experienced Headteacher who is new to Wakefield. Our induction processes aim to: support Headteachers new to their role or new to Wakefield, to enable them to be fully effective as quickly as possible and become familiar with Wakefield’s systems and procedures. support new Headteachers’ professional development enabling them to continue to improve their skills of leadership and management. At the conclusion of the induction period the new Headteacher should have a good knowledge of Wakefield Council personnel and procedures and have identified any specific, personal, continuing professional development needs. There are 6 training opportunities for new Headteachers spread over the first year of headship. These are designed to provide appropriate and relevant information to new Headteachers and those who are new to headship in Wakefield. These include finance, HR and Governance; school improvement planning and self evaluation; safeguarding and health and safety. There are also sessions to support Headteachers in developing resilience and capacity to deal with difficult situations and people. 7. School Leadership in Wakefield A great place to be a school leader Headteachers in Wakefield are well-supported by the council’s Governor Support Services, ensuring that Wakefield Council is a signatory of the NAHT’s Leadership Compact, governing bodies are well-trained, well-clerked and well- a profession-led code of practice for employers, and is proud that it advised. Reviews of governance, National College works to make the district an attractive and effective environment training, mentor support and enhanced recruitment that enables school leaders to perform. All new headteachers in strategies have all strengthened governance of schools. the district are supported with an induction programme and the opportunity for mentoring from an experienced colleague. A range of leadership programmes have been commissioned, including Aspiring System Leaders and The quality of education provided by the 141 schools and Aspiring Middle Leaders programmes delivered by academies continues to improve. In August 2016, for example, the schools for schools. Wakefield Partnership for Initial percentage of ‘good’ or better schools increased to 85%, with the Teacher Training (WRITT) is the only provider nationally highest percentage in West Yorkshire reaching the new expected to maintain its ‘outstanding’ grade when inspected in standard for Key Stage Two, and higher Progress Eight than all 2013. statistical neighbours at Key Stage Four. Wakefield Council has maintained a high quality CPD Partnership service for schools, which schools are able to access Effective partnership working with and between schools is a through a service level agreement or on a ‘pay as you go’ priority for Wakefield Council. Strong locally-based school basis. These courses and opportunities such as ‘Heads collaborations exist in all parts of the district, now brought Together’ are well-attended and well-regarded.