Vacancy:
Deputy Head of School

Deputy Head of School

Job Title: Deputy Head of School
Employer: Palace Fields Primary School - (The Heath Family Trust NW)
Job Type: Leadership
Job Phase: Primary
NOR: 170
Grade: L3 - L7
Actual Salary: £49,574 - £54,816
Contract Type: Permanent
Contract Term: Full time
Location: Halton
Start Date: Sunday, September 1st, 2024
Closing Date: Monday, May 13th, 2024

About the School
Palace Fields is an academy primary school, part of The Heath Family Multi-Academy Trust, and as such has strong links with partner primary schools across three north-west local authorities. We are looking for someone with a passion for teaching and learning, someone who believes in giving children the best school experience, helping them to develop as learners and as individuals with a strong set of values. Our children are wonderful, and they thrive when they feel well supported and encouraged. Being able to form strong nurturing relationships is essential. You will be kind, reflective, dedicated and resilient. You will be joining a strong, established team. Visits to the school are strongly encouraged

About the Role
Overall purpose of the post: The deputy Head of School, under the direction of the head of school, will take a major role in:

•  Formulating the aims and objectives of the school.
•  Establishing policies for achieving these aims and objectives.
•  Managing staff and resources to that end.
•  Monitoring progress towards the achievement of the school’s aims and objectives.
• If the head of school is absent the deputy head of school will deputise.

 

Duties and Responsibilities:  Under the direction of the head of school, the deputy head of school will:

• Create a culture where pupils experience a positive and enriching school life.
•  Uphold educational standards in order to prepare pupils from all backgrounds for their next phase of education and life.
• Ensure a culture of staff professionalism.
• Encourage high standards of behaviour from pupils, built on rules and routines that are understood by staff and pupils and clearly demonstrated by all adults in school.
• Use consistent and fair approaches to managing behaviour, in line with the school’s behaviour policy. 

 

Under the direction of the head of school, the deputy head of school will:

•  Establish and sustain high-quality teaching across all subjects and phases, based on evidence.
•  Ensure teaching is underpinned by subject expertise.
•  Effectively use formative assessment to inform strategy and decisions.
•  Ensure the teaching of a broad, structured and coherent curriculum.
• Establish curriculum leadership, including subject leaders with relevant expertise and access to professional networks and communities.
• Use valid, reliable and proportionate approaches to assessing pupils’ knowledge and understanding of the curriculum.

 

Organisational management and school improvement Under the direction of the head of school, the deputy head of school will:

•  Establish and sustain the school’s ethos and strategic direction together with the governing board and through consultation with the school community.
• Establish and oversee systems, processes and policies so the school can operate effectively.
•  Ensure staff and pupils’ safety and welfare through effective approaches to safeguarding, as part of duty of care.
• Manage staff well with due attention to workload.
• Ensure rigorous approaches to identifying, managing and mitigating risk.
•  Allocate financial resources appropriately, efficiently and effectively.
• Identify problems and barriers to school effectiveness, and develop strategies for school improvement that are realistic, timely and suited to the school’s context.
• Make sure these school improvement strategies are effectively implemented.

 

Professional development Under the direction of the head of school, the deputy head of school will:

• Ensure staff have access to appropriate, high standard professional development opportunities.
• Keep up to date with developments in education.
•  Seek training and continuing professional development to meet needs.

 

Governance, accountability and working in partnership Under the direction of the head of school, the deputy head of school will:

• Understand and welcome the role of effective governance, including accepting responsibility.
• Ensure that staff understand their professional responsibilities and are held to account.
•  Ensure the school effectively and efficiently operates within the required regulatory frameworks and meets all statutory duties.
• Work successfully with other schools and organisations.
• Maintain working relationships with fellow professionals and colleagues to improve educational outcomes for all pupils.

 

Qualities: The deputy head of school will:

•  Uphold public trust in school leadership and maintain high standards of ethics, behaviour and professional conduct.
• Build positive and respectful relationships across the school community.
• Serve in the best interests of the school’s pupils.

Personal Qualities
PERSON SPECIFICATION – Deputy head of school CATEGORY/ITEM - ESSENTIAL / DESIRABLE Qualifications, Knowledge & Experience

• Qualified teacher status E
• Degree E
• Successful leadership and management experience in a school. D
• Teaching experience in both Key Stages. E
• Involvement in school self-evaluation and development. E
• Demonstrable experience of successful line management and staff development. E
•  Understanding of high-quality teaching, and the ability to modal this for others and support others to improve. E
• Understanding of school finances and financial management. E
•  Effective communication and interpersonal skills. E 
• Data analysis skills, and the ability to use data to set targets and identify weaknesses. D
• Ability to communicate a vision and inspire others. E
•  Ability to build effective working relationships. E
• A commitment to getting the best outcomes for all pupils and promoting the ethos and values of the school. E
•  Ability to work under pressure and prioritise effectively E
•  Commitment to maintaining confidentiality at all times. E
•  Commitment to safeguarding and equality, ensuring that personal beliefs are not expressed in ways that exploit the position. E 
•  Enhanced DBS clearance is required for this position. E

How to Apply
Thank you for your interest in this exciting opportunity at Palace Fields Primary School. To apply, please submit the following completed application forms: Application form For this position you should submit a covering letter demonstrating and summarising experience and giving evidence or examples of your proven experience against the criteria listed in the person specification. Application closing date: 13th May 12:00 PM.

 

Completed applications should be returned by email [email protected]. We will endeavour to acknowledge receipt of all applications within 24 hrs. Should you fail to receive a confirmation, please call 01928 716521. Please ensure that your application accounts for any gaps in employment. Please include the names and addresses of two professional referees (one of which must be your current employer). Referees will be approached if your make the shortlisting stage of the recruitment process. Applicants are warmly encouraged to visit our school. Please contact Mrs Libby Connor (Office Manager) on 01928 563 838 or email [email protected] to arrange an appointment.

Closing Date: Monday 13th May 2024
Short Listing Date: Tuesday 14th May 2024
Interview Date: Monday 20th May 2024

Recruitment Documents
Job Description: Download Document
Person Specification: Download Document
Application Form: Download Document
Equal Opportunities Monitoring: Download Document
About the Heath Family : Download Document
How to Apply : Download Document
Advert : Download Document

Contact Details
Palace Fields Primary School - (The Heath Family Trust NW)
Badger Close
Runcorn
WA7 2QW

Contact Name: Libby Conner
Contact Telephone: 01928 716521
Contact e-mail: [email protected]
Website: https://www.palacefieldsprimary.org.uk/
NOR: 170