APPOINTMENT OF EXECUTIVE HEADTEACHER AND CEO APPOINTMENT BRIEF OCTOBER 2019

Heartlands High School

AN INTRODUCTION Heartlands is an ambitious multi-academy trust seeking a highly effective Executive Headteacher to succeed Mr Simon Garrill, who has devoted a decade of outstanding service to this growing set of two schools, Heartlands High School and the Grove.

HEARTLANDS HIGH SCHOOL Search for Success

Heartlands High School was established as a community school in 2010 and become an academy in 2013. It was built on a passionate commitment to learning and the setting of high expectations for its pupils’ work and behaviour. Enjoying state-of-the-art facilities, the School is oversubscribed and has a student body that is a genuine reflection of the local community. Its aspirations for the community around it are high and the School is committed to ensuring its students have access to the very best education.

Heartlands is a successful, well run school, with a warm supportive workforce, staff are friendly and collaborative, proud to work for the Trust and enjoy coming to school each day. In recognition of this ethos and the ongoing professional development offered, Heartlands was awarded Teaching School Status in 2017.

The School takes students from 11-16 and its academic results are impressive, with students in 2019 achieving 34 Grade 9s and it is expected that the cohort’s Progress 8 score will improve substantially on last year. The curriculum includes a wide range of subjects and breadth of choice. It is designed to take into account pupils’ individual needs and well-being and the School continues to deliver success, by a range of measures, for students from varying backgrounds and of whom around half receive free school meals.

Heartlands has a clear ethos and believes in instilling the will to succeed in its students. This ethos is captured in the acronym SEARCH; School Matters, Effort, Achievement, Character and High Aspirations. A consistent focus on creating a focused but enjoyable environment means that visitors to the school regularly comment on the calm and purposeful atmosphere. Consistency of approach is important to Heartlands and as a result behaviour management is effective, with raised voices being a rarity.

The School takes over 1,100 students and is rated Good by Ofsted. Further information can be found on its website, via its Twitter, or from Ofsted.

The Grove

THE GROVE The vision – ‘Inspire Excellence – Champion Potential and Empower Learning’

The Grove is a lynch-pin in Haringey’s SEN provision. The depth of its offering, its focus on transition-points for students, and the quality of staff mean in its short history it has already had real impact on its students and it aims to be a vital part of the local community.

The Grove opened as a new school in 2018 and is the only all through autism school in Haringey. Initially in temporary accommodation, it now occupies an immaculately renovated site near Turnpike Lane. The School is oversubscribed and is set to grow from 70 to over 100 students in the coming few years. The range of pupils at The Grove are principally those with a primary diagnosis of autism. They may have additional needs such as language and communication, sensory processing, specific learning difficulties, ADHD or learning difficulties.

Students have access to a team of skilled teachers, visiting therapists, and professionals who work together to ensure each child has a learning programme tailored to their specific needs. Families are offered the support and advice they need to feel confident and informed about their child’s needs and future prospects. The Grove believes that education ought to be tailored to the needs and potential of each individual and strives to ensure that its students develop to their highest potential. To support this, each student has a personalised learning

plan (PLP) and movement, sensory and learning break area available throughout the day. More information about the teaching and learning approach at the Grove can be found here.

Facilities at the Grove are still being fully established but are already outstanding. Pupils have access to extensive outdoor spaces, including sports facilities and tailored play areas. Classrooms are spacious and designed with low arousal in mind. Specific areas designed to meet therapeutic needs are provided and the School provides its own catering.

Like Heartlands High School, the Grove also believes in SEARCH, defining its own Ethos as: Support, Empathy, Acceptance, Resilience, Compassion and Honesty. The Grove is committed to working closely with its mainstream colleagues within the Trust and contributes widely to the sharing of best practice. More information about the School can be found on its website.

HEARTLANDS COMMUNITY TRUST This is an exciting time for the Trust. Heartlands High School is on an upwards academic trajectory and the Grove has quickly adapted to its new location. In the future, it is hoped that further additions to the Trust will be made, including further mainstream and SEN providers. A stable financial position and recent investment in facilities will enable both schools to continue with confidence.

The Trust is not, however, complacent and remains vigilant for potential future challenges. This vigilance is supported by an engaged, constructive, and informed set of Trust Directors. The current Chair is Jeff Twentyman and more information about governance arrangements can be found here.

THE ROLE This is an opportunity to join a highly successful Trust at an inflection point in its history. Building on solid foundations, the next Executive Headteacher and CEO will have the chance to further the Trust’s reach and continue its efforts to provide a transformative educational experience to young people in a diverse community.

PURPOSE OF POST Accountable to the Trust Directors, the Executive Headteacher will provide leadership and strategic direction in realising the key imperatives of the Trust. This will include management of senior leaders including two Heads, enabling and empowering them to shape their respective schools. The Executive Headteacher will be an outstanding strategic education leader who is able to develop and articulate the vision, values and ethos of Heartlands and who will inspire others to share in achieving it.

The Executive Headteacher will be accountable and take responsibility for the performance of the two current

and any future schools in the Trust, using appropriate metrics to evaluate the good in differing environments.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES Strategy and Vision

• To promote the ethos and vision of the Heartlands Community Trust and to present it to a wide range of audiences;

• Be proactive in addressing the strategic priorities of the Heartlands Community Trust and take the lead on Teaching and Learning, (including Engagement and Inclusion) within the Trust strategic plan;

• Take a leading role in key plans and documents such as the Trust’s long-term strategic plan, self-evaluation and school improvement plans of the Academies;

• To lead the Heartlands Community Trust in achieving excellence with a focus on continuous

improvement and raising standards.

Leadership

• To provide motivational and inspirational leadership at all levels of the organisation;

• Hold line management responsibility for the Head of School for Heartlands High School and the Headteacher of The Grove including being responsible for their performance management along with the performance management for the Central team;

• To provide dynamic and strategic direction and leadership for Teaching and Learning in the Heartlands Community Trust, in an all through, all ability context;

• Build and maintain strong relationships with parents, staff, directors and governors across the Trust.

Teaching and Learning

• To be wholly accountable for all aspects of Teaching and Learning and Standards across the Heartlands Community Trust and act as principal adviser to the Heartlands Community Trust’s Trust Board of Directors on all areas of provision across the Trust;

• To be responsible for developing a diverse, innovative, inclusive and personalised curriculum offer for all pupils across the Heartlands community Trust;

• Oversee extended provision across the Trust and provide an evaluation of impact to the Board.

Finance and Compliance

• To be the Accounting Officer for the Heartlands Community Trust, personally responsible for the propriety and regularity of the public finances in your charge;

• Oversee the planning of the Heartlands Community Trust’s budget and the deployment of resources across the Trust, and the use of the Pupil Premium to ensure value for money and evaluation of impact at all times;

• To ensure compliance with the requirements of the Master Funding Agreement and Supplemental Funding Agreements for the Academy Trust;

• To ensure compliance with the Heartlands Community Trusts Scheme of Delegation.

Communications and External Relations

• Act as an ambassador for Heartlands Community Trust in developing partnerships and links with stakeholders that promote a positive profile of the Trust;

• Be responsible for meeting the demands of changing legislation, new initiatives and changing practice;

• Support the need for effective communication, both internal and external to the Trust, including liaising with the local and national media.

Safeguarding

• Ensure that Heartlands Community Trust continues to recognise that it has no higher duty than the safety and happiness of students, acting in accordance with section 175 of the Education Act 2002.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES • To deliver the strategic business plan of the Trust;

• To be responsible for successfully delivering the School Improvement strategy within Heartlands High School taking responsibility for the strategic running of the school while

ensure the effective delegation of the day to day management to the Head of School;

• To work closely with the Chair, Directors and central Leadership Team to ensure the strategic vision and ethos are understood and acted upon by all academies and key stakeholders;

• To actively facilitate effective partnerships with Department for Education and the wider community;

• To work with the Chair of the Board to ensure informed decision making and accountability at the appropriate level of management or governance, in all HCT academies;

• To act as Accounting Officer for the Trust and exercise financial and management controls to manage expenditure,

income levels and legal compliance at all levels;

• To act as an advocate and public face for the HCT, using influencing skills to maximise the profile of the organisation and promote the organisation’s core purpose and values.

These duties are neither exclusive, nor exhaustive and the post

holder will be required to undertake other duties and

responsibilities which the Board of Directors may determine.

PERSON SPECIFICATION The successful candidate will be a committed educator with a dedication to the vision of the Trust and to the idea of Trusts as a way to shape education. They will be results-orientated and understand how to deliver even in challenging circumstances. An enabling presence, they will know how to engage with all parts of the Trust community while also remaining attuned to the broader strategic picture. The Executive Head will be a dynamic, energetic, resilient leader and will bring:

Skills and Experience (Essential)

• Significant experience of leadership;

• Experience of a collaborative working style and the ability to delegate;

• Proven experience of significant and positive impact on raising standards of attainment;

• Proven track record of providing inspiration and strong leadership to teaching and non-teaching staff;

• Experience of HR, staff management and leading professional development and training for colleagues;

• Experience of leading performance management and addressing poor performance;

• Up to date CPD training and a strong commitment to safeguarding pupils;

• Secure knowledge of education policy, pedagogy, inspection findings and statutory requirements;

• The enthusiasm, initiative and commitment to ensure that outstanding practice is embedded throughout the Trust and drive forward the vision and values of Heartlands;

• The ability to articulate a clear and coherent educational vision in line with the philosophy of Heartlands Community Trust;

• An ability to work with and communicate effectively with a wide range of stakeholders to ensure the continued success of the Trust

• The ability and the tenacity to tackle difficult issues and take difficult decisions and convey outcomes clearly and sensitively.

Skills and Experience (preferred)

• Experience of working in urban schools;

• Experience of leadership within multi-school Trusts;

• Experience of SEN provision;

• An evidence-based mentality with a focus on measurable outcomes such as Progress 8;

• Experience of dealing with Local Authority Education (Children’s Services) teams and systems.

TERMS OF APPOINTMENT An attractive package will be negotiated with the successful candidate. Appointment will be subject to referencing.

The post holder must carry out his/her duties with full regard to the Trust’s Equal Opportunities and Racial Equality

Policies in the terms of employment and service delivery to ensure that colleagues are treated and services delivered in a

fair and consistent manner.

The Executive Headteacher will carry out his / her duties in accordance with and subject to the National Conditions of

Employment for Headteachers and Education and Employment Legislation.

The Executive Headteacher will be committed to safeguarding and the promotion of the welfare of children. The Trust

applies safer recruitment processes to all posts, including the disclosure of criminal records and vetting checks.

HOW TO APPLY Saxton Bampfylde Ltd is acting as an employment agency advisor to Heartlands Community Trust on this appointment. Candidates should apply for this role through our website at www.saxbam.com/appointments, using code FAHAIA. Click on the ‘apply’ button and follow the instructions to upload a CV and cover letter.

The closing date for applications is noon on Monday 4 November 2019. GDPR personal data notice According to GDPR guidelines, we are only able to process your Sensitive Personal Data (racial or ethnic origin, political opinions, religious or philosophical beliefs, trade union membership, genetic data, biometric data, health, sex life, or sexual orientation) with your express consent. You will be asked to complete a consent form when you apply and please do not include any Sensitive Personal Data within your CV (although this can be included in your covering letter if you wish to do so), remembering also not to include contact details for referees without their prior agreement.