We are looking for an Assistant Head to join our established and passionate team at one of our flagship residential schools providing education and care to children with SEMH and ASC. The school is set in beautiful countryside near Disley in Cheshire and the role purpose will be to lead on pastoral care and behaviour management.
Reporting to: Head of Education
Purpose of role: To help every student realise his or her potential by:
Supporting all students to make appropriate academic and personal progress as specified by baseline data and other information; and
Working closely with relevant internal and external staff, parents and carers including care staff, to ensure that student behaviour is appropriate and conducive to effective learning.
Working with: The Headteacher, the education senior leadership team (SLT), colleagues employed at the site (across care and education) and with LAs, parents and carers.
Kedleston Group Ltd (“Kedleston”) is the parent company for High Peak. It is an independent organisation which owns and operates a group of schools/homes for children with a range of special educational needs. Kedleston’s vision is to become the most respected provider of specialist schooling in the country. It is committed to achieving this by investing in its people, practices and infrastructure.
The assistant head (pastoral and behaviour) at High Peak will uphold the mission, values and goals of the Kedleston Group as expressed in its vision and mission statement. They will ensure that the group’s ethos is clearly articulated and will give professional support and guidance to colleagues in High Peak to ensure these goals are delivered.
Main Roles and Responsibilities
Overall leadership and management of pastoral and student welfare structures and all systems relating to it, including attendance and punctuality
Working with individual students and staff to improve student discipline in and out of class, including the promotion of Positive Behaviour Support (PBS)
Monitoring and evaluating all pastoral systems on a regular basis, reporting to SLT on the effectiveness of these
Analysing the data for behaviour and attendance and ensuring any actions are completed
To lead on the behaviour modification systems and services, in order to have consistently implemented behaviour policy and practice across High Peak
To lead on the student behaviour system in line with Positive Behaviour Support principles across High Peak, ensuring it is fit for purpose
To lead on parent and community liaison, so that all parents are happy with the education that students are receiving, and the students engage successfully with the community
To ensure that student and parents/ carers’ voices are loud and heard across the site
To meet all the grade descriptors in the Education Inspection Framework for behaviour and attitudes
To complete all duties in relation to the senior leadership role, including being a member of the education senior leadership team
Perform all duties required of DDSL
Additionally, the head of pastoral and behaviour focus will be to assist the head and principal in addressing and developing the following:
Leadership & Stimulating a Positive Ethos
Ensure that the broader staff team understand the site’s vision and mission with every individual member of the team feeling they have a role to play in delivering them
Act at all times as an ambassador for High Peak in a manner which upholds its values and ethos
Inspire good working relationships among staff to ensure High Peak delivers to the highest standards
Develop a shared vision, which inspires and motivates students, staff and all other members of the community
Promote equality of opportunity for all through High Peak’s policies, procedures and practices
Maintain a highly visible presence throughout education ensuring continuous interaction with pupils and staff
Staff Development, Appraisal & Training
Ensure that local and group strategies and procedures for staff induction, professional development and performance review/supervision are implemented
Work as part of the SLT within education, ensuring the effective operational management of education on a day-to-day basis
Develop an ethos which encourages and nurtures collaboration, innovation, individual and team creativity, and a culture of high expectations for all
Take responsibility for ensuring all staff have training which is appropriate to their role (this must cover statutory and non-statutory training).
Accountability
Retain accountability for the areas identified within the main roles and responsibilities above
Develop and nurture a site ethos which enables everyone to work together, share knowledge and understanding, celebrate success and accept responsibility for outcomes
Ensure individual staff accountabilities are clearly defined, understood and agreed and are subject to rigorous review and evaluation
Develop an ethos where the SLT takes responsibility for ensuring the smooth running of the site, regardless of any notional role demarcations
Contribute to and prepare for termly governance meetings that will include the sharing of information from education, staff, students and parents
Strengthening Community
To promote a suitable system of guidance and support for pupils and staff including liaison with parents/guardians, care onsite and outside agencies.
Ensure regular communication occurs with parents and carers, and the care staff onsite regarding all aspects of student performance. Ensure that education works in partnership with them to maximize individual potential and where problems are identified, ensure High Peak works towards resolution
Work proactively to maintain effective partnerships with the community promoting and representing High Peak positively and develop community involvement
Seek opportunities to invite parents and carers, community figures, business or other organisations into High Peak to enhance and enrich the site and its value to the wider community
Create and promote positive strategies for challenging racial and other prejudice, and promoting fundamental British values, spiritual, social, emotional and cultural education, and with regard to the Equality Act 2010
Safeguarding
Act as one of the Deputy Designated Safeguarding Persons for the setting, attending such Local Authority training as is necessary to be recognised as such and to carry out the role effectively
Monitor the consistent development and delivery of policy and operational practice across education, ensuring the safety, health and welfare of staff and young people is always to the fore
Work proactively with the relevant agencies in dealing with all safeguarding issues to ensure High Peak’s children are protected to the highest standards
Work proactively with the group’s Safeguarding Lead to ensure High Peak’s safeguarding practices are always up to date
Personal Training & Development
Participate in arrangements for your own induction, supervision, training and development
Undertake any qualifications deemed necessary by the SLT to fulfil the requirements of the post
Review your own methods of care and support
Other Ad-hoc Duties
To complete other duties as necessary to ensure the continued success of both High Peak and the Kedleston Group, including offering support to other schools as and when required; and the sharing of effective practice across the group