Head of School
Primary Phase or All through Satellite Provision (Primary and Secondary phase)
To start August 2024
Full time – Permanent
Leadership Scale Point L20 – L24
Do you relish the thought of working within a diverse school community where all children and young people are seen and provided for as individuals?
Are you motivated by ensuring every child and young person can access an exciting and relevant curriculum alongside the support they need to reach their dreams?
Do you have the skills to build positive relationships with diverse stakeholders?
We are looking for two inspiring and dynamic heads of school to develop operational phase and stage based leadership whilst working collaboratively with the Executive Headteacher to drive the strategic vision of the school.
Dorothy Goodman School is a large all age special school within the Multi Academy Trust, Open Thinking Partnership.
What we need from you:
- Exceptional leadership skills to:
Build courageous relationships with children and young people, staff, parents and wider stakeholders to build strong, aspirational, community focused provision and outcomes for pupils
Drive educational developments including developing staff expertise in teaching and learning based on research informed practice
Provide flexible approaches to meeting the needs of pupils to build engagement for learning (behaviour)
Motivate and strengthen practice of staff at all levels across the school - A flexible approach to your work so that priorities are met as organisational needs change
- Reflective, creative practitioner, focused on the future with a passion for curriculum development, teaching & learning and pupil advocacy
- Ability to measure the impact of work completed, evaluate outcomes and develop innovative next steps
We welcome applications from experienced leaders across all phases of education who are committed, innovative practitioners ready to take the next steps in their professional development.
The Open Thinking Partnership and Dorothy Goodman School provide:
- A vibrant school community with a continually evolving curriculum
- Access to high quality ongoing professional development
- Collaborative multidisciplinary team working with Speech and Language and Occupational Therapists and Educational Psychologists
- Coaching support for developing leadership skills
- Commitment to using evidence based practice to enhance the quality of teaching and learning
The school offers provision across multiple sites, which includes opportunities for pupils to access Dorothy Goodman classrooms at three mainstream schools. Please see the website for more information about opportunities for inclusive practice.
Visits to the school or initial professional conversations are essential to ensure that you understand how the school works. To book a visit please contact Helen Russell at Open Thinking Partnership (contact details can be found in the recruitment pack). If you would like to arrange a professional conversation Helen will arrange a mutually convenient time.
Initial visits will take place at one of the main school sites.
Monday 22nd January 11.00am to 12.30pm – Barwell Lane – LE10 1SS
Wednesday 24th January 1.30pm – 3.00pm – Stoke Road – LE10 0EA
Friday 26th January 11.00am – 12.30pm – Barwell Lane – LE10 1SS
Tuesday 30th January 9.30am – 11.00am – Stoke Road – LE10 0EA
Monday 5th February 1.30pm – 3.00pm – Stoke Road – LE10 0EA
Wednesday 7th February 9.30am – 11.00am – Barwell Lane – LE10 1SS
Friday 9th February 9.30am – 11.00am – Barwell Lane – LE10 1SS
The post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and subject to a check being carried out at an Enhanced level by the Disclosure and Barring Service regarding any previous criminal record.
Closing date for Applications is 14th February 2024 at 5:00pm. Please apply through e-teach or TES
Interviews will completed in two stages:
Day 1: Week commencing Monday 4th March – full day spent with Kelly Dryden (Executive Headteacher) and Janet Thompson (CEO of Open Thinking Partnership) – this is to provide candidates with an understanding of the area of the school that they have applied to lead
Day 2: Monday 18th or Wednesday 20th March – full day including professional discussion
Safeguarding Statement
Dorothy Goodman School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. We particularly welcome applications from under represented groups including ethnicity, gender, transgender, age, disability, sexual orientation or religion.