The posting
Being an Assistant Headteacher at Simon Balle All-through School
We are seeking an inspirational secondary-trained Senior Leader to join our unique, oversubscribed, all-through school. This is an excellent opportunity for an enthusiastic leader to demonstrate their passion for pastoral wellbeing in our outstanding school. In recruiting a new Assistant Headteacher we are seeking someone who can share our vision and ethos and has the flexibility, drive and energy to ensure that the school continues to provide the best opportunities for all students. The successful candidate will have a proven track record of the highest quality of both academic learning and pastoral care, and will share our belief that high expectations and a values-led approach to education will truly lead to “creating tomorrow’s citizens today”.
What can we offer you at Simon Balle All-through School?
Leaders, teachers and support staff have a relentless focus on excellent teaching and learning to ensure students across all key stages achieve the very best academic results. Our broad and ambitious curriculum is progressive and sequential and supports learners on a fourteen year journey from Reception - Year 13 in all subject areas. There is no tension in our work to ensure that every young person can achieve, belong and thrive with us; thus academic and pastoral leaders work collaboratively across the all-through. The school has extensive facilities including our Elm Sports Centre, dedicated music block, swimming pool, nature walks, full size Astroturf pitch, football and rugby pitches. More than 30% of children and students learn a musical instrument and there are an extensive number of enrichment activities both before and after school, ranging from a wide range of sports to art and drama. Students also take part in many volunteering activities both within and outside of the school.The trustees, governing body and senior leadership team are proud of the strong links and relationships that have been developed between staff, students, parents and the broader school community.
The specifics of this Assistant Headteacher post
We are looking for a secondary trained leader, with significant experience in pastoral leadership, either aspiring for a first Assistant Headship or with more experience in post. Knowledge of safeguarding, and expertise as either a DSL or DDSL over a sustained period, is an essential requirement of this crucial role. The successful candidate will teach, on a teaching timetable of approximately 10 lessons a week. The pastoral support responsibilities will be shaped around the successful candidate’s experience and expertise and could include coaching and mentoring; providing strategic leadership of an exceptional enrichment offer; and shaping pastoral priorities in collaboration with the Deputy Headteacher (Pastoral). This role is to be a part of our large and thriving all-through senior leadership team, so motivation to support young people on a fourteen year journey of education is central to our ethos and vision. Experience of leading strategic improvement in pastoral provision or safeguarding, including developing staff expertise, embedding consistent practice and demonstrating sustained impact on student outcomes, will be crucial to the responsibilities for this post.
Responsible for: Leading agreed areas of pastoral support, student engagement and safeguarding, while contributing to the vision and priorities of Simon Balle All-through School. Specific responsibilities and line management arrangements will reflect the successful candidate’s knowledge, skills and experience and complement the responsibilities of existing senior leaders.
In return we can offer:
Health
- GP helpline - appointments 24 hours a day, 365 days a year
- Physiotherapy - personalised treatment plans delivered face to face or on the telephone
- Weight management - a 12 week programme in partnership with Slimming World
- SAS Gym app - access to exercise programmes
- Use of school pool and gym facilities
- Weekly staff-run swimming and fitness classes
Wellbeing
- Individual counselling and therapy sessions
- Mindfulness and stress management - virtual programmes and sessions, Feeling Good app to improve mental health and performance in work and social settings
- Wellbeing telephone support for:
- Menopause
- Bereavement
- Cancer and chronic illness
- Men's health and mental wellbeing
- Maternity support
- A dedicated staff wellbeing committee and regular staff social events
Financial
- Cycle to work scheme
- Pension scheme - all staff will automatically be enrolled in a pension scheme with either the Teachers' Pension Service or the Local Government Pension Scheme.
- Flexible working - to support our staff we offer flexible working opportunities; job share arrangements and part-time working wherever possible.
- Free car parking
- Free eye tests for display screen equipment users
Professional
- Terms and conditions - we offer terms and conditions in line with the School Teacher's Pay and Conditions Document (STPCD), the Burgundy Book (for Teachers) and Hertfordshire's Future Workforce (for Support Staff)
- A Commitment to reducing staff workload
- A comprehensive CPD programme with fantastic staff feedback
Apply now if you have what it takes to make a difference!
