Queen Elizabeth Grammar School Penrith Application pack for Headteacher
Ullswater Road, Penrith, Cumbria CA11 7EG Telephone: 01768 64621 Fax: 01768 890923 reception@qegs.cumbria.sch.uk www.qegs.cumbria.sch.uk January 2015 Headmaster: C J Kirkup, B.A. Dear Candidate Thank you for taking an interest in the position of Headteacher for our school. Mr Christopher Kirkup is retiring after eleven years and he has led the school with considerable success over that period, including the conversion to Academy status in 2011, an outstanding Ofsted inspection, superb A level and GCSE results, brilliant stage shows and sporting results as well as significant changes to the school buildings, including two new classrooms for Modern Languages due to be finished in January 2015. We are looking for an inspirational and proven leader to help shape and deliver the next phase for this successful and sought after selective school. 2014 was the 450th year since the foundation of QEGS. The longevity and continued reputation of the school is a considerable achievement. The 2014 Spring Term was busy with the recruitment process to replace five long-serving members of staff who between them had given over 120 years of service to the school. The new teachers who started in September have all settled in extremely well and are all working very hard with their students. We had excellent GCSE and A Level results in the summer and sixth formers celebrated their confirmed offers from universities, employers and apprenticeship providers. The new academic year has started very positively with our enthusiastic students putting great effort into their academic studies and a whole host of extra-curricular activities including the impressive production of Les Misérables, many off-site visits, scores of sports fixtures and other enrichment activities. Our school has a strong ethos of commitment to hard work and this is supported by all the staff and students. There is great camaraderie between the staff and students, built on mutual respect and a positive environment in which to work. We look forward to receiving your application. There will be a two day interview process on the 11 th and 12 th February and we hope to announce the successful candidate before February half-term. Yours faithfully Mrs G Gravett Chair of Governors 1
Ullswater Road, Penrith, Cumbria CA11 7EG Telephone: 01768 64621 Fax: 01768 890923 reception@qegs.cumbria.sch.uk www.qegs.cumbria.sch.uk January 2015 Headmaster: C J Kirkup, B.A. Dear Candidate By the end of this academic year I will have been Headmaster of Queen Elizabeth Grammar School Penrith for eleven years. It has been an immense pleasure to share in the leadership of the school during this time. Students and parents often comment on the friendly, welcoming and family atmosphere of the school which is under-pinned by caring and personalised pastoral support. We are always over-subscribed and have one of the widest ability ranges for a selective school in the country. However, we offer an unashamedly academic curriculum and the children consistently achieve results beyond expectations. At GCSE over the last three years we have averaged 93% 5 x A* to C including English and Mathematics with 53% A*-A grades and 75% A*-B. The vast majority of pupils stay on into the Sixth Form. A level results over the last three years average a pass rate of 99.5% with 72% A*-B grades. Most of our sixth formers move to top universities across the country. Over the last four years 26 students have taken up places at Oxford and Cambridge. The school has a rich programme of enrichment for students including a wide range of off-site activities as well as a busy extra-curricular life with considerable success in sport, music and drama. Recently we have had a sixth form expedition to Uganda; Geology fieldwork in Tenerife; our boys choir singing in the Royal Albert Hall; a Year 10 artist having her work hung in the Royal Academy, and a triumphant production of the musical Les Misérables involving over one hundred of our pupils. The school employs over 120 staff and has a roll of 840 students. A big responsibility, but staff turnover is extremely low as people enjoy working here so much. Daily routines are clearly set, the atmosphere is calm and purposeful and parents and new members of staff frequently tell us how well organised we are. I have been a teacher for 34 years in four different schools and there is no question that the children at Queen Elizabeth Grammar School have been the best in their approach and attitude towards school. They are wellbehaved, enthusiastic, impressively polite and eager to please. They are a real pleasure to teach. They say thank you as they leave your lesson. They work hard and play hard. This is not a school that stands still. There is always much to do. We have gone from an Ofsted rating of Good in 2006 to Outstanding in every category in 2009. We became an academy in 2011. In 2014 we celebrated the school s 450 th anniversary and we are about to open two new classrooms which have been financed by a legacy and enthusiastic fund-raising by The Friends of QEGS. By the summer we hope to complete a further building project: the covering of our tennis courts so they can be used in all weathers. If you would like to live in one of the most beautiful parts of the country, help lead a school of cooperative, friendly and cheerful children, a team of enthusiastic teachers, outstanding support staff and supportive parents, then you should not hesitate to apply for this post. On the senior management team you will have two highly experienced and very wise deputy headteachers to help you as well as a new, young, confident and able assistant headteacher. Behind you will be governors who are keen to see the school thrive and succeed in all aspects of its work. I look forward to meeting you should you either request a visit or if you are called for interview. CJ Kirkup Headmaster 2
A mixed selective academy Roll: 840 including 233 in the Sixth Form Headteacher Salary to be determined according to experience, based broadly on Group 6 pay range (31-35) Required for September 2015 The governors of Queen Elizabeth Grammar School in Penrith (QEGS) are looking to recruit a forward looking Headteacher following the retirement of Mr Christopher Kirkup, after 11 years of outstanding service to the school. This is an excellent opportunity for an inspirational and proven leader to help shape and deliver the next phase for this successful and sought after selective school. QEGS is based in a vibrant market town close to the Lake District National Park. The successful candidate will have outstanding education credentials and demonstrable success in achieving impressive results through and with others. Above all, we are looking for someone with the highest regard for the interests of our students, staff, parents and local community. Applicants may have backgrounds in either selective or comprehensive schools or both. Queen Elizabeth Grammar School is a co-educational school with 840 students aged 11 to 18 and enjoys an outstanding reputation in all aspects of school life both locally and nationally. Academy status was granted in 2011. A relocation package is available for a candidate moving into the area. Deadline for all applications: 12 noon, Wednesday 28 th January 2015 Two day interview process will be held on 11 th & 12 th February 2015 Application packs via TES HireWire, our website www.qegs.cumbria.sch.uk or from the Head s PA Miss Caroline Marsden secretary@qegs.cumbria.sch.uk 3
School Strategy The Academy s main strategy is encompassed in the vision of Queen Elizabeth Grammar School, which is to create a secure learning environment which prepares our students to succeed in tomorrow s world by maintaining a rigorous academic curriculum, high expectations, and adopting best practice in teaching, learning and technology enhanced by wide-ranging extra-curricular opportunities and outstanding pastoral care. Aims 1. The school aims to build upon its tradition of academic excellence. Pupils will be encouraged to strive for the highest levels of achievement to maximise their potential. 2. The school aims to take full advantage of its small numbers to provide a caring environment in which the individual pupil s personality and abilities are valued and fostered. 3. The school will provide an environment in which creativity, enterprise and initiative are encouraged. Social, artistic and sporting activities will be promoted to develop pupils interests and talents. 4. The school will do its best to ensure that pupils leave this school to embark upon higher education or employment confident in their skills and learning and fitted for useful, active citizenship. The Academy will do its best 1. To raise the standard of educational achievement of all students; 2. To ensure that every child enjoys the same high quality education in terms of resourcing, tuition and care; 3. To improve its effectiveness by continual review of the curriculum and organisational structure; 4. To provide value for money for the funds expended; 5. To comply with all appropriate statutory and curriculum requirements; 6. To maintain close links with institutions of higher education, business, industry and commerce; 7. To conduct its business with the highest standards of integrity, probity and openness 4
Job Description for Headteacher Core Purpose In partnership with the Governing Body, the Headteacher at Queen Elizabeth Grammar School has overall responsibility for setting the strategic direction and focus of the school. The Headteacher has overall responsibility for the management and control of operations within the school supported by the Senior Management Team, teaching and support staff. The Headteacher provides professional leadership of the school which establishes a clear ethos, provides outstanding learning and achievement for all of its pupils, and secures the school s success and improvement. Main Duties Shaping the Future determining, organising and implementing an appropriate curriculum for the school having regard to the needs, experience, aptitude and stage of development of its pupils and the resources available to the school monitoring the suitability and impact of the curriculum to ensure it meets the needs of the school s students, complies with statutory requirements and is future proof ensuring national educational changes and new initiatives are investigated and adopted if appropriate Managing the Organisation formulating the school s aims, objectives and policies deploying and managing all staff and allocating duties to them in a manner consistent with conditions of employment and maintaining a reasonable work/life balance keeping the work and organisation of the school under review supervising and participating in the arrangements for appraisal of the performance of all staff as determined by the governors ensuring that all staff have access to appropriate advice, training and continuing professional development providing support to NQTs, graduate trainees, returning teachers and supply staff ensuring an appropriate induction process is in place and implemented for all staff ensuring that the school s pay policy and pay progression procedures are implemented determining all aspects of pupil discipline and behavioral issues within school policies monitoring and improving the school s site, accommodation, facilities and equipment to ensure all are fit for purpose Strengthening the Community ensuring that robust safeguarding procedures are in place and implemented working with outside agencies to ensure appropriate safeguarding practices are followed working in partnership with parents and carers to ensure that there is the best educational and pastoral provision in place for their children and the community working with primary and secondary schools to ensure good practice is shared throughout the local educational community contributing to the support of other local primary and secondary schools when required encouraging and developing initiatives which involve the school in the life of the local community 5
Securing Accountability acting as Accounting Officer for the school formulating the annual budget for approval by the governors and managing the finances of the school in accordance with that budget managing a three year rolling forecast and report against the forecast on an annual basis making arrangements for, and maintaining security and effective supervision of, the school buildings and property Leading Learning and Teaching leading the selection and appointment of the teaching and non-teaching staff of the school ensuring that cover for absent staff is shared equitably and fairly in accordance with national regulations ensuring that staff receive all relevant information to assist them in their duties reporting annually to the Chair of Governors on the professional development of all staff advising the Governing Body on the adoption of effective procedures to deal with under-performing staff and keeping them informed when such procedures are invoked securing the provision of a daily act of collective worship for all pupils evaluating the standards of teaching and learning and ensuring that proper standards of professional performance are maintained participating in the teaching of pupils at the school ensuring that the progress of the pupils is monitored and recorded Developing Self and Working with Others participating in any training and continuing professional development required to carry out the Headteacher s role and responsibilities effectively advising and assisting the governors in the exercise of their functions, attending their meetings and reporting to them liaising with all professional associations represented at the school arranging to have regular and useful communication with parents concerning pupil progress and all relevant aspects of school life promoting effective relationships with appropriate organisations outside the school The Headteacher will carry out his/her professional duties in accordance with and subject to: 1. the provisions of the Education Acts 2. any associated orders and regulations 3. the school s Instrument of Government 4. the school s Funding Agreement 5. the Trust Deed 6. any LA scheme applicable to the school which is part of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998 These duties will be in accordance with and subject to the Governors rules deriving from any of the sources specified in 1-5 inclusive above. 6
Headteacher Competences/Skills/Qualifications Competence/ Skill/ Qualification Description How assessed? Degree Ideally at least an upper second degree Application and original documents Teaching Qualification PGCE or equivalent teaching qualification NPQH Application, original documents Continuing Professional Development Enthusiasm for learning and personal development as evidenced by courses and programmes attended; Participation in mentoring initiatives; Working with other professional groups to gain knowledge learning and experience Experience Substantial track record of teaching 11 to 18 including A level Experience ideally in both selective and comprehensive schools Headteacher, Deputy Head experience or other substantial senior leadership experience Vision/ Strategy Innovator with a track record of contributing to or shaping vision and strategy as part of senior leadership team. Ability to lead strategically, understanding and evaluating the school s needs and to analyse the external environment in which the school operates with a view to proposing its future direction. Leadership Is an outstanding inclusive leader who is respected within the community and has a strong personal presence. Self-aware and committed to own personal leadership development. Inspires others to follow through strong communication skills, good influencing skills and clear thinking. A good listener who is empathetic and builds on different views towards a clear and agreed sense of future direction. Keeps up to date with the outside world and ensures the school is ready to respond to new opportunities and developments. Comfortable with change and leads others through it. Committed to good Safeguarding practices. Management Experienced manager of professional and other staff. Must have managed large teams effectively through change. Can take strategy and break it down into clear plan, operating procedures, objectives, key performance indicators and expectations around rate of progress. Ensures that the school has the necessary competences to deliver the plan. 7 and interview Application, interview and other exercises Application, interview and other exercises Interview and exercises Interview presentation and exercises Interview and exercises
Financial Management and Income Generation Able to mentor and coach others so that they can give their best and reach their potential. Also able to address performance concerns constructively consistently and fairly. Tackles difficult issues in a sensitive yet authoritative way Good eye for detail and process. Is numerate and experienced in managing a sizeable budget. Works with governors plus external advisors to ensure financial sustainability of the school. Has an eye for opportunities to create future income for the school including grant and funding applications, collaboration with other providers and increasing the student numbers. Able to control costs. Able to fulfil the role of School Accounting Officer Educational Philosophy Supporter of selection and grammar school ethos. Strong upholder of high academic standards whilst wanting every child to maximise potential. Upholder of a strong pastoral system and who supports all students to become useful and valuable citizens in the future. Supports the aims and objectives of Queen Elizabeth Grammar School. Is an outstanding classroom practitioner and is able to communicate expertise to others. Is able to apply knowledge and critical understanding of contemporary developments in education policy at local and national level. Is fully committed to a wide range of extra-curricular activities. Application, interview and presentation Interview, exercises and presentation 8
Key Facts and Statistics Type of school Converter Academy/mixed selective Date school established 1564 Age Range 11-18 Location Penrith, Cumbria Catchment area Approximately 400 square miles including Penrith and the surrounding rural area as well as part of the Lake District National Park Denomination Non-denominational Total number of students 842 Number of students in Sixth Form 235 Entry at Year 7 By entrance test Entry level attainment Mostly L5/L4 at KS2 top 40%-50% of the ability range Number of teaching staff 63 % of newly qualified teachers 3% % of teachers teaching their degree subject 99% Teacher turnover rate 2013-14 8% Number of support staff 57 % of students on FSM/FSMever6 3% % Pupil Premium 4% % of students with SEN 7% % of students with EAL 4% 16-19 Bursary 8% LAC 1 student Service children 2 students GCSE results 2014 47% A*-A 76% A*-B 99% 5 x A*-C 88% 5 x A*-C (including English and Maths) A level results 2014 46% A*-A 75% A*-B 99.5% A*-E Value added score 2013 1009.5 % absence Year 7-13 3.7% Last Ofsted inspection 2009 Ofsted judgement Outstanding in every category Contact Details Address Ullswater Road, Penrith, Cumbria, CA11 7EG Telephone 01768 864621 Fax 01768 890923 Email reception@qegs.cumbria.sch.uk Website www.qegs.cumbria.sch.uk 9
School Council Meeting December 16 th 2014 Over thirty students attended from the Year 13 Student Leadership Team through to Year 7 form representatives. We put three questions to the School Council on the subject of the recruitment of a new Headteacher: 1. What qualities would you expect in a new Headteacher? 2. What is great about QEGS? 3. What needs to be improved at QEGS? These are their comments: 1. What qualities would you expect in a new Headteacher? Fair Motivated Good relationships Democratic Caring Understanding Kind Inspirational Wide interests Organised Role Model 2. What is great about QEGS? Academic and extra-curricular mix Calm and friendly atmosphere Charity is a strong focus Good teacher/pupil relationships All known by individual name Mutual respect between staff and students 3. What needs to be improved at QEGS? Provide better library facilities for sixth formers Review the provision of Design and Technology across the school Provide an even wider range of sports Introduce A level Sociology and Psychology Consider providing transport for students from outside the catchment area Provide more information about non-university career pathways 10
11