What skills and experience we're looking for
Governors want to hear from candidates with a rare blend of experience, ambition and a strong personal commitment to our school’s continued flourishing. You will need to demonstrate that you are a consistent and full-spectrum school leader, able to model excellence in teaching and learning, engage warmly with parents, fulfil our responsibilities to the community, and oversee school business and operational matters with equal skill. You’ll relish the opportunity to work with a knowledegable and dedicated governing body, and a highly experienced and motivated cohort of staff.
What the school offers its staff
Our departing headteacher, Helen Ross, is passing on a very effective and happy school to her successor. Hermitage is an exemplar of its type: popular in the local area, well-regarded and with all the key indicators firmly green. We are a friendly, open and curious community of learners, deeply rooted in our locality and with strong connections to our local secondary school.
Our culture of achievement is not limited to academic success – we nurture and encourage the whole child, with a wide range of extra-curricular provision, and we help to build strong, healthy relationships with both their peers and the adults who care for them. Staff performance and morale is high, and there is a tangible culture of individual professional development and collective self-improvement.
At Hermitage Primary School we are fully committed to providing a relevant, broad and balanced curriculum for all our children including the high needs children who are part of Resource Provision. Through our curriculum, we aim to encourage and develop inquisitive thinkers and learners who are engaged in the curriculum via exciting and stimulating opportunities. We treat each other with respect and through all that we do, we encourage the children to respect themselves, others and the environment including the school, the community and wider global environment.
The aims of our curriculum apply to all, including learners within our SEN Resource Provision:
• To enable all children to learn and develop their knowledge and skills to their highest potential;
• To promote a positive attitude towards learning so that children develop a life-long love of learning;
• For all pupils to learn the fundamentals of reading, writing, maths and information communication technology so that they can access all learning opportunities;
• For all pupils to develop social skills and be effective communicators so that they can listen well and share their own ideas and thoughts confidently and coherently;
• To ensure pupils know about healthy life choices and are equipped with the knowledge and skills to make the right choices appropriate to their age;
• To provide opportunities for pupils to be physically active every day; to learn about the importance of both mental and physical fitness and the impact it has on future health and well-being;
• To provide a range of opportunities to be creative and independent thinkers and learners;
• To teach children about the world at a local level through their community as well as a wider understanding of global issues so that they develop as positive citizens
• To promote the value and contributions made by all so that our children develop a true sense of respect, tolerance and understanding of others and are committed to equal opportunities for all;
• To help children to understand Britain’s cultural heritage and values so that they appreciate the importance of democracy, tolerance and respect, personal liberty and the Rule of Law and are well prepared for life in modern Britain;
• To teach children to have an awareness their own spiritual/moral development, an understanding of right from wrong and the importance of truth and fairness.
Further details about the role
Prospective candidates are strongly encouraged to arrange a visit to the school in advance of submitting an application. Tours are offered on:
• Weds 26th Feb (9:30-11:30)
• Monday 3rd March (1:30 - 3:30)
• Friday 7th March (1:30 - 3:30) and
• Tuesday 11th March (9:30-11:30).
Informal conversations are also available (by arrangement) with David Gooda of Navigate NDC, who is supporting us with this appointment. Please email hermitage@navigategroup.co.uk or call 01625 800862 to find a convenient time.
Commitment to safeguarding
Our organisation is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. We expect all staff, volunteers and trustees to share this commitment. Our recruitment process follows the keeping children safe in education guidance. Offers of employment may be subject to the following checks (where relevant): childcare disqualification Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) medical online and social media prohibition from teaching right to work satisfactory references suitability to work with children You must tell us about any unspent conviction, cautions, reprimands or warnings under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975.