A very exciting opportunity has arisen for an inspirational and dynamic Assistant Headteacher (Standards, Support and Inclusion) to join our team and make a significant contribution across Years 5 to 8 at Hexham Middle School. We are looking for a driven, enthusiastic and ambitious professional who places pupil success at the heart of what they do. The Assistant Headteacher will join the senior leadership team and will be responsible for shaping our pupils to be respectful young people who have a strong engagement in their learning and achievement and who have high aspirations for themselves and their futures.
The postholder will have responsibility for ‘Standards, Support and Inclusion’ across the school. You will be driving forward our inclusive and relational culture and will be at the forefront of supporting our pupils to thrive during their time in middle school. You will have very high expectations for all pupils with a particular focus on those who face disadvantage and have additional needs and vulnerabilities. You will lead the school’s approach to promoting very high standards of behaviour, engagement and attendance and will be at the forefront of working with a wide range of stakeholders to ensure success for all. If you believe in embedding relational and inclusive practice in everything you do, this is a significant opportunity for you to have whole school impact in a supportive, forward-thinking and highly-ambitious environment.
Key areas of responsibility:
· As designated safeguarding lead, create an environment in which all pupils feel safe, secure and happy, and where safeguarding procedures are rigorously applied with a strong culture of vigilance.
· Lead a culture of inclusion and support where all pupils feel a sense of belonging with a particular focus on pupils with additional needs and those who face disadvantage. Lead a relational approach where positive relationships between staff, pupils and parents/carers are at the heart of school practice.
· Ensure very high standards of behaviour and engagement in a calm and orderly environment across the school through implementation of a fair but robust behaviour policy and curriculum.
· Have oversight of the school’s inclusion provision and support for pupils with additional needs (including the strategic leadership of the SENDCo) ensuring that pupils access a fully inclusive learning environment and broad, balanced and ambitious curriculum.
· Ensure a rigorous focus on high standards of attendance and punctuality and lead effective and rigorous systems to work with pupils and families.
· Promote positive attitudes to learning and maintain a positive and respectful school culture in which all staff know and care about pupils as individuals within the wider school community.
We are a large and flourishing middle school set in the historical market town of Hexham and are co-located with Queen Elizabeth High School as part of Hadrian Learning Trust. In September 2021, we moved into brand new school buildings with state-of-the-art learning facilities. We cherish the strong partnerships that exist between pupils, parents/carers, staff and the local community making this a successful, friendly and welcoming school. Pupils at Hexham Middle School have an eagerness to learn and achieve very well academically. We pride ourselves on the positive relationships we build and the individualised care and support we give the children in our school. The school is situated in Hexham – a short drive from Newcastle and with local transport links to both Carlisle and Newcastle.
We are very proud of our school and everything that makes it a great place to be: a friendly, supportive and highly-dedicated staff team; delightful young people who behave and engage very well; a culture of continued professional development; investment in staff and very close working links with the high school to support development opportunities and career progression. We place a high value on our personal development programme and are very proud of the varied enrichment activities that form part of our wider educational experience. In addition, the postholder will access:
· A supportive induction package and professional development.
· A comprehensive package of wellbeing and health support.
· Free gym membership on site.
· Ample on-site parking.
· A very pleasant, modern working environment in the market town of Hexham.
We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expect all staff to share this commitment. The successful applicant will be required to obtain a satisfactory Certificate of Disclosure from the Disclosure and Barring Service.
If you wish to speak to someone regarding the vacancy, please contact our HR team on [01434] 610300. Applicants are strongly encouraged to visit our school and can arrange appointments via recruitment@qehs.net or by calling the school office.
Visits are scheduled for the below times, but please contact us to arrange alternative opportunities:
· Wednesday 16th April 10.30am (during the Easter holiday – please contact recruitment@qehs.net before Friday 11th April 3.30pm to book this visit).
· Tuesday 29th April 9.00am
· Tuesday 29th April 5.00pm
Application forms are available from our website at. If you wish to apply, please email your letter of application and completed application form to recruitment@qehs.net.
Closing date for applications: Thursday 1st May 9.30am
Interviews will be scheduled during week commencing 5th May