Blue Mountain Homes
As Ofsted require us to refer to young people/youth as 'children', our official Job Title reflects that. However, as our young people are aged up to 18 years, the term 'youth' describes them more fittingly.
Since 2002, we have been "reaching out and changing lives". Blue Mountain Homes is an established yet progressive company, operating Residential Children's Homes and Independent Schools across the UK, expanding into areas of need.
Job details: Deputy Headteacher
Hours: 8:30am – 4:30pm
Contract type: Full time, Permanent, 52 weeks a year.
Reporting to: Headteacher.
Main purpose
The deputy headteacher will support the headteacher in:
· Communicating the school's vision compellingly and supporting the headteacher's strategic leadership
· The day-to-day management of the school
· Formulating the aims and objectives of the school
· Establishing policies for achieving these aims and objectives
· Managing staff and resources to that end
· Monitoring progress towards meeting the school's aims and objectives
The deputy headteacher will also have a timetabled teaching commitment complying with the Teachers' Standards and modelling best practice for others.
They may also be required to undertake any of the duties delegated by the headteacher.
Duties and responsibilities
School culture and behaviour
Under the direction of the headteacher the deputy headteacher will:
· Create a culture where pupils experience a positive and enriching school life
· Uphold educational standards to prepare pupils from all backgrounds for their next phase of education and life
· Ensure a culture of staff professionalism
· Encourage high standards of behaviour from pupils, built on rules and routines that are understood by staff and pupils and clearly demonstrated by all adults in school
· Use consistent and fair approaches to managing behaviour, in line with the school's behaviour policy
· Encourage high levels of pupil attendance and help to uphold a school culture of safety, enjoyment, and engagement with learning to support attendance.
· Promote the inclusion of all young people.
Teaching, curriculum and assessment
Under the direction of the headteacher the deputy headteacher will:
· Establish and sustain high-quality teaching across subjects and phases, based on evidence
· Ensure the teaching of a broad, structured and coherent curriculum
· Establish curriculum leadership, including subject leaders with relevant expertise and access to professional networks and communities
· Use valid, reliable and proportionate approaches to assessing pupils' knowledge and understanding of the curriculum
· Plan work for learners in accordance with Pi-Education ethos to include schemes of work relevant to the individual young person. To include qualification aims which link to the national curriculum.
· To take a lead on internal assessment and tracking system.
Additional and special educational needs and disabilities (SEND)
Under the direction of the headteacher the deputy headteacher will:
· Promote a culture and practices that allow all pupils to access the curriculum
· Have ambitious expectations for all pupils with SEND
· Make sure the school works effectively with parents, carers and professionals to identify additional needs, and provide support and adaptation where appropriate
· Make sure the school fulfils statutory duties regarding the SEND Code of Practice
· To support the development and implementation of IEPs, Behaviour plans, EHCPs, Curriculum planning and assessment.
· To have knowledge of EHCP and PEP processes.
Organisational management and school improvement
Under the direction of the headteacher the deputy headteacher will:
· Establish and oversee systems, processes and policies so the school can operate effectively and efficiently
· Ensure staff and pupils' safety and welfare through effective approaches to safeguarding, as part of duty of care
· Ensure rigorous approaches to identifying, managing and mitigating risk
· Ensure effective use of budgets and resources
· Identify problems and barriers to school effectiveness, and develop strategies for school improvement that are realistic, timely and suited to the school's context
· Make sure school improvement strategies are effectively implemented
Staff management and professional development
Under the direction of the headteacher the deputy headteacher will:
· Performance manage middle leaders, including carrying out appraisals and holding staff to account for their performance
· Manage staff well, with due attention to workload
· Ensure staff have access to appropriate, high-quality professional development opportunities
· Keep up to date with developments in education
· Seek training and continuing professional development to meet their own needs
Governance, accountability and working in partnership
Under the direction of the headteacher the deputy headteacher will:
· Make sure the school effectively and efficiently operates within the required regulatory frameworks and meets all statutory duties
· Work successfully with other schools and external organisations
· Maintain working relationships with fellow professionals and colleagues to improve educational outcomes for all pupils
Essential Requirements.
· At least 5 years' experience working in an educational environment.
· Clean, full driving license and a willingness to travel to the other education sites.
· Proven track record of leading whole school improvement as SLT member and /or subject leader.
· GCSE Maths and English 5 or above. Or Functional skills equivalent.
Preferable requirements.
· Qualified Teacher Status or working towards.
· Degree qualification or equivalent.
· Vocational experience of working in industry and education, with IQA or equivalent
· An understanding or experience of working with children in need, including children looked after by local authorities.
Special conditions of service
Due to the nature of the post, candidates are not entitled to withhold information regarding convictions by Virtue of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1964 (Exemptions) Oder 1975, as amended. Candidates are required to give any details of any convictions on their application form and are expected to disclose such information at the appointment interview.
The post allows substantial access to children. Candidates are required to comply with company procedures in relation to enhanced DBS and other relevant checks.
Additional Information
· All applicants must have a valid manual UK Driving License
Blue Mountain Homes Ltd always operates a Safer Recruitment so any offer of employment would be dependent on the necessary checks and enhanced DBS.
General statement
The above duties and responsibilities do not include or define all tasks that may be required by the postholder. The duties and responsibilities may vary without changing the general character of the duties or the level of responsibility entailed.
Equal Opportunities
Blue Mountain Homes Ltd supports Equal Opportunities in Employment and oppose all forms of unlawful discrimination on grounds such as colour, race, nationality, ethnic or national origin, sex, material status, disability, sexual oriental, religion or belief and age. You are expected to always comply with the company's Equal Opportunities Policy and Guide to Equality document.
The above job description forms part of your Main Terms and Conditions of Employment. The company reserves the right to vary duties and responsibilities at any time.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: Up to £40,000.00 per year
Work Location: In person