Vacancy

Employment type: Full-time
Salary: £48,900 - £57,900
Close date: 12th September 2022 at Midday
Dates for school visits: 7th and 9th September 2022
Date of interviews: 28th and 29th September 2022
Position start date: January 2023

Do you have a compelling vision for the future of education, appreciate the importance of musical education and possess strong leadership skills?

The Governors at St. Lawrence (Voluntary Controlled) Church of England Primary School are seeking to appoint a forward-thinking team player to lead our wonderful school and build on the successful work of the previous Headteacher.

As a church school we believe that every child is a ‘Child of God’ and as such is entitled to be loved and nurtured to achieve excellence. Accordingly, our school is searching for a new leader who possesses a clear vision for what a truly outstanding, creative and holistic education can look like in 2023 and beyond and employs exceptional leadership skills to bring our whole staff, volunteer and parent community on board for the journey.

St. Lawrence school is located on the outskirts of the picturesque village of Seal in Kent and is situated close to the historical site of Ightham Mote. 

We are looking for:

• A commitment to realising the potential of every child.  Someone who is passionate about ensuring teachers and wider staff have consistently high expectations of what each pupil can achieve and ensuring that all pupils flourish, including those with Special Educational Needs and High Needs Funding.
• A person who instils a strong sense of accountability, with excellent people management skills, emotional intelligence and approachability
• An outstanding practitioner with a commitment to providing a broad and balanced curriculum; recognising and supporting individual learning needs
• An ability to inspire and motivate others and realise potential in team members at all levels, along with a commitment to excellence and lifelong learning
• Sound, proven organisational and financial skills
• An individual who is approachable, actively listens to the school community and possesses the drive to strengthen and build collaborative networks both within the school community and externally

The Governors are extremely proud of the school’s aspirational and nurturing culture which is heavily built on our Christian values of compassion, trust, forgiveness and creation. Our new Headteacher would be expected to champion and embody these values in all areas of school life.

Music is an important part of school life at St Lawrence. Over a third of our children learn a musical instrument, all of KS2 have recorder lessons, and the whole school sings together several times a week. Performing arts, drama and sports are integral to the wellbeing and confidence building of all the children at St Lawrence with the whole school taking part in various productions and many sporting activities throughout the year.

We can offer you: 

• The opportunity to lead an exciting school where pupils are engaging, motivated, happy and eager to do their best
• A supportive, proactive and well-organised governing body (with a wide range of professional skills) who are fully committed to improving the quality of our provision through working in partnership with the Headteacher
• The opportunity to work with an excellent team of staff who are dedicated and committed to achieving the best possible outcomes for children
• A proactive Parent Teachers Association as well as membership of the Sevenoaks Partnership, a collaboration of primary schools in the Sevenoaks area that enables knowledge sharing, peer moderations and Headteacher interaction
• Strong links with the community, church and diocese of Rochester as well as close ties with Sevenoaks School, enjoying many of its facilities

   

The position offers an excellent opportunity for an outstanding professional with school leadership experience to take a step up into a Headship role for the first time, or for an existing school leader to take on a new challenge. 

Our school is a vibrant and happy school from the front door to the playground and we currently have 80 pupils.  Each classroom houses two year groups apart from Year 2 who have their own classroom.  We are very lucky to have an amazing woodland and outdoor space that we fully utilise to enhance learning via our external classroom and brilliant Forest School area. 

Please don’t be deceived by the size of our school, whilst we may be small, we make a big impact. 

Our Parents and Children Have Asked For:

• Someone who will continue to listen, respect and include everyone
• New ways of gathering feedback and sharing opinions
• Our culture, traditions, musical, theatrical and sporting endeavours to continue and grow
• Innovative ways to engage parents to proactively support learning 

As a Voluntary Aided Church of England school, our Christian ethos underpins our vision, values, policies and approach to learning. The school has a strong relationship with St. Lawrence Church and we are seeking an individual who can demonstrate a sincere understanding of the Christian faith and promote the holistic development of our pupils within this context. However, personal and regular church attendance is not a requirement.

Visits to the school are welcomed, these can be arranged on the following dates; Wednesday 7th September and Friday 9th September. Please contact Reverend Serena Willoughby (Foundation Governor) at serena.willoughby@st-lawrence-sevenoaks.kent.sch.uk to arrange your visit.