Dartford Science and Technology College

Vacancy

Employment type: Full-time

Salary: £73,715 (L21) to £102,342 (L35)
Close date: 17th of February at 12:00
Date of Interviews: 13/14th of March
Position start date: September 2023

The Governing Body of Dartford Science and Technology College is passionate and determined to ensure that the school has the highest aspirations and provides an excellent centre of learning for all within its community. We are looking for a Principal that can both deliver and further develop this vision.

Applicants should therefore pay particular attention to demonstrating their experience and ability to meet the criteria in the following sections, which will be further explored with those candidates selected for interview.

Qualifications and training

Essential


• Qualified Teacher Status / GTC Registered
• Relevant postgraduate qualification
• Up to date safeguarding training and experience

Desirable

• Good honours degree
• Senior Leadership Development (e.g., National Professional Qualification for Headship 
(NPQH)

Knowledge and Experience

Essential


• Successful school leadership and management experience (In at least two schools)
• Teaching experience in a range of contexts
• Demonstrable experience of successful management of staff and staff development
• Experience of partnership working with parents and the wider community, including 
  external agencies
• Refined knowledge of Safeguarding roles and responsibilities. Up to date knowledge of 
  Keeping Children Safe in Education and ability to develop a whole school culture 
  around safeguarding 

Leadership

Essential


• Evidence of managing, and making a substantial contribution to, effective 
  change
• Ability to communicate a vision and inspire others
• Capacity to strategically to deliver the school’s vision, its priorities and targets
• Understanding of high-quality teaching and assessment based on evidence, and the 
  ability to model this and support others to improve
• Evidence of driving up and maintaining high standards of organisational effectiveness
• An understanding of educational issues including statutory and legal framework i.e. 
  KCSIE, Financial Handbook and the literature of EEF together with a good working 
  knowledge of the Ofsted framework 
• Knowledge of effective strategies that successfully manage behaviour and promote 
positive attitudes to learning
• Experience of working effectively in partnership with parents, carers and 
   professionals to meet the needs of all students including those with SEND
• Understanding of evidence-informed curriculum design that meets the needs of all 
   learners, and the ability to lead this across the whole school
• Skill in data analysis and the ability to use data to set targets and identify areas for 
   development.

Desirable

• Understanding of school finances and financial management.

Personal qualities

Essential

• A commitment to achieving ambitious outcomes for all students and promoting the ethos 
  and values of the school
• Ability to ensure positive working relationships
• Commitment to inclusion as the core of our school values
• Ability to work under pressure and prioritise effectively
• Commitment to safeguarding
• Commitment to equality, ensuring that personal beliefs are not expressed in ways that 
  exploit the position
• Effective communication and interpersonal skills
• Passionate approach to education and educational issues
• Excellent communication using a variety of media to inspire and engage all 
  stakeholder groups, including pupils, parents/carers, staff, governors and the wider 
  community
• Commitment to further professional learning for self and others
• Ability to maintain a reasonable work life balance

The successful candidate will:

Be outward looking, seeking opportunities to learn from and work with others. Be a committed leader with excellent interpersonal skills who can motivate and manage all stakeholders, effectively shaping and delivering the strategic plan.
Be dedicated to helping students develop into confident, sensitive and responsible adults who are able to play an active part in society. 
Demonstrate excellent leadership skills with the ability to challenge robustly and constructively.
Be someone who recognises the importance of maintaining the school’s existing values, while instilling their own leadership and identity.
Be an outstanding teaching practitioner able to set and achieve ambitious goals and continually seek to raise standards and promote our vision, values and aims in a way that is relevant and inspiring to all.
Be able to provide excellent staff leadership and management.
Have well-developed IT skills and an understanding of the evolving role of technology in education.
Demonstrate a deep understanding of the significance and importance of consistent data monitoring.
Consider and shape how we can adapt our practices innovatively to promote and enhance the wellbeing of our staff team.
Demonstrate an understanding of the social, emotional, physical and educational needs of young people, and ensure that the school provides a rounded provision to nurture them.
Show practical knowledge and experience in raising standards.
Be a strategic thinker able to plan in the long, medium and short term.
Be able to review our financial resources and look at how we invest in our school, and in the outcomes and life chances of students.
Have a continuing drive to reflect, learn and strive for positive development, for yourself, your staff team, the students and our school as a whole.
Be someone who is capable of and confident in making difficult decisions, and ask challenging questions in order to seek the best possible outcome for our school as a whole.
 
In return we can offer you:

An excellent opportunity to provide strategic leadership and direction whilst building upon the high standards already in place.
A happy, caring and supportive school, with well-behaved students who respect each other and have a thirst for learning.
A Governing Body that is committed to providing support on all matters, including more sensitive or difficult issues - this includes the wellbeing of all staff members – and who are experienced, committed and passionate about our school and ensuring our students reach their potential.
Support from the Governing Board, our dedicated staff team, and the Trustees of the Dartford Co-operative Trust
An ambitious curriculum which aims to give every pupil a love for learning and enrichment opportunities. 
 
If you feel ready to be our next Principal and you can bring your experience, enthusiasm, commitment and energy to deliver our vision of excellence for our passionate students and motivated staff, we would love to hear from you. 

Safeguarding children: safe recruitment and selection

In addition to the assessing the candidate’s ability to perform the duties of the post, the interview will also explore issues relating to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children including:

• Motivation to work with children and young people
• Ability to form and maintain appropriate relationships and personal boundaries with children 
  and young people
• Emotional resilience in working with challenging behaviours, and attitudes to use of authority 
  and maintaining discipline.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all our students. You are advised that this post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and therefore this post is subject to an Enhanced Disclosure Application to the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).

Apply for this role

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