Person Specification
This documents will be used by the selection panel to shortlist your application so please think carefully about the criteria for this role and demonstrate in your Reason for Application how you meet this.
Personal Qualities
The Appointing Panel will seek to appoint someone who:
- Places the needs of children at the heart of all decision making.
- Places teamwork at the centre of their philosophy of leadership.
- Has a proven record as an outstanding leader.
- Has a positive, forward thinking outlook.
- Has the ability to lead a team.
- Is able to delegate effectively and to monitor allocated tasks to meet milestones
- Is well organised and focused.
- Is flexible and approachable.
- Is resilient under pressure, and able to meet competing and urgent demands.
- Is able to deal sensitively with people, resolve conflict and deal with challenging situations.
- Has the skill and willingness to adapt quickly and to change tactics when necessary, and effectively communicate milestones to teams.
- Has a desire to succeed and is able to support others to succeed.
- Will successfully foster a culture in which staff, pupils and parents feel confident that they can raise issues/ concerns relating to the welfare or safety of children.
- Is personally, practically and professionally, committed to equality and social inclusion.
- Has welcomed the opportunity to work in expanded partnerships to improve academic and social outcomes for all children across a wider geographical area.
- Excellent Interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to develop strong relationships with all key stakeholders.
Knowledge and Skills
The successful candidate will:
- Understand and recognise the characteristics of an effective and efficient school.
- Have a clear understanding of the processes of safeguarding, safer recruitment and safeguarding procedures and of their significance in a special school setting.
- Set and achieve appropriate and challenging targets for the school in its drive to be outstanding in everything it does
- Demonstrate an outward-looking approach and the ability to develop effective relationships with fellow professionals and colleagues
- Demonstrate the ability to think analytically and set clear expectations based on empirical evidence to inform decision making
- Be fully conversant with recent developments in special education and will be aware of the impact and implications of recent legislation.
- Effect and manage change in a school and evaluate its impact.
- Be keenly aware of strategies to raise pupil achievement and a holistic student experience
- Demonstrate a proven understanding of ‘the self-improving school’
- Critically and logically analyse and interpret data including efficacious management of school budgets and funding
- Be able to collaborate and work closely with governors, parents and representatives from a wide range of professional agencies.
- Demonstrate a practical understanding of effective teaching and learning strategies.
- Have a clear and concise knowledge of relevant legislation.
- Have an in-depth understanding of the current Ofsted requirements and the current framework for the inspection of schools.
Qualifications, Training and Experience:
The post requires that the successful candidate has:
- Significant experience as a Senior Manager (Headteacher or experienced Deputy) in a broadly similar type of school
- Proven track record of success as an outstanding practitioner together with a thorough knowledge of practice in special and mainstream schools.
- Taught in a range of schools and is able to draw from a depth and range of experience to achieve excellence
- Qualified Teacher Status.
- Recent, relevant personal and professional development in current educational practice, including leadership and management.
- A clear and demonstrable commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children.
- Experience of leading, motivating and encouraging staff to improve the quality of education provided and standards achieved.
- Experience in working with children with a wide range of special educational needs.
- Developed the necessary managerial, financial and administrative skills to enable them to assume a strategic role in the financial management of the school.
- Experience and knowledge of managing behavior, particularly through positive reinforcement strategies.
- Knowledge and understanding of the role of the Governing Body and first-hand experience of working with school Governors.
- Experience in the leadership and implementation of a School Improvement Plan or Action Plan which is ambitious, has measureable impact and clear milestones to meet.
- Led and managed a system of Performance Management, which encourages reflective practice, challenges poor or mediocre performance, champions continuous professional development and reinforces clear accountability