Fairholme School
Head teacher
Recruitment Pack
Fairholme Primary School
Peacock Avenue,
Feltham,
TW14 8ET
Telephone: 020 8890 2584
E Mail: [email protected]
Headteacher Recruitment Pack
Contents:
About Fairholme School
Message from the Chair of Governors
Key School Data
Job Advert
Job Description
Person Specification
Link to our website for OFSTED and Budget
http://www.fairholme.hounslow.sch.uk/Default
1
About Fairholme School
“We believe we can achieve”
A pupil thought up our motto: “We believe we can achieve” and it is something we
wholeheartedly endorse at Fairholme. Given the right opportunities, a dedicated staff, a
stimulating curriculum, a caring environment and with parental support we believe all children
can achieve their potential during their primary years.
Located in the west of the London Borough of Hounslow we are a thriving school with a
rapidly expanding roll. The Bridge, a primary age pupil referral unit is hosted on the school
site. This provision is part of Woodbridge Park Service, but does not form part of the
management responsibilities of Fairholme School. There is a Children’s Centre adjoining the
school premises which is also independently managed. Although not part of Fairholme close
links are maintained with both these provisions.
We have high expectations of our pupils, academically and of their behaviour. Tolerance,
understanding and respect for others are fostered throughout the school. Through careful
planning and appropriate strategies we endeavour to meet the needs of each child.
We have a strong team of committed and effective staff who work well together as a team.
At our last inspection, Ofsted judged us to be good, and we are continually striving to
improve. Our priority is always to ensure that every child in our care achieves their very best,
and we are committed to a high level of continuous improvement to ensure ongoing pupil
progress and achievement.
Our current school priorities centre on:

Embedding the new curriculum implemented in September 2013

Continuous improvement in literacy and oracy

Further improvement in attendance levels (current average 94%)
Our aim is to ensure that children from all backgrounds feel that their language, culture and
faith is respected and valued in our school. We recognise that parents and carers play a vital
role in their child’s education and the school needs and values their support and co-operation
so that all children can achieve their full potential.
2
We encourage a love of the Arts, particularly performing arts, whether it is
dancing, singing, music making or drama. This year we were delighted to achieve
for the first time the Arts Mark Gold Award from the Arts Council in recognition of
our work in the arts. We invest heavily in Hounslow’s Wider Opportunities Music
programme. During their time at Fairholme all children will have an opportunity to
learn an instrument. We embrace the national Sing Up! Programme to get everybody singing;
our choir regularly performs at the Hounslow Schools Music Festival. We teach many styles
of dance; we have our own outdoor Dance Festival and our children regularly participate at
the Hounslow Cultural Dance Festival.
Inspired by the success of London 2012 Olympics we will be looking at ways to promote
greater fitness and engage in more competitive sport this year taking advantage of our
extensive green open spaces
Fairholme is a popular school with parents; we have more parents seeking places than we
can accommodate in the younger age groups.
Fairholme is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expects all
staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
We will be very pleased to show you round the school.
Link to our website for further information and details of our most recent OFSTED inspection
http://www.fairholme.hounslow.sch.uk/Default
3
Message from the Chair of Governors
Dear Candidate
Thank you for showing an interest in this post.
I would like to tell you a little about the school and its future. Fairholme has grown from a very
small school to its present day size. Over the years the improvement in education and out of
school activities has advanced beyond our expectations.
With the retirement of our well-respected Headteacher, we are looking for an aspirational and
dynamic leader with the strategic vision to build on the existing achievements and successes
of our popular school.
We have great staff who work well together as a team. Our children are well behaved and
enthusiastic about learning. Our teaching assistants are strength and ably support children's
development. Fairholme is well resourced with interactive white boards in every classroom
and in one of the halls.
We have a huge amount of green open space, so there are great opportunities to develop
outdoor learning. We have access to Bedfont Lakes, an area close to the school, for Forest
School activities and we have several trained Forest School leaders. A strong emphasis is
placed on music and the arts and there is an outdoor arena where the whole school performs
in music and dance in our Summer Festivals.
With our expanding roll numbers Fairholme will become a three form entry school and there
is an ongoing building programme to provide extra classrooms and a purpose built staff
room. We are also investing in upgrading and extending our ICT facilities
The Governing Body are currently considering conversion to Academy status with the
Aspirations Academy Trust and we would wish to involve the new Headteacher in the
decision making process.
The Governing Body is looking forward to the future and hopes that you will consider
applying for this crucial position, if you feel ready to accept our challenge!
Yours sincerely
Doris Turner
Chair of Governors
4
Key School Data
Key School Data
Type of school
Community
Age range
3-11 years
Location
Bedfont, Hounslow
Type of establishment
Primary School
Co-ed. or single sex
Co-educational
Budget
£2.114m
Number of children
540 and rising
Average class size
30 KS1 and EY, 24 KS2
Overall Attendance
94%
Last Ofsted Inspection
November 2010
School awards
Arts Mark Gold,
Forest School,
Healthy Schools
Number of teaching staff
(teachers & TAs)
22 teachers, 26 TAs
5
Job Advert
Headteacher Fairholme School
Could you be the inspiring leader that takes our
rapidly expanding school into the future?
Salary: L21 - L27 £64,264 - £73,962 (Outer London Pay Spine)
Location: London Borough of Hounslow
Contract type: Full Time
Contract term: Permanent
Start date: 1st September 2013 or January 2014
Mainstream Primary
Mixed
Age Range: 3-11
NOR: 540
Who we are:
Fairholme is a good school with high aspirations for our pupils. The Governors, staff and
pupils are seeking an outstanding and skilled leader who can build on the school’s strengths
and realise its vision of moving from good to outstanding. We benefit from parents who are
positive about the school and supportive governors. We have the potential for sustained
improvement, an excellent reputation in music and the arts and extensive green open spaces.
What we are offering:
 An excellent opportunity to take the next step in your career development, within a
stimulating and supportive teaching and learning environment.
 Pupils who are excited about their learning
 A dedicated and hardworking staff team with a proven ability to move the school forward
What we are looking for:
 Proven leadership, management and interpersonal skills
 The ability and commitment to embed a culture of aspiration in the children and the
community
 The drive to achieve high standards in teaching and learning, with the ability to inspire
children, staff and parents
 The skill and empathy to communicate effectively with children, families, outside
agencies, staff, governors and the wider community
We welcome applicants with such skills to lead us through the next phase of our
development.
An application form and information pack can be found at
www.workinhounslowschools.org.uk Alternatively, please email: [email protected]
Completed application forms should be returned via [email protected]
6
For additional details on our school please visit: http://www.fairholme.hounslow.sch.uk
Visits to our school are warmly welcomed - to arrange a visit please contact the school office:
Fairholme Primary School
Peacock Avenue,
Feltham,
TW14 8ET
Telephone: 020 8890 2584
E Mail: [email protected]
Closing Date: 26th April 2013
Shortlisting:
2nd May 2013
Interview Date: 17th May 2013
Fairholme School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare and wellbeing of
all children and expect all volunteers and staff to share this commitment. Successful
applicants will be subject to an enhanced DBS disclosure.
7
Job Description
General Description of Activities/ Functions
The appointment is subject to the current conditions of employment for Head teachers
contained in the School Teachers’ Pay and Conditions Document, the School Standards
Framework, the required standard for Qualified Teacher Status and any other current
educational legislation as required in various Education Acts.
Statement of Purpose
To provide professional & strategic leadership for the school that secures its success and
improvement, ensuring high quality education for all its pupils and improved standards of
learning and achievement.
Key Responsibilities:
Shaping the future

Can create a shared vision and ambitious strategic plan which inspires and motivates
pupils, staff, governors and all members of the school community

Works with the school community to translate the vision into agreed objectives and plans
based on whole school priorities that are in turn based on robust self-evaluation

Embed a culture of aspirations for children and the community as defined in the 3
principles and 8 conditions of the Aspirations Framework

Demonstrates the vision and values in everyday work and practice.

Motivates and works with others to create a shared culture and positive climate

Ensures creativity, innovation and the use of appropriate new technologies to achieve
excellence

Ensures that strategic planning takes account of the diversity, values and experience of
the school and community at large
8
Leading Learning & Teaching

Ensures a consistent and continuous school-wide focus on pupils’ achievement, using
data and benchmarks to monitor progress in every child’s learning

Ensures that learning is at the centre of strategic planning and resource management

Establishes creative, responsive and effective approaches to learning and teaching

Provides opportunities for children to experience a diverse range of experiences which
enhance appreciation of the arts, sport and outdoor education

Ensures a culture and ethos of challenge and support where all pupils can achieve
success and become engaged in their own learning. Ensures that inclusion is promoted
for all learners.

Demonstrates and articulates high expectations and sets stretching targets for the whole
school community

Implements strategies which secure high standards of behaviour and attendance

Determines, organises and implements a diverse, flexible curriculum and implements an
effective assessment framework

Takes a strategic role in the development of new and emerging technologies to enhance
and extend the learning experience of pupils

Monitors, evaluates and reviews classroom practice and promotes improvement
strategies

Challenges underperformance at all levels and ensures effective corrective action and
follow-up
Developing Self and Working with Others

Treats people fairly, equitably and with dignity and respect to create and maintain a
positive school culture

Builds a collaborative learning culture within the school and actively engages with other
schools to build effective learning communities

Develops and maintains effective strategies and procedures for staff induction,
professional development and performance review

Ensures effective planning, allocation, support and evaluation of work undertaken by
teams and individuals

Ensures clear delegation of tasks and devolution of responsibilities

Acknowledges the responsibilities and celebrates the achievements of individuals and
teams
9

Develops and maintains a culture of high expectations for self and for others and takes
appropriate action when performance is unsatisfactory

Regularly reviews own practice, sets personal targets and takes responsibility for own
personal development

Manages own workload and that of others to allow an appropriate work/life balance

Develop and maintains a close working relationship with all specialists that visit the
school.
Managing the Organisation

Creates an organisational structure which reflects Fairholme’s values, and enables the
management systems, structures and processes to work effectively in line with legal
requirements and which effectively integrates the school and the Community

Produces and implements clear, evidence-based improvement plans and policies for the
development of the school and its facilities

Ensures that, within an autonomous culture, policies and practices take account of
national and local circumstances, policies and initiatives

Manages the school’s financial and human resources effectively and efficiently to
achieve the school’s educational goals and priorities and best values

Recruits, retains and deploys staff appropriately and manages their workload to achieve
the vision and goals of the school

Implements successful performance management processes with all staff

Manages and organises the school environment efficiently and effectively to ensure that
it meets the needs of the curriculum and health and safety regulations

Maintains the rigorous approach to health and safety of the pupils, staff, parents and
carers and visitors.

Ensures that the range, quality and use of all available resources is monitored, evaluated
and reviewed to improve the quality of education for all pupils and provide value for
money

Uses and integrates a range of technologies effectively and efficiently to manage the
school
10
Securing Accountability

Fulfils commitments arising from contractual accountability to the Governing Body

Develops a school ethos which enables everyone to work collaboratively, share
knowledge and understanding, celebrate success and accept responsibility for outcomes

Ensures individual staff accountabilities are clearly defined, understood and agreed and
are subject to rigorous review and evaluation

Works with the Governing Body (providing information, objective advice and support) to
enable it to meet its responsibilities

Develops and presents a coherent, understandable and accurate account of the school’s
performance to a range of audiences including Governors, parents and carers

To ensure that statutory requirements for reporting to parents/carers through the Annual
Report and Annual Review of statements of Special Educational needs are met.

Reflects on personal contribution to school achievements and takes account of feedback
from others

Ensures that professional services and partnership arrangements are clearly defined,
agreed and are delivered appropriately within Fairholme
Safeguarding

Responsible for promoting the welfare of all children and young people

Creates a rigorous organisational culture which is vigilant to, monitors and prioritises the
safeguarding of children and young people above all considerations

Co-operates and works with relevant agencies to protect children
Strengthening Community

Build on a school culture and curriculum which takes account of the richness and
diversity of the school’s communities

Promotes strategies for challenging perceptions of disability, racial and other prejudice

Ensures learning experiences for pupils are linked into and integrated with the wider
community

Ensures a range of community-based learning experiences

Collaborates with other agencies in providing for the academic, spiritual, moral, social,
emotional and cultural well-being of pupils and their families
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
Creates and maintains an effective partnership with parents and carers to support and
improve pupils’ achievement and personal development

Seeks opportunities to invite parents and carers, community figures, businesses or other
organisations into the school to enhance and enrich the school and its value to the wider
community

Contributes to the development of the education system by, for example, sharing
effective practice, working in partnership with other schools and promoting innovative
initiatives
NOTE: The content of this job description may be amended at any time following
discussions between the Governing Body and the Headteacher, and will be reviewed
on an annual basis.
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Person Specification
Key Criteria
Essential Desirable
Qualifications & Experience
1
2
3
4
QTS
X
Successfully completed or part way through NPQH or equivalent
qualification (e.g. MA Education)
Successful recent leadership experience as Headteacher or deputy
head teacher
X
X
Substantial and varied teaching experience across the 3-11 range
X
Knowledge & Skills
5
An up-to-date understanding of national policy, curriculum
developments and the statutory and legal framework within which a
school operates, including the new OFSTED framework
X
6
Knowledge of what constitutes good and outstanding teaching
X
7
8
9
Knowledge of how to improve the quality of teaching and learning
and be able to demonstrate the delivery in school
Understanding of tools for the interpretation, analysis and use of
data to inform school improvement
Sound knowledge of the National Curriculum and its assessment for
pupils.
X
X
X
The following criteria are based on the National Standards for Headteachers
Shaping the Future:
10
11
12
13
Is able to lead whole school change
X
Has a clear understanding of values, vision and aims and how they
provide the context for school improvement
Values the views of stakeholders and can communicate effectively
with all stakeholders
Is able to work with governors in setting and monitoring priorities
X
X
X
Leading Teaching and Learning:
14
15
16
17
Can promote a successful learning culture for all in the school, and
model this as the lead learner
Has experience of monitoring and developing teaching within a
school
Has a clear philosophy on how the curriculum can meet children’s
needs
X
X
X
Is able to secure high standards of behaviour and attendance.
X
13
Key Criteria continued…
18
Essential
Demonstrates a commitment to continuing professional
development for all
X
Developing Self and Working with Others:
19
Is able to manage oneself, including setting personal targets,
effective time management and team working
X
20
Is reflective and able to give and receive constructive criticism
X
21
Is able to manage, inspire, encourage and empower staff
X
22
Is able to foster an open, fair, equitable culture and manage conflict
X
23
Is able to challenge and support as required to raise standards
X
Managing the Organisation:
24
25
26
Has a commitment to developing and sustaining a safe, secure,
happy and healthy school environment
Is able to manage the school site efficiently and effectively on a day
to day basis
Is able to manage the financial and human resources effectively and
efficiently to achieve the school’s educational goals and priorities
X
X
X
Securing Accountability:
27
28
29
30
Has a commitment to the use of outcomes from regular self-review
in order to develop the school
Is committed to individual, team and whole-school accountability for
pupil learning outcomes
Is committed to the school working effectively and efficiently towards
academic achievement and the moral, emotional, social and cultural
development of all pupils within the school’s ethos
Is able to work with the governing body to enable it to meet its
responsibilities (by providing information, objective advice and
support)
X
X
X
X
Strengthening the Community:
31
32
33
Has a commitment to partnership with parents and the community to
raise standards by supporting the learning of children
Has a commitment to collaboration and networking with other
schools and partner agencies to improve outcomes
Is able to listen to, reflect and act on community feedback
14
X
X
X
Desirable