The Downs School and Downs Compton Federation
Appointment of Headteacher for the Downs School
and Executive Head for Compton C of E VC Primary School
For January 2014
L33 – 39
School websites:
www.thedownsschool.org.uk
www.comptonprimaryschool.org
Invitation from the Chair of Governors
Thank you so much for your interest in the post of Headteacher at the Downs School and Executive Head of
Compton C of E VC Primary School.
The Downs School is a co-educational, comprehensive school serving the scattered rural community of the
Berkshire Downs. Over the last 20 years we have developed and grown the school, especially the sixth form,
and we are now delighted to be one of the highest achieving schools in the country with excellent
examination results at both GCSE level and at ‘A’ level.
Due to our current Headteacher taking retirement, we are now seeking to appoint a new, highly motivated
and innovative Headteacher who will help us develop the school further, build on our achievements to date
and take us from being one of the best schools in West Berkshire to being one of the top schools in the
country. We want to develop the potential of all our staff and students and build our rapidly growing sixth
form into our flagship. We are looking for a leader who will enhance our environment of Value, Trust and
Respect amongst the staff and students and build on this for the future.
We are also at an exciting stage in the development of the Federation with Compton Primary School and this
opportunity will give the successful applicant the chance to shape the future. We are looking to appoint
someone who is flexible and open to change and can work with us to develop our vision while being
prepared to challenge the status quo where necessary.
As The Downs School is in a rural environment we strive to be inclusive to all our students. We are strong in
academic achievement, especially in the sixth form, which achieves the best results at A Level in West
Berkshire on a regular basis.
When Compton Primary School moved into Special Measures three years ago, the Downs School was asked
to help. The strong leadership from the Downs School has led to the primary being rated Outstanding by
Ofsted this year, a fantastic achievement!
Please find enclosed in this Briefing Pack instructions for submitting an application, together with the dates
for the stages of the selection process. If there are any questions you feel the pack does not address, please
contact Mrs Isabel Waite, HR Manager, on 01635 270000 or e-mail her at iwaite@thedownsschool.org .
Candidates are welcome to visit the school prior to submitting an application - please contact Isabel Waite to
arrange a visit. Please note that any visits will not influence the selection or interview process.
We hope you will want to take on the motivation and inspiration of all our students and staff, across both
schools, and that you will want to apply for this exciting and challenging opportunity. We look forward to
receiving your application.
Thank you for your interest
Jan Roberts
Jan Roberts
Chair of Governors
Overview
The Downs School
A High Achieving School
The Downs School is a co-educational, comprehensive school serving the scattered rural community of the
Berkshire Downs and beyond. Many parents beyond the catchment area from Newbury, Thatcham and
south Oxfordshire choose The Downs School in preference to others in the locality.
Over the past 20 years the school has established a growing reputation both locally and nationally and is
now considered to be one of the top comprehensive schools in the country. We believe in a partnership
between the school, parents and students where good communication is key. We have regular newsletters
and a website for parents and carers where we aim to provide, all in one place, useful information about
wide ranging issues. Parents and carers can also access on-line information about their child, including
attendance, and we use an email system which allows us to quickly send messages to specific groups of
parents, carers, staff or students about any aspect of school life. We also have an on-line learning website
for students where they can access a variety of learning resources from anywhere with an internet
connection.
At the end of July 2012 we formed a Federation with Compton Primary School which strengthened the
already strong link with all our feeder schools ensuring a smooth transition between Primary and Secondary
education. This also allows our teachers to exchange ideas and good practices which benefit learning at all
stages. Levels of academic achievement are continuing to rise.
The Downs School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people
and expects its entire staff and any volunteers to share this commitment. Applicants must be willing to
undergo appropriate child protection screening including checks with past employers if selected for short list
interview and the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS). Any offer of employment will be subject to
references that are satisfactory to the school and Enhanced DBS disclosure.
Background
We were established as a secondary modern school in 1960 and were converted to a Comprehensive school
in the late 1970’s. At this time the school was small, and vulnerable to closure. We worked hard to attract
pupils from outside the catchment area to boost numbers.
The reputation of the school grew during the 1980’s and 90’s and the role increased from 450 to over 600.
Examination results rapidly improved. We became Grant Maintained in 1992 and were given more budget to
increase the school buildings so that we could increase numbers further. In 1998 we established a sixth form
with a modest start, 24 pupils, it is now at 260 and growing steadily.
Sixth form results have been consistently at the top end of the league tables. We now have a fantastic new
Science block opening in May 2013, one of the very few building projects to take place in schools in West
Berkshire this year. This will give us an outstanding facility to enable students to continue to achieve
excellent results in Science at both GCSE and A Level. As part of our commitment to inclusivity we have
developed different tiers of study for students at both Key Stage 4 and 5.
The Head is supported currently by a Senior Leadership Team, which includes two Deputy Heads and three
Assistant Head teachers.
Other Areas
This is a snapshot of the many varied extra-curricular activities undertaken at the Downs School.
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Performing Arts
We are also incredibly proud of our Performing Arts and sporting achievements. For example: our
recent performances of The Wizard of Oz and A Midsummer Night’s Dream.
The shows were a great success, playing to packed audiences. Many comments were overheard
about the great talent of the lead actors and although the full orchestra remained hidden they are
equally worthy of note, complementing and enhancing the on stage performers. The entire cast and
musicians were students.
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Sporting Achievements
The Downs 1st XV made it 3 County cup trophies in a row in a nail biting victory over a tough local
school on finals day at Newbury Rugby Club. A good crowd had gathered for the occasion which was
played out in cold and windy conditions.
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Cultural Exchanges
Cross curricular school trip for students of History and Languages to Berlin.
We also have regular student exchange visits with Spain, France and Germany. The sixth
form also have a regular trip to Iceland for students of Geography. We also participate in the
regular inter-school visit to the Auschwitz to inform students about the Holocaust.
Compton Primary School
Following on from 3 years where results at Compton Primary School have rocketed and the school
received the prestigious Challenge Award, Compton CofE VC Primary School has just been judged
as outstanding in its recent Ofsted inspection. This judgement builds on the outstanding
judgement which was given to Foundation Stage in the inspection of March 2011. Progress and
achievement across the school was judged to be outstanding.
The inspector found that teaching throughout the school was consistently outstanding; this was
based on the excellent practice which the inspector saw during the 2 day inspection and also the
day-in-day-out routine quality: marking, planning, standard of work and children’s understanding.
Compton Primary School’s aims are to:
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Provide an outstanding education for all pupils
Develop everybody’s unique personality, abilities and talents through creative learning
experiences
Encourage confidence, independence and self-belief so that all individuals can reach their
maximum potential
Embed within the school a culture of respect and care for each other and themselves
Instil a lifelong love of learning with the ability and desire to make God’s world a better place
For more information please visit our websites:
www.thedownsschool.org.uk and www.comptonprimaryschool.org
On the websites you will find details of all our policies including our School Safeguarding policy and
procedures.
Job Description /Professional Duties
Job Title: Headteacher of The Downs School and
Executive Headteacher of Compton CofE VC
Primary School
Salary: Leadership Scale L33 – 39
Working Time: The amount of time required to
carry out the professional duties required as
defined in the standard terms and conditions for
Head teachers.
Accountable to: The Governing Body of the
Downs/Compton Federation (regarding The Downs
School) and the Local Authority (regarding Compton C
of E VC Primary School)
(Ref School Teachers Pay and Conditions
Document 2011 and Guidance on School Teachers
Pay and Conditions)
Responsible for: All Staff
JOB PURPOSE
To ensure the smooth running of the schools and to ensure the aims of the two schools are met. Leadership
of whole school organisation, strategy and development.
MAIN (CORE) DUTIES
(To include those of a teacher as specified in The Downs School’s generic Job Description for teachers)
Whole school organisation, strategy and development
 Provide overall strategic leadership and, with others, lead, develop and support the strategic
direction, vision, values and priorities of the two schools.
 Develop, implement and evaluate the schools’ policies, practices and procedures.
 Promote equality, diversity and the safeguarding of all pupils and staff at the two schools.
 Innovate as required in all dimensions of the role.
 Ensure pastoral care is a priority in the two schools.
Teaching
 Lead and manage teaching and learning throughout the schools. Including ensuring, save in
exceptional circumstances, that a teacher is assigned in the school timetable to every class or group
of pupils
 Teach
Health, safety and discipline
 Promote the safety and well-being of pupils and staff.
 Ensure good order and discipline amongst pupils and staff.
Management of staff and resources
 Enhance an environment of value, trust and respect.
 Lead, manage and develop the schools’ workforce, including assessing and managing performance.
 Organise and deploy resources within the schools.
 Promote harmonious working relationships within the schools.
 Maintain relationships with organisations representing teachers and other members of the schools’
workforce.
 Lead and manage the schools’ workforce with a proper regard for their well-being and legitimate
expectations, including the expectation of a healthy balance between work and other commitments.
Professional Development
 Promote the participation of staff in relevant continuing professional development.
 Participate in arrangements for the appraisal and review of their own performance, and, where
appropriate, that of other teachers and associate staff.
 Participate in arrangements for their own further training and professional development and, where
appropriate, that of other teachers and associate staff including induction.
Threshold assessment
 Decide whether a teacher at either school who applies for a post-threshold teacher assessment
meets the relevant standards.
Advanced skills teacher and excellent teacher assessment
 Decide, in connection with any relevant application, whether a teacher at either school meets the
standards relevant to their current career stage.
Communication
 Consult and communicate with the governing body, staff, pupils, parents and carers.
Work with colleagues and other relevant professionals
 Collaborate and work with colleagues and other relevant professionals within and beyond the schools
including relevant external agencies and bodies.
 Work with external partners and the local community.
RIGHTS CONFERRED
In addition to the above the following rights applyDedicated headship time
 A head teacher is entitled to a reasonable amount of time during school sessions, having regard to
their teaching responsibilities, for the purpose of discharging their leadership and management
responsibilities.
Daily break
 A head teacher is entitled to a break of reasonable length in the course of each school day, and must
arrange for a suitable person to assume responsibility for the discharge of their functions as head
teacher during that break.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
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DfE recognised qualified teacher status
Evidence of recent relevant continuing Professional Development
For a first Headship, NPQH
A good honours degree
Desirable
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Experience and skills
A relevant post graduate qualification
Essential
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Significant recent experience as a Headteacher or Deputy Headteacher of a
Secondary School
Experience of post 16 education
A proven track record of successful leadership
Successful experience of raising achievement
Successfully leading the management of change
School budget management and financial strategy
Engaging parents in supporting children’s learning
Desirable
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Knowledge and
Understanding
A senior leadership post for at least 5 years
Experience of primary education, ideally in the context of a federation
Working with external partners and the local community
Essential
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Detailed knowledge of current curriculum and assessment issues
The process of strategic planning and school self-evaluation
Application of new technologies to teaching, learning and management
Comparative data and performance indicators to establish benchmarks
and set targets for improvements
National policy framework and current educational legislation and
initiatives
Roles and responsibilities of Governing Body, LEA and of the requirements
for accountability
Ways to communicate and translate a shared vision into practice
Strategies for fostering school improvement, including positive behaviour
for learning
Desirable
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Legal issues relating to school management
Specific Professional
Qualities
Essential
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Personal Qualities
Commitment to promoting best practice in safeguarding of young people
and child protection
Commitment to diversity and respect for the ethos and Christian values of
the primary school
Willingness to work with governors to review, define and agree the
mission, aims and policies of the federation
The ability to enhance an environment of value, trust and respect
The ability to inspire, unite and motivate staff, students, parents and the
wider community and engage their active commitment to the vision
A genuine enthusiasm for, and commitment to, the development of young
people and concern for the development of colleagues and members of
the wider school community
Commitment to delivering outstanding pastoral care, an understanding of
how to provide it, and a personal commitment to delivering it
Commitment to an open, collaborative style of management
Ability to lead performance management across the school
Sets high standards in all areas of school life
Essential
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Strong motivation and drive
Energy and enthusiasm
Innovative, willing to think ‘outside the box’
Exceptional communicator in a variety of media for a range of audiences
with outstanding interpersonal skills
High order analytical and problem solving skills and the ability to make
informed judgements and manage change effectively
Has strong interpersonal skills
Demonstrable Leadership skills
Desirable
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Wide and varied interests
Recruitment Process
We take recruitment very seriously. We want to make sure we recruit the correct person for the role which
suits both them and the school. We ask that all candidates participate in a comprehensive assessment
process which will include OPQ’s (Occupational personality questionnaires), analytical exercises,
presentations and interviews over a number of days.
We will take up references as soon as you are short-listed, prior to the assessment process.
A detailed plan for the assessment days will be sent to you when you are invited for interview.
School visits welcome
Closing date for applications
Shortlisting of candidates (references to be taken up)
Online Psychometric assessment
Interviews
by appointment with the HR Manager, Mrs
Isabel Waite
01635 270000
(iwaite@thedownsschool.org)
27th June 2013
Week commencing 1st July 2013
To be completed before interview
10th, 11th and 12th July 2013
Information in relation to completing your application
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Applications should be made via application form and are to be received by the closing date as
specified on the advert. CVs will not be accepted.
You should ensure that you address each of the points within the person specification in your
application.
Candidates selected for interview will be informed after short-listing. Full details of the interview
programme will also be provided.
References will be taken up at the time of short-listing.
All posts are subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service Check, receipt of references satisfactory to
the school and verification of your entitlement to work within the UK.
Please note, proof of ID, copies of teaching certificates or any further professional qualifications will
need to be provided at interview stage.
If you apply for this post and are shortlisted, any discrepancies or anomalies in the information you
provide, and any relevant issues arising from your references will be taken up at interview.
We value diversity in our workforce – fair treatment for all is vital to the quality of services to the
public. The schools both have equality policies to ensure that all groups and individuals within the
community are given full opportunity to benefit from the services and jobs we provide.
We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and
vulnerable adults and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
JOB PURPOSE