Vice Principal
Candidate Information Pack
April 2015
Contents
1. Letter from the Principal ............................................................................................................................................... 2
2. ALAT Trust ..................................................................................................................................................................... 3
3. The Academy ................................................................................................................................................................. 4
4. About the Local Area .................................................................................................................................................... 4
5. Job Description ............................................................................................................................................................. 5
6. Person Specification ..................................................................................................................................................... 7
7. How to Apply ................................................................................................................................................................. 9
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1. Letter from the Principal
Welcome to Fowey River Academy
We are a busy, vibrant community of learners and teachers constantly seeking to improve what we do so that our
students can be the best they can be. Ideally located on the south coast of Cornwall, overlooking the mouth of
the River Fowey; we serve a large catchment area and we are fully comprehensive.
Fowey River Academy is working very closely with Professor David Hopkins to implement and develop the
Theories of Action approach to improving teaching and learning; this means that we are at the international
forefront of developing evidence-based teaching strategies. As part of this work we are fully committed to the
ongoing learning needs of our staff as well as our students.
We are also developing our students’ employability skills so that they are fully prepared to lead successful lives.
However, we are going much further than simply developing the so-called ‘soft skills’, and we are embedding an
in-depth understanding of business processes across the curriculum.
This is a really exciting stage of FRA’s journey to become a world class academy delivering a world class
education for our community. We believe that Cornwall is the best place in the country to grow up, and we also
believe that FRA is becoming the best place to educate children.
We look forward to meeting you so that you can join us on a truly exciting journey.
John Perry
Principal
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2. Adventure Learning Academy Trust
The founding sponsors of Adventure Learning Academy Trust (ALAT) share the same vision for teaching and
learning and school ethos; this is focused on the individual learning needs of every student through providing a
rich culture of learning.
ALAT has developed a personal journey approach for learning that enables each student to reach the highest
level of personal achievement through the acquisition of a range of learning skills and customised curriculum.
Schools joining the Trust’s network will be supported and encouraged to take advantage of academy freedoms to
innovate for better student outcomes. They will be a part of a new, growing educational community, working
together, sharing knowledge, resources and best practice, and actively supporting each other to be outstanding
education providers.
Students, staff, parents and carers are at the centre of ALAT’s vision for its academy community. The investment
in teaching and learning, school leadership teams, continuing professional development and the adoption of
personalised and adventure learning approaches are core elements that will make ALAT academies successful
and enable them to achieve world-class results.
Our aim is to be an Academy Trust that sets the standards that others will want to follow. To bring together
immense expertise from the education field and the professionalism and influences of commercial partners with a
shared vision to raise educational attainment nationally. Through proven practices, we will transform the learning
of students, raise standards and provide the highest quality learning environments, enabling students and
teaching staff to thrive and be the best.
ALAT shares this ethos with its sister multi-academy trust, Bright Tribe, which provides ALAT schools with
additional networking and collaborative working opportunities with schools in the north and south east of England.
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3. The Academy
We are Fowey River Academy, a mixed 11 to 16 academy in Fowey, Cornwall. We are part of ALAT, a multiacademy trust set up to raise the standards of education in the South West of England.
We are based on Windmill, a road just on the edge of town, and we boast unrivalled views from the top of the
Cornish coastline. We currently have 661 students on roll with us.
Our staff are passionate and fully committed to providing the very best education for all of our students – every
child matters to us, every lesson, every day.
At Fowey River Academy, we are working together for a better future for our young people and we are passionate
about success.
Our vision is underpinned by the ALAT principles of ‘Learn’, ‘Grow’ and ‘Prosper’ so that our young people receive
the very best education, realise their full potential and are prepared to become responsible and successful
citizens.
4. About the Local Area
Cornwall is famous for surf sports and surf schools; gorgeous gardens; cliff top walks; boat trips; and iconic
attractions such as St Michael's Mount, the Lost Gardens of Heligan, Minack Theatre, Land's End, Tintagel Castle
and the Eden Project; but also lots of surprising new, different and fun things to do.
Experience one of the UK’s most beautiful coastal landscapes every day…..
You could be strolling along family-friendly paths above cliffs carved out by the waves of the mighty Atlantic
Ocean. You could find yourself in the company of soaring seabirds and, if you’re lucky, the coast’s resident
basking sharks, seals and dolphins may put in an appearance. You could be walking from the beautiful, natural
clifftop adventure of Land’s End.
For more information on attractions visit the below websites or follow @IloveCornwalUK for more ideas and
inspiration.
http://www.cornwall-online.co.uk/attractions/Welcome.html
https://www.visitcornwall.com/things-to-do
http://www.fowey.co.uk/
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5. Job Description
Development

Ensure that Fowey River Academy offers a broad and balanced curriculum which prepares every student for
a successful life

Develop an enquiry based curriculum

Ensure that appropriate literacy, numeracy, employability and thinking skills strategies are embedded across
the curriculum

Ensure that all relevant staff are up-to-date with curriculum developments at national, regional and local
levels and that staff are fully apprised of the potential implications of such developments for FRA students
and staff

Ensure that all staff are up-to-date with Ofsted developments so that the academy is effectively prepared for
inspection activities

Ensure that the curriculum meets the needs of emerging economic and social needs of society

Research and develop appropriate, effective and efficient curricula which support the needs of all students at
FRA

Ensure that the School Improvement Plan reflects the above

Develop the skills of all staff and students to positively engage with teaching and learning at FRA through the
successful implementation and development of the Behaviour Policy and other associated policies

Develop FRA’s engagement with stakeholders including:
Parents
National, regional and local businesses
Partner primary schools
Post-16 providers
HE providers
Local Authority

Develop engagement with the press, marketing organisations and social media

Develop effective and efficient communication systems including the website, newsletter and social media

Ensure that the School Improvement Plan reflects the above maintenance

Carry out day-to-day implementation of the Behaviour Policy, including organisation and deployment of staff
for duties

Regularly coordinate, collate, analyse and report behaviour and attendance data
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
Identify emerging trends and patterns in behaviour and attendance data and work with staff to ensure that
any negative trends are rectified as quickly as possible. This includes identifying trends within specific groups
including SEN, Pupil Premium, Looked After Children and gender

Lead the academy’s Safeguarding Team to ensure the safety and engagement of the most vulnerable
students; ensure that regular reports are prepared for and delivered to the Local Governing Body and the
Trust regarding safeguarding

Work with Directors of Student Progress to ensure effective transition from KS2 to KS3, and KS4 to KS5 and
beyond

Ensure regular communication with stakeholders through monthly newsletters and frequent updates to the
website and social media; liaise with staff and partners as required to ensure high quality communication

Contribute to the School Improvement Plan and Self Evaluation process as required

Design and construct a timetable which supports a broad, balanced and enquiry based curriculum for every
student

Work with Heads of Faculties to ensure that all teaching and academic support staff are deployed to
maximise support for every student

Monitor the day-to-day effectiveness of the timetable and curriculum to ensure that every student has the
most appropriate support and to make necessary adjustments when support can be improved

Monitor the progress of all students, including Gifted and Talented, SEN and Pupil Premium students to
ensure that appropriate progress is being made; work with relevant staff to make necessary adjustments
when appropriate progress is not being made

Advise and brief the Principal, Local Governing Body and Trust as required about the curriculum and its
impact on student progress, and suggest ways to improve student progress
Additional Roles

Deputise for the Principal as required

Support the Principal as required

Attend meetings as required, including SLT and Local Governing Body meetings

Contribute to the review and writing of policies as required

Teach as required to meet the needs of the curriculum

Act as an outstanding role model for staff, students and the community

Take part in other duties as required.
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6. Person Specification

Qualified Teacher Status

Evidence of recent professional development for a senior leadership role

Experience of senior management at Assistant Principal or Vice Principal level, and the ability to lead and
inspire a team of people to develop high quality outcomes

Experience of working in more than one school

Experience of successful strategies for raising children’s achievement and educational development,
promoting students’ spiritual, moral, social and cultural development and their good behaviour

Experience of implementing and overseeing successful school improvement initiatives

Understanding and experience of managing and adapting data at different levels in order to measure the
quality of teaching and learning

Experience of best practice in assessment techniques and curriculum development

The ability to plan strategically and to set clear aims and objectives

Experience of leading innovation, creativity and change in school and wider educational context

Experience of operational management, including monitoring and self-evaluation strategies to achieve and
maintain the highest standards of teaching and learning, student outcomes and quality of provision and
efficiency

Experience of successfully establishing effective links with the local community and working with a range of
partners, both within and outside the world of education

The ability to establish effective organisational structures, systems, policy and practice including
safeguarding.
Skills and Knowledge

Able to communicate effectively, orally and in writing

Able to demonstrate effective planning and teaching skills

Able to present confidently to a large group of students

Able to work with others to achieve common goals

Able to use / analyse assessment data systems to raise standards

Able to provide clear direction and to inspire, motivate and enthuse others

Confident in own ability to be effective and to take on challenges

Good ICT skills (in Microsoft Word/Excel)

Able to form good working relationships with all staff and students

Effective behaviour management
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
Able to support staff and students in maintaining high standards

Efficient and effective administrative, organisational and personal management skills.
Personal Attributes

Enthusiasm, motivation and a passionate commitment to raising standards and reaching the highest
standards of achievement for young people

The ability to think strategically and creatively in order to prioritise demands and identify future opportunities
for the academy

Excellent interpersonal and communication skills and the ability to inspire confidence, trust and respect

Excellent people management skills and the ability to communicate at different levels effectively and
encourage individuals to contribute ideas

The ability to improve performance at all levels through coaching and mentoring colleagues

A track record in communicating with a wide range of audiences, including high level writing skills

Willingness to consider new approaches and to think outside the box

Resilience and the ability to manage in high pressured environments.
Equal Opportunities

Understanding of equal opportunities issues and an ability to demonstrate strategies to challenge
discrimination and prejudice

A commitment to inclusive education.
Health and Safety

An understanding of health and safety issues.
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7. How to apply
All applications must be made via the ALAT website http://alat.org.uk/work-with-us/
What you need to submit:
Covering letter – Please submit a covering letter explaining the reasons why you are applying, your current pay
spine and benefits, details of how your experience meets the requirements outlined in the Candidate Information
Pack, the nature and seniority of the posts you have previously held, your successes and key achievements.
Application form or CV – Please ensure your form contains full employment history in reverse order with details of
each post you have held and key responsibilities, providing evidence of key requirements specified in the job
description.
Visits welcome: To arrange an appointment contact the Principal John Perry
01946 595 400
Closing date: 4th May 2015
Interview date: 13th May 2015
Start date: September 2015
Disclaimer
The job duties, elements, responsibilities, skills, functions, educational factors and the requirements and
conditions listed in this job description are representative only and not exclusive of the tasks that any employee
may be required to perform. Fowey River Academy reserves the right to revise this job description at any time
We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expect all staff to
share this commitment. This post is subject to an enhanced DBS check.
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