Aspire Accomplish Achieve
University Academy Keighley
Application Pack
Community Achievement Leader
Role to commence 1st September 2014
UAK is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. All posts are subject to
an enhanced criminal records check by the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS)
Community Achievement Leader
Role to commence 1st September 2014
Thank you for your interest in the above post. In this application pack you will find the
following:

Letter from the Academy Sponsors

Letter from the Principal

The Context of the Academy

Further Particulars

Personnel Specification

Job Description

Information about how to apply

Prospectus
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LETTER FROM THE SPONSORS
Dear Applicant
Thank you for your interest in the post of Community Achievement Leader for the University
Academy Keighley who we are seeking to appoint as soon as possible and to take up post
from 1st September 2014.
As you would expect, as sponsors we have extremely high aspirations for all who are
connected with us. We will be seeing highly motivated young people being supported by
equally highly motivated staff within a true learning community. The Academy has had new
leadership, our new Principal has just taken up her post; we are raising the aspirations of our
learners and we are already seeing some significant improvements. The impact of our
Academy will be huge. Our young people will be excited by their new opportunities, as will
the wider community. Your role as Community Achievement Leader is about the holistic
experience our learners have at the Academy and is an essential part of realising our vision.
This will be a distinctive and cutting edge Academy as befits its sponsors. The backing of the
University of Bradford, coupled with Bradford Metropolitan District Council is a potent
combination, and together will improve the life chances of the young people and community
of Keighley. Together we are ambitious for our learners.
We are looking for a successful candidate who can not only reflect our approach, but has a
passion for their subject, is determined to become an excellent teacher and is able to create
great relationships with our learners.
Thank you for considering applying and if you have the vision and experience that matches
our expectations then we look forward to receiving your application.
Nadira Mirza
Chair of Governors and Trustee
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LETTER FROM THE PRINCIPAL
Dear Colleague
Thank you for your interest in the post of Community Achievement Leader for the University
Academy Keighley who we are seeking to appoint as soon as possible. This is an important
role for us; we are looking someone who is passionate, vibrant and committed to the
development of the whole person. As Community Achievement Leader you will lead your
team of tutors, contribute to the development of an engaging tutorial programme and instil
a sense of pride and belonging in the students in your community. The successful candidate
will be someone who is highly visible around the Academy and can form great relationships
with our learners and their families.
You will see from the Sponsors’ letter that we are an Academy and have high expectations of
both our staff and learners. We have made rapid improvements with results in 2012 that
were significantly above those of the previous two years; at KS4 these were consolidated in
2013 whilst results in the Sixth Form were our best to date. We have many great students
who want to do well; a new sense of achievement and what may be possible is giving our
learners the confidence that they can now aspire to better things. Our strapline Aspire
Accomplish Achieve sums up very simply what we stand for here at UAK. This post offers a
great opportunity for a well-qualified and passionate teacher who values how the wider
curriculum and other opportunities can be developed to create both the platform on which
learners can achieve and those unforgettable moments that shape the lives of young people.
If you have a real commitment to high standards in learning and teaching, excellent all round
communication skills and an ability to work in a team to establish new ideas for future
developments, you could be the one for us. Every member of our staff must like working
with, and want to get the best out of, all of our learners whatever their background or
ability. I want every UAK student to leave the Academy with the skills to do well in an
increasingly challenging world and expect that you will play your part in making this happen.
You can be sure of an induction programme that is both challenging and supportive. As an
experienced teacher you will find opportunities for collaboration between the Academy and
other secondary schools through the Bradford Partnership.
We are working hard here to improve the quality of the experience offered to our learners.
You will be motivated by making a difference to the lives of young people and will be ready
to commit to our challenge of making our Academy even better. We are working within
some deprived communities but have above average attendance rates, improving
achievement levels and are showing our young people how to be successful. They have
shown us that they are ready to respond. Of course, it will take continued hard work as you
would expect in order to bring about lasting change. It can be done and we will succeed. If
you believe that you have the qualities needed to contribute to our development then
please apply, I look forward to hearing from you.
Linda Wallsgrove
Principal
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THE CONTEXT OF THE ACADEMY

Our Vision and Aims – Aspire Accomplish Achieve
At UAK we know and value our learners as individuals; we recognise that all of our
young people have different interests, talents and strengths; we nurture their
personal development and enjoy the community created by each of the personalities
here.
We know that each of us has our own best way of learning. At UAK, learning is a
journey; it will be creative, engaging, exploratory, thought-provoking, challenging and
supportive; shared in an aspirational and inspirational environment.
Our engaging teaching delivers success; we generate and promote a culture of
achievement for all.
UAK is committed to being the first choice school for its learners. We are at the heart
of our community; creating the very best opportunities for our young people.
We celebrate our diversity; all our learners are enabled to reach their full potential
both academically and personally; becoming ready to embrace life and be the citizens
and leaders of the future.

The University Academy Keighley opened on 1st September 2010. The lead sponsors
are the University of Bradford with Bradford Metropolitan District Council as cosponsors.

We put the learner at the centre of the Academy. We believe that all of our learners
have talent and that it is our job to facilitate and encourage them to reach their
potential both academically and personally.
We are raising standards and
maximising achievement by providing motivating, engaging, challenging, supportive
and personalised learning experiences across the Academy; and thereby increasing
the aspirations of learners.

The Academy moved into a superb new building at Easter 2011; we have great
facilities and resources, including a world-class athletics track and other sporting
facilities that are transforming the learning experience for our learners. We benefit
from a vibrant and engaging learning environment, with spaces which allow for
creativity and the development of the individual, whilst allowing all to feel secure and
safe.

We currently have approximately 650 learners including 110 in our Sixth Form, with
the capacity to grow to 1080. The University Academy Keighley has a comprehensive
and multi-cultural intake. Approximately 80% are of Asian heritage (Pakistani) and
20% white. There are some Eastern European learners mainly from Poland. The
majority of our learners live within walking distance of the Academy and many
therefore take up the opportunity to stay after school for revision sessions, sporting
and other activities.
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
Given our capacity to take more students, and a shortage of primary school places in
our locality, the Academy is exploring the possibility of becoming an All-through
school. Plans to submit a bid to the DfE are in place and if approved this will be a
really exciting opportunity for the Academy to develop as a true community school.

We are co-located with Beechcliffe Special School and are beginning to explore
opportunities for working and learning together. Beechcliffe is not part of the
Academy and remains under the Local Authority.

The Academy is divided into eight Schools of Learning: English, Maths, ICT, Science,
Social Sciences, Business and Enterprise, Performance Studies and Learning
Development. Student Care, Guidance and Support functions are managed through
Communities of which there are four: Neptune, Mercury, Saturn and Jupiter;
additional support is provided by our team of Pastoral Managers. The form groups in
each Community are vertical from year 8 to 11, with Year 7 learners remaining in
their Foundation groups for the first year. Each of the Heads of School along with the
Heads of Communities constitutes the Middle Leadership Team.

The Sixth Form, UAK6, is small but is becoming successful and vibrant; many students
take up leadership opportunities within the Academy. Tutor groups in UAK6 are led
by success mentors, teaching and non-teaching staff, who provide challenge and
support for our older learners. The UAK6 curriculum is developing into one that
meets the needs of learners from Level 1 through to Level 3. Almost all of our Level 3
learners move on to University courses.

All staff are committed to raising standards and giving the young people in our
Academy the best possible chance to achieve and be successful. We also have a
commitment to the wider community, to provide quality learning and other
opportunities, for example, the use of our excellent sporting facilities.

The student voice is developing; we want our learners to have a voice in their
education and gain a sense of pride, responsibility and ownership both in their
Academy and in the wider community.

Community links need to be explored. We have large numbers of the public coming
into the Academy to use the sporting facilities during the evening but we need to
develop more creative ways to engage our community and take our school out into
the community.
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FURTHER PARTICULARS OF THE POST OF
COMMUNITY ACHIEVEMENT LEADER
This post is about creating ‘heart and soul’. We have many fantastic learners who are proud
to be students here and I want them to also feel that they really belong to their community.
There are four communities named after the planets Jupiter, Mercury, Neptune and Saturn,
and this post, Community Achievement Leader (CAL) for Saturn, has become vacant due to
the planned retirement of the current post holder. This post will suit someone who is
looking for a leadership role of their own, someone seeking to develop as a middle leader
and broaden their experience. In particular I am also seeking someone who can contribute
to the teaching in one of the following subject areas: History, Mathematics, Modern Foreign
Languages (Spanish and French) or Science. You will also be part of our Middle Leader
Group through which you will have opportunity to shape the development of the Academy.
You will see that the job description that follows is a draft. This is because CALs are currently
reviewing their roles and updating the job description accordingly.
Each Community Achievement Leader heads up a team of tutors, leads the weekly
community assembly, supports the achievement of students and as part of the CALs team
develops the tutorial programme. Tutor groups are arranged vertically with students from
Year 8 to Year 11 and older students are encouraged to take up leadership opportunities e.g.
by mentoring younger ones, assisting with paired reading and developing team work in
community challenges. On occasions during the year there are whole academy ‘drop-down’
curriculum days where students in each community work together on a particular theme
often coming together at the end of the day to present to each other and share what has
been learned e.g. International Day of Culture. The communities also provide the ‘teamness’
and competition around sports events, charity days and, our very special and inclusive,
Sports Day.
The Community Achievement Leader post is a great opportunity for an experienced and
passionate teacher who knows how to get the best out of young people both inside and out
of the classroom. The post-holder will understand how the wider curriculum can be a
vehicle through which exciting events and activities can engage all learners. In future years
when our students look back on their school lives they will have many positive memories of
their experience here because of the community you created. If this sounds like you then I
look forward to hearing from you.
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Post: Community Achievement Leader
Person Specification
Essential
Desirable
How Indentified
Qualifications:
You will have:
Qualified Teacher Status.
Good Honours Degree in your subject specialism.
Degree in related subject.
Application Form
Background and Experience:
You will have:
Successful experience of teaching 11-16.
Experience of leading an initiative.
Evidence of ability to lead and develop a tutor team, including
the development of an engaging tutorial programme.
Awareness of changes to the National Curriculum.
What makes an outstanding lesson.
How the wider curriculum can be used to engage learners and
promote achievement.
The potential of vertical tutoring in developing young people.
Strategies for improving and sustaning high levels of
participation for all pupils.
Able to teach outstanding lessons in which all learners make
good or better progress.
Motivate students to reach their potential.
Work equally well leading a team and being part of a team.
Critical thinker, great communicator and relates well to young
people.
Passionate about, and committed, to making a difference for
young people.
Energetic, vibrant, creative, enthusiastic.
Emotionally intelligent.
An awareness, understanding and commitment to the
protection and safeguarding of children and young people.
Value the education of every student.
Be committed to equal opportunites.
Promote a positive image of the school.
Enjoys hard work and has a desire for own professional
development.
Successful teaching 11-18.
Understanding of how successful
tutoring impacts on achievement.
Application Form and
References
Vision of how PSHCE is developed
through the tutorial curriculum .
Involvement in student leadershiop
initiatives.
Selection Process
Able to contribute to the training
of other colleagues.
Selection Process and
References
Ambitious and have a clear
personal career path and
development strategy.
Able to prioritise.
Selection Process and
References
Adopt a reflective approach
towards professional decision
making.
Selection Process
Prefessional Knowledge and
Understanding:
You will have knowledge of:
Skills:
You will:
Personal Qualities:
You are:
Attitude:
You should:
Post Title:
Salary:
Responsible to:
Responsible for:
University Academy Keighley
JOB DESCRIPTION (Subject to Review)
Community Achievement Leader:
L4-8
SLT
Student experience through the leadership of a Community
Principal Accountabilities:
 To assist the Principal and SLT in the overall management and development of the
academy through the creation of a sense of belonging and achievement for a
community of students.
 Work closely with tutors and students to create a distinctive Community ethos, in
which students are active participants.
Main Activities and Responsibilities:
Main duties and responsibilities are indicated here. Other duties at an appropriate level and
nature may also be required and will be negotiated.
 Work with the SLT line manager, Middle Leaders, Subject teachers and
Pastoral/Behaviour management team, to drive forward Academy improvement
through an effective target setting and support strategy.
 Support with all aspects of monitoring student progress and student well-being for
all students in a community.
 Participate in the Academy Performance Management Scheme, agree an action plan
and undertake the required training in order to update skills and meet the
requirements of the Academy Strategic Plan.
 Lead on the design and implementation of an engaging and effective Academy
Community Time programme (including the assembly programme).
 Organise and manage a vertical Community tutor group system.
 Lead and train tutors in the development and delivery of the Community Time
programme.
 Support the transition of Y7 students, and in year arrivals, into Community tutor
groups.
 Work collaboratively with key members of the pastoral/behaviour management
team to provide effective support, challenge and reward for students in the
community.
 Ensure that students have access to a varied enrichment programme through which
they develop a sense of community belonging and pride.
 Support whole school and Self-Evaluation strategies
 Support and co-ordinate extended day and extra-curricular activities to enhance
student learning experiences
 Support achievement through leading community initiatives and contributing to
Academy strategies.
 To teach subjects and classes as required by the Principal
Each CAL will also have one of the following specific areas of leadership:
 Year 7 Foundation & Transition
 Work Experience
 Curriculum and Celebration Events
 UAK6
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As part of the CALs team:
 Support students during the options programme ensuring that access to appropriate,
independent advice and guidance is available.
 Make the arrangements for the parents’ consultation evenings and other similar
events.
 Support KS4 students preparing for and taking examinations and provide support to
the exams team during exams.
 Co-ordinate the programme of revision sessions and communicate this with students
and parents to ensure full participation.
 Work with the Work Experience Administrator so that all students are given the
opportunity of a placement and have effective support whilst on placement.
 Organise Community events, including Celebration Evening and assist with
‘curriculum drop down days’.
 Arrange the assembly programme for the school year.
Other Responsibilities include:
 Working with tutors and students to finding ways of improving learning across the
academy.
 Use student achievement data to inform policies, practices, expectations, targets
and teaching methods
 Liaison with SEN, pastoral/behaviour, safeguarding team and families etc.
 Report on the community development, successes and the tutorial programme to
the Principal.
 Be responsible for maintaining high standards within the Community by enforcing
the agreed academy expectations concerning dress, behaviour, attendance and
discipline
 Be visible and assist with supervision on corridors, at break and at lunchtime to
ensure high standard of behaviour around the academy site.
 Liaise with outside agencies such as educational welfare officer, children’s’ services,
police liaison officer, volunteers, PA’s etc. as required.
 Organise and take Community and contribute to Year group assemblies when
required.
 Lead Community meetings and by carrying out learning walks monitor the quality of
experience for students in Community Time.
Standards/ Quality Assurance and Additional Responsibilities
 Support extended day activities to enhance students learning experiences.
 Adhere at all times to professional business standards of dress, courtesy and
efficiency in line with the ethos and specialism of the Academy.
 Attend and participate in open evenings and other student or Academy events.
 Uphold the Academy’s behaviour code and uniform regulations
 Participate in staff training and development
 Attend team and staff meetings
 Develop links with Governors, LAs and neighbouring schools/ Academies.
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Key Organisational Objectives
The Community Achievement Leader will contribute to the Academy’s objectives in service
delivery by:
 Following Health and Safety requirements and initiatives as directed
 Ensuring compliance with Data Protection legislation
 At all times operating within the school’s Equalities policies demonstrating
commitment and contribution to improving standards of attainment
 Adopting customer care and quality assurance initiatives
 Fulfilling the role of Student Personal Adviser and /or mentor if required
 Contributing to the maintenance of a caring and stimulating environment for young
people
April 2013
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HOW TO APPLY
If you decide to apply for this post please complete the application form with a formal letter
of application, which should be no longer than 2 sides of A4, explaining why you are
applying for the post and what qualities and experience you will bring to the role.
A Curriculum Vitae is not required and will not be accepted.
You should also provide the names, positions, organisations with telephone and email
contacts of at least two referees, one of whom must be your current/recent employer.
References from relatives will not be accepted. If you do not wish to give your permission
for us to approach your referees at this stage then please state this clearly.
To enable ease of contact we would appreciate it if you could provide daytime, evening and
mobile contact numbers as well as any dates that you think would be a problem for
interview.
Job Description
This tells you the main responsibilities of the post and explains what we are looking for. It
tells you about the personal and professional qualities you need for this post. These criteria
will be used to make the appointment.
Person Specification
This specification sets out which criteria will be used to shortlist candidates for interview.
Application closing date: 12 Noon on Friday, 14th March 2014.
Please return your completed application form and supporting letter to:
Barbara Blackham
PA to the Principals
University Academy Keighley
Green Head Road
Utley
Keighley
BD20 6EB
e-mail: Barbara.Blackham@uak.org.uk
Completed applications submitted electronically will be accepted initially, but a hard, signed
copy will be required from short-listed candidates.
All posts are subject to an enhanced criminal records check by the Disclosure and Barring
Service (DBS).
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PROSPECTUS
Our Prospectus can be found as a separate document on our website – www.uak.org.uk.
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