isaac newton academy - principal brief final

Isaac Newton Academy

Principal

Information Brief for Candidates


65 Kingsway, London, WC2B 6TD

Dear school leader, Thank you for your interest in the role of Principal at Isaac Newton Academy, an ARK school. We’re delighted to tell you about the school and the kind of Principal we hope to appoint. Isaac Newton Academy will open in September 2012 in Redbridge, north London, in new accommodation. It will have an intake of 180 year 7 pupils each year. When full, in 2018, there will be 1,250 pupils (900 11 – 16 year olds and 350 sixth formers). Though in an area of relative economic disadvantage, the academy will not be short of means to excel. It will be housed in a purpose-built structure, designed with the ARK’s small school philosophy in mind. The academy will benefit from joining a number of successful secondary schools in the diverse Redbridge community. And finally the academy will be part of the ARK Schools network. Isaac Newton Academy will be ARK’s fourth brand-new academy, and the ninth academy in its network. ARK Schools has set out to create a group of exceptional schools that radically improve the life chances of our pupils. Our schools create a vision for success, a culture of academic achievement and a nurturing environment in which students can thrive. This year ARK’s academies have achieved an average increase in GCSE attainment of 13 percentage points (for 5 A* - C, including English and maths). Of our eight academies now open, three are ‘all-though’ schools, teaching pupils from 3 to 18 years. Isaac Newton Academy, like all schools in the ARK network, will be defined by its uncompromising aspiration for its pupils. Our vision is to create a school where teachers and students together strive relentlessly for the highest possible achievement and where we, as stewards of the pupils’ future, neither accept nor make excuses. We are looking for a Principal who shares our commitment to academic and extracurricular achievement and who has the skills and talent necessary to make this vision a reality. This is a challenging and highly rewarding leadership opportunity. In a fast growing area renowned for its academic achievement, and supported by ARK, this role is tailor-made for an ambitious school leader. If you share our commitment to educational excellence, and want to work in a creative and ambitious way, we want to hear from you. For an informal, confidential conversation about the role please contact our Head of Recruitment and Retention, Alexia di Marco, on 0207 116 0740 or at [email protected]. To apply, please complete the application form found at www.arkschools.org by 9am on Monday 17th January 2011. For information about the selection process please page 7 of this pack. Yours sincerely,

Lucy Heller

Managing Director, Ark Schools Gerard Griffin

Chair of Governors

mailto:[email protected]

http://www.arkschools.org/


About Isaac Newton Academy The academy will be a non-selective, co-educational school, with six forms of entry. The academy will be based in new buildings between Ilford High Road and Green Lane in Ilford. The London Borough of Redbridge forecasts a significant deficit in secondary school places over the coming years. The new academy will thus serve a critical, long term need for the community. Although the local area encompasses considerable economic disadvantage, its young people achieve some of the best results in London schools. ARK Schools have been chosen to sponsor the academy because of the success of our educational model and the alignment of our educational vision with the Redbridge context. Small school model ARK believes that a small school model encourages improved behaviour, attendance and academic achievement. Isaac Newton Academy thus will be divided into small schools within the overall academy: two for Key Stage 3, one Key Stage 4 and one Key Stage 5. The Principal will take overall responsibility for the academy, delegating responsibility for the curriculum, behaviour, day-to-day running, and pupil attainment to the heads of each small school. Curriculum The academy’s curriculum will be built on a philosophy of academic achievement and depth before breadth. Teaching and learning will be intended to elevate, to the greatest extent possible, students’ knowledge, skills and ambition to learn, thereby equipping them to succeed at university and beyond. Specialisms: mathematics and music All ARK academies have specialist status in mathematics, which underpins much that is essential to academic success. Mastering theory, logic and practical competence opens up professions from medicine and science to accounting, IT and many others. ARK invests in the resources to attract, train and retain the best maths teachers.

We also offer pupils extra time for music lessons and access to ARK’s music programmes that

provide curriculum and teaching support for music provision in school and network-wide music

experiences, including the annual Barbican Gala performance.

Through the pursuit of excellence in music, pupils can develop leadership and collaborative learning

skills. They gain performance experience, the opportunity to work with a wide range of professionals

and have the opportunity to perform publically.

Sports The academy will also have a keen focus on sports, allowing pupils to learn the virtues of practice, discipline, resilience, teamwork and competition; to develop a sense of pride in representing their school; and above all to appreciate the link between a healthy body and a vigorous mind.


About ARK Schools ARK Schools is an education charity that runs a network of eight academies in London, Portsmouth and Birmingham. ARK Schools was created in 2004 to work with the DfE and local authorities to create new schools offering exceptional opportunities to local children in inner cities through the academies programme. ARK Schools’ aim is to help close the achievement gap between children from disadvantaged and more affluent backgrounds. Its academies focus on raising attainment so that every pupil has a real choice of going on to higher education when they complete school. Its schools are non-selective, community schools for local children. They are non-denominational other than where they replace a school that previously had a religious affiliation.

BOROUGH OPENED AGE OFSTED

Predecessor Sec. 8 progress Sec. 5 inspection visit inspection

Burlington Danes

Hammersmith 2006 11-18 Special measures

Satisfactory Good

King Solomon

Westminster 2007 3-18 N/A Outstanding Outstanding

Walworth Southwark 2007 11-18 Satisfactory Good Good (with

outstanding capacity to improve)

Globe Southwark 2008 3-18 Special measures

Good N/A

Evelyn Grace

Lambeth 2008 11-18 N/A Good N/A

Ark Brent 2008 3-18 N/A Good N/A

Charter Portsmouth 2009 11-16 (due to18)

Notice to improve

N/A N/A

St Alban’s Birmingham 2009 11-16 (due to 18)

Good N/A N/A


ARK academies’ achievement to date

The latest complete set of data (2010) demonstrates that ARK Schools is the top performing

multiple academy sponsor on the basis of average annual increase in GCSE attainment since

opening (including English and maths). In 2010 the five ARK academies with GCSE results

achieved an average improvement rate of 12.6 percentage points on last year’s results.

GCSE performance (% achieving 5 GCSEs A* - C including English and Maths)

Predecessor school 2009 2010

Burlington Danes

31% (2006) 50% 70%

Walworth 26% (2007) 45% 60%

Globe 26% (2008) 35% 41%

St Alban’s 23% (2008) 31% (predecessor)

50%

Charter 8% (2008) 21% (predecessor)

25%


ARK Schools’ ethos

Academic achievement – no excuses

ARK Schools has high expectations for its pupils. We believe that every child can realise his or her

potential given the right encouragement, teaching and support. We want every pupil at our

academies to leave with the academic qualifications and skills needed to have a real choice at 18,

either to go on to university or to pursue a chosen career. We do everything possible to ensure that

every child achieves year level expectations, every year. We won’t accept excuses and we won’t make

any either.

Culture – personal responsibility and mutual respect

Our academies maintain a respectful and orderly environment so that pupils can focus on learning

and teachers on teaching. ARK academies uphold clearly understood codes of conduct underpinned

by rigorous systems of rewards and sanctions. We believe that a successful education includes

developing and nurturing the personal qualities of every pupil. ARK academies give students the

opportunity to learn and experience different extra-curricular activities by running after school clubs.

We also work closely with parents to involve them in supporting their child’s education.

Commitment

All families sign a home-school agreement before school starts, so that everyone is committed to

putting in the effort to ensure that each child succeeds. ARK Schools are committed to the

development of our staff and offer training opportunities and a unique range of benefits to all staff.

We support our academies’ meritocratic approach, giving skilled and dedicated teachers early

opportunities to lead schools within schools.

The core curriculum: depth before breadth

English and mathematics are the foundation for all other subjects and are critical to success at

school and in life. Our academies aim to develop strong readers and communicators who love to use

their skills and children who are confident working with numbers in everyday life. Our curriculum is

designed and structured to ensure that all children master essential knowledge in these core subjects.

Support programmes

ARK Schools also runs, develops and funds other programmes to help our schools succeed.

We support schools with Extended School activities and local literacy and numeracy

programmes.

Future Leaders helps develop outstanding senior leaders for challenging urban schools.

Teaching Leaders helps develop middle leaders in urban secondary schools.


Candidate selection process I. Closing date for applications – 9am, Monday 17th January 2011 Successful candidates long listed II. Screening interviews (maximum 1 hour) at ARK – week commencing 24th January Successful candidates progress to next stage III. Assessment centre (school based) – week commencing 31st January Successful candidates progress to final stage and referees contacted IV. Interview and presentation (circa 1 hr) at ARK – week commencing 7th February Offer made pending references, CRB and certification checks


Job description Reports to: Chair of Academy Governing Body & the Managing Director, ARK Schools Start date: April or September 2011 Salary: Negotiable depending on experience The Role The Principal will ensure the academy provides an outstanding education for all pupils. Like all the ARK academies, the academy will be divided into several small schools under the overall leadership and management of the academy Principal who will work with the Small School Heads to establish outstanding teaching and learning and a strong school culture. Key responsibilities Leadership of the academy and its staff in order to achieve high standards of behaviour and

attainment Coordination of vision and strategy for the academy Leadership of effective external relationships with community and other stakeholders Contribution to the overall direction of the ARK Schools network.

Outcomes and activities Personal Leadership and Coaching Recruit, train, motivate and mentor Small School Heads and other staff Instill an ethos of high expectations for behaviour and achievement of all pupils Lead the development of the academy curriculum and culture Maintain strong working relationships with the community, agencies, and stakeholders, including

parents and the Governing Body Develop partnerships with other local schools and the local authority to ensure that the vision

for regeneration in the area is realised. Coordination of the Vision and Strategy Through the Operations Director, oversee the academy finance, facilities, catering, resources and

across the academy Oversee staffing allocation, including support staff, across the academy Coordinate cross-academy responsibilities among Small School Heads and other staff Ensure robust operational systems that support the small schools Ensure that the academy can function while building work is taking place.

Development of the ARK Academies Network Share innovation and work with others in the network to develop good practice Peer mentor other Principals Help shape or lead education initiatives across the ARK network.

Other Undertake any other professional duties Undertake any other responsibilities as directed by the Managing Director of ARK Schools and

the Chair of the Governing Body.


Person specification Qualification Criteria Qualified to degree level and above Qualified to teach and work in the UK.

Experience Experience of school leadership Experience of having helped lead a school that provides an outstanding education for its pupils

(ideally in challenging urban environment) through its leadership, ethos, teaching and results. Behaviours Leadership Effective management style that encourages participation, innovation and confidence Ability to lead, coach and motivate staff within a performance management framework,

including professional development and effective management of underperformance Ability to develop the leadership skills of others Strong interpersonal, written and oral communication skills Takes personal responsibility for their own actions Resilience and motivation to lead the academy through day-to-day challenges while maintaining

a clear strategic vision and direction Genuine passion and a belief in the potential of every student Motivation to continually improve standards and achieve excellence Commitment to the safeguarding and welfare of all pupils.

Vision and Strategy Vision aligned with ARK’s high aspirations and high expectations of self and others Clear vision and understanding of how to implement and sustain high quality education in an

inner city school. Including: strategically leading all aspects if the academy, such as training, curriculum, learning, administration, finance and communication

Clear vision and understanding of the strategies to establish consistently high standards of behaviour in an inner city school and commitment to relentlessly instilling these strategies

Excellent organisational skills and ability to delegate Use of data to inform and diagnose weaknesses that need addressing.

Leading External Relationships Ability to work collaboratively with partner stakeholders, agencies and peers in the ARK Schools

network. Other This post is subject to an enhanced Criminal Records Bureau disclosure.


ARK Schools staff benefits

ARK Schools also provides the following benefits to staff in its academies:

Staff training: in addition to staff training from individual academies, staff will also benefit from a range of different training opportunities available from ARK leaders across the network. MA bursary: ARK offers teaching staff the opportunity to further their knowledge and understanding of education through a subsidised part-time MA in education at King’s College London. The MA bursary covers the majority of the £3,600 course fee, with teachers expected to contribute just £500.

International development opportunities: in spring 2010, 13 members of staff from ARK academies visited Jamaica with the Department for Education and the British Council’s Teachers’ International Professional Development programme. ARK also strong links with charter school groups in the USA and staff may have the opportunity to visit and share best practice. Financial planning and assistance: there are also several benefits to help staff plan their finances. All ARK academies provide childcare vouchers, interest free annual season ticket or bicycle purchase loans (for which monthly repayments are deducted from the employee’s salary before tax) through the ‘Cycle to Work’ scheme. Discounted gym membership: all ARK Schools employees receive a minimum 20% discount at Fitness First clubs around the country.

isaac newton academy - principal brief final

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