teacher of english

TEACHER OF ENGLISH
START DATE: SEPTEMBER 2016
Salary Scale: MPS
INFORMATION FOR
PROSPECTIVE STAFF
“
This is a good
school where senior
leaders have quickly
established a culture
of pride, high
expectations and a
love of learning. One
parent summed up
its ethos, saying that
her daughter ‘goes in
with enthusiasm and
comes home
excited’
”
Ofsted 2012
Contents
Welcome from the Headteacher &
Chair of the Board of Directors
School History & Vision
Ofsted
Pastoral System & Vertical Tutoring
School Strategic Plan
Staff Benefits
Application Process
Job Description
Person Specification
Contact
Welcome from
Mr Garrill (Executive Headteacher),
&
Marianne McCarthy (Chair of the Board of Directors)
Dear Applicant,
On behalf of the Directors we would like to thank you for taking an interest in applying for the position of
English Teacher at Heartlands High School. This is an exciting opportunity to join the leadership team of a
high achieving school and to make a real difference to the lives of young people in Haringey.
Heartlands High School has had a successful five years and this position will be crucial in developing the
success of the school over the next five years. In addition to ensuring outstanding outcomes for students
and the very highest of expectations, the Heartlands Community Trust is looking for candidates who can
inspire teachers to deliver consistently outstanding lessons.
At Heartlands High School we aim to create a commitment to learning. We have achieved this through
developing the very best ethos in a school of outstanding learning and partnership. Our vision for our
school has always been simple: we want Heartlands to be the first-choice school for the local community,
delivering outstanding outcomes.
Within this information pack you will find:
•
Job description and person specification
•
Further information on the pastoral structures within the school
•
Staff benefits
•
The plan on a page from the school development plans
•
Details on the application process
You will also find attached an application form.
To find out more about the school, please visit our website: www.heartlands.haringey.sch.uk
I hope you like what you read about the school. We are excited about delivering the very best within
Haringey.
Yours sincerely
Simon Garrill
Executive Headteacher
SCHOOL HISTORY & VISION
Heartlands High School is located within Wood Green, Haringey. We opened as a new school in September
2010 in state-of-the-art facilities. We are now oversubscribed and a first-choice school for parents and
students in the local community. Our intake is diverse and is a real reflection of the community that we
serve. Our aspirations for this community are high and we want our students to have access to the very
best education.
Our vision for the school is simple. We want our students to develop a commitment to learning through
outstanding learning, outstanding partnerships and an outstanding ethos. We expect our students to
achieve higher than the national average results and we support them in getting there.
The ethos within the school is consistently recognised as a strength, supported through SEARCH. We teach
our students that school matters, that effort is essential, that achievement will carry them forward, that
active citizenship matters and that none of this can be achieved without the highest of aspirations.
“
The school’s early
success has been
achieved through
an unrelenting focus
from the outset on
high-quality teaching
and a collective
enthusiasm for
learning.
”
Ofsted 2012
OFSTED
HHS had its last Ofsted inspection in 2012 where we were awarded Good. Its key findings were:
“This is a good school where senior leaders have quickly established a culture of pride, high expectations
and a love of learning. One parent summed up its ethos, saying that her daughter ‘goes in with enthusiasm
and comes home excited’; another described how their child is ‘thriving, fulfilled and looks forward to
being at this school’. ”
“Ambitious targets are set for all students; progress is
monitored carefully at school, group, and individual level.”
“Teaching is predominantly good and some is outstanding.
Lessons, typically, feature well-timed, collaborative
activities that engage students’ interest. Learning is
exceptional when teachers adapt tasks and approaches
to ensure that everyone has fully grasped a concept and
when students lead or model learning. It is less successful
when activities are not sufficiently varied or when teachers
do not adapt their approach to secure understanding.
Students understand their targets well because the use of
assessment is consistently good.”
We are seeking to become outstanding by ensuring “rapid
and sustained progress across all curriculum areas”.
“School systems are founded on routines carefully planned
to foster and promote highly positive attitudes to learning.
Students are proud of their new school and their good
reputation locally.”
“
The diverse school
community is
harmonious and
cohesive, described
by one parent
as feeling ‘like a
family’
”
Ofsted 2012
“The school’s early success has been achieved through an unrelenting focus from the outset on high-quality
teaching and a collective enthusiasm for learning. An ambition to become outstanding is communicated
clearly by senior leaders; effective management of teaching, learning, and staff performance supports this
goal.”
PASTORAL SYSTEM & VERTICAL TUTORING
The school operates a House system that is central to the life of the school. There are five houses, named
after the constellations, that average 216 students per house. With our first cohort reaching Year 11 in
September 2014, we are now full. Assemblies are once a week and we aim to give each house a unique
identity while creating real consistency throughout the school.
Vertical Tutoring (VT) is designed to place people and learning relationships at the heart of education.
Vertical tutoring means reducing the size of tutor groups so that each tutor group is populated by students
from all years who will meet their tutor for around 20 minutes each day. Tutors are then better enabled to
be responsible for the academic and pastoral needs of students and, in particular, act as academic mentors
and a key point of contact with families. For students, VT should provide great leadership opportunities,
mentoring opportunities and citizenship opportunities.
At the very heart of VT is the academic tutorial or learning conversation and the creative use of data to
support our students. It is this activity that places the learner at the heart of the school as an organisation
and gives substantive meaning to ‘student voice’. It is from conversations with students and parents that
the personalised curriculum best emerges. A tutor really knows their tutees well, and acts as a point for
pastoral and academic duty of care.
We are proud of the ethos that we have developed at the school. It is based on pastoral structures that
ensure high expectations, consistency and outstanding learning.
Vertical Tutor Groups
• Up to 20 students
• Roughly 3 / 4 students from each year group, 7-11
• Main tutor with an attached member of the support staff where possible (co-tutors)
• As many tutor groups as we have rooms
• Heads of House operating from learning areas
• Tutor time is 20 minutes a day at the end of the day
• Year group and single sex assemblies as necessary with consistency between houses
• Planned tutor time activities but with an emphasis on leadership, learning and fun
• Our tutors lead academic tutorials with students and parents two times a year, for 15 minutes to
discuss learning, review progress and set targets
SCHOOL STRATEGIC PLAN
Achievement
1.1 Achievement of all
students, including
the most able,
Caribbean boys and
students with SEND
reflects our high
expectations
Learning
Leadership
2.1 Teaching is
3.1 Outstanding
4.1 Ensure outstanding
consistently good or
behaviour leads to
communication with
outstanding, leading
excellent attitudes to
parents leads to high
to exceptional
learning, attendance
levels of parental
growth in pupils’
and punctuality
engagement
knowledge
1.2 Intervention secures 2.2 Sharp monitoring of
rapid progress of all
teaching leads to a
students (KS3/4)
drive for continuous
improvement and
sharing of best
practice
1.3 Whole school
assessment systems
support target
setting and
monitoring of pupil
progress
Ethos
3.2 A culture of student 4.2 Further develop
leadership promotes
community links that
a cohesive learning
benefit our students
community
and lead to school
improvement
2.3 The curriculum
3.3 Our competency
reflects our core
based curriculum
values and provides
fosters students’
excellent educational
SMSC development
experiences
1.4 Students acquire
2.4 All students are very 3.4 Outstanding vertical
high levels of literacy
well equipped for
tutoring supports
and mathematical
the next stage of
students’ literacy,
knowledge and skills
their education
spiritual, moral,
appropriate to their
cultural and social
age
development
4.3 Robust selfevaluation and
internal review
leads to effective
actions for school
improvement
4.4 Promote health and
wellbeing for staff
and students
SEARCH for SUCCESS
STAFF BENEFITS
The academy offers all its staff a
range of benefits including:
Appraisal - the opportunities to achieve
enhanced increments for outstanding
achievement and progress in lessons.
Employee Assistant
programme - free confidential
information, support, counselling and
advice - 24 hours a day.
Cycle to Work scheme - loan a bike
and safety equipment as a tax-free benefit saving on tax and NI.
Computer scheme - IT equipment
- saving on tax and NI.
Childcare vouchers - are exempt
from paying tax and NI. You could save up
to £100 per month.
Eye care vouchers - employees using
a VDU can apply for a free eye examination.
Employer pension contribution Teachers pension scheme (Teachers). Local
Government Pension scheme (Support
staff).
Season ticket loan - employees are
entitled to apply for an annual, interestfree season ticket loan for travel.
Health and Wellbeing Weeks access to a range of benefits including free
flu jabs, exercise classes and special events
during the week.
Private Health Care Plan - level
one.
APPLICATION PROCESS
Applicants are requested to read the information carefully,
especially the job description and person specification (found on
the following pages). Please ensure your application satisfies all
the criteria in the person specification and you display evidence
of this. Please specify the role that you are applying for, and
please also ensure that you have a covering letter addressed
to the Executive Headteacher, Mr Garrill, as part of your
application:
Please ensure you have completed the reference section with
TWO referees. Please note that:
• The first referee should normally be your present or most
recent Headteacher or equivalent person.
• If you are not currently working with children, please
provide a referee from your most recent employment
involving children.
Referees will be asked about disciplinary offences relating to
children, which may include any in which the penalty is “time
expired” and whether you have been the subject of any child
protection concerns, and if so, the outcome of any enquiry or
disciplinary procedure. References will not be accepted from
relatives or from people writing solely in the capacity of friends.
Once you have completed your application please print, sign
and return either by post to:
Maria Levenson
Heartlands High School
Station Road
Wood Green
N22 7ST
or email to
hr@heartlands.haringey.sch.uk
If you have any questions please contact Maria by email
maria.levenson@heartlands.haringey.sch.uk
or on the number below
Tel 020 8826 1230
JOB DESCRIPTION
Post Title: Teacher of English
Post Grade/Salary: MPS
Context: To work as a teacher within our English faculty, we need an enthusiastic and talented teacher who
is ready to make a whole-school contribution. With a growing team of staff in a new school, we seek a
candidate who will be able to help us develop an exciting and challenging curriculum.
The successful candidate will be required to:
• Be an inspiring and motivational teacher of English to all abilities ensuring learning is engaging and inclusive
• Work with the head of English and in collaboration with other staff to develop schemes of work and a
pathways curriculum
• Advise and assist in designing SEARCH days and other enrichment opportunities in each year group as
the school develops
• Work within and contribute to the larger English faculty
• Contribute to whole school learning
• Play an active role as a tutor within a vertical structure as outlined below
• Ensure the behaviour management system is implemented in the subject area so that effective learning
can take place
• Possibly be prepared to teach an integrated humanities course for year 7 students and/or some Drama
Main Responsibilities
The specific nature and balance of these responsibilities will vary according to the needs of the school and
may be shared.
Class Teacher Responsibilities
• To carry out duties of a school teacher as set out in the current School Teachers’ Pay and Conditions Document
• To be an excellent teacher who is able to motivate students and ensure that they progress
• To be responsible for teaching across both key stages
Form Tutor Responsibilities
• To carry out the responsibilities of a form tutor as outlined in the school’s Role of a Tutor document
JOB DESCRIPTION
Responsible to: Head of English Faculty
Post Tenable: September 2015
The internal organisation, management and control of the school
To contribute to:
• Maintaining and developing the ethos, values and overall purposes of the school
• Implementing the Local Authority’s and Governing Body’s policies on equal opportunity issues for all
staff and pupils, safeguarding and Health and Safety
• The efficient organisation, management and supervision of school routines
• The school’s Performance Management policy, participating in continuing professional development as required
Subject Development
To contribute to:
• Developing creative and inclusive schemes of work within our pathways structure
• Interventions within the subject area which ensure that all students reach their potential
• The development of policies and practices in the subject areas to reflect and build upon the ethos of
the school
• Promoting whole school literacy
• Promoting functional literacy
• The displays and presentation of the English and Humanities teaching corridors and classrooms
• The strategic use of information on pupil progress to improve teaching and learning, to inform and
motivate pupils and to inform parents
• The effective deployment of resources to ensure that the school provides excellent value for money
• The planning and delivery of SEARCH days within the school
• The effective promotion of subjects at Open Days/Evenings and other events
• The production of reports within the quality assurance cycle for the department
• The setting of targets within the department and to work towards their achievement
• Establishing common standards of practice within the subject and to develop the effectiveness of
teaching and learning styles
• The monitoring and evaluation of the subject area and all vocational courses in line with agreed School
procedures including evaluation against quality standards and performance criteria
• The development of English competitions and extra-curricular activities
JOB DESCRIPTION
Post Title: Teacher of English
Post Grade/Salary: MPS
Relationships
• To contribute to positive relationships across the school community
• To build positive links with the Governing Body as required
• To help in maintaining and developing effective communications and links with parents and to provide
positive responses to concerns and problems regarding their children’s educations and wellbeing
• To assist liaison with other educational establishments in order to promote the continuity of learning,
progression and subject developments
• To develop and maintain positive links and relationships with the community, local organisations and
employers.
Please note that there is flexibility in the approach to achieving our shared vision for this school and that
the above specification is not definitive or exhaustive.
All staff may be expected to carry out other duties at the request of the Head Teacher.
Candidates should have a proven record of:
Success in their teaching within the context of secondary education
The successful candidate should have:
• A passion for providing opportunities for all students to reach their potential within a genuine
community environment
• An inclusive approach to education including those on the autistic spectrum
• A commitment to developing both of the school’s specialisms, recognising that Heartlands is situated
within a community with strong links to the Arts
JOB DESCRIPTION
Responsible to: Head of English Faculty
Post Tenable: September 2015
Applicable Contract Terms and Duties
This job description is to be performed in accordance with the provisions of the School Teachers’ Pay and
Conditions Document and within the range of duties set out in that document relevant to a Class Teacher.
The post is otherwise subject to the Conditions of Service for School Teachers in England and Wales (the
‘Burgundy Book’) and to locally agreed conditions of employment to the extent that they are incorporated
in the post holder’s individual contract of employment. Copies of the relevant documents are available for
inspection at the school.
The Governors seek to appoint strong, dynamic and talented teachers who will work hard to take the
school forward in these early stages. As such, a commitment to high standards of achievement and
responsible behaviour is paramount.
PERSON SPECIFICATION
Post Title: Teacher of English
Training and Qualifications
• To have achieved, or have evidence of being on track to achieve, Qualified Teacher Status by
September 2015, including the English and Maths elements
• Recognised good honours degree or equivalent in a relevant discipline
• Have a secure knowledge and understanding of the curriculum areas and related pedagogy
• An awareness of the contribution that the subject can make to cross curricular learning
Relationships with Young People
• Have high expectations for all young people including a commitment to ensuring that they can
achieve their full potential
• Hold positive values and attitudes and adopt high standards of behaviour in a professional role
Teaching Experience
• Understanding of strategies for raising achievement and achieving excellence for students
• Evidence of excellent classroom practice
• Excellent understanding of effective and engaging teaching methods
• Commitment to active and enjoyable learning for students
• Successful experience of working within a department or faculty
• Evidence of at least two successful teaching placements
Professional Knowledge and Understanding
Candidates should be able to demonstrate some knowledge and understanding of:
• Current educational issues, including national policies related to the subject area
• The challenges and possibilities associated with inclusion within an urban environment
Personal and Professional Qualities and Attributes
Candidates should be able to:
• Inspire, challenge and motivate students as they learn
• Build and maintain effective relationships
• Develop as an active member of the learning area and school team
• Contribute to creating, maintaining and sharing a coherent school vision
• Set and achieve ambitious, challenging goals and targets
• Prioritise and plan effectively
• Listen to and reflect on feedback from others, including colleagues and governors
• Think creatively to anticipate and solve problems
• Maximise the benefits that new technologies provide and have the ICT skills required to be effective
in role
• Show excellent communication skills
PERSON SPECIFICATION
The successful candidate will be a good team player, with a distinct sense of purpose as a teacher who
can communicate a love of the subject and bring strong intellectual commitment to their role
Assessment
Candidates should:
Have a good understanding of the use of assessment for learning
Planning
• The ability to plan lessons and sequences with clear objectives to ensure progression for all students
• The ability to set consistently high expectations for all students through class work and homework
Other
A commitment to developing out of school hours activities to enhance the teaching and learning process
and increase opportunities for students.
Contact
Tracy Graham
HR Coordinator
tracy.graham@heartlands.haringey.sch.uk
Heartlands High School
Station Road
Wood Green
N22 7ST
Tel 020 8826 1230
How to find us:
@HHSHaringey