Redmaids’ High School GDST - Job Description
Role
Head of Junior School
Job Purpose
• To lead and manage the Junior School on behalf of the Head, so that all
pupils have the best possible care, have access to a broad and balanced
curriculum and achieve the highest standards, in line with the ethos of
the school.
• As part of the Senior Leadership Team, contribute to whole school
management
Accountable to: The Head
Responsible
for:
Accountabilities 1. Policy/Strategic Direction and Development
Deputy Head, Class Teachers and Support Staff
a. Create and communicate a shared vision within the Junior School, which
expresses the core values of the whole school, is responsive to local factors,
and which motivates and inspires others.
b. Translate the whole school vision into agreed objectives within the Junior
School (to include the formulation and implementation of the Junior School
Development Plan).
c. Contribute to whole school policy development as required by the Head.
d. Take lead responsibility for policy development and implementation in relation
to the junior phase. Keep policies under review, making recommendations for
change in order to ensure the school’s developing needs are met.
2. Teaching and learning
a. Promote excellence and innovation in teaching and learning in the Junior
School, ensuring a continuous and consistent phase focus on pupils’
achievement and development (moral, spiritual, physical and social, as well as
academic).
b. Establish and keep updated a curriculum which is innovative, creative,
appropriate to the age and stage of the pupils, and informed by current
knowledge and best practice, in order to develop the potential of all pupils and
equip them with the necessary skills required in the 21st century (including the
use of IT and computing).
c. Be the lead practitioner in the Junior School in establishing creative and
effective approaches to learning and teaching, with high expectations of self
and others.
d. Monitor, evaluate and review classroom practice throughout the Junior School;
celebrate and promote excellence, challenge under-performance and ensure
e. appropriate action (in consultation with the Head).
f. Ensure that individual pupil progress is regularly assessed, recorded, reported
to parents and utilised effectively to inform teaching and learning.
g. Ensure strategies are in place to identify and provide appropriately for
particular needs, e.g. the more able, SEN.
h. Ensure pupils have fun, enjoy their learning and have opportunities to share
their knowledge and understanding with their peer, teachers and parents.
i. Ensure pupils have access to a rich and varied extra curricular programme.
j. Create a ‘seamless’ educational experience as pupils transfer across phases
at key transition points and ensure the effective liaison between Junior and
Senior school staff, in relation to Year 6 to 7 transfer and specialist subject
teaching.
k. Undertake an appropriate programme of teaching in accordance with the
duties of a standard scale teacher as outlined in the general job description.
3. Pastoral Care
a. Ensure effective systems are in place to support the physical, mental and
moral safety well-being and welfare of all pupils (including before- and after-
school provision).
b. Consult with experts/agencies (internal and external) as appropriate and
address any concerns with sensitivity and diplomacy, keeping the Head
informed as appropriate.
4. Leadership and Management of self and others
a. Lead the work of the Junior School Leadership Team and relevant
stakeholders to help achieve the school’s vision.
b. Lead and manage the Junior School, recruiting, inducting, developing,
deploying, motivating and appraising members of the Junior School to make
the most effective use of their skills, expertise and experience, to ensure that
they have clear expectations of their roles, and that high performance
standards are achieved and maintained.
c. Manage day to day operational requirements, delegating as appropriate, to
ensure the efficiency of the Junior School.
d. Ensure the school’s vision is understood by all Junior School staff (teaching
and support), with clear targets for development and outcomes evaluated in
fulfilling these aims.
5. Communications, Marketing and External Links
a. Working in consultation with the school’s marketing manager, implement a
range of robust and innovative marketing strategies in the Junior School, to
ensure its attractiveness in the wider market and secure optimum pupil
numbers; seek opportunities to promote the Junior School at every
opportunity.
b. Build successful relationships and partnerships with parents and other
members of the community, to ensure an excellent local reputation of the
Junior phase, and to promote the GDST.
c. Manage the admissions and assessment processes for prospective pupils in
the junior phase in accordance with agreed guidelines.
d. Develop amongst Junior School staff an outward perspective and personal
commitment to promotion of the school.
e. Build wider links, with both across the GDST and beyond, to ensure that
national and international perspectives feature in the school’s work.
6. Management of resources
a. Organise a relevant and age-appropriate timetable for the junior school;
analyse staffing requirements to ensure optimum benefit to pupils, within
budgetary constraints.
b. Monitor and control the Junior School’s allocated budget and purchasing
arrangements, to ensure the efficient and effective use of all resources.
c.
Identify future resourcing needs and aspirations for the Junior School for
consideration in the school budget planning process.
d. Ensure that all resources are fit for purpose and used in accordance with
health and safety guidelines in ORACLE.
e. Ensure that there is appropriate risk management throughout the Junior
School, including school visits, activities, clubs and competitions.
6. Training and Development of Self and Others
a. Develop and maintain a culture of high expectation for self and others within
the Junior School.
b. As a lead professional, regularly review own practice, set personal targets and
take responsibility for own continuous professional development.
c. Ensure that training needs within the Junior School are identified,
appropriately met (with due regard to whole school initiatives), and that all
members of the Junior School are active in their own personal and continuous
professional development.
d. Ensure that induction arrangements for new staff (including those for NQT’s
and students) make them feel welcomed and appropriately briefed to
undertake their responsibilities.
7. Monitoring and Evaluation
a. Ensure rigorous and effective systems of monitoring and evaluating the work
of the Junior School are in place and used to inform future teaching, including
the effective use of end of Key Stage/phase and internal data.
8. Supporting the work of the GDST
a. Develop strong, positive relationships with GDST colleagues, contribute to
collaborative work cross GDST Schools and support other staff in participating
in GDST work in order to share best practice.
General
requirements
All school staff are expected to:
a. Work towards and support the school vision and the current school objectives
outlined in the School Development Plan.
b. Contribute to the school’s programme of extra-curricular activities.
c. Support and contribute to the school’s responsibility for safeguarding students.
d. Work within the school’s health and safety policy to ensure a safe working
environment for staff, students and visitors
e. Work within the GDST’s Diversity Policy to promote equality of opportunity for
all students and staff, both current and prospective.
f. Maintain high professional standards of attendance, punctuality, appearance,
conduct and positive, courteous relations with students, parents and
colleagues.
g. Engage actively in the performance review process.
h. Adhere to policies as set out in the GDST Council Regulations, ORACLE and
GDST circulars.
i. Undertake other reasonable duties related to the job purpose required from
time to time.
Review and
Amendment
This job description should be seen as enabling rather than restrictive and will be
subject to regular review.
Person Specification
Skills Required
Enthusiastic, inspirational and confident leader, possessing drive, energy and
commitment; have a presence which engenders confidence and respect from
pupils, staff and parents; leads by example
Proven ability to inspire pupils
Outstanding interpersonal and communication skills, (verbal and written);
Ability to handle sensitive situations with tact and diplomacy
Ability to prioritise own work load, manage a varied workload and delegate
appropriately
Strategic thinker; able to articulate and share school vision and identify steps
which need to be taken to fulfil identified aims
IT literate and understanding of the role of IT and computing across the
curriculum
Ability to make firm decisions when required
Commitment to the highest standards of education and pastoral care for all
pupils
Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities
Essential
Essential
Essential
Essential
Essential
Desirable
Essential
Essential
Essential
Knowledge Base
Outstanding primary practitioner, with strong knowledge and understanding of
child development, the primary curriculum and principles of good practice;
child-centred philosophy and approach
Knowledge of current educational thinking, initiatives, issues and matters of
pedagogy
Knowledge and understanding of Safeguarding procedures
Ability to make secure judgements about the quality of teaching and learning
Essential
Essential
Essential
Essential
Qualifications/Attainment
Degree
Appropriate teaching qualification
Evidence of further educational or management qualification e.g. MA, NPQH
Essential
Essential
Desirable
Experience
Relevant leadership and management experience in an educational setting (in
a middle or senior management position)
Experience in more than one school and location
Experience in managing change
Experience of carrying out staff review and target setting
Essential
Desirable
Desirable
Desirable
Attitude/approach
Honesty and integrity
Able to demonstrate adaptability and flexibility
Approachable
High expectations of oneself as well as of others
Ability to remain calm in sensitive or potentially volatile situations
Ability to listen and make reasoned and informed judgements
Holds a strong vision and has the necessary skills and attributes in order to
fulfil that vision
Essential
Essential
Essential
Essential
Essential
Essential
Essential
