What skills and experience we're looking forJob PurposeTo ensure that the department:• delivers engaging, differentiated and.....
What skills and experience we're looking for
Job Purpose
To ensure that the department:
• delivers engaging, differentiated and well-planned lessons guided by Blenheim’s 10 Typical best practices;
• is supported and challenged as necessary thus ensuring that the student experience and progress is maximised;
• achieves high standards of student attainment and progress in public examinations;
• is effectively led and managed so protocols are consistently followed e.g. deadlines are met, feedback to students is prioritised, students’ have challenging starter activities, the main parts of lessons involve students applying their newly acquired skills or knowledge regularly and expediently etc;
• follows schemes of work with regular and consistent assessments providing students with high quality feedback which they are accountable for acting upon via DIRT feedback;
• develops a culture of shared practice where resources are shared, practices are discussed and peer lesson observations take place on a regular basis; typically half termly;
• is visible, welcoming and a point of contact for students;
• keeps abreast of national developments in specifications, examination requirements and teaching processes;
• encourages students to improve their Cultural Capital so that their life chances are improved;
• regularly reviews the specifications taught, initiating and leading change as required, thereby ensuring that students within the Department follow the appropriate specification and schemes of work meeting legal requirements and providing challenge to enable students to fulfil their potential;
• ensures students of all ages are supported and challenged as necessary and achieve optimum levels of engagement with school life;
• maximises student attendance through the delivery of creative, innovative and rewarding lessons;
• role models excellent practices, going ‘above and beyond’, intervening with students outside the curriculum so they ‘catch up’ as quickly as possible;
• supports and challenges Heads of Year so that underachieving students have barriers removed from their learning and regularly show good learning behaviours including being properly equipped for lessons;
• communicates with parents on a range of issues, particularly where students are underachieving;
• communicates appropriate information to teaching and support staff;
• contributes to a confidential record of issues affecting the educational progress of students;
• reinforces consistently the school’s 10 school uniform non-negotiables.
Safeguarding
• To be familiar with school policies, in particular safeguarding procedures, and promote the welfare of children.
Key responsibilities
• Support and challenge members of the department rigorously and consistently.
• Champion the department advocating its place in the curriculum and the benefits it will provide students once they leave school.
• Ensure all students succeed through differentiation and stimulating lesson delivery.
• Be a highly visible point of contact for students and families when they require assistance or information relating to the department.
• Lead department meetings.
• Communicate effectively and purposefully with parents so they are well informed about the department’s procedures, expectations and upcoming events.
• Analyse student data and intervene swiftly, as necessary, communicating with parents of underachieving students on a regular basis.
• Produce internal and external reports as necessary.
• Work within school systems to inform teaching and non-teaching staff about students’ progress.
• Promote positive attitudes to learning and behaviour for learning with vulnerable students.
• Liaise with the SEND Department to ensure students with unique needs are effectively catered for.
• Uphold and promote the values and ethos of the school.
Person Specification
• A willingness to embrace a growth mindset.
• A commitment to help students improve Cultural Capital so that their chances of success in the world are enhanced.
• A motivated individual who can inspire.
• The ability to ‘absorb’ the challenges of the day and still maintain high standards of professionalism.
• A team player putting students first and working with colleagues efficiently and effectively; recognising the ‘greater good’ and playing a full part in #TeamBlenheim.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills both orally and in writing.
• A genuine interest and enjoyment in working with students, educators, schools and learning.
• Ability to demonstrate flexibility and tenacity.
• Confident, assertive and able to thrive in a challenging environment.
• Ability to motivate pupils through a variety of methods, including competition, rewards, sanctions and the setting of SMART goals.
• Ability to interpret and track student progress through the use of data.
• Ability to motivate students to achieve their academic and non-academic potential.
• Commitment to provide a supporting and challenging environment for vulnerable students.
• Commitment to individual continuous professional development, wanting to ‘get better’ by building on strengths but also recognising development areas and actively seeking to improve them.
General
• Demonstrate a keen interest in all aspects of school life.
• Show solidarity by supporting school policy, and the Leadership team, publicly.
• Challenge school policy, and the Leadership team, privately.
What the school offers its staff
Blenheim is a dynamic, exciting and supportive environment in which to work. The school opened in September 1997 with one year group and has grown to its current size of 1337 students on roll including over 200 in the Sixth Form. Blenheim is a mixed comprehensive and our reputation in the community is excellent. In 2019, Blenheim was characterised as a ‘good’ school following a Section 5 Ofsted inspection. Ofsted commented that the school had excellent capacity to continue improving. Blenheim converted to Academy Status in March 2012 and has developed many community and primary school links. Blenheim is a well–resourced school and is fortunate to have outstanding facilities. Together with a very supportive and well qualified governing body the school has invested significantly in several areas, not least in the appointment of high-quality practitioners and on-site infrastructure. Visitors often comment on the calm, purposeful learning environment that pervades. Blenheim sets high standards in terms of uniform with several ‘non-negotiables’ and there are strict expectations regarding behaviour and conduct, both in and out of the classroom. Ofsted described Blenheim as ‘calm, orderly and purposeful’ and our students as ‘respectful, kind and courteous’, which is what those of us who work at Blenheim see every day. As Blenheim students prepare to take up their place in society they are actively encouraged to become independent learners. Part of this process involves the integration of iPads across the curriculum; all teachers and 98% of students own one. Technological evolution is inevitable and this approach is key to ensuring that students develop attributes that will allow them to adapt in a rapidly changing world. The iPad complements daily teaching and allows students to easily access a multitude of interactive and innovative resources both in and away fromschool.
Commitment to safeguarding
Blenheim High School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Our Child Protection and Safeguarding policy along with our Equality policy can be found below. All successful candidates will be subject to DBS checks along with other relevant employment checks.
