The Role
The school wishes to appoint a Principal to work with parents, pupils, teachers and non-teaching staff to further develop a flagship 21st century Waldorf education.
Reporting to the School’s Trustee Board you will be responsible for all aspects of school life relating to the education of the pupils; the management of the teaching staff and non-teaching staff, the development of the School’s assets and the financial sustainability and success of the School. You will be passionate about child development and progressive education and will want to combine current developments in education with the imaginative creativity of Steiner Waldorf philosophy, to the best effect. You will be confident in your ability as a teacher and as a leader, reflective in your practice and welcome accountability to those around you. You will foster a school culture of colleagueship, collaboration, and relational trust.
The Principal will:
· Set a clear and inspiring vision for the School, taking colleagues with you on that journey.
· With the Trustee Board, formulate the aims and objectives of the School, providing strategic leadership for their implementation.
· With the Trustee Board and Senior Leadership Team establish policies for achieving these aims and objectives.
· With the School’s SLT, manage staff and resources to develop the organisation’s capacity and capability to realise the School’s vision.
· Monitor and report progress to the Trustee Board.
· Lead by example and model best practice regarding professional conduct, workload, and personal development.
· Develop and deliver a 21st Century Waldorf education in compliance with Government and OFSTED regulations for early years and schools.
· With financial astuteness and commercial acumen, further develop and implement the School’s Development Plan.
Duties and responsibilities:
· Communicate the School’s vision clearly and with commitment.
· Ensure a high standard of educational provision across the School.
· Build positive relationships with all members of the school community and the School’s strategic partners.
· Build positive relationships with parents, carers, pupils, alumni, and the Forest Row community.
· Keep up to date with developments in education and school inspection criteria.
· Ensure the continued financial well-being of the School with accountability for the School’s financial budget (costs and revenue generation).
· Ensure that the School maximizes its commercial opportunities in order to continue to invest in its educational offering.
· Develop and implement the School Development Plan.
· Seek training and continuing professional development.
· Set and expect ambitious standards for all pupils.
· Ensure excellent teaching in the School.
· Establish a culture of openness, collaboration, and cooperation amongst staff to ensure that best practice is shared.
· Identify emerging talents and aspiring leaders and support them in their roles and careers.
· Hold all staff accountable for their professional conduct and practice.
· Ensure the School’s systems, policies and processes are fit for purpose.
· Provide a safe, calm, and well-ordered environment for all pupils and staff.
· Work with the Trustees to ensure they have all the information they need to govern effectively.
· Create an outward-looking school, working with other schools and organisations to secure excellence for all pupils.
· Create and embed an effective monitoring, evaluation and review cycle across the School.
· Head of Exam Centre.
· Work closely with the admissions team, SLT and Trustees to promote the School and ensure that pupil numbers remain stable.
Person Specification
The successful candidate will possess the following qualifications although consideration will be given to alternative qualifications or experience.
· Qualified teacher status.
· A university degree.
· At least 2 years of Senior Leadership Experience.
The successful candidate will have the following experience:
· Successful senior leadership and management experience in a school.
· Good teaching experience.
· Knowledge of Steiner Waldorf Education.
· Involvement in school self-evaluation and development planning.
· Successful line management and staff development.
· Proven ability to identify and acknowledge excellence.
· Proven ability to identify and resolve under performance effectively and decisively.
· Experience of successful preparation for school inspections.
· Knowledge and experience of working effectively with a governing body.
· Successful experience of curriculum development.
· Using monitoring and evaluation strategies that raise the quality of teaching and learning.
· Establishing a collaborative school vision of excellence and equity.
· Commercial and marketing acumen that will help the school attract parents, pupils, and investment.
The successful candidate will have the ability to:
• Communicate a vision and inspire others.
• Communicate effectively.
• Build effective working relationships.
• Model high quality teaching for others.
• Assess information to set targets and identify weaknesses and strengths.
• Understand the business model of a fee-paying school and provide the necessary leadership to ensure the School’s continued commercial success.
· Work under pressure and prioritise effectively.
The successful candidate will be committed to:
• Safeguarding, equality, and diversity.
• Maintaining confidentiality at all times.
• Getting the best outcomes for all pupils.
• Promoting the ethos and values of the School.
• Maintaining discipline, and positive relationships with pupils.
• The environment and sustainable values.
The job description may be amended at any time in consultation with the postholder.
Specifically, the Principal will be required to safeguard and promote the welfare of all pupils, implement, and follow all policies and the staff code of conduct.
APPLICATION PROCESS AND SELECTION TIMETABLE
The deadline for applications is 10th November 2024. Your application will need to comprise of:
· A completed application form.
· A CV outlining qualifications, career history and experience and two referees.
SELECTION TIMETABLE
Deadline for applications 10th November 2024
Longlisting 11th and 12th November 2024
Interview and Assessment Centre 25th and 26th November 2024
Stakeholder and Selection Panels 2nd December 2024
Michael Hall School values the diversity of its community and aims to have a workforce that reflects this. We therefore encourage applications from all sections of the community.
Michael Hall School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All positions are subject to an enhanced DBS check.