Thank you for your interest in the position of Assistant Headteacher: Raising Standards at our brilliant, inclusive school.

The role involves strategic responsibility for driving standards in progress and attainment across the whole school. You will work very closely with the Senior Deputy Headteacher, other Assistant Headteachers and Heads of Year to ensure that outcomes for all pupils improve and that all pupils make expected, or beyond expected, progress. You will lead on all aspects of raising attainment planning, from analysis of data to inform effective interventions for groups of learners, development and monitoring of systems, such as moderation to ensure reliable data, to supporting the quality assurance of teaching and learning for key groups, as well as delivering whole school Teaching and Learning CPLD and planning for raising aspirations, with strategic oversight of our careers provision. At the heart of what you do will be improving outcomes for pupils in receipt of the Pupil Premium and for those with SEND, ensuring that pastoral and curriculum leaders have effective monitoring, evaluation and intervention processes. There will be crossover with teaching and learning, culture and careers leadership as part of this multifaceted role, and it is an exciting opportunity to be a key member of SLT at the heart of ensuring that all of our pupils go on to experience the very best life chances. It’s also a role that will prepare you well for Deputy Headship in future.

Orchard School is a forward-thinking, values-driven 11-16 school in Horfield, north Bristol. We want to become the exceptional school our community deserves, and we know this Assistant Headteacher role will support our move to becoming outstanding all round.

Our students are wonderful – they value their teachers, knowing that you can make a real difference to their lives. The mission statement of the school, “inspire today, empower for life”, lies at the heart of all that the school does. We place no limits on our aspirations for our students.

Sustainability is important: we need a leader with a mature understanding of how to bring out the best in our staff to consistently deliver exceptional opportunities for our young people.

So who are we looking to appoint?

• You are an experienced curriculum middle leader, or Senior Leader, who can evidence positive impact for department/Faculty outcomes over a substantial period of time through skilled teaching and learning.
• You are an outstanding classroom practitioner, committed to the highest academic achievement for all students who others look to for evidence-informed, high-quality practice. You inspire, motivate and enthuse students in lessons and staff across your team.
• You are a very skilled leader: able to think and act innovatively but plan coherently and systematically, and write with impact. You are highly organised, able to monitor and review at pace. You read widely and are linked into CPLD networks.
• You are prepared to roll up your sleeves and get involved across the school to help our students live our ORCHARD values and deliver the excellent provision our community deserves.

This role puts you at the heart of the school, highly visible to all students, parents, staff and our community. You will represent Orchard and be absolutely committed to building and sustaining relationships over time.

We offer:

• Enthusiastic students, keen to learn and achieve, who have excellent relationships with staff and who value your expertise
• Impressive student behaviour and a calm learning environment, with a Ready to Learn policy in place – so staff can teach without disruption
• A bright, happy place in which to learn and work
• A professionally stimulating environment which values the contributions of all staff
• A commitment to professional development, including the NPQSL for candidates yet to achieve a senior leader qualification
• A warm and friendly staff body with award-winning staff wellbeing

Orchard School is on a remarkable journey (it’s a really exciting time to join us!) and we need sustained good outcomes to take us from Ofsted Good to Outstanding. Join our SLT and make a difference every day to our wonderfully diverse and ambitious students and staff whilst working in a supportive, healthy working environment where there is an infectious sense of collegiality amongst staff at all levels.

Trust in Learning Academies (TiLA) is a values-based Trust. Our communities are at the heart of our practice, and we are committed to overcoming disadvantage and transforming lives through high quality, inclusive education. I warmly welcome your application.

Melanie Sweet, Headteacher