Job Description

JOB TITLE: Principal – Shenley Court Academy

ACCOUNTABLE TO: Academy Governing Body

Purpose of the post:

• Provide outstanding leadership of the academy which will ensure its continuing improvement and success
• Create an environment which will achieve the academy vision and aims
• Provide access to the best possible education for every student to secure high standards
• Manage the academy resources effectively
• Promote and secure community, stakeholder and partner involvement in the academy
• Ensure the academy contributes effectively to community regeneration and cohesion

Key areas of responsibility:

1. Leadership & Strategic Development:

• Work with Edutrust and the Governing Body to develop, communicate, implement and model a shared vision, aims, policies and plans for the academy
• Provide strategic leadership that secures the delivery of high standards of attainment and personal development for all students and staff
• Manage effectively all aspects of the organisation and change processes
• Provide leadership in the development of innovative teaching and learning and extended community activities
• Work with other academies, schools, Further and Higher Education providers, partners and organisations in the public, private, business and voluntary sectors for the benefit of the academy
• Ensure that all statutory requirements are met

2. Standards:

• Ensure that the statutory requirements of the National Curriculum and other national curriculum developments are met and in consultation with the Local Authority, where appropriate
• Develop and implement a broad and relevant curriculum which embraces the academy’s specialisms, innovative approaches to teaching and learning, national initiatives and is at the forefront of best practice, to meet the needs of all students
• Monitor and evaluate the curriculum for both quality and value for money
• Embed data and benchmarking systems to monitor progress, raise standards and ensure a continuous and consistent academy-wide focus on students’ achievement which engages the support of parents/carers and assistance of other stakeholders
• Develop an ethos and structure for managing behaviour which enables each student to achieve their potential, including the management of pastoral care, student welfare and effective anti-bullying procedures
• Maintain effective assessment, recording and reporting systems of student progress
• Involve students, as partners in the learning process, in the development and decision-making of the academy

3. Leading people:

• In partnership with the Governing Body, lead the selection, appointment, deployment and management of high quality staff to ensure that effective learning takes place throughout the academy
• Create, maintain and enhance effective working relationships with staff, including consultation with professional associations, as appropriate
• Maximise the contribution of staff to improve the quality of education provided and standards achieved and to sustain the progress of the academy
• Manage the effective deployment and performance of all staff by supporting and ensuring their professional development
• Involve all staff in decision-making, as appropriate, in order that all who work in the academy are committed to its development
• Develop the leadership skills of staff at all levels and the student body
• Regularly review own practice and performance, set personal targets and take responsibility for own development
• Promote the academy ethos, values and aims, characterised by high aspirations and expectations

4. Managing the organisation:

• To be responsible for the internal organisation, management and control of the academy
• Advise the Governing Body on the annual priorities and formulation of the budget to ensure that the academy achieves its objectives
• Plan, manage and monitor the curriculum and all policies, procedures and initiatives within the agreed budget, setting priorities for expenditure, allocating funds/resources and securing effective administration and control
• Ensure the regular monitoring of the budget and the oversight of the use of resources at all levels in the academy
• Manage and organise accommodation efficiently and effectively to ensure it meets the needs of the curriculum, extended use, health and safety requirements and promotes a positive learning environment for all
• Advise the Governing Body on the use of the academy Endowment Fund and monitor and evaluate overall provision and use of resources to secure value for money
• Seek all opportunities to maximise resources for the academy and its community
• Create an awareness of environmental issues both within and beyond the academy and help to develop innovative projects which address practices

5. Accountability:

• Work collaboratively with the Chair of the Governing Body, those of its sub-committees and Trustees, as appropriate, to enable them to fulfil their monitoring, statutory and wider responsibilities
• Produce regular reports and provide information, support and objective advice to the Governing body on the educational, financial and community aspects of the academy
• Develop an organisation in which staff recognise they are responsible for the success of the academy and individual accountabilities are clearly defined, understood, agreed and acted upon
• Work effectively and collaboratively with external partners and stakeholders to achieve mutually agreed objectives, where relevant
• Ensure that effective communications are maintained within and beyond the academy and with stakeholders
• Ensure that parents/carers and students are well informed about all aspects of the academy and, in particular, about attainment, progress and targets for further improvement

6. Strengthening Community:

• Develop and encourage good relations between the academy and the local community
• Collaborate with parents/carers and with other agencies to ensure that the academy meets the wider needs of its students, staff and the local community
• Work closely with other schools and academies locally, nationally and internationally, and with appropriate providers of further and higher education
• Work closely with the Local Authority and organisations in the business, public, private and voluntary sectors to meet the needs of the students, particularly within the Every Child Matters agenda
• Develop the academy as an asset for the local community, in line with the sponsor’s vision, to enable all to benefit from the facilities for education, training, health, fitness and recreation opportunities
• Work with the Governing Body, Trustees and the Local Authority to develop the academy as a hub for the community to deliver multi-agency services for the family
• Ensure the academy reflects a culturally inclusive ethos which actively values and promotes diversity, unity and community cohesion, and supports students to become successful integrated citizens

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