Assistant Headteacher : Personal Development

A very exciting opportunity has arisen for an inspirational, dynamic and strategic Assistant Headteacher (Personal Development) to join our team and make a significant contribution across Years 5 to 8 at Hexham Middle School.

We are looking for a driven, enthusiastic and ambitious professional who places pupils’ personal development and inclusive practice at the heart of what they do. The Assistant Headteacher will be responsible for shaping our pupils to be respectful young people who have a strong engagement in their learning and achievement and who have high aspirations for themselves and their futures. The postholder will ensure that the school and our pupils are actively involved in the life of the local community.

The postholder will have responsibility for personal development provision across the school and will be at the forefront of ensuring our school ethos is embedded in everything we do. The successful candidate will be driving forward our vibrant personal development offer and will be at the forefront of supporting our pupils to thrive during their time in middle school. As part of our senior leadership team, you will work to know each of our pupils as individuals, work with them to identify and reduce any barriers to their belonging, engagement and achievement and ensure that all pupils can strive to achieve their full potential through an enriching personal development curriculum. The postholder will have a significant role in whole school improvement including leadership of the PSHE and RSHE curricula. You will have very high ambition for all pupils with a sharp focus on those who face disadvantage and have additional needs and vulnerabilities. You will believe that all pupils deserve the very best experiences and that the middle school years are fundamental in allowing pupils to thrive.

Key areas of responsibility:

As strategic lead for personal development, you will embed the school’s ethos and values throughout the curriculum offer. You will plan and deliver an enriching programme that shapes our pupils to prepare them for life beyond school.

You will ensure that all pupils access this enriching offer and go above and beyond to ensure that pupils who have additional needs, vulnerabilities or face disadvantage have targeted and bespoke opportunities to thrive.

You will lead the school’s Stay Safe and Well Curriculum ensuring that pupils learn about staying safe responding to local, national and global contextual issues to prepare them for life beyond school.

As Careers Education Leader, you will deliver an ambitious programme of education, advice and guidance in line with the Gatsby Benchmarks and work to ensure strong careers education across the curriculum.

As the leader of PSHE and RSHE, you will design an ambitious curriculum across all year groups and ensure that staff are trained and skilled in their delivery.

As the school’s Senior Mental Health Lead, you will work very closely with other leaders to place mental health and wellbeing at the forefront of decision-making and curriculum design.

You will build on the very strong extra-curricular and enrichment offer and implement the school’s ambitious ‘Great Experiences’ programme to ensure all pupils have access to broad and varied opportunities both within and beyond the classroom.

As the lead for wider development including character education, you will play an active role in developing an understanding of character values and traits across the school.

You will be responsible for ensuring the school’s curriculum promotes strong spiritual, moral, social and cultural learning and experiences working to broaden pupils’ horizons and shape them as active, responsible citizens.

You will be the school’s sustainability champion and will oversee the design and implementation of the school’s Climate Action Plan.

You will lead opportunities for pupil voice and promote the many opportunities for pupil leadership including leadership of the ‘HMS Council’.

About HMS:

We are a large and flourishing middle school with over 600 pupils set in the historical market town of Hexham and are co-located with Queen Elizabeth High School as part of Hadrian Learning Trust. In September 2021, we moved into brand new school buildings with state-of-the-art learning facilities. We cherish the strong partnerships that exist between pupils, parents/carers, staff and the local community making this a successful, friendly and welcoming school. Pupils at Hexham Middle School have an eagerness to learn and achieve very well academically. We pride ourselves on the positive relationships we build and the individualised care and support we give the children in our school. The school is situated in Hexham - a short drive from Newcastle and with local transport links to both Carlisle and Newcastle.

What we can offer you:

We are very proud of our school and everything that makes it a great place to be: a friendly, supportive and highly-dedicated staff team; delightful young people who behave and engage very well; a culture of continual professional development and improvement; investment in staff and very close working links with the high school and other schools in the local Partnership. We place a high value on our personal development programme and are very proud of the varied enrichment activities that form part of our wider educational experience for pupils in all year groups. The postholder will access:

A supportive induction package and professional development

A comprehensive package of wellbeing and health support

The chance to work alongside an experienced and driven team of staff

Free gym membership on site

Ample on-site parking

A very pleasant, modern working environment in the market town of Hexham

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expect all staff to share this commitment. The successful applicant will be required to obtain a satisfactory Certificate of Disclosure from the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Next steps:

If you wish to discuss this vacancy, please contact our HR team on [01434] 610300. Applicants are strongly encouraged to visit our school and can arrange appointments via recruitment@qehs.net or by calling the school office. Candidate visits are scheduled for the below times, but please contact us to arrange alternative opportunities should you be unable to join us on:

Monday 15th June 4.30pm

Wednesday 17th June 4.30pm

Application packs are available from our website at http://www.hexhammiddleschool.co.uk/ or via My New Term. If you wish to apply, please complete the application form via My New Term - this is an online application platform.