Head of School - Burnside Secondary

Employer: London Borough Of Waltham Forest

Location: Hawkswood Group, 2, Burnside Ave, Chingford, E4 8YJ

Contract: Permanent

Working Pattern: Full Time

Hours: 32.5 hours per week.

Closing Date: 03/02/2025 at 12:00

Reference: SCH/25/302003

Position Overview

Head of School Burnside Secondary

Full Time Permanent Position

Interview Date: Week commencing 10th February 2025

Start Date: 22nd April 2025

Hawkswood Group is seeking a Head of School for the Burnside Pupil Referral Unit. Burnside is a provision with a good Ofsted judgement and commitment to inclusive and safe learning for its pupils. We are seeking a motivated leader who can continue to deliver an effective and efficient learning environment that enables pupils to achieve and improve their educational outcomes.

The successful candidate will also be required to be an executive member of the management committee, providing professional leadership and strategic management across the Hawkswood Group, in consultation with the PRU Management Committee. This will include ensuring high-quality personalised education for all children and young people in the Hawkswood Group is secured, and that high standards and a range of outcomes are achieved. As part of the executive team, the candidate will be expected to build positive relationships with schools, LA officers, services, and agencies through collaboration and partnership working in order to improve outcomes for children and young people in Waltham Forest.

Key Responsibilities

We are seeking an exceptional leader to build on existing successes and someone who:

• Will ensure a positive, solution-focused approach in all situations
• Has a breadth of experience and knowledge across the secondary phase
• Is innovative and experienced at managing change
• Is resilient, inspirational, and nurturing
• Demonstrates an exceptional work ethic
• Has outstanding interpersonal skills
• Can provide leadership and support to all secondary schools/academies in LBWF
• Has been successful in engaging hard-to-reach families
• Remains calm under pressure
• Has a trauma-informed and restorative approach

Employee Benefits

• Onsite parking facilities, public transport links
• Teacher pension
• Cycle to work scheme
• Child care scheme

As part of KCSIE 2024, all applicants will be subject to online searches. Applicants must be able to form and maintain appropriate professional relationships and boundaries with children, young people, and other vulnerable adults. Applicants should have the ability to understand the difficulties and pressures associated with caring for children/vulnerable adults and demonstrate appropriate coping mechanisms.

Waltham Forest is a diverse borough where diversity is valued and is integral to both service delivery and employment of its staff. The Council is proud of its rich mix of communities and as the largest employer in the area, it works hard to respond to the changing needs of its population. The Council is committed to meeting its 4 equality objectives:

1. Promoting equality of opportunity
2. Opposing all forms of discrimination, intolerance, and disadvantage
3. Ensuring our workforce reflects the diverse communities of Waltham Forest at all levels
4. Providing fair, appropriate, accessible, and excellent services to all

Respecting diversity is a core Council value. To support the above and reduce the risk of bias in its recruitment activities, the council is operating an anonymous shortlisting process, which hides personal information that can identify individuals until their application has been considered for shortlisting.

How to Apply

Email address for return of applications: