HEXHAM AND NEWCASTLE CATHOLIC PARTNERSHIP

APPOINTMENT OF A PARTNERSHIP DIRECTOR

Required for September 2016 or earlierThis is a permanent post and the possibility of a secondment will be considered

Leadership range L13-17

The Partnership is a family of 12 Catholic Secondary Schools within the Diocese of Hexham and Newcastle.

The Partnership exists to enable school communities to work collaboratively with the aim of strengthening, promoting and celebrating the distinctive Catholic nature/ethos of our schools.

This is an exciting opportunity to work in a senior role for our successful and vibrant Catholic Partnership. We need a creative and inspirational person who:

Has a clear vision of Catholic education and who will support the Partnership ethos. Is a strategic thinker with flair and dynamism who will develop the staff and students in the Partnership schools. Has the vision and determination to make a difference, focusing on creativity, raising standards and leading the

Partnership forward. Has proven leadership, management and interpersonal skills.

The Partnership will offer:

Office facilities in a Partnership school Administrative support and ICT provision An appropriate CPD programme A supportive Partnership Board.

This post is well suited to a person seeking promotion to a Senior Leadership role or someone who is currently in a leadership role seeking a wider professional experience in Catholic education.

The successful applicant will need to have the use of a car for independent travel.

Application forms or further details are available from Mrs S Thompson, Administrator, Hexham & Newcastle Catholic Partnership, The Headlands, Darlington, DL3 8RW sthompson@catholicpartnership.org

For an informal discussion on the role of the post, please contact Sara Crawshaw scrawshaw@carmel.org.uk

Closing date for completed applications is Tuesday 5th January 2016

Interviews will be held on Tuesday 19th January 2016

The Catholic Partnership is committed to safer recruitment practice and pre-employment checks will be undertaken before any appointment is confirmed. The post is subject to an Enhanced Criminal Records Bureau Disclosure.

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HEXHAM AND NEWCASTLE CATHOLIC PARTNERSHIP

CATHOLIC PARTNERSHIP VISION STATEMENT

The Partnership exists to enable school communities to work collaboratively with the aim of strengthening, promoting and celebrating the distinctive Catholic nature/ethos of our schools.

The Partnership will strive to fulfil its mission by working together to :

1. Provide support, training and resources for the development of our Catholic/Christian ethos;

2. Live out the Gospel message by providing opportunities for students and staff to engage in work to assist those who are marginalised and impoverished;

3. Enable Partnership schools to contribute to promoting social cohesion;

4. Provide opportunities for our students to participate in shared liturgies and celebratory events;

5. Continue to develop a professional development programme which responds to the needs of the Partnership and individual schools;

6. Articulate a shared response with respect to regional, national and international issues.

Aims

Raising achievement and promoting Catholic education through partnership.

We are each made in the image of God. We aim to enhance the motivation, self-confidence and performance of young people, 11-19 and those who have care of them in our schools.

We are each members of a community based on love and care. Through working in partnership we aim to increase levels of awareness, skills and qualifications and support progression through education, training and into work.

Staff and students are recognised as individuals. We aim to promote the achievements and develop the talents of each individual through equality of opportunity in education, training and employment.

Our students have a right to the highest quality of educational provision available. Through working in Partnership we aim to promote excellence in educational endeavour.

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Aspirations

The Catholic Partnership aspires to:

Enrich the education of all students in an atmosphere of Christian love.

Promote professional and curriculum development.

Enhance the quality of teaching and learning with member schools.

Strengthen links within the partnership and to work effectively with other Diocesan Schools and the wider community.

Work closely with the Diocese.

Provide specific CPD as a support to national, regional and LA initiatives.

Objectives

The underlying objectives of the Partnership are contained in the agreed Vision Statement:

The purpose of the proposed Partnership is to promote professional and curriculum development, thereby enhance the quality of teaching and learning in the schools involved.

To build upon existing Partnership collaboration to enrich the education of all of our students in an atmosphere of Christian love to the benefit of Catholic education in the Hexham and Newcastle Catholic Partnership.

The schools share a common Catholic ethos. This ethos runs through every aspect of the life of the school such that the academic cannot be separated from the pastoral and spiritual.

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HEXHAM AND NEWCASTLE CATHOLIC PARTNERSHIP

PERSON SPECIFICATION FOR THEDIRECTOR OF HEXHAM AND NEWCASTLE CATHOLIC PARTNERSHIP

Listed below are the attributes which the Board of Head teachers have specified for the post of Partnership Director and how applicants/candidates will be expected to demonstrate that they satisfy the requirements where A is in the Application Form and any supporting statement; I is in Interview (which may include any task or presentation required of interviewees); and R the Referees.

Training and qualifications

Essential Desirable A - ApplicationI – interviewR – references

Qualified Teacher status X ADegree X AEvidence of recent professional development/academic study X AFaith commitmentPractising Catholic X ARSound understanding of the distinctive nature of Catholic education X AExperience of teaching and school leadership or equivalentExperience of strategic, inclusive and creative management in a secondary school

X ARI

Experience of school self-evaluation and performance management processes and their impact on raising standards

X AI

Professional knowledge and understanding – applicants should be able to demonstrate a good knowledge and understanding of the following:Pupils’ educational development X AIRCurriculum and assessment and use of ICT X AIEffective teaching and learning strategies X AIRExperience of leading staff training/CPD X AISchool evaluation and monitoring X AIRPersonal skills and abilities – applicants should be able to provide evidence that they have the necessary personal skills and abilities required by the post:Communication and interpersonal skills X AIRAdaptability to change and new ideas X AIREmotional resilience X IRConfidence to motivate others X IRAbility to relate to young people, colleagues and external partners X AIRTeam leader and self motivated X AIRInnovative and creative in approach to raising achievement X IOther requirementsApplication forms should be completed in full X ALetters should be clear and concise – no more than 1300 words or 2 sides of A4

X A

Letter should address the criteria identified in the person specification X ACapacity for independent travel X AAbility to work flexibly to meet the demands of the job X ICommitted to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of young people X AIRConfidential references and reportsConfirming professional and personal knowledge, skills and abilities referred to above

X R

Positive recommendation X RPriest Reference X R

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HEXHAM AND NEWCASTLE CATHOLIC PARTNERSHIP

JOB DESCRIPTION

ROLE OF DIRECTOR

Purpose - To promote and develop Partnership activities in all aspects, particularly with regard to the Catholic ethos of the Partnership.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

To fulfil all the requirements and duties as set out by the Partnership board To be familiar with, aspire to and evaluate personal performance against the appropriate standards To partake in the arrangements for Performance Management.

Specific Duties and Responsibilities

To be responsible to the Catholic Partnership Board for the coordination of the Catholic Partnership. To support the promotion of the Catholic ethos, mission and core purpose of the Partnership. To facilitate direct communications between schools, including school coordinators, senior managers,

curriculum and pastoral leaders, new staff, support and teaching staff and students. To facilitate communications between the Partnership and local/national bodies. To serve and attend Board, Coordinators’ meetings and residentials for strategic planning purposes, as

required. To lead on the annual Partnership Action planning process. To manage the budget of the Partnership in liaison with the appointed Partnership Finance Officer. To lead the Partnership on a day to day basis and to administer the Partnership office. To promote the Partnership, with the wider community, by circulating bulletins and newsletters; and by

disseminating information on development meetings, initiatives and decisions. To construct and deliver a Partnership development plan. To create opportunities for sharing of policies and good practice between schools. To coordinate and evaluate pupil events and Partnership activities. To oversee the continued development of the Partnership website. To help monitor the cost effectiveness of the Partnership. To manage and promote other Partnership activities as they arise. To facilitate links with other partnerships and networks. To evaluate Partnership activities. Maintain appropriate reporting on grants and bids.

These duties are neither inclusive nor exhaustive, and the post holder will be required to undertake other duties and responsibilities, which the Partnership Board may determine.

The post of the Partnership Director is full-time.

The Director will be performance managed by the Chair of the Partnership Board, in line with all statutory requirements.

The Director will be required to manage their workload independently as some of the activities that the Partnership are involved with might require evening or weekend work.

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BACKGROUND

The Catholic Partnership is made up of 12 Catholic Secondary Schools in the Diocese of Hexham and Newcastle. The schools are:

Carmel College, Darlington

Our Lady and St Bede Catholic Academy, Stockton

St Aidan’s Catholic Academy, Sunderland

St Anthony’s Girls’ Catholic Academy, Sunderland

St Bede’s Catholic School and Sixth Form College, Lanchester

St Bede’s Catholic School and Byron Sixth Form College, Peterlee

St John’s School and Sixth Form College - A Catholic Academy, Bishop Auckland

St Joseph’s Catholic Academy, Hebburn

St Leonard’s Catholic School, Durham

St Michael’s Catholic Academy, Billingham

St Thomas More RC Academy, North Shields

The English Martyrs School and Sixth Form College, Hartlepool

The Catholic Partnership’s Schools work together on activities for staff and students to enhance the education we are able to offer to our students. The Partnership is governed by the Partnership Board, which is composed of Headteachers and a school based Partnership Coordinator. We are a company limited by guarantee with charitable status.

The Board meets once a term under a rotating Chairperson elected for a two year period. In each school, there is a named coordinator who meets with the Director each half term to discuss the development of partnership activities.

For more information about the Partnership, you may look at the Partnership websitewww.hncps.co.uk

For more information about our Diocese, you may look at the following website www.rcdhn.org.uk

If you wish to discuss the post in more detail, please contact Sara Crawshaw 0790 4246299 – scrawshaw@carmel.org.uk

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