JOB APPLICATION PACK

Headteacher

RESPONSIBLE TO

CST Executive Principal and

BCCS local governing body

SALARY

L30 - L34 (£86,061 - £94,914)

on the CST Pay Scale

HOURS

Full Time

START DATE

September 1st 2021

CLOSING DATE

Friday 22nd January 2021

INTERVIEW DATES

8th, 9th and 10th February

2021

Headteacher

We are committed to

safeguarding and promoting

the welfare of children, young

people and adults and the

post is subject to an enhanced

DBS check.

PURPOSE OF THE ROLE

Cathedral Schools Trust is seeking to appoint a Headteacher for Bristol

Cathedral Choir School, from September 2021. The Headteacher

will work closely with the Executive Principal, Governors and other

Headteachers within the trust to provide outstanding provision for

children and families.

Bristol Cathedral Choir School is a vibrant and hugely successful

Church of England school enriched by its music specialism serving a

diverse community across Bristol. It is an Academy and is based in the

city centre of Bristol. Music is central to the life of the school and BCCS

has an outstanding national musical reputation across genres.

The school offers and inspires pupils with both a leading-edge

music education and the opportunity to participate in outstanding

choirs, orchestras, ensembles and provides the choristers for Bristol

Cathedral Choir. Following an outstanding Ofsted report in 2016 and

an “Excellent” SIAMS inspection in 2019 the school is driven to build

upon this supported by a well-established leadership culture and from

Cathedral Schools Trust (CST). The school has a large sixth form with

over 400 students and outcomes, have been very strong over time

with significantly positive progress at both key stages. The school has

approximately 1150 students and the PAN has recently increased to 150.

CST is a Mixed MAT and is currently made up of three secondary

schools (Bristol Cathedral Choir School, Trinity Academy and St

Katherine’s School) and four primary schools (Headley Park Primary

School, Victoria Park Primary School, Stoke Park Primary School and

Cathedral Primary School). The trust has had an affiliated Teaching

School Alliance providing support for primary and secondary schools

across the region, a comprehensive ITT route and offering CPD

opportunities for staff including NPQ and MA accredited courses.

02

There are also opportunities for staff to become

accredited SLEs, LLEs and NLEs.

We are looking for a candidate with significant

leadership experience and a love of music coupled

with the resilience, innovation and initiative

to further strengthen the school and to work

collaboratively between schools.

You will be an inspiration to pupils in the school, an

excellent communicator, a team player who is able

to work under pressure and to effectively manage

change.

You will need to provide outstanding education

leadership, ensuring the highest expectations

and standards in teaching, learning, behaviour,

community engagement and resource

management.

If you can demonstrate that you possess

the necessary experience, knowledge and

qualifications and aspire to our vision and values

then we would like to hear from you.

The trust is committed to safeguarding and

promoting the welfare of children and young

people, and expects all staff and volunteers to

share this commitment. Successful candidates will

be required to complete an enhanced DBS check

upon appointment.

If you would like an informal discussion about

the role, please contact Neil Blundell at

enquiries@cathedralschoolstrust.org to make an

appointment.

If you would like to find out more about the school,

please visit the website at:

bccs.bristol.sch.uk

Please read on for further details about the role

including job description and person specification.

Please note that we will only consider applications through TES and will not consider CVs so please

ensure that your supporting statement on the application meets the requirements of the person

specification. We encourage you to be succinct and to restrict your supporting statement to no more than

four pages in length.

To apply for this role please go to: www.tes.com/jobs/employer/-1082408

03

About Bristol Cathedral Choir SchoolBCCS became an Academy in 2008 and was one

of the very few independent schools to make the

transition. The school now draws students from

across the city and the socio-economic and cultural

demographic is broad. BCCS is determined that

all our students have equality of opportunity. The

school is one of the most oversubscribed schools

in the region and there are very high numbers of

students with EHCPs, and a high proportion of

students who are LAC or PLAC. The school has a

very large and successful sixth form and attracts

students from across the city.

The school’s status as a Choir School is unique

within the state sector and the school provides

Choristers for the Cathedral Choir with 8 students

each year enter the school on chorister places,

singing up to six services each week with a

busy programme of recording and touring in

keeping with a professional cathedral choir.

The music specialism is the beating heart of the

school with free instrumental lessons offered

via the Trailblazers scheme to students in Year

7. There are a vast array of ensembles including

six choirs, orchestra, jazz band, wind band, steel

pans, rock and pop academy, percussion groups

and numerous smaller ensembles. The music is

supported by three full time staff including the

Director of Specialism who sits on the SLT. There

are 32 visiting instrumental teachers teaching

over 600 lessons each week and there are very

high numbers of children taking both GCSE and

A level music. The school is the home to Bristol

Plays Music (Bristol Youth Orchestra) on Saturdays.

A strategic ambition of BCCS is to ensure that the

music specialism continues to be leading edge and

a centre of excellence across the UK.

The school shares a campus with Cathedral

Primary School [a two-form entry Primary School]

and the relationship with the primary school is an

important one and it is a named feeder school.

The school’s Christian vision statement is

summarised as ‘Gathered together that all may

thrive.’ This reflects our unique gathering of

students from across the city, from all faiths and

none and from very different backgrounds. As

04

a VC Church of England school we are proud to

bring together a diverse community. We see this

diversity as an expression of Christianity recently

endorsed as ‘excellent’ by SIAMS. The vision is that

all of our students thrive whilst at BCCS. We value

wholeness and look for the unique potential in

each student.

In order to realise the vision we have three core

values: kindness, courage and hope. These values

were chosen by the students in response to the

school vision. We believe that holding these values

will allow our community to truly come together

and thrive. The values are clear throughout

the school, expressed in policies, practice and

regularly discussed by staff and in the whole

school assemblies.

The school has a close working relationship with

the Dean and Chapter of Bristol Cathedral and the

school has the use of the Cathedral every morning

for assembly space. We welcome applications from

educational leaders from all faiths or none.

EDUCATIONAL PLAN AND CURRICULUM

BCCS equips its students with the skills,

knowledge and personal qualities to pursue

successful careers and lives. We provide a range

of opportunities for all our students with

access to:

• A highly enriched co-curricular offer including

the music specialism, as well as a wide range

of sport activities, performing arts, clubs and

societies.

• Employability skills training including the

development of communication, analytical

and team working skills and commercial

awareness.

• Links to high quality providers of

apprenticeships, Higher Education and Further

Education providers and mentors from the

business world.

• High quality careers information, advice

and guidance which has been built into the

curriculum.

05

SCHOOL PHASE TYPE NO. ON ROLL LOCATION

Bristol Cathedral

Choir School

Secondary Academy

(C of E

designation)

1,148 College Square,

Bristol BS1 5TS

Trinity Academy Secondary Academy 243 rising as the

school grows

Brangwyn Grove

Lockleaze

Bristol

BS7 9BY

Cathedral Primary

School

Primary Free school

(C of E

designation)

393 College Square,

Bristol BS1 5TS

St Katherine’s

School

Secondary Academy 936 Ham Green, North

Somerset

BS20 0HU

About Cathedral Schools Trust

Cathedral Schools Trust was established in

February 2016 to include Bristol Cathedral Choir

School (an academy since 2008) and Cathedral

Primary School (a free school that opened in

2013). Headley Park Primary School and Victoria

Park Primary School joined the trust in August

2017 followed by St Katherine’s School and

Stoke Park Primary School. A new secondary

free school, Trinity Academy, opened as part of

CST in September 2019. On December 1st 2020

CST created a Mixed MAT which now includes

two schools from the Diocese of Bristol. A brief

overview of the schools currently in CST is below:

VISION

06

SCHOOL PHASE TYPE NO. ON ROLL LOCATION

Stoke Park Primary

School

Primary Academy 207 Brangwyn Grove

Bristol

BS7 9BY

Headley Park

Primary School

Primary Academy 420 Headley Lane,

Headley Park,

Bristol BS13 7QB

The initial vision for the multi-academy trust

(MAT) was established as a result of the changing

education landscape, increased funding restrictions

on operating smaller standalone schools and the

potential to create efficiencies and enhance quality

of provision through a MAT structure.

The vision has matured over time and trustees

asked that we grow a multi-academy trust with the

following guiding principles:

• Made up of a broad range of schools to include

primary and secondary and cultural and socio-

economically diverse schools and become a

mixed MAT encompassing both diocesan and

community schools.

• Ensuring that in the first instance, we grow

through strong partnerships, generating

high aspirations for all pupils, especially the

disadvantaged, and building on the positive

outcomes of schools already in the trust and

the Teaching School Alliance.

• Ensuring that as we grow we establish the trust

with our partners, effectively co-creating the

trust via collaborative convergence.

• Allowing each school high levels of autonomy

and individuality, with high levels of trust and

collaboration between schools. Understanding

the drivers which led us to develop the trust

and ensuring that other schools retain their

identity but are committed to meaningful

collaboration and using the trust to create new

opportunities for both children and staff.

• Delivering a commitment to creative, aspirant,

innovative thought and action, rooted in

evidence and action research.

07

Victoria Park

Primary School

Primary Academy 420 14 Atlas Rd, Bristol

BS3 4QS

We are a values-driven organisation and expect

our new Headteacher to aspire to our core beliefs,

outlined below:

Cathedral Schools Trust believes in education

that encourages young people to be imaginative,

knowledgeable, confident, hopeful, and equipped

to make significant decisions. It believes children

should be safe and it hopes that they will be

happy. Our core values are derived from Christian

teachings and are representative of all faiths and

worldviews. The Cathedral Schools Trust believes

that children will benefit if they learn reverence

and compassion for one another and for the world.

We believe we should all want to live life fully. The

trust is inclusive and welcomes children of all faiths

and none.

This is an exciting opportunity to work for a multi-

academy trust committed to high expectations

and excellent provision for all. The trust provides

flexible and adaptable learning and development

opportunities for all staff, and is committed to

the development of future leaders in education.

Professional development is further supported

by the work of the Teaching School Alliance as

well as external events, e-learning, networking

opportunities and cross-trust working.

You can find out about the trust by visiting

www.cathedralschoolstrust.org

CST recognises the benefit of having a diverse

workforce, representative of our student cohort,

which can offer a range of perspectives in

decision-making. We welcome applications from

individuals of all groups that are under-represented

in education.

The trust is committed to safeguarding and

promoting the welfare of children and young

people and expects all staff and volunteers to

share this commitment.

Successful candidates will be required to complete

an enhanced DBS check upon appointment.

VALUES

08

09

Job Description

Headteacher

PURPOSE OF THE ROLE

The Headteacher will work with Cathedral Schools

Trust to drive BCCS to even greater success

disseminating best practice across our schools

and committing to deep collaboration wherever

possible.

RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE ROLE

1. Working with the support and guidance of the

Executive Principal to:

• Fulfil all the requirements and duties relating

to the Conditions of Employment of the

Headteacher.

• Meet the National Standards of Excellence for

Headteachers.

• Seek to achieve any performance criteria,

goals, agreed with or set with the Executive

Principal.

• Promote and safeguard the welfare of all

children and young people within the school,

by ensuring that the school’s policies and

procedures relating to safeguarding children

and child protection are fully implemented and

followed by all staff; resources are allocated to

allow staff to discharge their responsibilities;

and that staff, pupils, parents and others feel

able to raise concerns and that these are

addressed sensitively and effectively.

• Develop, in partnership with the Executive

Principal and governing body, and effectively

communicate and implement the evolving

vision for BCCS.

• Lead in the provision of excellent teaching and

learning.

• Raise standards and achievement across the

school so that all pupils achieve to the very best

of their ability.

• Develop, inspire and motivate individuals and

teams in order to raise standards and progress

across the school, demonstrating outstanding

teaching practice and playing a direct role in

the professional development of staff so that

they in turn can deliver outstanding teaching.

• Ensure rigorous and accurate school self-

evaluation to inform rapid school improvement

and to ensure successful preparation for Ofsted

RESPONSIBLE TO CST Executive Principal and BCCS local governing body

SALARY L30 - L34 (£86,061 - £94,914) on the CST Pay Scale

HOURS Full Time

START DATE September 1st 2021

and SIAMs inspections. To lead the staff and

governing body in reviewing and evaluating the

effectiveness of the school development plan,

which is clearly based on priorities arising from

school self- evaluation.

• Implement rigorous professional development

reviews which ensures accountability at all levels.

• Ensure the school’s governing body and the

Executive Principal have accurate, timely and

detailed information on which to base sound

decisions about the school’s priorities.

• Further develop partnerships with a variety of

stakeholders through collaboration and in order

to maximise the potential of all students.

2. The Headteacher will be expected to:

• Recruit a well-qualified, committed, effective

and diverse workforce.

• Develop partnerships and build relationships

with the local community, including

parents, other schools, businesses and the

local authority and regional and national

organizations to promote music

3. Responsibilities to work within CST’s family of

schools:

• As directed by the Executive Principal and

in consultation with the governing body the

Headteacher will be expected to work across

the trust.

• Attend all CST Headteacher meetings, working

collaboratively with both primary and secondary

Headteachers, and working positively within

the CST family of schools to ensure the best

possible outcomes for all our students.

• Provide enthusiastic, innovative, collaborative

and consistent leadership across CST.

4. Finance, Personnel and Resources:

• Ensure that all the activities of the school

are conducted in accordance with all legal

requirements and regulations.

• Work with the school’s Business Manager

and the trust Finance Director to plan and

develop the school’s budget and to ensure

that the resources are deployed effectively,

appropriately and within budget as agreed with

the Executive Principal and local governing

body.

5. Other:

• Undertake any other duties commensurate with

the pay and grade of the post as directed by

the Executive Principal.

10

11

CRITERIA EVIDENCEESSENTIAL DESIRABLE

• Degree

• Teaching qualification

• Higher qualification in

education and/or management

• Achieved NPQH

Qualifications

Shaping the

Future

• AF

• C

• AF

• SP

• R

• Capacity to shape, formulate

and communicate a vision for

the new school and for future

improvement

• Commitment to the schools

music specialism

• Embracing and building the

relationship with the Cathedral

and the Diocese

• Sound knowledge of current

and future educational

developments

• Experience of successfully

leading change and inspiring

others

• Understanding and appreciation

of the value that the school and

the community places on the

Music and the Arts

• High profile in school and

community

• Proven track record of change

management

• Leading a school from one

OfSTED category to another

(e.g. Good to Outstanding)

• Knowledgeable about

the Church of England to

understand how a faith school

can be genuinely respectful

and encouraging of children of

all faiths and none

• Experience in at least two

state secondary schools

• Significant experience at

senior level

• Proven track record of raising

educational standards

• Curriculum and pastoral

experience at senior

management level

• 11-18 school experience

• Ability to lead and inspire high

quality teaching and learning

• Ability to inspire, demonstrate

and support the highest of

expectations for all

• Commitment to include and

make a difference for every child

• Working collaboratively with

other schools to improve

the quality of teaching and

learning

Experience

Leading

Learning &

Teaching

• AF

• LA

• SP

• R

• AF

• SP

• R

Person Specification

12

CRITERIA EVIDENCEESSENTIAL DESIRABLE

• Skill to set appropriate and

challenging goals

• Capability to make and take

decisions and delegate

appropriately

• Commitment to the

encouragement,

empowerment and training of

staff

• Commitment to own self

development

• Commitment towards working

collaboratively within and

across the MAT

• Ability to delegate

responsibility with

accountability

• Capacity to sustain the

ongoing improvement of

results

Developing

Self and

Working with

Others

Securing

Accountability

• AF

• SP

• R

• AF

• SP

• R

• Capacity to build on and

manage high performance

teams

• Ability to use strong and

effective management

systems underpinned by clear

communication

• Ability to produce and

implement appropriate

improvement plans and

policies

• Commitment to the

continuation of our strong

links and partnerships with

Governors, staff, parents,

pupils, the wider community,

other schools and international

work

• Knowledge of financial

management

• Experience of financial

management

Managing the

Organisation

• AF

• SP

• R

13

CRITERIA EVIDENCEESSENTIAL DESIRABLE

• Ability to continue to develop

the school’s response to its

changing community

• Commitment to promoting

community links and cohesion

• Ability to recognise and build

on the school’s excellent multi-

agency links

• Experience of business links

• Commitment to safeguarding

and promoting the welfare of

children and young people

Strengthening

Community

Safeguarding

Children

• AF

• SP

• R

• AF

• SP

• R

• Passionate about education

• An effective communicator

• Understands and is

comfortable to work within

a school with a Christian

character.

• Interpersonal awareness and

concern for impact

• Resilient and energetic

• Firm and fair

• Lead by example with high

professional standards

• Dynamic and motivational

• A sense of proportion

Personal

Qualities &

Attributes

• AF

• SP

• R

KEY TO METHOD OF ASSESSMENT

AF Application Form

SP Selection Process

C Certificate

R References