Assistant Headteacher

Key Stage 4

Welcome

to The Joseph Rowntree School

Thank you for your interest in The Joseph Rowntree School's Assistant Headteacher Opportunity

Dear Applicant,

We are delighted to welcome you to our dedicated recruitment webpage, which aims to provide you with the information about our school and this exciting opportunity to join our Senior Leadership Team which you will need to apply. The Joseph Rowntree School was founded in 1942 and is a successful 11-18 mixed, comprehensive school with just over 1260 students, including 200 in the Sixth form. We are a local authority maintained school and keep strong links with the City of York Council.

Located in the lovely surroundings of New Earswick, we are based in a single, 3-storey state of the art modern building. We provide an excellent learning environment and offer a very strong extra-curricular programme. We have an ongoing investment into technology assisted learning. Read more about our fantastic school on our website here.

We are supported by a highly experienced, committed and loyal staff team, supportive parents/carers, and a strong Governing Body. We provide a nurturing setting where our students are polite, happy, confident and positively engaged in their education.

If you would like the opportunity to visit our school, please email Rachel Walton, my PA, on recruitment@josephrowntreeschool.co.uk to arrange a suitable time.

I hope you find the information provided useful and informative, and that it will encourage you to apply. On behalf of the Staff and Governing Body, thank you again for your interest in The Joseph Rowntree School.

Yours sincerely,

Dave Hewitt

Headteacher

About Our Assistant Headteacher KS4

We are seeking a highly motivated, strategic thinker with strong interpersonal skills to join the Senior Leadership Team as Assistant Headteacher for KS4. You will relish the challenges and rewards that such a position offers and will be a strategic, high profile and student centred leader who will ‘lead by example’. You will be joining a strong, supportive SLT in a school that was judged 'Good' by Ofsted at our last inspection and is ambitious for the future. You will either be an established Assistant Headteacher or a successful middle leader, looking to progress to the next step on your career ladder. You will be fully supported in this role by our wider senior team.

You will share our commitment to high standards and will have the ability and ambition to help lead the school in the next stage of its development. We are focused on developing outstanding classroom practice and outcomes, providing excellent pastoral care and engaging students in wider opportunities and experiences that help them grow into well rounded individuals. The post has at its heart the leadership of Key Stage 4, but the successful candidate will also play a full role in our senior team.

Candidate Specification

Job Description

About our school

Introduction

The Joseph Rowntree School is a large, thriving, and friendly secondary school, situated in New Earswick in York. We have a large catchment area and have the added benefit of being close to the A1237 ring road. Whilst the majority of our students come from New Earswick, Haxby and Wiggington, we also have students from other areas of York. The school was founded by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation in 1942. The Foundation is a charity whose vision is for a prosperous and poverty-free UK. Our school values this heritage and recognises the importance of education in reducing poverty, transforming lives and enhancing life chances for all students. Our relationship continues through JRF’s appointment of governors who play active roles in our school’s governance. Read more about the invaluable work of the foundation here.

Facilities

Our modern building is equipped with up to date classroom technology. We have an ongoing investment in new technologies and extensive use is made of Google classroom. We also have a state of the art sports centre and a wonderful performing arts main hall and studio.

We have extensive, attractive grounds, playing fields and an open landscape setting. Inside the building, we have fantastic facilities, which really help to support and challenge our learners. The layout comprises a ‘main street’, with departments branching off, each located in their own cluster. A large hall is used for assemblies and productions, amongst other things.

As well as the main school facilities, we also have the Wiltshire Centre (Enhanced Resource Provision) based on the ground floor of the school near reception, which provides highly specialised support and individual teaching and learning for students of mainstream ability who have significant and complex autism.

Our Curriculum is broad and balanced, delivered in an engaging manner which inspires students to realise their full potential and achieve the best possible outcomes. We implement systems that recognise and reward excellence, encouraging all to strive to do their best.

"Pupils at this school, including those in the sixth form, value their learning. All pupils benefit from a broad and ambitious curriculum. This includes pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities needs (SEND)." OFSTED 2022

CEIAG

Careers Education, Information, Advice and Guidance is one of our key strengths. Students take part in a wide-ranging Careers Education package, which includes looking at different options and taking part in activities which helps them to understand their own strengths and qualities. We make extensive use of links with external agencies to support this work.

Our Students

Our students are enthusiastic, well behaved and many are involved in the wide variety of extra-curricular activities on offer.

"Pupils benefit from a wide range of enrichment opportunities. Leaders try to capture the interests of every pupil, including those who are disadvantaged, with a variety of extracurricular clubs and activities." OFSTED 2022

We offer a wide range of extra-curricular activities/clubs –

Full range of sports clubs and teams, (a number of students are part of academy programmes in local sports clubs)
Educational visits to the Yorkshire coast and beyond including visits to the Belgium battlefields and sports visits to European countries
Theatre visits and well established and wide ranging performing arts productions and clubs
Science competitions
Work experience in Y10 and Y12
Duke Of Edinburgh Award Scheme

It is our intention that students develop into mature and confident learners who are involved in all elements of life at our school and strive to make the most of their abilities. We want to enable students to develop the necessary knowledge and skills to contribute to society as members of a caring and diverse community. With this in mind, we focus on delivering the best possible learning experience, which caters for the needs of all learners and where individual talents are nurtured and allowed to flourish.

Integral to this focus on achievement and creativity are very strong guidance and pastoral care systems, which ensure that all students are valued and supported. As well as year group pastoral teams, students are supported by our attendance team, DDSL, Mental Health Lead and colleagues from the Wellbeing in Mind Team, who are based in school.

Our Team and The Governing Body

Our dedicated, highly qualified staff are collaborative, caring and fully supportive of one another and our students’ best interests are at the heart of everything they do. A high calibre staff team :

88 teachers (79.4 FTE) and 77 support staff (56.1 FTE).
SLT structure (see organisation chart) - Head, Curriculum DHT, Pastoral DHT, AHT KS5, AHT KS4, AHT KS3 and a School Business Manager. 1 x associate AHT post for 2 years.
Line management of departments - shared between Head, DHTs and AHTs. Specific subject oversight for 2025-26 will be reviewed after appointment.
Middle Leadership - Faculty and Departmental structure. Subject specialist staff in all departmental areas. Experienced and talented middle leaders. Pastoral team for each year group comprising a Progress Leader (teacher) and Pastoral Manager (non- teacher).
SENDCO - supported by Assistant SENDCO (non-teaching) and Head of ERP (non- teaching). Line management of a team of TAs comprising 2 x HLTAs, 3 x TA3s and 22 x TA2s, supporting a significant cohort of SEND students with EHCPs.
A dedicated team of office administration staff, premises team, in house ICT support and departmental technicians.

"Staff relationships are strong - Leaders ‘are mindful of staff well-being and consider staff workload. They give teachers the time to be able to give their best to pupils. Leaders provide teachers with a programme of training and professional development that is well suited to their needs and to those of the school. This training is valued by teachers who are trusted as professionals by school leaders’ "OFSTED 2022

The Governing Body‘s Role and Support

The Governing Body has a wealth of expertise and experience and provides strategic direction, support and challenge.

Key Strategic Aims and Priorities

The Governing Body have 9 strategic aims and priorities:

develop great teaching and learning
drive forward pupil progress further to above average
look after and motivate our staff team
strengthen parent/ carer and community engagement
build productive relationships between teaching colleagues, SLT and the Governing Body
agree direction on future structural options
secure financial stability – a “surplus with a purpose”
support great pastoral care, behaviour and standards
secure sixth form growth, collaboration and sustainability

Read more about our Governing Body here.

"Leaders, governors and staff have high expectations for what pupils and students should achieve" OFSTED 2022

Vision and Ethos

We are committed to tolerance, inclusion, and respect for each other. We are ‘The Right School to Grow in’ because we:

Respect all members of our community

Overcome obstacles to success

Work together collaboratively

Nurture talent

Teach and learn through inspiration

Recognise excellence

Embrace diversity

Encourage wellbeing

‘Teachers care about pupils and help them to do their best. Relationships in school are strong between staff and pupils’ and ‘Pupils told inspectors that they feel safe and happy’ OFSTED 2022

There is a strong ethos of support and sharing good practice between members of staff. Read more about our ethos and values here.

Ofsted Inspection & School Data

Our last OFSTED inspection in October 2022, saw us awarded a ‘Good’ rating.

"Leaders have an ambitious vision for providing pupils with a high-quality education. They are mindful of staff well-being and consider staff workload. They give teachers the time to be able to give their best to pupils. Leaders provide teachers with a programme of training and professional development that is well suited to their needs and to those of the school. This training is valued by teachers who are trusted as professionals by school leaders. Teachers check pupils’ understanding of the curriculum. They use these checks to pinpoint any gaps in learning so that they can close these promptly. Teachers have strong, and in some cases excellent, subject knowledge. They are enthusiastic about their subjects and explain new learning clearly. Their teaching helps pupils to remember important ideas and information." OFSTED 2022

We believe that the current strengths of our school are:

Broad and balanced curriculum with a wide range of options at KS4 and KS5
CEIAG
Sixth Form provision
Good outcomes that are improving
EBacc entry and outcomes
Strong pastoral support
Budgetary position

We continue to develop the following aspects of our school:

Attendance of all students, particularly disadvantaged students
Progress and outcomes for disadvantaged students and other key groups

Our School Improvement plan incorporates the following:

Leadership and management – further develop quality of leadership at all levels in the school
Quality of education – Further development of curriculum to meet the need of all our students; embed disciplinary literacy across the school
Behaviour and attitudes – improve attendance of disadvantaged students, further development of positive behaviour for learning
Personal development – increase participation of disadvantaged students in extra-curricular programmes and cultural capital opportunities

Relationships & Wider Context

Local Authority and School Improvement

We are one of two maintained Secondary schools in York and work closely with colleagues from the Local Authority including involvement in pastoral and curriculum based networks.

Collaborative Partnerships

These are wide ranging and strong: York Secondary Schools work closely together from Headship level to middle leader level. We have some shared Sixth Form provision with Huntington School and work closely with York College and Askham Bryan College to support students who progress there after Year 11.

Parents and Carers

Strong and positive feedback from parents/carers. We have regular communication with parents and carers through our WEDUC App, newsletters and The Rowntree Reporter (see website for examples here.) Parents/carers strongly support extra-curricular activities.

Wider community

We enjoy a close relationship with the local community, in particular with the Joseph Rowntree Foundation and specifically the Hartrigg Oaks retirement village. We have always played a full and active part in the York education community and are happy to work in collaboration with others and share best practice. Our school draws from a number of primary schools with significant numbers of students coming from Headlands, Ralph Butterfield, Wigginton, New Earswick, Yearsley Grove and Haxby Road academies each year. We have established links with local performing arts groups, sports clubs, and are involved in supporting local charities particularly at Christmas time.

Living and Working in North Yorkshire

Within the county of North Yorkshire are the Yorkshire Dales and North York Moors National Parks, three Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, the Pennines and a stunning coastline around Scarborough and Whitby. There are ruined castles and abbeys, serene gardens, unique breweries, thrilling rides and industrial heritage. Something for everyone!

For outdoor enthusiasts North Yorkshire has plenty to offer. From the hard gritstone of Almscliff and Brimham Rocks to the limestone of Malham, Gordale and Kilnsey, climbing venues are in abundance. Within 2 hours’ drive, the Yorkshire Dales is a premier area for caving, while for mountain biking there are the bridleways of the Dales and North York Moors as well as the renowned trail centre at Dalby Forest. Further afield, the Lake District and the fells, crags and coast of Northumberland are all easily accessible for days and weekends away.

There are a small number of sailing clubs on reservoirs around the county and fantastic, if chilly, surf sport venues, outdoor swimming and sea kayaking on the east coast.

While the county is rightly known for its wide open spaces, it also incorporates attractive market towns including Knaresborough, Ripon, Malton, Helmsley, Northallerton and Skipton, the traditional seaside towns of Whitby and Scarborough, as well as the ancient city of York.

Internationally acclaimed for its rich heritage and historic architecture, York is a beautiful, thriving city with low unemployment and highly performing tourism, cultural and entertainment industries. York’s streets are busy with visitors from all over the world and it is the most visited city outside London. It marries a rich history with cutting edge technology, recently gaining UNESCO status as a City of Media Arts.

York isn’t just a great place to visit: it’s a great place to live. York has a vibrant atmosphere, great shopping and eating yet is small enough to retain a friendly sense of community.

There are a variety of residential options, ranging from within the city centre to the handsome surrounding villages. There are restaurants, leisure activities and opportunities to cater for all tastes and interests.

Travelling further afield we have convenient connectivity, with close proximity to metropolitan cities of Leeds and Newcastle and a journey time of under two hours by rail from York to London. We border the Lake District, Lancashire, County Durham, and Yorkshire and Humber regions with all they have to offer.

Learn more about The Joseph Rowntree School's Assistant Headteacher KS4 opportunity

The Joseph Rowntree School
Post: Assistant Headteacher, KS4
Number on Roll: 1,271
Commencing: September 2025
Salary: L10-L14 (£62,202 to £68,586) - pending September 2025 pay award

Contract Term: Permanent

The Joseph Rowntree School is an ambitious secondary school based in state of the art facilities located in New Earswick in York, with a large catchment area and a wealth of strong relationships and networks in the wider community.

We are seeking to appoint a highly motivated, strategic and inspirational Assistant Headteacher to lead Key Stage 4.

Specific responsibilities will include

building on and improving KS4 progress and outcomes so that they become excellent for all of our students
further development of a culture and ethos that underpins the development of high levels of student aspiration and ambition
leadership of the KS4 reward systems
line management of specific departmental areas. These will be agreed in line with the successful candidates areas of expertise

The successful candidate will play a full role in our Senior Leadership Team. The appointment of our new Assistant Headteacher is a crucial part of our whole school improvement work and they will be integral to our plans for the future. They will share our commitment to high standards and will have the ability and ambition to help lead the school in the next stage of its development. We are focused on developing outstanding classroom practice and outcomes, providing excellent pastoral care and engaging students in wider opportunities and experiences that help develop them into well rounded individuals.

This is a fantastic opportunity for either an existing Assistant Headteacher or a successful Middle Leader looking to take the next step on the career ladder.

The successful candidate will:

Be a strategic thinker and planner who can successfully lead school improvement
Be wholly student centred in their approach, with a calm, unflappable nature
Have the ability to positively influence the behaviours of groups of students and individuals
Have a demonstrable level of experience within secondary education that equips them to take this next step on their career path
Have experience of successfully leading individuals and teams and holding them to account to help improve student outcomes
Be able to use a range of leadership styles to create cohesive, supportive and effective teams
Possess a practical understanding of how to analyse and use a full range of evidence, including performance data and external evaluations, to support, monitor, evaluate and improve aspects of the school, including challenging areas of under performance
Be an excellent classroom teacher

We can offer you:

A strong support network and a supportive, cohesive community – relationships throughout the school are welcoming, kind, inclusive and thoughtful
A strong, supportive Senior Leadership Team and Governing Body
A financially healthy and well resourced working environment
A school that wants to continue to evolve and improve, whilst maintaining its excellent reputation for pastoral care and support
An ambitious curriculum, which aims to give every child a love and thirst for learning
An excellent working environment with fantastic modern facilities
Opportunities for growth and personal development

When applying, please take into account the following:

If you would like to arrange a visit to the school prior to making an application, please call Rachel Walton on 01904-552160 or email recruitment@josephrowntreeschool.co.uk

The Application Process:

If you wish to apply for this post, please complete the application form available at the vacancies section of our School website: https://www.josephrowntree.co.uk/Vacancies/

Completed application forms should be emailed to Rachel Walton, Headteacher’s PA/Senior HR Administrator - recruitment@josephrowntreeschool.co.uk

Key dates:

Application closing date: Sunday 11 May 2025 at midnight
Shortlisting: Monday 12 May 2025

Interview process: Thursday 15 and Friday 16 May 2025

References

When completing your application, please provide two employment referees. One of these must be the Headteacher/Principal of your current or most recent school.

Page updated

Report abuse