Vice Principal

At Arco Academy, an alternative provision school with a sports specialism and based in Camberwell, we are looking for an inspirational and supportive Vice Principal to assist the Principal in leading all aspects of our school life. The role will be highly rewarding, working with a small and committed staff team and with students who learn to flourish in our environment. Leading by example, and carrying either a teaching responsibility or DSL role, the right candidate will enjoy working with the Principal and CEO to build on the school’s existing foundation, enthusiasm, and ethos to create an exciting future for the school and our students.

Location: Arco Academy, Camberwell

Salary: Competitive

Reporting to: Principal/CEO and Advisory Board

About Arco Academy:

Arco Academy is a registered independent alternative provision school with sports as a specialism. Situated in the heart of Camberwell, London, Arco Academy offers education to students referred by mainstream schools and the Local Authority. We have an emphasis in pastoral care and take a holistic approach towards education.

Our aim is to enhance the academic, wellbeing and personal growth for all students of all abilities.

We are committed to high-quality education and promoting our vision to unleash the potential we know exists in all our students, by providing a creative and tailor-made curriculum.

Every student is provided with the opportunity to learn, achieve and succeed to their highest potential. Consequently, we work diligently towards meeting the learning needs of our students. This includes creating an ambitious bespoke curriculum, encouraging participation in sports, development of essential life skills and nurturing a positive relationship  within school and the community.

We believe all staff members play a vital role in the lives of our students. Therefore, we take a proactive approach to the development and wellbeing of all Arco staff. We are committed to investing in all staff through CPD, internal staff support and wellbeing development.

We pride ourselves on appreciating, promoting and celebrating the diversity and individuality of all students, staff and partners.

About the role:

Main Duties and Responsibilities: 

The following are the main duties and responsibilities but are not intended to be exhaustive: 

• Contribute towards and oversight of the strategic direction and leadership of the Academy 
• Contribute towards the Academy’s School Improvement Plan and School Evaluation Form 
• Participating in SLT and Advisory Board Meetings and chairing and convening other meetings when necessary 
• Advise SLT and the Advisory Board on actions needed to effect school improvement and report on the progress being made at regular intervals in line with the Academy’s improvement plan 
• Designated safeguarding lead and key contact for welfare and safeguarding 
• Take on senior link line management responsibilities for referral schools and LA and potentially for administrative areas 
• Assisting with and implementing recruitment strategy and staff training 
• Keep up to date with governance 
• Create and proof-read reports 
• Create and proof-read risk assessment 

     Students  

• Work alongside Vice Principal and Curriculum Lead to improve curricular structure 
• Encourage motivation and enthusiasm in acquiring higher level skills developing positive responses to challenges and high expectations 
• Be aware of and assume the appropriate level of responsibility for safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and report any concerns in accordance with the Academy’s safeguarding policies 
• Develop and monitor systems of guidance and support designed to assist staff in maximising student participation and attainment 
• Lead meetings (inductions, reviews and reintegrations) 
• Promote parental engagement 

     Attendance Lead (this includes): 

• First contact for all attendance and punctuality issues in school 
• Responsible for addressing all enquiries relating to attendance and punctuality 
• Responsible for liaising at all levels with appropriate staff and external agencies in order to ensure that Bromcom is fully operational  
• Regarding attendance liaise with other relevant individuals, SLT members, organisations and agencies under the guidance of the Principal, including other education authorities, court officers, social care and health department and voluntary organisations 
• Promote positive pupil attendance in order to facilitate learning 
• Responsible for the implementation of steps to secure the regular attendance of pupils, including the follow-up of reasons for absence using agreed systems (truancy calls, calling parents/caters and mail letters) and follow-up of internal absence (including post-registration truancy, signing out slips, internal/external exclusions, voicemails left by parents) including participation in truancy sweeps and other related activities 

Staff 

• Ensure effective and timely communication/consultation, as appropriate, with Advisory Board, SLT, teaching staff, support agencies and the parents of students 
• Line management of non-teaching staff, involving appraisals 
• Use coaching and mentoring to support and promote staff professional and personal development 
• Lead and support workshops, this is to include staff INSET days