Head Teacher
The Park Community School
Barnstaple, Devon, EX32 9AX
- £99,660 - £115,410 per year
- Expired
- Salary:
- L34-L40
- Job type:
- Full Time, Permanent
- Start date:
- September 2023
- Apply by:
- 17 February 2023
Job overview
The Park Community School is one of two 11-16 comprehensive, mixed gender secondary schools serving the town and villages surrounding Barnstaple. The school was formed in 1972, although our history and part of the campus dates back to 1910 with the former Barnstaple Boys and Barnstaple Girls Grammar schools. The school has grown to almost 1500 students with an oversubscribed intake of 300+ pupils. We are seeking to appoint a new Head Teacher to lead the school’s community.
The school was graded as ‘Requires Improvement’ in May 2017 and joined a local Trust in February 2019, the Tarka Learning Partnership, composed of 7 primary schools, Devon Primary SCITT and The Park Community School. Currently the Trust is working with a further 3 schools to join the partnership.
The Head Teacher will work collaboratively with these schools as a member of the Trust’s School Leaders’ Group, as well as with other groups such as NORDAB – North Devon Head Teachers’ Board. The Trust has a Centre for Professional Development and is working closely with the newly-formed South West Institute for Teaching (SWIFT) as a Board Member to support the ECF and Teacher/Leader/Support staff CPD agendas. This is a time of growth and exciting change for The Park Community School and the Trust.
The School and partnership seek a Head Teacher who can both drive school improvement and enjoys and sees the benefits of collaboration to pursue what we all know is achievable – a highly effective school. The Trust supports a model of empowering each Head Teacher to develop a school vision and follow it, rather than mandating a single Trust-wide approach to school effectiveness. We are on the cusp of achieving our goal of an effective, ‘good’ school to support students and their families.
The post is ideally suited to a September 2023 start. A relocation allowance of £8000 to support a move to North Devon is available to an appropriate successful candidate.
If you wish to discover more about this exciting opportunity and arrange a confidential conversation, please contact Jo Turnbull, Trust Administrator: jo.turnbull@tarkatrust.org.uk
Please email all applications to Jo Down, Trust HR lead: jo.down@tarkatrust.org.uk by midday 21st February 2023.
Shortlisting date: 21st February 2023
Interview dates: 7th and 8th March 2023
Attached documents
About The Park Community School
Nestled close to the beautiful North Devon coast and at the edge of Exmoor, The Park Community School is one of two 11-16 comprehensive schools in Barnstaple. Park was opened in 1972 following the re-organisation of selective education in the town; however, the origins of the school date back to 1910, with the site housing both the Boys and Girls grammar schools. Many elements of the original buildings remain and these help to link the school to its proud and strong history.
The school currently educates 1472 students, mainly from the town of Barnstaple and outlying villages. In recent years, the popularity of the school has meant that the geographical catchment has increased, with many students now travelling some distance to join us. Most year groups are currently oversubscribed.
The school is a founding member of The Tarka Learning Partnership (TLP), an academy trust with a vision to empower young people in North Devon through learning. The Trust includes Park’s main feeder primary schools - Eden Park Academy, Sticklepath Community Primary Academy, Landkey Community Primary Academy, Roundswell Community Primary Academy, Newport Community School Primary Academy, Fremington Primary School along with North Molton Primary School. TLP also includes the Devon Primary SCITT, a partner dedicated to primary school teacher training.
TLP supports Park and ensures academic rigour, collaboration and the further development of teaching and learning. Park also has strategic alliances with the North Devon Academic Board, and is a member of South West Institute for Teaching (SWIFT) and the North Devon Teaching School Alliance. This reflects a key focus of our vision and governance to ensure continual school development.
Headteacher
Vicky Owen
Vision and values
The Park Community School’s main aim is to be the best educational facility in Devon and to earn itself a national reputation of excellence. To do this, the secondary school strives to ensure that every child discovers their passion for learning and understands that they can achieve their potential. The school aims to be a challenging, stimulating and supportive environment that allows each student to become a confident, resilient and adaptable learner.
The school provides a broad and balanced curriculum that emphasises the importance of literacy, numeracy and ICT. Students are taught how to work well in a team, as well as the importance of self-reliance and citizenship.
Ofsted report
"Pupils are aware of their responsibilities as citizens and demonstrate this by their involvement in the life of the school."
"The behavior of pupils is good. They are polite and well mannered. This contributes strongly to the calm atmosphere in the school. Relationships between staff and pupils are positive and respectful."
"The school runs smoothly on a day-to-day basis because pupils know and adhere to the high expectations of staff."
"The headteacher provides strong, clear-sighted leadership. Since his appointment, he has raised expectations at the school"
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