Person Specification/Selection Criteria for Headteacher

Canon Sharples CE Primary and Nursery School

The applicant will be required to safeguard and promote the welfare of children and
young people and be faithful to the trust deed.

Note: Candidates failing to meet any of the essential criteria will automatically be excluded

(A) Faith Commitment

Essential Desirable Source

Full and active member of a church in membership of Churches Together in E A,I,R
England. (This requires evidence of current church involvement and a clear
indication of the applicant’s beliefs in relation to a church school or academy).

To be able to demonstrate their knowledge and understanding of the following in the context of a church school or
academy.

Essential Desirable Source

The development of the Christian character of Canon Sharples CE Primary and E A,I,R
Nursery School, its pupils and staff.
Leading academy worship. E A,I,R
Ways of developing religious education and worship. E A,I,R
Ways of leading the spiritual development of all the academy community. E A,I,R
A commitment to strategic thinking and planning that builds, communicates E A,I,R
and carries forward a coherent and shared vision for the Christian ethos of the
academy.
How relationships should be fostered and developed between the academy, E A,I,R
local churches and its community and Diocese.

(B) Qualifications

Essential Desirable Source

Qualified teacher status E A
Degree or equivalent E A

(C) Professional Development

Essential Desirable Source

Evidence of regular, recent and appropriate professional development for the E A,I,R
role of Principal and/or suitable experience.
Evidence of recent leadership and management professional development. E A,I,R
Has successfully undertaken the Secretary of State’s (NCSL or local authority) E A,I,R
approved “safer recruitment” training or has a commitment to do so before
taking up the post/within 12 months of taking up the post.
Has successfully undertaken appropriate Child Protection training/Designated E A,I,R
Senior Person training.

(D) Academy Leadership and Management Experience

Essential Desirable Source

Recent member of successful leadership team as a Headteacher/Principal, E A,I,R
Deputy Headteacher/Principal or Assistant Headteacher/Principal.
To have taken an active involvement in school/academy self evaluation and E A,I,R
development planning.
An awareness of the/previous involvement in/active involvement in/fully D A,I,R
conversant with financial management of a primary school or academy.
Knowledge and understanding of strategic financial planning and budgetary E A,I,R
management in relation to their contribution to school/academy development
and pupil achievement.
To have had responsibility for policy development and implementation. E A,I,R
To have had experience of and ability to contribute to staff development E A,I,R
across the primary range (eg: coaching, mentoring, Inset for staff).

(E) Experience and Knowledge of Teaching

Essential Desirable Source

Experience of teaching in more than one school or academy. D A,I,R
Teaching experience across all the primary phases. D A,I,R
To have a working and current knowledge and understanding of all 3 Key E A,I,R
Stages in the primary phase.
To be able to effectively use data, assessment and target setting to raise E A,I,R
standards/address weaknesses.
To be able to exemplify how the needs of all pupils (SEN, AEN, AGT, EAL, GRT) E A,I,R
have been met through high quality teaching.

(F) Professional Attributes

Essential Desirable Source

Demonstrate an understanding of the needs of pupils and how these could be E A,I,R
met.
Able to demonstrate a clear rationale for behaviour management and a E A,I,R
proven track record of the effective implementation of a range of behaviour
management strategies.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills (which will be assessed at all E A,I,R
stages of the process).
To be a leader of learning, demonstrating, promoting and encouraging E A,I,R
outstanding classroom practice.
Show a good commitment to sustained attendance at work. E A,I,R

(G) Professional Skills

(Based on the National Standards for Headship 2004)
Whilst the Principal is expected to meet all the National Standards of Headship in relation to this appointment,
candidates are particularly required to demonstrate their knowledge and understanding of the following in the
context of a Church school.

Essential Desirable Source

Leading Learning and Teaching
1. Strategies for improving the quality of learning and teaching, E A,I,R
including promoting excellence and challenging poor performance.
2. Curriculum design and management that help to provide the choice E A,I,R
and flexibility to meet the personal learning needs of every pupil.
3. Leading innovation, creativity and change. E A,I,R
Shaping the Future
1. Strategic thinking and planning that builds, communicates and E A,I,R
carries forward a coherent and shared vision.
2. Current educational trends and issues, including national policies, E A,I,R
priorities and legislation.
Developing Self and Working with Others
1. The significance of interpersonal relationships and strategies for E A,I,R
promoting individual and team development.
2. Promoting an open, fair and equitable culture. E A,I,R
3. The relationships between self evaluation, performance E A,I,R
management and continuing professional development.
4. The impact of change and different leadership styles on individuals E A,I,R
and organisations.
5. The importance of partnership working and accepting appropriate E A,I,R
support from others, including colleagues, governors, the Diocese
and the Local Authority.
6. The role of collaboration and networking within and beyond the E A,I,R
school.
Managing the Organisation
1. Distribution and delegation of leadership responsibilities and E A,I,R
management tasks as appropriate and monitoring their
 implementation.
2. Sustaining effective organisational structures, systems, policy and E A,I,R
practice.
3. Strategic financial planning, budgetary management and principles D A,I,R
of best value, including evaluating the use of resources in relation
to their contribution to pupil achievement.
Securing Accountability
1. Analysing and using the full range of evidence, including E A,I,R
performance data and external evaluations, to support, monitor,
evaluate and improve aspects of the school, including challenging
poor performance.
2. Individual, team and whole school accountability for pupil learning E A,I,R
outcomes.
Strengthening the Community
1. Strategies that encourage parents and carers to support their E A,I,R
children’s learning.
2. Building and sustaining effective relationships with parents, carers E A,I,R
and other schools and partners and the broader community that
enhance the education of all pupils.

(H) Confidential References

Positive and supportive faith reference from the priest/minister where the applicant regularly worships. E
Candidates who do not use the Parish priest/minister must give an explanation in the letter of E
application.
Positive recommendation from all referees including current employer. E

(I) Application Form and Supporting Statement

The application form must be fully completed and legible. The supporting statement should be clear, concise and
related to the specific post.