Assistant Principal

This job description may be amended at any time following discussion between the line manager and member of staff and will be reviewed annually as part of the performance management process. It is not exhaustive and the post holder may be required to undertake other duties as reasonably required by their line manager. All posts are subject to Enhanced DBS checks in addition to a range of other vetting checks.

Summary

The assistant principal role is designed to support the quality of education and therapy and to ensure an efficient, organised and smooth operation, at any school site. Working full-time, the post holder will work closely with other leaders.  

As well as supporting and managing teachers and ensuring that agreed expectations, strategies and practices are implemented quickly, consistently and effectively, the assistant principal will be a presence in classrooms and across the school site, contributing and leading whole-staff briefings, meetings, training and will fulfil the role of deputy designated safeguarding lead.  

As a member of the leadership team, the assistant principal will also be an ambassador for the Octavia House Schools brand.

Responsibilities 
(Indicative, Not Exhaustive) 

• To work with the executive principal, DSL and other leaders to ensure that the standards of education, therapy, care and safety at the site, are consistently outstanding and all the independent school standards continue to be met (as judged by Ofsted and our external governors).
• To fulfil the responsibilities of a deputy designated safeguarding lead.
• To deliver training and regular safeguarding updates to all staff.
• To take a leading role in supporting and maintaining the efficient organisation, timetabling, management and supervision of site routines.
• To organise and manage the school and staff team effectively, including delegating appropriately and holding people to account when necessary.
• To be able to lead and manage behaviour positively in line with school’s how we do it policy. 
• To timetable, troubleshoot and deal effectively with conflicts and complaints.
• To be a first point of senior contact for parents, visitors, staff and pupils.
• To establish positive, collaborative, professional and supportive working relationships with all colleagues, parents/carers and external professionals.
• To contribute to weekly health and safety reviews and liaising with the executive principal, DSL or the schools’ premises manager, to resolve any issues/hazards in a timely fashion.
• To role-model the schools’ values and to be a model of outstanding professionalism.
• To contribute to the wider work of the schools, in raising standards and promoting pride, inspiration and excitement.

Quality of education  

• First and foremost, the assistant principal will be required to fulfil a significant teaching timetable alongside their main duties, including covering teacher non-contact time. They must be a role-model of outstanding practice.  
• To contribute to curriculum development as required by the executive principal.
• To be responsible for monitoring and evaluating the quality of education across the school site, following-up with and supporting teachers where necessary to ensure that a consistently outstanding provision is being delivered by all teaching staff.
• To work closely with other assistant principals at other sites and/or keys stages in order that the educational provision in place across the wider school setting adheres to an easily identifiable, co-ordinated and coherent pupil-centred curriculum.
• Use data and other information to evaluate teachers’ performance and pupils’ achievement, identifying and prioritising areas for development as a result.
• To be responsible for ensuring that classrooms are well-organised and effective learning environments, feature appropriate displays and visuals, and that the school environment is safe and secure for both pupils and staff.  
• To lead the statutory annual review process for pupils at your site, ensuring all reviews are completed in a timely way and that documentation is high-quality, accurate and helpful for pupils, their families and placing authorities (as judged by feedback from stakeholders and spot checks).
• To be responsible for the line and performance management of teachers, ensuring that the teachers’ standards are consistently met.  
• To complete staff and teacher inductions for new staff.  
• To act as an NQT mentor/assessor and carry out assessments, as needed.
• To do all you can to retain a committed, motivated and effective staff team (as judged by turnover rates) by participating in the recruitment and development of teaching staff and by providing continued provision for professional advice and support, including identification of training needs.  
• To comply with any reasonable request from the executive principal to undertake work of a similar level that is not specified in this job description. 

Benifits Of Working at OHS

• Be part of our unique, seamless therapeutic team model
• Competitive pay scales
• Performance-linked pay progression and bonuses
• Generous holiday: our innovative term dates model gives schools-based colleagues 6 weeks ‘on’ and 2+ weeks ‘off’
• Vitality's private healthcare package which includes health, medical, dental and eye care insurance, lifestyle benefits, heavily-discounted gym membership and various rewards
  An Apple MacBook to use in work and at home
• Opportunities for high-quality professional development and career progression, and financial support of up to 100% towards relevant professional qualifications
• Reduced workload: realistic and proportionate planning, assessing and report writing expectations, with a balanced meetings schedule
• Complimentary meals and drinks.