1. education
2. school

PL/15/004
DUNDONALD HIGH SCHOOL
764 UPPER NEWTOWNARDS ROAD
DUNDONALD
BELFAST
BT16 1TH
Appointment of Principal
Group 5
Leadership Scale Points 25 - 31
(£68,278 - £79,081per annum)
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DUNDONALD HIGH SCHOOL
“A caring school at the heart of the community”
Background
School Information
Dundonald High School was established in 1991, following the amalgamation
of the former Dundonald Boys’ and Dundonald Girls’ High Schools. It is a
caring co-educational (11-16) non-selective post-primary school which has
been providing education in the area since the 1950s. The school provides a
wide range of academic, vocational and occupational courses for pupils of all
ability levels.
Dundonald High School is situated on the main arterial route between Belfast
and Newtownards, lying ½ mile to the east of Dundonald Village. The school
is situated on a large 76.5 acre site in close proximity to the newly built Tor
Bank Special School. The Ulster Hospital, Dundonald Ice Bowl and David
Lloyd Leisure are all located within a 2 mile radius of the school. The
Dundonald area has a growing population of some 18,000 residents, with
extensive new-build housing.
Dundonald High School has 3 main local feeder primary schools with a
combined enrolment of 1,265 pupils (October 2014). The School itself has an
enrolment of 241, including 22 pupils in the Learning Support Unit (October
2014). This enrolment has been maintained and there is currently an
enrolment of 246 pupils.
School Aims
As a caring school at the heart of the community, the Board of Governors and
staff aim to encourage all pupils to:
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Develop abilities for success in life and work
Develop positive attitudes and caring behaviour
Develop good relationships
Enrich their lives
Facilities
The school provides good quality accommodation for all aspects of the
Northern Ireland Curriculum. This includes specialist facilities for Art, Drama,
Home Economics, ICT, Music, Science, Special Needs and Technology. The
Physical Education facilities include 2 indoor areas, playing fields and a
fitness suite.
The Board of Governors, in collaboration with the SEELB and DE, has
secured substantial capital investment to facilitate the refurbishment of toilets
and the foyer and the provision of an external gymnasium.
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Curriculum
The curriculum is regularly reviewed and developed so that it can meet the
needs of the pupils. The school ensures that all pupils have access to
externally accredited courses suited to their ability.
Key Stage 3
All pupils follow a broad and balanced curriculum enhanced by ICT,
instrumental tuition, personal, social and health education, employability and
careers guidance.
School Information
The school also has a Moderate Learning Difficulties Unit, who have
statements of special needs, for pupils in Years 8, 9 and 10.
Key Stage 4
All pupils follow a core curriculum which includes English, Mathematics,
Science, Business, RE, PE and Careers. Pupils then choose from an optional
package consisting of GCSEs in Art and Design, Business and
Communication Systems, Science, Geography, History, Home Economics,
Hospitality, ICT, Music, Leisure & Tourism, Learning for Life and Work and
Technology and Design. Pupils may also choose a course in BTEC Sport.
In addition, pupils have the opportunity in school to study CCEA Occupational
Studies courses in Environment and Society, Business and Services,
Construction and Design and Creativity.
Careers Education And Guidance
The Careers Department is well resourced and pupils have access to an upto-date library including computer software which enables them to retrieve
current information. Year 12 pupils participate in a Work Experience Week.
All pupils complete a Personal Career Plan and receive training in interview
skills. The curriculum of the school is designed to encourage pupils to
progress into further and higher education so that they may obtain well paid
jobs in the industrial, business and service sectors.
Homework
All pupils are supplied with a Student Planner. This is used to record
homework set and also contains useful information for pupils and parents and
is an important vehicle for communication between parents and staff. A
homework timetable is drawn up to ensure a spread of homework over the
week. Pupils are also encouraged to use the school’s computer and library
facilities and the clubs provided by the Extended Schools Programme. At Key
Stage 4, staff also provide coursework classes and additional tuition after
school hours.
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Pastoral Care
Dundonald High School has a well-deserved reputation as a caring school.
Each pupil is assigned to a Form Teacher who is concerned for the progress,
behaviour, attendance and welfare of each pupil in the class. The school
aims to provide guidance and support to each of the pupils so that they
achieve success and develop a sense of personal worth. A counselling
service is also available in the school.
Rewards System
School Information
In attempting to achieve its aims, the school recognises the importance of
encouragement and praise and consequently staff seek to reward the efforts
of pupils with a variety of rewards schemes.
Senior School pupils, who have upheld the Code of Discipline, are invited to
participate in a number of social outings during the year, including the Year 12
Formal and Prefects’ Evening Dinner.
Prefects are appointed each year to represent the school, assist staff and
befriend younger pupils. A Head Boy, Head Girl and Deputies are also
appointed each year. They each play an important role in representing the
school and undertake a range of responsibilities. The Pupil Council is
comprised from a representative of each year group and gives an opportunity
for pupils to be involved in the decision-making process of the school.
Extra Curricular Activities
A Breakfast Club is available each morning from 8.10 am. This allows pupils
to have a healthy start to the day. A wide range of activities is also available
at lunchtime and after school. These include badminton, choir, football, guitar
and keyboard lessons, ICT club, fitness, dance and netball, as well as subject
based support classes for both junior and senior pupils. Pupils also have the
opportunity to attend workshops and a range of residential trips.
Home-School Links
Parents receive 2 reports per year (January and June). A Parents’
Consultation Meeting is held for each year group. A school newsletter is
issued during the year. Parents are encouraged to contact the school to
ensure relevancy of information relating to their son or daughter and
interviews can be arranged with appropriate members of staff by appointment.
Parents are encouraged to support the school’s Parent, Community and
Teacher Association (PCTA) which meets monthly.
The School Prospectus is available on request and can be viewed at
www.dundonaldhigh.co.uk
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School Links
School links have been further developed with Regent House, Grosvenor
Grammar, Brooklands, Dundonald and Tullycarnet Primary Schools. The
school is an active member of the North Down and Ards Area Learning
Community which is one of the largest Area Learning Communities in
Northern Ireland. The school collaborates with SERC and other schools in the
Area Learning Community to provide access to a wide range of courses
appropriate to the needs of the pupils at Key Stage 4.
Staffing Complement
The current staffing of Dundonald High School comprises the Principal, 19
full-time and 3 part-time teaching staff and 38 non-teaching staff.
School Information
Working Towards Success
Under the leadership of the current Acting Principal, the School has
successfully re-engaged the support of the local community and commenced
the re-establishment of its position as a significant provider of post-primary
education in the area.
New community links have been forged with local business and community
groups including Grosvenor Old Boys’ Rugby Club, Glentoran FC, ASDA,
“The Lewis”, Café Nosh, Gordy’s Valeting Services, McDonalds, Spar,
Dundonald Nurseries, Valley Cabs, The Hanwood Centre, Power NI,
Dungoyne Football Club, Filipino Community Basketball Team, Ballybeen
Improvement Group and the Foodbank, amongst others.
The School’s GCSE results have improved from 20% (5+ A* - C, or
equivalents) in 2012 to 50% (5+ A* - C, or equivalents) in 2014. The results,
with the inclusion of English and Mathematics, demonstrate improvement from
15% to 37% for the same period.
The staff have worked diligently, in a collegial and supportive manner, to
improve pupil attendance which has resulted in increased attendance during
this academic year.
The Board of Governors in collaboration with the SEELB, and supported by
the Department of Education, have commenced an intensive support
programme designed to improve the:
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Quality of teaching and learning in the classroom
Quality of leadership and management at all levels
Educational experience for all pupils.
In referring to the School’s latest follow-up inspection (December 2013), which
highlighted some modest improvement, the Minister noted that the school was located
in a prime geographical location with a latent pupil enrolment and an insistent local
community for high quality secondary education.
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Following the Ministerial decision (January 2014) not only to safeguard but also to
reinvigorate Dundonald High School, the Board of Governors has set focused
objectives to sustain a good school that is characterised by:
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Excellent leadership
High quality teaching and learning
High expectations for pupil attainment
High level and focused community support
Building on Improvement
The Board of Governors and the SEELB are now seeking to appoint a
permanent Principal; a visionary leader who is:
School Information
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Capable of providing clear strategic direction for the school and the
community
Accomplished at raising and sustaining achievement
Able to demonstrate a proven track record of supporting teaching and
learning and
Proficient in setting and achieving high standards and expectations for the
good of young people.
In order to reflect the determination of the Board of Governors and the SEELB
in appointing an experienced and self-motivated person, an attractive salary
has been secured for the preferred candidate at ISR L26-31 (School Group 5).
In securing the best candidate for the position, the Board of Governors and
SEELB are prepared to consider applicants on a secondment or fixed-term
contract (negotiable).
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Job Description
The professional duties of a Principal include:1
formulating the overall aims and objectives of the school and policies for
their implementation
2
participating in the selection and appointment of the teaching and nonteaching staff of the school
3
deploying and managing all teaching and non-teaching staff and allocating
particular duties to them in a manner consistent with their terms and
conditions of employment, maintaining a reasonable balance for each
employee
4
maintaining relationships, as appropriate, with organisations representing
teachers and other persons on the staff of the school
5
determining, organising and implementing an appropriate curriculum for
the school, having regard to the needs, experience, interests, aptitudes
and stages of development of the pupils and the resources available to the
school
6
keeping under review the work and organisation of the school
7
evaluating the standards of teaching and learning in the school and
ensuring that proper standards of professional performance are
established and maintained
8
participating in Performance Review and Staff Development (PRSD) of
teachers in the school
9
ensuring that all staff in the school have access to advice and training
appropriate to their needs in accordance with the policies of the employing
authority for the development of staff
10
ensuring that the progress of the pupils is monitored and recorded
11
determining and ensuring the implementation of a policy for the pastoral
care of pupils
12
determining measures to be taken with a view to promoting among the
pupils, self-discipline and proper regard for authority, encouraging good
behaviour on the part of pupils, securing that the standard of behaviour of
the pupils is acceptable and making such measures generally known
within the school and ensuring that they are implemented
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having responsibility for good order and discipline on the school premises
whenever pupils are present
14
making arrangements for parents to be given regular information about the
school curriculum, the progress of their children and other matters affecting
the school so as to promote common understanding of its aims
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Job Description
15
promoting effective relationships with persons and bodies (internal and
external to the school)
16
advising and assisting the Board of Governors in the exercise of their
functions, including attending meetings of the Board of Governors and
making such reports to it in connection with the discharge of its functions
as it may properly require
17
the development and maintenance of a proper system of controls within the
school to ensure that resources are properly utilised and in accordance
with the school’s policies and priorities as agreed by the Board of
Governors
18
ensuring that adequate records are kept not only to support all financial
transactions but also those relating to pupils etc
19
drawing up financial plans which take account of the School Development
Plan and submitting these for consideration by the Board of Governors and
reporting on progress against the plan at subsequent meetings
20
ensuring that the school’s assets, including buildings, land, stores and
equipment are adequately protected and maintained and any losses and
shortcomings drawn to the attention of the Board of Governors
21
assisting the Board of Governors in ensuring that issues of propriety, value
for money and regularity are fully considered where appropriate and, in
particular, advising the Board of Governors should any action or policy
under consideration by the Board of Governors appear to be incompatible
with the arrangements under which delegated authority has been granted
22
providing for liaison and co-operation with the employing authority; making
such reports to the employing authority in connection with the discharge
his/her functions as it may properly require
23
maintaining liaison with other schools and institutions with which the school
has a relationship
24
making arrangements for the security and effective supervision of the
school buildings and their contents and of the school grounds
25
participating in the PRSD scheme for Principals
26
participating in the identification of areas in which (s)he would benefit from
further training and undergoing such training
27
arranging for a Vice-Principal to assume responsibility for the discharge of
his/her functions as Principal at any time when (s)he is absent from the
school
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participating in the teaching of the pupils at the school including the
provision of cover for absent teachers
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1
QUALIFICATIONS
Applicants must:
1.1
Hold a teaching qualification which meets the requirements for recognition
to teach in grant-aided schools in Northern Ireland and be registered with
the GTCNI by the agreed date of taking up duty;
AND
1.2
Possess a degree;
Preference may be given to applicants who have completed PQH and/or a postgraduate qualification.
Personnel Specification
2
EXPERIENCE
Applicants must:
2.1
2.2
Have a minimum of 8 years’ experience in a paid capacity of teaching in the
post-primary sector within the last 12 years as at the closing date for receipt
of completed application forms. (Applicants who hold or have held an
equivalent post in the education service for part of these years will also be
considered);
AND
Have a minimum of 3 years’ management experience in the post primary
sector as at the closing date for receipt of completed application forms:
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as a Principal ♦; and/or
as a Vice-Principal ♦; and/or
been in receipt of a minimum of Teaching Allowance 3 ♦*; and/or
in an equivalent relevant management post within the education
service;
♦ This may be in an acting capacity
2.3
2.4
2.5
2.6
2.7
* Excluding special needs allowances awarded solely for teaching pupils with
Special Educational Needs.
AND
Demonstrate through self-evaluation, evidence of successfully leading and
managing whole school improvement and raising and sustaining
achievement;
AND
Demonstrate through self-evaluation, evidence of strategic planning at
whole school level;
AND
Demonstrate through self-evaluation, evidence of building a professional
learning community to support teaching and learning;
AND
Demonstrate through self-evaluation, evidence of effective
organisational management;
AND
Demonstrate through self-evaluation, evidence of effective community
engagement.
The criteria may be enhanced.
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3
KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS
The successful candidate must demonstrate extensive knowledge of:
Personnel Specification
3.1
3.2
3.3
3.4
3.5
3.6
Current educational developments;
Resource allocation and management
Effective classroom pedagogy
Effective data management
Performance review and staff development
Developing sound professional relationships within the school
and the local community
The successful candidate must demonstrate highly developed:
3.7
3.8
3.9
3.10
3.11
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Leadership skills;
Communication skills (oral and written);
Interpersonal skills
Motivational skills
Organisational skills
PERSONAL QUALITIES
The successful candidate must demonstrate:
4.1
4.2
4.3
4.4
4.5
4.6
4.7
4.8
4.9
4.10
Vision;
Enthusiasm and be highly motivated;
Assertiveness and confidence;
A caring child-centred approach;
Integrity;
Sensitivity and discretion;
Ability to cope under pressure;
Interdependency;
Tact and diplomacy.
Decisiveness
INTERVIEWS
It is anticipated that shortlisted candidates will be interviewed on
Tuesday 17th March 2015.
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Interested candidates wishing to discuss any aspect of the appointment are
strongly encouraged to contact either:
Mr N D McBride
Chief Administrative Officer
South Eastern Education and Library Board
Grahamsbridge Road
Dundonald
BT16 2HS
(Telephone: 028 9056 6233)
nicky.mcbride@seelb.org.uk
Contact Information
OR
Mrs Kim Scott
Head of CASS
South Eastern Education and Library Board
Grahamsbridge Road
Dundonald
BT16 2HS
(Telephone: 028 9056 6287)
kim.scott@seelb.org.uk
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DISCLOSURE OF CRIMINAL BACKGROUND
If you have been appointed for a post that involves ‘regulated activity’
under the Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups (NI) Order 2007, the Board
will be required to undertake an Enhanced Disclosure of Criminal
Background. Please note that you WILL be expected to meet the
cost of an Enhanced Disclosure Certificate, which is currently
£33. Details of how to make payment will be sent to you at the
pre-employment stage.
Information for Applicants
Further details in relation to legislative requirements can be accessed
on www.nidirect.gov.uk/vetting or www.dojni.gov.uk/accessni
REFERENCES
This appointment will be subject to satisfactory references being
received. One reference should be from a person who is able to
comment on your suitability to work with children/young people in an
educational setting. The Board will seek references from
present/previous employers for posts involving ‘regulated activity’.
It is essential that you fully describe in the application form how
you meet the criteria sought. Please provide detailed information
against each requirement, providing dates and ensuring that
where requirements are time bounded (i.e. 1 year within the last
5 years) you provide detail and dates that fully satisfy the
requirement. It is not appropriate to simply list the various posts
that you have held. Assumptions will not be made from the title
of your post.
Canvassing will disqualify
Posts involving work in educational institutions are subject to the
provisions of the Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups (NI) Order 2007
Please complete and return your Application Form and Equal
Opportunities Questionnaire by post/hand delivering to the Equal
Opportunities Unit, South Eastern Education and Library Board,
Grahamsbridge Road, Dundonald, BT16 2HS no later
than 12.00 noon on the closing date for completed applications.
Faxed, e-mailed or late application forms will not be accepted
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This post is currently being advertised by the South Eastern Education
and Library Board.
From 1 April 2015, the Education Authority (EA) will take over all
functions of the South Eastern Education and Library Board.
All appointment processes that complete before 1st April 2015 will
be unaffected by the transfer of functions to the EA.
Information for Applicants
After 1 April 2015, all ongoing appointment processes will be
subject to the transitional recruitment and selection procedures
for the EA, and all appointments will be effected by the EA as the
employing authority.
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