Deputy Headteacher (E2633) - Waterton Academy Trust - Cherry Tree Academy

Post title: Deputy Headteacher

Location: Cherry Tree Academy, Cobblers Lane, Pontefract, WF8 2HN

Salary & Grade: Leadership 9 – 14, £57,482 - £65,010

Hours: Full Time, Permanent

Waterton Academy Trust and Cherry Tree Academy are looking to appoint an exceptional leader to the post of Deputy Headteacher. This position plays a critical role in supporting the Headteacher, working alongside a team of committed and talented staff, to ensure that every pupil is successful in their learning. 

Cherry Tree Academy is currently on an exciting school improvement journey. Every member of our team, along with all our stakeholders, is firmly committed to providing high-quality education for all pupils. Our ambition is to ensure that every pupil receives an excellent education and goes on to achieve their full potential whilst developing a sense of belonging to our school community and family of schools. 

We are seeking to appoint a highly motivated, dedicated and inspirational individual - someone who will build on current achievements and the existing positive school culture, whilst offering a compelling and challenging vision for further future success. 

The successful candidate will play a vital role in shaping and delivering the next phase of improvement, as the school continues its journey ‘to good’. 

Waterton Academy Trust is a forward thinking Multi Academy Trust of thirteen primary schools, one special academy and four pre-schools, serving the Wakefield and Barnsley districts. 

We are looking to appoint a Deputy Headteacher who will:

• Be an exemplary and inspirational classroom practitioner with a proven track record of raising standards and developing a culture of excellence.
• Be evidence informed in their approach to all aspects of primary school leadership. 
• Be unrelentingly ambitious for the school, its pupils, its staff and the wider community.
• Have experience of leading change, having implemented and embedded sustainable curriculum and/or inclusion projects and having assessed their impact.
• Have experience of mentoring and/or coaching colleagues at different stages in their career.
• Be a strategic thinker with the ability to show resilience.
• Be a champion for inclusion, safeguarding and diversity.
• Be a skilled communicator capable of developing effective professional relationships and creating partnerships as a system leader.
• Be a positive team player who wholeheartedly promotes the values and ethos of the school and Waterton Academy Trust. 

In return we can offer:

• Mentorship and support from an experienced and inspirational Headteacher, and the opportunity to work with an active and engaged Governing Body (Academy Standards Committee). 
• The opportunity to work alongside a professional, hardworking and motivated team of teachers and support staff committed to developing and raising standards. 
• Access to professional development and support from a wide network of colleagues within Waterton Academy Trust, including a team of skilled school improvement professionals. This would include a tailored CPD package designed to support you in your role and in your future career aspirations. 
• A firm commitment to your continuing professional development, including opportunities to collaborate and contribute within the trust and the broader education system. 
• A positive school community with a strong focus on staff and pupil wellbeing. 
• Motivated and engaged pupils who are keen to learn.
• A comprehensive health and wellbeing package, prioritising your physical and mental health through SAS. 
• An attractive pension scheme, ensuring your future financial security.
• Access to cycle to work scheme, promoting a healthy and eco-friendly commute.

Next Steps

Interested candidates are strongly encouraged to visit Cherry Tree Academy to see for yourself the stunning school environment and meet key staff.  To arrange a visit, or for further information, please contact the school office 01977 704138.  Visits to school will be conducted by Adam Dawson (Headteacher).

For further details including candidate information pack and application forms, please visit the following link: Recruitment - Waterton Academy Trust

Completed applications should be emailed to thayes@watertonacademytrust.org by the closing date below. 

Selection Timeline

• Visits to the school: Between 15th January and 9th February 
• Closing Date: Midday on Friday 16th February 2024
• Shortlisting: Monday 19th February 2024
• Interviews: Monday 26th and Tuesday 27th February 2024
• Start Date: As soon as possible, and in agreement with the successful candidate. 

As part of the recruitment process, shortlisted candidates will be visited in their own school. The date and precise activities will be agreed in due course. 

Waterton Academy Trust is wholly committed to ensuring children and young people are fully supported and safe. We are dedicated to the safeguarding of all children and young people whilst promoting their welfare and expect all staff and volunteers to share this responsibility. The Trust has policies and procedures relating to safeguarding and child protection available on request.

Waterton Academy Trust follows safer recruitment processes which all applicants will be subject to. This includes the interview process containing questions about the safeguarding of children and the disclosure of criminal records and other vetting checks. 

An enhanced DBS check is required for the successful candidates, this process is completed by an online third-party company. All successful candidates are required to join the DBS update service with an annual cost of £13. 

The position is also subject to two satisfactory references. Shortlisted candidates will be asked to provide details of any unspent convictions and those that would not be filtered, prior to the date of the interview.

We are committed to treating all applicants fairly and have a policy on the recruitment of ex-offenders which is available to applicants on request.

Waterton Academy Trust is wholly committed in ensuring that all employees, future employees and applicants are treated equally regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, maternity, race, religion and belief, sex and sexual orientation.

The above post is not a Leeds City Council vacancy and has been advertised on behalf of the relevant organisation. To apply please follow their application instructions.

This role is based in the UK. Employment is conditional on confirmation of the right to work in the UK - either as a UK or Irish citizen, under the EU Settlement scheme or having secured any other relevant work visa. If you do not have the right to work in the UK and the role does not meet eligibility for sponsorship, please consider carefully whether you meet the eligibility to apply.