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The role of the Headteacher is to provide effective leadership for Oliver Goldsmith Primary School, ensuring that all pupils benefit from a comprehensive educational experience that allows them to excel academically and personally. The responsibilities mentioned in this document are supplementary to those specified in the School Teachers’ Pay and Conditions Document, the National Standards for Headteachers and the performance criteria, objectives and targets set by the school's Governing Body.
Leading and shaping the future of Oliver Goldsmith Primary School:
- Lead with integrity to inspire and motivate pupils, staff, parents and governors.
- Develop and maintain a strategic plan grounded in sound financial planning to drive school improvement and achieve high academic and personal standards.
- Collaborate with the Governing Body to articulate and execute the school's vision through effective actions.
- Foster a culture of equal opportunity for all pupils, staff, and stakeholders.
- Lead by example, promoting teamwork, distributed leadership and professional reflection.
Safeguarding and Promoting the Welfare of Children:
Promote and maintain a safe and supportive school culture. Implement policies and practices rigorously and review them regularly to quickly identify and eliminate any opportunities for abuse or harm. Enforce safeguarding policies and procedures with strict adherence and conduct periodic reviews. Adopt safer recruiting practices, fostering a community dedicated to safeguarding. Cooperate and collaborate with relevant agencies to ensure protection.
Leading Learning and Teaching:
- Set ambitious targets and uphold high expectations for pupil achievement. Ensure learning remains central to all activities. Promote classroom excellence with innovative and effective methods. Foster a culture of self-driven learning and high achievement. Maintain high standards of behaviour and attendance. Enhance the curriculum with a robust assessment framework. Continuously monitor and improve classroom practices.
Developing Self and Working with Others:
Treat everyone fairly and with respect to foster a positive school culture. Maintain strong relationships with stakeholders such as staff, parents, carers, Governors, the community and other schools. Recruit, select and develop high-quality teaching and support staff. Promote a collaborative learning environment for pupils and staff to reach their full potential. Build leadership capacity throughout the school, encouraging teamwork and shared responsibility. Continuously improve strategies for staff induction, professional development and performance review. Address underperformance promptly and ensure effective follow-up actions.
Managing the organisation
Develop and oversee an effective organisational structure to ensure systems and processes operate efficiently, comply with statutory requirements and support sound financial planning. Manage the school’s financial and human resources with efficiency and efficacy, optimising resources to achieve educational goals and priorities. Recruit, retain and deploy staff appropriately to fulfil the school's vision and objectives. Implement robust performance management processes for all staff, fostering their development into middle leadership roles. Address under-performance at all levels effectively. Maintain and manage the school environment to meet curriculum needs and adhere to health and safety regulations. Ensure that the school has appropriate procedures in place to comply with all statutory requirements.
Strengthening Community
Promote, support, and maintain positive, effective partnerships with parents and carers to enhance pupils' achievement and personal development. Build on the school culture by embracing the richness and diversity of the school community. Collaborate with other agencies to ensure the well-being of pupils and their families. Seek opportunities to strengthen community relationships to enhance and enrich the school. Work in partnership with other schools and the local community. Raise the profile of the school.
Securing Accountability
- Collaborate effectively with the Governing Body to ensure it fulfils its governance responsibilities. Be accountable for the efficiency and effectiveness of the school to the Governing Body and other stakeholders, including students, parents, staff, the Local Authority and the community.
Ensure individual staff accountability through effective performance management. Present coherent and accurate accounts of the school's performance to various audiences, including the Governing Body, parents, the Local Authority, local community, Ofsted and others, enabling them to fulfil their roles effectively. Foster a culture of self-evaluation among the entire school staff, ensuring they are accountable for the school's success. Manage specific funding and accountability measures, such as Pupil Premium, effectively by justifying allocation and accounting for their impact.
