We are INSPIRED

Principal Candidate PackStart date: April 2022

Dear Applicant,

Thank you very much for your interest in the post of Principal at Littleport and East Cambridgeshire Academy.

The successful candidate will lead this school into the next stages of its growth and development. This is a challenging and exciting time to consolidate a range of school improvement measures that both celebrate and support its pupils.

We are looking to appoint an ambitious and motivated leader to continue and further develop this standard of strong integration and who can enhance the school to become the school of choice in the local community.

As an Active Learning Trust school Littleport and East Cambridgeshire Academy will continue to be a participating member of the Trust community as a whole.

The Cambridgeshire hub and other Active Learning Trust schools provide school-to-school improvement, leadership development and CPD opportunities and Littleport and East Cambridgeshire Academy will benefit from executive leadership support from senior colleagues based in Cambridge and across the Trust. This is an exciting period with the Trust and there are extensive opportunities for the successful Principal to develop their career as a leader across the Trust.

Highly experienced colleagues with a range of backgrounds in effective school improvement comprise the ALT central leadership team and they, along with the executive leaders in our local schools will work with you to deliver your and the Trust’s objectives.

The Trust operates through Local Governing bodies committed to providing senior leaders with support and challenge. Together we all share the belief that every child will receive a first-class education at all our schools having been expertly taught and well prepared for the next stages of life and the opportunities provided for them in their secondary education.

You are very welcome to arrange a visit to the school and to meet with staff and pupils there to see the work of our Trust in action. Arrangements can also be made for you to meet with the Executive Headteacher. If you, need any further information or you would like to arrange this then please contact our recruitment partner at Academicis: Caroline Olsen: colsen@academicis.co.uk – 01223 907979/07500 889 504.

Yours sincerely,

Stephen ChamberlainChief Executive OfficerNational Leader of Governance

Welcome Letter from our Chief Executive Officer

We are INSPIRED

We are INSPIRED

Ipswich• Chantry Academy• Gusford Primary School• Hillside Primary School• Sidegate Primary School

North Suffolk• Albert Pye Primary School, Beccles• Grove Primary School, Lowestoft• Pakefield Primary School, Lowestoft• Ravensmere Infant School, Beccles• Red Oak Primary School, Lowestoft• Reydon Primary School, Reydon• Westwood Primary School, Lowestoft

About The Active Learning Trust

Our schools work in three hubs, as set out below:

Cambridgeshire• Burrowmoor Primary School, March• Chesterton Primary School, Cambridge• Cromwell Community College, Chatteris• Earith Primary School, Earith• Highfield Ely Academy, Ely• Highfield Littleport Academy, Littleport• Isle of Ely Primary School, Ely• Kingsfield Primary School, Chatteris• Littleport and East Cambridgeshire Academy, Littleport• Neale-Wade Academy, March

The ALT brings together experienced and successful practitioners who share a collective belief in the effectiveness of school improvement, the primacy of performance management and the potential of new technology to enhance learning

In September 2017 the Trust completed its new campus site at Littleport in Cambridgeshire which comprises Littleport and East Cambridgeshire Academy and Highfield Littleport, in a shared community campus. Approval has been given for the Trust to sponsor a free school in the primary phase in Ipswich in Suffolk.

In January 2018 Earith Primary School joined the Trust as the tenth Cambridgeshire School. The Trust is also considering a further small expansion in its future size to support other schools who are geographically close to the current hubs.

Please visit our website www.activelearningtrust.org for further information about our schools.

The Trust has the strong moral purpose of enabling schools to deliver high levels of achievement for all pupils, regardless of socio-economic circumstances, family situation or ethnic background. The Trust will secure and sustain improvement in schools by providing leadership and support through academy sponsorship, by working with local governing bodies to strengthen their leadership and strategic delivery, and through contracted work with school leaders and their teams.

In our academies and the schools that we work with, we will:• Establish strong and effective leadership• Deliver good governance as a non-negotiable element of our work• Develop and sustain a strong and rapid trajectory of improvement• Ensure a calm and purposeful learning environment• Maintain robust systems of performance management• Champion broad and balanced curricula, well integrated with the

needs of business, local communities and the realities of work beyond school

• Harness the developing potential of information technology• Ensure community ‘ownership’

About The Active Learning Trust continued

• Promote the sharing of expertise and effective practice across academies and schools

• Provide value for money services, delivered at minimised administrative cost

• Build capacity by nurturing a collaborative network of school improvers

• Foster and sustain strong links with further and higher education

• Work with Local Authorities on school organisation issues to address local communities’ demand for the provision of high quality school places locally

• Develop the leadership, management and governance in all our schools so that we grow and maintain the best leaders, and act as a “Training School” network to grow the next generation of effective teachers and school leaders. Please see the diagram below to show the Trust Education Career Pathways

• Develop and support local governing boards who share our determination to raise standards in all Trust schools

• Provide value for money services to our schools that minimise administration locally and maximise the potential for our managers to be leaders in their school

The Active Learning Trust –Our Vision

To maximise our impact at school level, both with schools in need of significant improvement and with those that are already outstanding (especially with outstanding leadership and/or attainment) and that have a desire to develop and use their expertise to support others. Specifically we will:

• Support the drive to raise standards in the lowest performing schools, through our own team of experienced school improvers and with the support of existing high performing schools

• Continually improve our capacity to ensure that the quality of what we deliver remains at an outstandingly high level by ensuring there are strong systems of performance management in place in all schools to support improvement, seeking out and valuing excellent performance and by ensuring good value for money

• Ensure the delivery of high quality education through our Academies to support all pupils across the age ranges from the early years to post 16

Littleport and East Cambridgeshire Academy is very proud to be part of the Active Learning Trust.The Vision of the Trust is:

Welcome to Littleport and East Cambridgeshire Academy (LECA).

LECA is part of the Active Learning Trust. It is a small and inclusive 11-16 secondary school with approximately 600 pupils on roll, based in Littleport, Cambridgeshire. It has a 4-form entry on in-take.

LECA is a brand new Academy which forms a part of the £40 million new campus building project. The Academy opened for the first time on 4th September 2017, and is the only secondary school in Littleport.

LECA is on the Littleport campus which is made up of:

• Stepping Stone Nursery• Highfield Littleport Academy is an area community special

school who educates young people aged 2-19years old.• Littleport Leisure Centre

Since that time LECA has grown, it now has a full complement of 5 year groups and has quickly become over-subscribed.

LECA has state of the art facilities which include an auditorium and conference centre, specialist science labs, design technology workshops as well as a performance hall, a MUGA and a sports hall.

We pride ourselves on being a small school and one that knows its pupils, staff, parents and community very well. Our vision is to deliver the highest quality learning opportunities so that every member of our Academy can make outstanding progress and positively contribute to the modern world.

Underpinning all facets of the education at LECA are our core values of:

We are INSPIRED

We are Independent learners

We Never give up

We are Safe

We are Progress driven

We are INnnovative

We are Respectful

We are Enthusiastic

We champion

About the School

We are INSPIRED We are INSPIRED

CurriculumAt LECA the curriculum is the progression model. We have a broad and balanced curriculum and pupils study the following subjects at Key Stage 3:

At Key Stage 4, pupils study a core curriculum consisting of Maths, English, Science, Physical Education, PHSE and 4 other examination subjects:

• Triple Science • Food Technology• History • Design Technology• Geography • Engineering• Spanish • Business• Physical Education • Health & Social Care/Child Development• Music • Art• Performing arts • Photography

At LECA our pupils have quality enrichment that complements the learning that takes place and is woven into our academic curriculum with purpose. Examples include:

The Arts – Theatre, Cinema and Museum visits, Cambridge University Visit. Music Workshops, Christmas Showcase and Christmas Carol production, several touring Theatre Companies visits, Clay Workshop, Creative Writing Competition and live performances from music bands.

Educational Visits and Field Trips – Framlingham Castle, Ski Trip, Activities Week.

Visiting Experts – Professional Footballers, Best Selling Authors, Mental Health and Wellbeing Specialists.

Interest Groups – Art, Drama, Dance, Cooking, Spanish, Chess, Law.

Sports – Fixtures, Clubs and Training.

Special Activities Brass Funkies, TalkFreEly.

Engineering and STEM – Kings School Partnership – Building Robots, Race for the Line, STEM Innovation Day, Visits to Big Bang and National Space Centre.

Charity Work – 12 Hours of Sport and Dorset Walk, East Anglian Air Ambulance Summer Fete, Jon Egging Trust, Scotties Little Soldiers, Foodbank Parcels, Children in Need.

Community Work – Littleport Remembrance Parade, Park Run, 4D Dance, Pop Up Church, Littleport Players Theatre.

Careers – Careers Exhibition and Fair, Skills Service Unifrog, Cambridge Corpus Christi and University visit, Employability Workshops, Wickes Workshop and Army Cadets partnership.

Pupil LeadershipAt LECA our pupils make positive contributions to the life of the Academy. The School Council is made up of representatives from all the tutor groups in each year. They meet regularly, they discuss and debate important aspects and devise clear plans of action to contribute to developing their school.

At LECA we have four houses, named after significant historical figures. They are:

• Kahlo• Ali• Turing• Fawcett

Each house has two captains and they lead the house activities through-out the academic year. Our houses are an important part of educating our pupils about British values, democracy, mutual respect and tolerance. At LECA our pupils hold the house events in high regard.

LECA is a wonderful place to work. It has immense potential to become a truly successful and high performing school and one that has the community at heart.

We do encourage candidates to visit LECA and see what an exciting opportunity it has to offer you.

About the School continued

We are INSPIRED We are INSPIRED

• Maths • Art • English • Spanish• Science

• Photography• History • Music• Geography • IT

• RE • Food Technology• PHSE • Performing Arts• Physical Education

Key Outcomes• To ensure a culture at all levels in the Academy of excellence and

equality and which promotes high expectations and aspirations of all the pupils

• To ensure high quality education by building upon a culture of excellence in teaching and learning so all pupils find their learning challenging, engaging and motivating

• To commit to all pupils realising their full potential by offering exceptional learning opportunities

• To lead Littleport & East Cambridgeshire Academy in ensuring policies and procedures remain fit for purpose

• To develop effective relationships with other local schools particularly primary schools to enable a smooth transition from year 6 to year 7, and higher education establishments

• To promote and maintain links with business, the local community and families

• To be responsible for the effective management of the Academy budget

• To ensure a Deputy Principal or other suitable person is available to deputise for the Principal when they are absent

Leadership and Development • Provide strategic leadership that secures the highest standards

of progress, attainment and personal development for all pupils and staff

• Ensure the Academy has a clear vision linked to the strategic vision of Littleport & East Cambridgeshire Academy that is shared, understood and applied by all interested parties

• To lead the Academy senior leadership team to translate the vision into agreed objectives and operational plans, which deliver school improvement

Job DescriptionJob Title: Principal

Accountable to: CEO

Job Purpose: To provide exceptional professional leadership and to take forward the process of continuous improvement in delivering high quality education to all the pupils at Littleport & East Cambridgeshire Academy

Pay Scale: L25 to L31

This job description details the responsibilities of the position but does not direct any particular priorities or amount of time to be spent carrying out the duties. It is not prescriptive, nor necessarily a comprehensive definition of the post. As such, it may be subject to amendment, after consultation, to meet the changing needs of the Academy Trust.

• Ensure that strategic planning takes account of the values and experience of the school, its stakeholders and Littleport & East Cambridgeshire Academy

• Ensure that the Academy structure enables the management systems, structures and processes to work effectively in line with legal requirements

• Produce and implement clear, evidence-based improvement plans and policies for the further development of the Academy and its facilities

• Promote increasing parental engagement in the activities of the Academy

• Deliver leadership in all aspects of the Academy functions and future change processes

Leading Teaching and Learning • To provide leadership in the further development of innovative

teaching and learning• To ensure a continuous focus on pupil progress using data and

benchmarks for monitoring• To see pupils as individuals and apply all developments

consistently ensuring equality of access for pupils in target groups

• Ensure that impact on pupils are the focus of strategic planning and resource management at all times

• Lead the continuous improvement in behaviour, attendance and safeguarding practices within the Academy

• Embed the role of technology within the Academy enabling pupils to benefit from enhanced and extended learning opportunities

• To manage, review and implement a curriculum that best meet the needs of pupils

• Ensure that the statutory requirements of the National Curriculum and other curriculum developments are met

• Ensure that challenging targets are set for pupil attainment, progress and attendance

• Promote the involvement of families and other stakeholders in supporting the Academy wide focus on pupil progress, attainment and personal development

• Develop a culture that promotes independent learning with an ethos of challenge and support

• Ensure the Academy has a robust system for the pastoral care of the pupils and behaviour management

Resource Management • Be responsible for the internal organisation, management and

control of the Academy• Set a budget for the school in partnership with the Board of

Littleport & East Cambridgeshire Academy, agreeing priorities for expenditure, allocating funds and ensuring effective administration and control

• Work proactively with the Board to create an open, valuable working relationship that thrives on using the knowledge and expertise of individuals and groups to produce the desired outcomes

• Ensure that the procedures for recruitment and retention of staff are transparent and that they comply with best practice and all legal requirements, particularly in relation to non-traditional work patterns and responsibilities

Job Description continued

• Ensure the delivery of best practice appraisal processes to provide a positive framework for staff development and achievement

• Promote a staff development programme that links to the outcomes of the appraisal process as well as well as the skills necessary to deliver the Academy Development Plan

• Create an environment such that pupils can be actively involved in the Academy’s decision-making process and that their views on the learning process are heard

• Ensure that there is an effective and consistent monitoring and reporting system for pupil progress

• Manage and organise the Academy infrastructure efficiently and effectively to ensure that it is able to deliver the curriculum and comply with all health and safety regulations

• Evaluate the curriculum to ensure it delivers quality and value for money

Leading People • Be an outstanding role model to staff at all levels in the Academy.• Work with the Trust Board to lead the selection, appointment,

deployment and management of high-quality staff to ensure that effective learning takes place throughout the Academy

• Create, maintain and enhance effective working relationships with staff to include consultation with professional associations as appropriate

• Inspire staff to improve the quality of education provided and hence standards achieved to continue the trajectory of Academy improvement

• Manage the effective deployment and performance of all staff by supporting their professional development

• Involve staff in decision-making, as appropriate, in order that all who work in the Academy are committed to its continuous improvement

• Identify and develop non-teaching skills demonstrated by staff in whatever area they are employed

• Develop the leadership skills of staff at all levels• As necessary, consult with Littleport & East Cambridgeshire

Academy, staff, parents and pupils• Regularly review your own practice and performance, set personal

targets and take responsibility for your own development• Promote a positive Academy culture and its values and aims

characterised by high aspirations and expectations

Accountability • Work collaboratively with the Trust Board to enable them to fulfil

their monitoring, statutory and wider responsibilities• Produce regular reports and provide information, support and

objective advice to the Trust Board on educational, financial and community aspects of the Academy

• Develop a culture in which staff recognise they are responsible for the success of the Academy, where individual accountabilities are clearly defined, understood, agreed and acted upon

• Work effectively and collaboratively with external partners and stakeholders to achieve mutually agreed objectives when relevant

• Ensure that effective communications are maintained within and beyond the Academy and with stakeholders

• Ensure that parents/carers and pupils are well informed about all aspects of the Academy and in particular about attainment, progress and targets for further improvement

Community • Ensure the Trust together with Littleport & East Cambridgeshire

Academy reflects a culturally inclusive ethos which actively values and promotes diversity, unity and community cohesion and supports pupils to become successful, integrated citizens.

• Ensure the Academy is seen as part of the community and promote use of the facilities by the community and pupil involvement in community activities

• Collaborate with parents/carers and with external agencies to ensure that the Academy meets the wider needs of its pupils, staff and local community

• Work with appropriate providers of further and higher education and local businesses to ensure pupils are prepared for post-school higher education, training and employment opportunities

• Work with organisations in the business, public, private and voluntary sectors to meet the needs of all pupils

The Active Learning Trust and Littleport & East Cambridgeshire Academy are committed to protecting the welfare of children and young people and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

Job Description continued

Essential Desirable Assessment

Qualifications

Qualified Teacher Status ✓ Application

First degree or equivalent ✓ Application

Higher degree or equivalent ✓ Application

Evidence of recent professional development relevant to Leadership ✓ Application

Experience

Recent experience of Headship or Senior Leadership in a secondary setting ✓ Application

Evidence of impact on raising standards and improving pupil and pupil outcomes ✓Application/

interview

Ability to think clearly and to make quality decisions based on evidence ✓Interview/reference

Ability to engage the most challenging or difficult parent ✓Interview/reference

A good knowledge of effective social inclusion strategies and evidence of promoting social inclusion ✓Interview/ reference

A good grasp of financial management and evidence of tackling shrinking resources ✓Interview/ reference

Experience of preparing for an Ofsted inspection ✓Application/

interview

Experience of developing effective links between school and community ✓Application/

interview

Knowledge and UnderstandingGood knowledge of current educational landscape and ability to translate that into the Academy context ✓ Interview

Ability to lead a team to plan, deliver and evaluate Academy change ✓Interview/reference

Good understanding of personal strengths and weakness and being self-aware ✓Interview/reference

Knowledge of all aspects of school leadership with the ability to turn policy into effective practice ✓Interview/ reference

Understanding of Safeguarding from keeping children safe to identifying pupil risks ✓Interview/ reference

Understanding of the requirements to work effectively in a team across the Trust ✓ Interview

Personal Qualities

High levels of enthusiasm ✓ Interview

An effective public speaker ✓Interview/ reference

Excellent communication skills ✓Interview/ reference

A good problem solver ✓Interview/reference

Ability to undertake difficult conversations ✓Interview/ reference

Enjoys innovation and change ✓ interview

Shows resilience and perseverance ✓Interview/reference

High levels of integrity, compassion and trust ✓Interview/ reference

Person Specification

We are INSPIRED

How to apply:

If you wish to discover more about this exciting opportunity, need any further information or you wish to have an informal discussion, please contact our recruitment consultant Caroline Olsen at Academicis by email: colsen@academicis.co.uk or call on 01223 907979 or 07500 889504.

Please email your application to: colsen@academicis.co.uk

Closing date: Noon, Monday 29th November 2021Shortlisting date: Thursday 2nd December 2021 Interview dates: Day 1: Wednesday 8th December and Day 2: Friday 10th December 2021

We are INSPIRED

Littleport and East Cambs Academy Camel Road Littleport Cambridgeshire CB6 1EW