Job Info

CHANTRY HIGH SCHOOL

A Specialist Humanities College

Mallard Way, Ipswich, IP2 9LR

Tel:  01473 687181; Fax:  01473 602693                     

email admin@chantryhighschool.org.uk     

Head:  Andrew Fell, BSc

Click here for School Application Forms

Click on link for location of school:  http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?X=614712&Y=243184&A=Y&Z=110

THE SCHOOL

The school is a well established 11-16 mixed comprehensive that opened in 1962.  The most recent Ofsted report described the school as a good school with some outstanding features.  There are approximately 850 students on roll.  We are currently completing the final year with a sixth form following the successful partnership working with other local schools and the building of a new post-16 provision for this area (Suffolk One).  We have a committed teaching staff and a supportive Governing Body.

AIMS

The ethos of the school is based on three key aims that guide all that we do:

• Listen More
• Look After Each Other More
• Achieve More

These key principles underpin everything from the school’s day to day working and interactions with learners and other stakeholders through to the strategic vision and development planning.  These aims allow us to strive for excellence in all that we do and ensure that we always consider how more can be done to support and develop the whole school community.

LOCATION

The school serves the Chantry estate, a smaller and older estate near the London Road, together with areas of private housing on the south-western edge of Ipswich.  It is within easy reach of the Suffolk and Essex countryside and, of course, the sea.  Ipswich has some traditional industries but is a growth area with a range of new sources of employment.  Plans exist for a considerable amount of new private housing in the catchment area, and the roll is expected to increase over the next few years. 

At 11+ the school draws from a group of designated local primary schools. 

There is a frequent and swift rail service to London and excellent roads to the west (A14), the south west (A12) and to the coastal areas of Felixstowe and Woodbridge.

ACCOMMODATION

The buildings are well spaced out on a pleasant, open site, and are constantly improved and updated.  They are, however, reaching the end of their planned life.  The school was identified by the previous government for a rebuild under the BSF scheme, however changes in government policy mean that the future of any building programme has been delayed until a nationwide spending review has been undertaken.  We were successful in securing a grant to renovate a small existing space in preparation for a possible new build and we are very proud of the new Learning Hive which offers a cross-subject, cross phase space to enhance learning.

 At present the main areas include:

• Four classroom blocks containing suites of rooms for Humanities, English, Modern Foreign Languages, Special Educational Needs, Maths, Health and Social Care and Media
• a community Sports Centre incorporating a large sports hall, two gymnasia, a fitness suite, a floodlit all-weather surface
• a modern Science block with ICT facilities
• areas for Art and Technology (including construction facilities)
• a central block containing the hall, dining area, offices, a spacious staff room, conference room and Learning Centre.
• a Performing Arts block

LEADERSHIP

There is a strong emphasis within the school upon open management and full discussion of policy issues.  The senior leadership group comprises the Head, a Deputy Head, five Assistant Heads, a Business Manager and Human Resources Manager.  In line with the school aims, decision and policy making is performed in a consultative manner, and close working of the newly formed School Leadership Team (all senior and middle leaders) is ensuring school improvement is embedded in all aspects of school life.

CURRICULUM

We have a ‘faculty system’ within which each subject area has its own Head of Subject.  Co-operation between subjects is encouraged.  A wide range of subjects is taken to Btec First, GNVQ, GCSE.  For the first three years pupils follow a common curriculum which has overarching themes linked to the development of skills for learning.  In Year 10 pupils follow a common core and are offered four routes, with substantial choice in each – general, applied, college and support.  Linked to the school’s BSF vision for learning the curriculum has been reviewed and from September 2011 a new, more flexible, skills-centred curriculum will begin to be delivered.

CARE AND GUIDANCE

Changes to our pastoral structure have allowed us to offer a novel approach to grouping of learners for their care, support and guidance.  In years 7 and 8 (year 9 from September 2011) learners are part of a vertical Learning Family.  These are small groups of 8 learners and the mentors deliver PHSE together with providing the nuture, support and challenge.  In other years tutor groups exist providing both academic monitoring and personal support.  Years 7-11 each have support staff Year Managers and Student Support Officers.  There is a Learning Support Team which provides for pupils with learning difficulties and/or social and emotional problems, and allows them the fullest possible access to the curriculum.  We have invested heavily in a support structure staffed by non teachers, who are available throughout the day to help students.  Ofsted recognised the care and guidance learners receive at Chantry to be outstanding.

INFORMATION FOR APPLICANTS

RE-LOCATION ASSISTANCE  The authority has a financial package to assist teachers appointed to Suffolk.  Newly-qualified teachers receive help with some of their initial expenses.  There is a re-location scheme for experienced staff. 

EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES Employers and potential employees will be afforded equal opportunities of employment irrespective of their sex, marital status, colour, race, nationality, ethnic or national origin, religion, age, disability, trade union membership and non-membership.  Terms and conditions of employment afforded, decisions on recruitment, selection, training and promotion will be made solely on the requirements of the job, or such other objective criteria as are appropriate.  Where an employee may be disadvantaged on these grounds, Chantry High School may approve any practical measure it considers reasonable to rectify such disadvantage(s).  We welcome applications from people with disability who have the

necessary attributes for the post.  In the event of employees becoming disabled, every effort will be made to ensure that they can continue in employment with us.  The training, career development and promotion of people with disabilities should, as far as possible, be identical to that of any other employee.

SAFEGUARDING

This school is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.  CRB checks required for relevant posts.

REHABILITATION OF OFFENDERS ACT, 1974

EXCEPTIONS AMENDMENT ORDER, 1986

Please note that applicants for this post are not entitled to withhold information about past convictions, ‘spent’ or otherwise, under the terms of the above Act.  The Act made a specific exception in respect of ‘Any office or employment concerned with the provision to persons aged under 18 of accommodation, care, leisure and recreational facilities, schooling, social services, supervision or training, being an office or employment of such a kind as to enable the holder to have access in the course of his normal duties of which are carried out wholly or partly on the premises where such provision takes place’.  You must disclose any past convictions at the time of your application and, if appointed, you will be requested to authorise the Authority to request a search for any criminal record.  In the event of employment being offered and taken up, any failure to disclose such conviction or refusal to consent to a police records check is likely to result in withdrawal of any offer made, dismissal or disciplinary action by the Authority.  Any information may be given on a separate sheet from your application form and will be kept completely confidential.  It will be considered only in relation to an application for positions to which the Exceptions order applies.

A Fell, Headteacher

January 2011