This is a rewarding Headship in which you will be able to lead our school on to the next stage of its journey and develop what our journey might look like. You must exhibit confidence, be an empathetic, engaging communicator who has a clear focus on continuing to build a healthy workplace culture to benefit the wellbeing of staff and pupils.

While we have many strengths, we know that we must improve too. We need to continue to build a school-wide love of reading and improve outcomes in writing and mathematics across our school. Further, we need to maintain and build on the quality of teaching and our expectations of the capabilities of our children as well as developing our staff team to ensure they reach their full potential.

We are always looking for ways to improve. We want your skills as an impassioned leader to make a difference, to enhance teaching and learning across the curriculum, to enrich the personal and social development of our children and to join with everyone - staff, governors and pupils – to promote our ethos and further develop the vision for our school.

Our new leader will:

• Be a committed leader with excellent interpersonal skills who can motivate and manage all stakeholders, effectively shaping and delivering the strategic plan.
• Demonstrate superb leadership skills with ability to challenge robustly and constructively.
• Be someone who recognises the importance of maintaining the school’s existing values while instilling their own leadership and identity.
• Be an outstanding teaching practitioner able to set and achieve ambitious goals and continually seek to raise standards and promote our vision, values and aims in a way that is relevant and inspiring to all.
• Be able to provide excellent and robust staff management.
• Have progressive IT skills and a deep understanding of the significance and importance of consistent data monitoring.
• Consider and shape how we can adapt our practices innovatively to promote and enhance the wellbeing of our staff team.
• Demonstrate an understanding of the needs of young people, social, physical and emotional alongside educational needs, and ensure that the school provides a rounded provision to nurture them.
• Show practical knowledge and experience in raising standards.
• Be a strategic thinker able to plan long, medium and short term.
• Be able to review our financial resources and look at how we invest in our school.
• Have a continuing drive to reflect, learn and strive for positive development, for themselves, their staff team, the children and our school as a whole.
• Be someone who is capable of and confident in making difficult decisions and ask challenging questions in order to seek the best possible outcome for our school as a whole.

This is an excellent opportunity to provide strategic leadership and direction while building on high expectations. This will mean a strong focus on outstanding teaching and learning, ensuring every pupil makes the best possible progress, curriculum development and implementation, and forging ever-closer relationships with parents and carers and our wider school community.

Northstead School is situated in the beautiful seaside resort of Scarborough, on the East Coast of Yorkshire. Scarborough is centred around a pretty, horseshoe-shaped bay lapped by the North Sea. Sandy beaches, surfing opportunities, and hearty Yorkshire fare have made Scarborough a family favourite for more than 400 years. Our school is a larger than average Primary School with 632 children on roll and sits centrally within the local community serving a diverse community straddling the social spectrum.

Our school has a warm and welcoming feel. The children are well behaved, polite and genuinely care for each other and their school community. They are motivated leaners and have a great sense of pride in their work and the school.

Ofsted recognised – “On the whole, parents and carers are positive about the school. As one parent
commented: ‘Overall, Northstead Primary is a great school, where my child is happy
and growing just as they should be. The staff are friendly, open, approachable,
dependable and supportive.”– Ofsted 2021

Features and Benefits of our Schools:

• Breakfast Club and After School Provision – 60/80 pupils daily
• Magic Breakfast Scheme – open door policy from 8.30am where every child receives a breakfast snack on entering the classroom
• Extensive extra-curricular offering
• Great importance is placed on providing high quality visits to local attractions to enhance the children’s learning. For example - Y1 children explore their local environment visiting Peasholm Park, the North Bay and St. Marks Church, and Y5 ‘bring history alive’ through their visit to York
• In KS2 Residential visits varying from 2 nights (in Y4) to 4 nights (in Y6), provide wonderful learning opportunities at residential centres like East Barnby (Y4) and Peat Rigg (Y6). Walking, canoeing, shelter building, and rock climbing are all introduced at a level suitable for pupils and staff
• Large Sports field
• House system

Our Pupils are the heart of our school; they are polite, treat each other with respect and their behaviour is good. Children’s attitudes to school and learning are good and they enjoy coming to school and show great interest in the learning activities provided for them.

The school fosters a welcoming, caring, stimulating and secure environment in which the children are encouraged to develop as learners. The Northstead Community of staff, governors, pupils and their families is committed to providing a nurturing and inspiring environment where everyone is safe, respected, supported and challenged. Nurturing the children within this environment enables them to develop to their potential and broaden their horizons; the Headteacher will be expected to lead by example. The ethos is reflected in the relationships between staff, children, parents and governors of the school.

Child wellbeing:

The emotional wellbeing of the children at the school has always been a high priority and children are encouraged to talk in class and to their peers about their mental health, for example through class circle time. Mental health has continued to be of key importance during the Covid pandemic and activities, such as mindfulness, have been shared with the children. Internet safety is also a key factor and regular information is shared with children and parents on how to stay safe on the internet.

Our School Vision, Ethos and values are at the heart of everything we do. They underpin our teaching and learning, and provide an environment which prepares our pupils to be confident, caring and happy citizens.

Our Mission - To be the best that we can be

Our Ethos - The Northstead Community of staff, governors, pupils and their families are committed to providing a nurturing and inspiring environment where everyone is safe, respected, supported and challenged.

Our Aims - We aim to;

• Treat everyone with respect,
• Build strong partnerships with parents and carers,
• Provide a welcoming, safe and stimulating school,
• Recognise and celebrate success in all aspects of school life,
• Develop individuals socially, emotionally, mentally and physically,
• Foster a caring attitude towards our world,
• To encourage and celebrate creativity,
• To create a school where everyone is happy, resilient, self-confident and encouraged to be, ‘The best that they can be’

Our staff are our greatest resource and are incredibly committed, loyal and dedicated. They always have the best interests of the pupils at heart and are determined to find something at which every child can shine. Staff get to know the children in the school very well and use this information to personalise opportunities for learning.

Ofsted recognised – “Subject leaders are passionate about developing their curriculum. Plans for
mathematics and English set out the detailed knowledge that leaders want pupils to
know and remember.” – Ofsted 2021

We have a strong and supportive staff team:

SLT structure

• 1xHeadteacher
• 2xDeputy Headteachers
• 1xAssistant Headteacher

Number of Teachers and FTE

• Teachers 30 + 3SLT
• FTE 24.6 + 3SLT

Support staff  

SEN support staff are directed by AHT (SEND) to meet the needs of EHCP pupils

General Teaching Assistants are line managed by Year Group Leads.

SENDCo responsibilities

• AHT Full time responsible for SEND and SEND TA deployment

Number of classes

• 3fe x 7 = 21 + additional class in Yr 6 Total 22 classes

Details of non-teaching staff

• 3 mentors
• 1 Safeguarding & Welfare Officer
• 4 admin – 114 hours in total
• 7 staff – 135.5 hours in total

The Governing Board’s Role and Support

Our Board of Governors actively support their school and take their link responsibilities seriously. During Covid, they have continued to do so virtually, with a focus on staff well-being.

All school governors are engaged, positive and proactive in ensuring the school continues to thrive and develop.

As a full governing body, they meet regularly, striving always to ensure our children receive the best education possible, in a safe and supportive environment.

Governors seek and consider a range of feedback from the whole school community to ensure that they fully understand the differing perspectives of all stakeholders on how the school is performing.

Ofsted Inspection October 2021 – Graded Requires Improvement 

Ofsted recognised – "Leaders have high expectations of pupils’ behaviour. They have implemented many
rewards and sanctions to create a positive learning environment. However, where
staff do not consistently apply these policies, some pupils do not engage with their
learning and are off task in lessons." - Ofsted 2021

Our School’s current strengths:

• Parental engagement
• Attendance
• Extra-Curricular Offer
• Strong Ethos
• High quality Pastoral Support
• Safeguarding
• SEND, Fully Inclusive, Nurture UK

Current areas identified for improvement and Considerations: 

• Managing the work of teaching assistants more effectively to make sure that pupils are making good progress
• Checking learning in lessons to provide additional support to overcome misconceptions
• Skilfully questioning pupils consistently well to deepen their knowledge and understanding
• Developing pupils’ independence in learning so that they contribute strongly to their learning at all times
• Increasing the opportunities for pupils to apply their mathematical skills in a wide range of subjects
• Staffing – currently under review

Current levels of pupil achievement, attainment and progress:

The school won’t have any realistic assessment data until December. Historically, attainment has been below national averages for reading, writing and maths.

At the end of 2021, attainment in all year groups had dropped by 15-25% following the enforced lockdown of schools. Significant plans are in place, which involve leaders at all levels to bring this back to the levels of attainment expected, which also includes significant investment in small group tuition.

Budgetary Position

The governors and leaders are currently working with the Local Authority to arrange a plan which is supportive of the school.

• 2021-2022 – Budget carry forward
• 2022 - 2023 – Carried Forward
• 2023 – 2024 – at the limit

Northstead is part of a cluster with a group of local schools that provides support and collaborative working on development projects.

Northstead Community Primary School is at the heart of its community. We have formal links with several local organisations, such as the Stephen Joseph Theatre who are regular visitors to school running workshops, an SJT Creation Studio after school club as well as the school visiting the theatre for events and shows.

Our school also works with 'The Animated Objects Theatre Group' on several projects throughout the year, including the annual Lantern Parade in Peasholm Park.

Our children are encouraged to think of others and give back to their community. For example; the school choir sing at various organisations near Christmas time, including St Catherines' Hospice and Scarborough Sight Savers. We support several local and national charities throughout the year including the Rainbow Centre Food Bank at Harvest time, St Catherines Hospice and the local NSPCC.

Our Year 5 children support the local Help the Aged contributing to the shoebox collection Christmas appeal as well as organising a Christmas Party and a Summer Tea Party for our elderly neighbours. We also have strong links with our local Church, St Marks, where we have Christmas and Easter Services and the Vicar is a regular visitor to school. All of our children are members of Scalby Library and visit at least once a term.

The needs of our children always come first and we work closely with parents and carers, building positive relationships that help contribute to the work we do. Many parents and residents continue to support the school, it is in this way that all are able to feel they are active participants in the functioning and development of the School; which can only have positive implications for the children. We communicate via the website, newsletters, email and Class Dojo. Our Friends of Northstead School (FONS) meet every couple of months to organise fundraising events for the school. The money they raise helps purchase extra equipment – including book bags, Christmas presents, playground equipment, interactive whiteboards and digital cameras.

Collaborations:

• North Scarborough Primary School Collaboration includes 5 schools – discussions cover assessment, moderation, good practice
• Scarborough Teaching Alliance (STA) – regular meetings, emails – school is an active member with 3 Senior Leaders in Education (SLE’s) in Maths, English and Science
• School is an active part of the Children’s University with over 90 children graduating every year
• Our school benefits from being within the North Yorkshire Coast Opportunity Area (NYCOA)
• School is engaged in the Nurture UK initiative as 1 of 24 local Primary and Secondary schools

Local Authority and School Improvement

We have strong relationships with our contacts at the LA and are able to access support. Staff are also made aware of training opportunities through the LA, and our leaders and designated safeguarding lead attend LA organised meetings/training/networking sessions.

Make-up, needs and expectations of pupils

• Predominantly from a White British background
• 7.6% from other ethnicities,
• 3.65% EAL,
• 31% qualify for Pupil Premium.
• Low mobility 

Parent Comment on Northstead:

“Following the announcement of appointing a new Headteacher I believe a head teacher should have the following good points. Be approachable by students and parents and be understanding of individual children’s needs and abilities.

Have an open-door policy, where the head teacher is approachable in school time to answer any concerns from children, parents and all involved.

Understand the values of Northstead School and excel with these values and expand on these.

Have a strong leadership of all staff and senior members of the school and have the ability to be firm when needed.

Have a strong understanding of teaching from early year’s foundation to year six. Have a good sense of humour with the children, staff and all that come into contact with the head teacher.

Northstead School is the heart of Northstead and a lot of children have had parents and grandparents attend Northstead School in the past. Like all schools, a school is only as good as the leadership team and at the moment I believe Northstead School is thriving. All the staff seem to enjoy been at work and most if the students love been in the school and I believe this is all down to the senior leadership team. 

The school needs a head teacher that will keep the school thriving as I believe it is now. My daughter has attended another school in Scarborough and the school wasn’t anywhere near as well organised and managed like Northstead. It would be devastating to have a Headteacher that let the school slip and be unable to lead the senior leadership team” – Alan H

Northstead is part of the primary network across the North Yorkshire Coast we have been fortunate to be part of the DFE North Yorkshire Coast Opportunity Area which is now in its fourth year.

The OA supports ambition and outcomes on social mobility across Scarborough, Whitby and Filey with projects focussing on early years, phonics, literacy, attendance and teacher recruitment and development. More information on the OA can be found here.

Being able to attract and recruit the very best teachers and leaders to our area is vital to our schools continuing development. As such we are able to offer a relocation package of up to £8k for our new Headteacher, if they are having to relocate to take up post. More details can be found here.

Scarborough

Scarborough is the original seaside resort town on England’s North Sea coast with stunning scenery and glorious beaches. Its 2 bays with sandy beaches are split by a headland bearing the 12th-century Scarborough Castle. The Victorian Central Tramway funicular train links the town centre with South Bay and its harbour.

Scarborough has so much to offer anyone interested in culture and heritage, including a world-class theatre, a thriving live music scene and an active Arts culture.  The magnificent Scarborough Castle towers over the town, overlooking the two sweeping bays. The spectacular ruins are in the care of English Heritage, and provide a stunning backdrop for re-enactments. Scarborough has two much-loved Victorian funicular lifts, one of which was the first cliff tram in England. Lovers of vintage transport will also want to ride on the North Bay Miniature Railway, one of the oldest in the country, which transports visitors in style from Peasholm Park to Scalby Mills

Scarborough also boasts a new Sports Village and clubs and facilities for most sports and physical activity, including opportunities for surfing, outdoor swimming and sailing. The area is popular with cyclists and has easy access to the North York Moors.

Scarborough Video - A Place to Work, Live and Invest

Yorkshire Coast

The Yorkshire Coast is a world-famous stretch of coastline that runs from the Tees estuary to the Humber estuary on the east coast of England. The coastline between the two estuaries was historically made up of the East and North Ridings of Yorkshire. Since the 1974 county boundary shake-up, this now comprises Redcar & Cleveland, North Yorkshire and the East Riding of Yorkshire.

The North York Moors National Park extends up to the coastline and traverses 26 miles (42 km) of the coast between Boulby and Cloughton, taking in the historic fishing villages of Staithes, Runswick Bay and Robin Hood's Bay.

The section of coastline south of Bridlington to Spurn Head is known as the Holderness coast from the area of East Yorkshire that the coastline adjoins.

North Yorkshire

North Yorkshire is England's largest county and one of the most rural. The area comprises the Yorkshire Dales and North York Moors, three Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty and a stunning coastline around Scarborough and Whitby. There are ruined castles and abbeys, serene gardens, unique breweries, thrilling rides and industrial heritage. The area hosted the phenomenal Tour de France ‘Grand Depart’ in 2014 and has since created the Tour de Yorkshire, an annual event with global recognition. Success in supporting these events led to Harrogate hosting the UCI Cycling World Championships in 2019.

North Yorkshire has plenty to offer the outdoor enthusiast. From the hard gritstone of Almscliff and Brimham rocks to the limestone of Malham, Gordale and Kilnsey climbing venues are in abundance. The Yorkshire Dales is the premier area for caving and for mountain biking; there are the bridleways of the Dales and North York Moors as well as the renowned trail centre at Dalby Forest. There are a small number of sailing clubs on reservoirs around the county and fantastic surfsport venues and sea kayaking on the east coast.

While the county is rightly known for its wide-open spaces, it also incorporates attractive market towns including Pickering and Helmsley, traditional seaside towns, the Spa town of Harrogate and the ancient city of York - the most visited city outside of London. There are a wide range of shopping, leisure and cultural facilities as well as excellent schools, universities, road and rail links. There really is everything to offer you and your family as a place to work, live and enjoy!

Travelling further afield, we have convenient connectivity, with close proximity to metropolitan cities of Leeds and Newcastle and with a little over two hours commute on the main train line to London. We border the Lake District, Lancashire, County Durham, and Yorkshire & Humber regions with all they have to offer.