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Rewarding careers where you can help yourself and our pupils to ….
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CONTENTS Page Number
Message from the Chief Executive 3
About the Greenwood Academies Trust 4
About the Purples Oaks Academy 5
Benefits of Working for the Greenwood Academies Trust 7
Application Process 8
Thank you 9
Appendix 1: Purple Oaks Academy Information for Parents 10
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A MESSAGE FROM THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE Thank you for your interest in working for the Greenwood Academies Trust (GAT).
For anyone looking for a career where you can make a difference, I can assure you
that the GAT is the place for you.
Our academies are led by outstanding Principals. Whilst working to achieve our
organisational core values each Principal is free to develop the curriculum and
structures within their own academy to best serve their communities. The GAT does
not impose a standard central curriculum or structure. We have created a Trust
where each academy can evolve individually, developing best practice that can be
shared both within the Trust and more widely meaning that staff can reap the
benefits of a collaborative working style.
I am passionate about ensuring that our staff are involved in the Trust’s future, feel
valued and are given opportunities to succeed. The recent addition of the Learning
Alliance to the Trust will help to embed a strong culture of learning and
development throughout our workforce by providing professional skills and learning
opportunities to help staff invest in their futures.
I look forward to welcoming new staff to the Trust and hope that you can reap the
benefits of working for a successful Multi Academy Trust and assist in our mission
to inspire and transform the minds of tomorrow!
Wayne Norrie
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THE GREENWOOD ACADEMIES TRUST
The Greenwood Academies Trust (GAT) is dedicated to enhancing young lives across the East
Midlands. We focus on giving every child a real chance to succeed and transform schools in difficulty
to ensure positive outcomes and consistently high achievement.
With 31 academies in the East Midlands, our long term aim is to develop the most successful and
innovative group of academies in the country delivering outstanding progress and above average
attainment in socially disadvantaged communities.
This document is designed to provide you with information on the role available and the application
process. If you have any questions please contact the HR department on 0115 7483315 or email
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Our vision for the new academy is to provide an inspiring curriculum which prepares pupils for a
successful working life, stable relationships and rewarding community engagement.
The academy will be co-located with the Green Oaks Primary Academy which is already a member
of the Greenwood Academies Trust (GAT). The mainstream primary academy currently educates 30
pupils with an Education and Health Care Plan (EHCP) arising from their diagnosis of Autism in the
Designated Special Provision (DSP). The DSP can no longer provide sufficient places and the
necessary specialist environment to meet the needs of the locality. Northamptonshire Education
Authority approached GAT to support them in extending their provision for pupils with Severe
Learning Difficulties (circa 20%) and Autistic Spectrum Conditions (80%). There is a predicted
significant shortfall in special school places by September 2016.
The Purple Oaks Academy will provide 100 places for pupils (3-18) with a diagnosis of Autistic
Spectrum Disorder (ASD) / Asperger’s and/or Severe Learning Difficulties with a SEN statement or
EHC Plan. In the first year of opening the academy will admit 30 pupils from the DSP (Reception –
Year 7) and a further 20 pupils into these year groups. The academy is expected to grow each year
with nursery and Year 8 provision added in the second year of opening followed by Year 9 etc.
The academy will cater for a wide range of abilities from pupils who are able to function academically
at their chronological age level or above, to those who are working at P levels.
ABOUT THE PURPLE OAKS ACADEMY
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Photographs of Northamptonshire
ABOUT THE PURPLE OAKS ACADEMY CONTINUED …
Co-location with the mainstream Green Oaks Primary Academy will offer additional curriculum and
social engagement opportunities.
A number of experienced staff currently working in the DSP will form the nucleus of the new staff
team.
As an existing provider of high quality education in the county, sponsoring two secondary and five
primary academies as well as a successful Free Special School in Peterborough, the GAT was
identified by the LA as the preferred group to establish a new special school; the LA having
confidence in our track record.
We will also offer places to Northamptonshire pupils for assessment prior to a Single Plan, where
there is an expectation that the academy will be the most appropriate long term placement.
Northampton itself has a £20 billion economy and sits at the heart of one of four designated
Growth Areas in England. With plenty of countryside on the doorstep and great transport links, it is
a great place to live, work and play, providing a great chance to step into the traditional rural
lifestyle yet still be within reach of the big cities.
Further information on the Purple Oaks Academy can be in:
Appendix 1: Purple Oaks Academy Information for Parents
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Making a difference. If you really want to make a difference to the life chances of pupils then why not join an organisation that can demonstrate experience in providing these opportunities for its staff? GAT is a well established multi academy trust and has a track record of working to help raise standards in areas of social and economic deprivation and / or educational underachievement. The Trust has improved the overall effectiveness of 20 academies since they joined GAT. A further two academies have remained good. A supportive leadership and central team. GAT is led by educationalists who have significant experience in a wide range of schools with expertise in areas such as curriculum, SEND, staffing and finance. The central team provides a wide range of high quality services to academies, enabling them to focus on teaching. GAT is a not for profit educational charity. We always prioritise our resources to achieve outstanding educational outcomes for our pupils. A close knit support network. With academies across the East Midlands the chance of sharing best practice and collaborative working is second to none. We offer extensive development opportunities. We are keen to promote from within, so if you are looking for a career with real potential for progression, then GAT is the place for you. Professional development is actively encouraged at all levels. The Learning Alliance is the CPD arm of the Trust which offers a programme of development courses to all employees. Find out more by visiting www.greenwoodacademies.org/learningalliance. We support working parents. Every employee is eligible for childcare vouchers for registered childcare providers, to offset some of the costs of being a working parent. The cost of the vouchers is taken out of your wages before tax and national insurance, meaning that you make a saving on the costs of your childcare every month. Helping you plan for the future. Teachers joining the Trust will become a member of the Teachers’ Pension Scheme. For support staff we adopt the Local Government Pension Scheme which is one of the most competitive in the country. Candidates moving from the public sector without a break in service can be reassured that continuous service will be honoured.
BENEFITS OF WORKING FOR THE GREEENWOOD ACADEMIES TRUST
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THE APPLICATION PROCESS
In line with our continued commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults we apply safer recruitment practices across our selection process and all posts within the Trust are subject to an enhanced DBS with Barred List check in accordance with the requirements of the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS), the Police Act 1997 and the DFE’s Keeping Children Safe in Education guidance. Visits: Prior to applying for a post we are happy to arrange a private conversation regarding the role or arrange a visit to the academy. Please contact the HR to arrange a mutually convenient time. Applying: Application forms can be found on our website; alternatively you can call our recruitment line on 0115 7483344 to request a form to be posted out to you. Completed application forms should be emailed to [email protected] or posted to the below address: HR Recruitment Greenwood House Private Road No. 2 Colwick Quays Business Park Nottingham NG4 2JY Shortlisting will take place shortly after the closing date and candidates meeting the right criteria will be taken forward. We aim to contact all successful candidates within two weeks of the closing date. Interviews: Shortlisted candidates will be contacted prior to interview with details of the proceedings. Candidates should be aware that as part of the interview process any gaps or discrepancies on their application form will be explored. References: References will be requested, where permission has been given, before interview for all shortlisted candidates and where necessary employers may be contacted to gather further information. Offers: Any offers of employment will be made as soon as possible after interview and will be subject to satisfactory background checks.
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GOOD LUCK
Thank you again for your interest in the Greenwood Academies
Trust.
Kind regards
Human Resources
http://www.greenwoodacademies.org/vacancies
Follow @GDFTCareers
Greenwood Dale Foundation Trust
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Information for Parents
APPENDIX 1: INFORMATION FOR PARENTS
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A brand new Special School will open in Kingsthorpe, Northampton in September 2017,
sponsored by the Greenwood Academies Trust (GAT).
The Purple Oaks Academy will provide 100 places for pupils (3-18) with a diagnosis of
Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD)/Asperger’s and/or Severe Learning Difficulties with an
Education and Health Care Plan (EHCP) naming the Purple Oaks Academy as the
appropriate provision. The academy will cater for a wide range of abilities from pupils who are able to function
academically at their chronological age level or above, to those who are working at P
levels. Purple Oaks Academy will be co-located, on Whiston Road, Kingsthorpe, with the Green
Oaks Primary Academy, which is already a member of the GAT. The mainstream Green Oaks Primary Academy currently provides a Designated Specialist
Provision (DSP) educating 30 pupils with a Statement of SEN or EHCP arising from their
diagnosis of Autism. The DSP unit can no longer provide sufficient places and the
necessary specialist environment to meet the needs of the locality. Northamptonshire
Education Authority approached GAT to support them in extending their provision for
pupils with Autistic Spectrum Conditions and/or Severe Learning Difficulties and to
accommodate some of the predicted shortfall in special school places. As an existing provider of high quality education in the county, sponsoring two secondary
and nine primary academies as well as a successful Free Special School in Peterborough
(The City of Peterborough Academy Special School http://www.copaspecialschool.org/),
the GAT was identified by the Local Authority (LA) as the preferred group to establish a
new special school. The LA has confidence in our track record. The new academy will provide 3-18 education for 50 pupils from Reception Year to Year 7
in the first year, moving to full capacity of 100 pupils including Nursery by 2022
and will specialise in the education of pupils who have an EHCP linked to their diagnosis
of Autism (80%) and/or Severe Learning Difficulties (20%).
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We may offer places to Northamptonshire pupils for assessment prior to a Single Plan,
where there is an expectation that the academy will be the most appropriate long term
placement. Co-location with the mainstream Green Oaks Primary Academy will offer additional
curriculum and social engagement opportunities. About the Sponsor
Governance of the academy will be the responsibility of the Greenwood Academies Trust
(GAT). The GAT provides central support for all aspects of education, HR, finance, Health
and Safety, site management and maintenance, procurement, IT and media engagement
thereby freeing the Principal and the staff to concentrate on the day to day business of the
school. The GAT believes that all our pupils will achieve high levels of success.
The GAT is a not for profit charitable trust sponsoring and actively supporting 31 other academies in the East Midlands region in:
Nottingham City
Nottinghamshire
Lincolnshire
Derby City
Leicester City
Northamptonshire
Peterborough
Central Bedfordshire The GAT provides educational experience and expertise. The Trust also has considerable experience in designing and managing new academy buildings having managed 7 new builds and £170m capital funding.
The GAT is led by educationalists who have significant experience in a wide range of
academies. The Chief Executive is Wayne Norrie. Wayne has been an outstanding Primary
Head Teacher and was a senior HMI with Ofsted. Wayne takes the professional lead on all
the GAT’s work and leads the work on all new projects, utilising the expertise from the
central team. To find out more about the Trust visit: www.greenwoodacademies.org or follow @GreenwoodAcad on Twitter
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The vision of this new academy is to ensure that pupils have enhanced educational
opportunities in terms of:
specialist teaching and learning approaches
excellent learning facilities
high quality curriculum
access to wider socialisation opportunities
specialist therapies, where needed
access to well-planned vocational opportunities, and post-16 pathways
external accreditation for KS4 courses. Organisation of pupils and staffing
A Principal will be in post by April 2017 to manage further staff appointments, pupil
familiarisation visits, parent/carer liaison and readiness for opening.
The academy will grow each year from a 50 place intake in the first year to a full capacity of
100 places by 2023. The initial intake will be a single form entry, Reception through to
Year 7, with an additional year group added each academic year until 2022. In September
2018 the 6 place nursery provision will open.
Places available:
2017 50 places for Reception to Year 7
2018 64 places for Nursery to Year 8
2019 72 places for Nursery to Year 9
2020 80 places for Nursery to Year10
2021 88 places for Nursery to Year11
2022 94 places for Nursery to Year12
2023 100 places for Nursery to Year13 What we will offer
We aim to educate our pupils in a positive, caring, secure environment which gives them
access to a mainstream school experience wherever appropriate. We value and
celebrate achievement at an individual level and each pupil will follow an educational
programme that is designed to his/her needs.
We will develop a strong partnership with parents and we recognise that a team effort is
needed to ensure pupils can make the best progress possible.
We will also work closely with the Northampton Health Care NHS Trust and therapists to
ensure good quality Speech and Language Therapy and Occupational Therapy provision
for groups of pupils and individuals.
We will invest heavily in up to date ICT resources in order to support the delivery of the
curriculum, helping to engage our pupils in their learning.
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Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) Policy and Meeting the needs of Pupils with Disabilities (including accessibility)
All pupils in the new academy will be admitted through the LA with an EHCP. Having
been designed to meet the specific needs of children and young people with Autism and
other barriers to learning it is totally accessible for wheelchair users.
Curriculum
The planned curriculum will be holistic and inclusive, meeting the needs of the whole
child with respect to their physical, emotional, cognitive and spiritual development.
We aim to provide a specialised National Curriculum for pupils with autism and other
barriers to learning.
The Primary curriculum will follow a traditional model with KS2 SAT’s being an
indicator of progress providing a benchmark with peers in mainstream and special
schools.
The core curriculum of literacy; numeracy and scientific exploration will be taught
supplemented with humanities, design, technology, art, PE (movement) and PHSE.
The teaching of ICT skills will be an integral part of all classroom based subjects and
Literacy will be a key feature of the whole curriculum.
The Secondary curriculum would include all subjects required for the English
Baccalaureate supplemented by additional choice subjects. Given the nature of the
pupils’ needs there would be a formal and informal Personal and Social Development
Programme.
Curriculum differentiation
and adaptation
We do recognise that pupils
may be particularly talented in
some curriculum areas and
working at lower levels in
others; a ‘spiky profile’ is
not unusual for ASD pupils.
For example, a pupil may be
‘gifted’ in a mechanical subject
with consistent rules, e.g.
mathematics, but struggle to
achieve in a more creative
subject, for example, art.
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Autism Intervention programmes and therapies
The academy will plan intervention programmes based on the principal belief that
young people with autism and learning difficulties can be very different and what may
work for one pupil may not work for another. There are now a great number of
approaches available for people with autism and the academy will ensure that parents
and professionals plan together which approach is best-suited to their individual
circumstances.
To enable this, the educational curriculum will be enhanced by specialists such as:
speech and language therapists
occupational therapists
music therapists
art and drama therapists
behavioural psychologists
health professionals
In summary:
Pupils will be taught using a range of evidence-based autism and learning interventions.
The aims of the academy are to deliver learning in small groups with increasingly specialist
teaching, while constantly reviewing the possibility of pupils accessing mainstream
education.
Assessment and development of social, communication and literacy skills will underpin all
planning to ensure easy access to the curriculum for all pupils.
Homework
We will provide pupils with homework
book bags when they start the academy to
carry reading books, home school diaries,
letters and homework between home and
the academy.
Community Links
The GAT has a policy of accessing local
community provision for its pupils of all
ages. We will start this policy in Reception
with visits to parks, farms, shops and
continue it through to the primary and
secondary phases, with outings linked to
course work and opportunities to develop
sporting activities.
Risk assessments will be completed for all off- site activities.
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Behaviour At this academy we will expect high standards of behaviour and work at all times. We take
a positive approach to discipline and in all matters of behaviour we encourage pupils to
show consideration and care for people and property.
Behaviour Management is considered a matter of joint co-operation between the
academy and home thus ensuring a consistency of action. We aim to understand the
underlying factors causing the behaviour in order to respond positively, consistently
and effectively to provide structures and strategies to empower the individuals to
manage their own behaviour, promote independence, enhance communication and
socialisation and raise self-esteem.
Bullying
The academy is totally opposed to bullying in any of its forms and it will not be
tolerated. There will be an anti-bullying policy available to parents on request.
A Home-School Agreement
We believe that pupils perform better when the home and academy work
together in partnership.
To achieve our aims and support our home-school agreement the staff will:
Write in home-school diaries weekly.
Be available for parents to telephone before or after academy.
Contact parents if a pupil is ill or behaving in an unusual manner that causes concern.
Administer medication where necessary with explicit written instructions.
Hold termly parents meetings to inform parents of pupil’s progress and encourage parents to take an active interest in academy.
Set challenging targets for pupils to achieve the Annual Review process.
Ensure that the environment is warm, welcoming, clean and safe.
Set and mark homework regularly in accordance with the homework policy.
Provide opportunities for celebrations, for example, birthdays.
We ask that parents:
Ensure their child attends the academy regularly, equipped for the school day and
dressed in the full uniform.
Write in home-school diaries at least weekly.
Keep the academy informed of up to date contact numbers where messages
can be received at all times.
Contact the academy if child is to be absent and be available to collect a sick child
Attend meetings that involve their child.
Support the all academy policies.
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Be familiar with and support the academy behaviour policy.
Keep the academy informed of any events that may affect the behaviour of their child.
Submit written instructions for the administration of medication and supply
staff with adequate and up to date supplies.
Notify staff of any allergies, special diets and alternative therapies that the
child is involved in.
Create the best possible conditions for homework.
Whilst we make all appropriate and reasonable adjustments for specific needs we do
require pupils to:
Observe the academy/class rules.
Be caring and considerate of others.
Respect their surroundings.
Make every effort to do class work and homework as well as they can.
To wear the academy uniform and look clean and presentable during the school day.
Meals
Meals will be prepared on the premises and served in the dining hall. Arrangements can
be made for pupils requiring a special diet and a vegetarian meal is always available.
Mealtimes are an opportunity to practice life skills and good social and table manners are
encouraged.
Parental Involvement
Parents are actively encouraged to become involved in the academy. A dialogue between
parents and staff will occur through the Home/School diary and parents are welcome to
telephone the academy to discuss any concerns or issues regarding their child and to
make an appointment to speak to staff.
Parents’ evenings will be held where parents can meet teachers and the support staff
and discuss their child’s progress. These evenings will also offer opportunities for parents
to be briefed on curriculum development.
Each year an Annual Review is held to which parents and other professionals involved
with each pupil are invited. At this meeting there will be a detailed review of your child’s
progress and planning for the next year’s provision.
The Academy Uniform
The Purple Oaks Academy has strict guidelines on dress and all primary and secondary pupils are expected to wear the full academy uniform.
The wearing of our distinctive uniform gives pupils a sense of ‘belonging’ helps foster pride in the academy and stops pupils coming to school in inappropriate clothing or footwear.
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Primary Uniform
Sensible black shoes (not boots or trainers)
White polo shirt with purple stripe or plain white polo shirt
Grey trousers or skirt or pinafore dress (jeans and cords are not allowed)
Purple sweatshirt or cardigan with Academy logo*
Black or grey socks with trousers. Grey or white socks or mid-grey tights with
skirts or pinafore dresses
A warm coat (not denim) for travelling to and from the academy
A school bag to carry books and equipment
Summer uniform
For girls, a lightweight summer dress in the academy colours. For boys, grey shorts may
be worn. All other uniform items, especially sensible black shoes, remain the same.
PE Kit
For boys, black shorts with the academy logo
For girls, a black skort with the academy logo may be worn
Purple sports polo shirt with black panels and the school logo
Suitable trainers or other PE footwear
PE bag, in purple, with the academy logo
Secondary Uniform
As above but pupils should wear black trousers or a black skirt. Tracksuit bottoms instead of PE shorts/skort may be worn.
The Greenwood Dale Foundation Trust will provide this package of brand new uniform items and sportswear to every new pupil joining the Academy in September.
For parents to provide:
suitable mid-grey trousers or skirt or pinafore dress.
suitable socks or tights.
sensible black shoes.
suitable footwear for PE.
a warm coat (not denim) for travelling to and from school.
* These items are made from sweatshirt material to give a softer feel for pupils
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Arrangements for visiting the Special School We will offer informal visits to parents at open mornings held regularly throughout the year.
This gives parents the opportunity to meet with the Principal or deputy and to visit
the academy on a working day.
Visits for professionals and others interested in knowing more about the academy are
scheduled regularly throughout the year unless special arrangements have been made.
The Purple Oaks Academy is an exciting new development. We look forward to
working in partnership with you, to ensure your child is safe, happy and has the
best possible educational experience.
‘Be Inspired’