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Headteacher: Miss Kathryn Law

www.pjacademy.net/

SCHOOL BUSINESS MANAGER

APPLICATION PACK CASTLEFORD PARK JUNIOR ACADEMY

Castleford Multi Academy Trust

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Contents

CEO Welcome Page 3

Background information about Castleford Page 4

School Vision Page 5

School Business Manager Advert Page 6 - 7

Our Location Page 8

Applicant Timetable Page 9

Job Description & Person Specification Page 10 - 13

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Letter from the CEO of Castleford Multi Academy Trust

Introductory Message from George Panayiotou - CEO of Castleford Academy Trust

Thank you for registering your interest in joining Castleford Academy Trust.

Castleford Academy Trust is a cross phase Multi Academy Trust comprising of five schools: two secondary schools, one primary school, one junior school and one infant school. The Trust is a medium sized family of schools located within a geographic cluster within Castleford and Crofton. Castleford Academy Trust is committed to “working together to achieve excellence for all”.

The core values of our Trust's ethos are Care, Aspire, and Succeed:

Care –This starts with high expectations of outstanding pupil behaviour. We believe that this is essential throughout our schools, so that teachers can teach and learners can learn. This is underpinned by an exemplary pastoral and welfare support programme that supports children and their families with any barriers to success. We expect that our pupils grow to respect themselves and others, to look for the good in others and to be honest and trustworthy. We want to make sure that our pupils are happy, confident individuals who feel valued so that they can make a positive contribution during their time at school.

Aspire – Everyone at Castleford Academy Trust is committed to improving the life chances and aspirations of our pupils. In a changing world, we have to prepare our pupils to achieve great things and compete locally, regionally, nationally or internationally for the future. It is essential to give pupils the best exposure to learning opportunities both in and outside of school to broaden their horizons. We build the belief that there are no limits to what can be achieved with hard work, perseverance and support.

Succeed – We work hard to unlock potential and develop talent at all levels of ability to ensure that everyone does their best, and that no child is left behind. The curriculum ensures that every pupil leaves with excellent levels of literacy and numeracy, essential for everyday life. We look to develop the knowledge, skills and values to be successful citizens into adulthood. We cultivate and develop other talents including sporting, artistic, musical, dramatic and technological. We endeavour to give our pupils a first-class learning environment in which to thrive.

Each academy in the trust is an exciting place to learn with high quality educational experiences and an innovative approach to the curriculum. Children thrive emotionally and academically and are well prepared for life beyond school. We are committed to delivering the highest standards of education possible and a continual review of curriculum and organisational structures enables pupils to succeed and achieve. At Castleford Academy Trust, we ensure that all academies within the trust are committed to working towards at least OFSTED ‘good’ and making significant strides towards being judged ‘outstanding’.

If successful, you will be joining a highly innovative, inspirational and ambitious organisation. We are seeking an outstanding and proactive leader who is visible and has a positive impact on their school community. At Castleford Academy Trust we believe in leaders with a ‘see it, sort it’ attitude who can build a culture of ‘no excuses’.

As CEO, we look to recruit, retain and develop highly effective staff. It is my intention to offer first class professional development through our trust network to make sure that there is genuine opportunity for career development.

Finally, thank you once again for your interest in Castleford Academy Trust. I hope this introductory letter has provided you with a better understanding of our Trust. This is an exciting and very rewarding role and we look forward to receiving your application.

Please click on this link to view the Castleford Multi Academy Trust website: www.castlefordacademytrust.com/

Castleford Academy Trust | Care Aspire Succeed

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Background Information on Castleford, West Yorkshire

Castleford is a rapidly expanding town. The Riverside Housing Development is bringing a large number of families with children into the area.

Castleford’s history dates back to Roman times and archaeological evidence points to modern day Castleford being built upon a Roman army settlement which was called Lagentium (thought to mean 'The Place of the Swordsmen'). Roman funeral urns have been found in modern-day Castleford, giving further evidence to this theory. A Roman milestone was unearthed in Beancroft Road, now believed to be in Leeds City Museum.

Queen's Park in Castleford provides evidence of Roundhouses used by the Anglo Saxons. Castleford was seen as a strategic area due to the views of the entire settlement. The history of this interesting town also includes Oliver Cromwell’s encampment in nearby Knottingley and Ferrybridge (originally thought to be in Castleford itself) whilst his forces laid siege to Pontefract Castle.

In the 19th century, Castleford became a boomtown with the population growing from 1,000 to 14,000 as collieries opened around the town; however, these collieries closed in the 20th century. Ferrybridge Power Station and Kellingley Colliery have also closed (in 2015 and 2016 respectively) and used to employ many Castleford residents. Echoes of mining history echo still throughout the community. Warehouses and distribution centres in Glasshoughton have brought in new jobs to the area. In 2008, Grand Designs presenter Kevin McCloud and Channel 4 led a community regeneration scheme to redevelop Castleford.

The town contains a Junction 32 multi-store shopping village and the Xscape Leisure Complex - both in the Glasshoughton suburb at the south of the town. In Xscape is Snozone, which used to have Britain's largest indoor real snow slope and contains Frankie & Benny's and Nandos restaurants. Castleford also has an open and an indoor market and a shopping centre on Carlton Street.

In December 2013, the Forum (a library and heritage museum) opened in a new building. The town's library had been in temporary accommodation for two years whilst the old site was redeveloped. The existing frontage was kept and the building further back was demolished. A new three-floor building was then constructed.

Castleford is a rugby league town. The local team, Castleford Tigers was formed in 1926, Castleford was one of the twelve founder members of Super League when the new league format was introduced in 1996. The 'Tigers' nickname and logo were introduced in 1992 and the club’s honours include four Challenge Cups and one Super League Leaders shield. The club have been based at Wheldon Road since 1927. Castleford also has two other lower league rugby league teams, Castleford Lock Lane and Castleford Panthers.

The town's primary schools are Wheldon Infant School, Castleford Park Junior, Smawthorne Henry Moore, Airedale Juniors, Oyster Park Primary, Fairburn View Primary, Three Lane Ends Academy, Acton Pastures and Half Acres. The town's secondary schools Castleford Academy and Airedale Academy. The town has a small higher education college on the Castleford Campus of Wakefield College in Glasshoughton. Castleford is only 0.93 miles (1.5 km) away from the M62 at Junction 32 via the A656 road. It has other A roads that criss-cross the town and provide access to Junction 31 on the same motorway.

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School Vision

Our School Vision has been written after consultation with Parents, Governors and all Staff:

At Castleford Park Junior Academy we strive to ensure that our school is child-centred and our pupils have the vision, self-belief and confidence to achieve their goals, knowing how to overcome challenges along the way.

They will understand the importance of being independent and thinking for themselves, taking responsibility for and showing commitment to their learning in order to become self-motivated individuals who can strive to

achieve their full potential. We expect our pupils to see the value in taking pride in everything that they do and the importance of having the ability to work collaboratively with others. By cultivating such attitudes, we aim to

provide them with everything they may need to lead a successful life in the future.

Aims Aspire:-We passionately believe that every child should have the opportunity to achieve their dreams. We work

hard as a staff team to open our pupils’ eyes to the many exciting possibilities that their lives could have.

Achieve:- We believe in high standards for behaviour, presentation and learning attitude to provide the best

possible atmosphere for high quality achievement.

Enjoy:-We teach a wide, balanced curriculum that aims to emphasise to pupils that learning – both independently

and collaboratively – can be exciting and stimulating. We aim to cultivate curiosity and wonder that will inspire our pupils to learn new things. We believe that our pupils are all capable of achieving amazing things and we try hard to communicate this to them and their parents through:

Expecting consistently high standards of presentation, work and behaviour

Genuinely involving our pupils in making decisions that impact upon school life

Inspiring our pupils to want to learn more about the world we live in and the people around us

Ensuring that our pupils learn relevant skills for life that will help them access the wider world

Teaching them the value of respect: for each other, their community and the many beliefs, opinions and cultures

they encounter whilst learning with us

We strive to communicate to our children that the journey undertaken when learning, is as important as the goal in

itself. It is important that our pupils learn to cope with any obstacles that they may come across both when learning

new and challenging things and then later – in life!

We expect all members of our staff team to have the same understanding – modelling commitment, drive and

ambition and putting our pupils whole-heartedly at the centre of what we do.

In return, we offer the same ambition for staff, helping them to pursue their career driven goals and interests to improve their pedagogy and expertise. The Senior Leadership Team seek to include the whole staff team in the school’s journey, encouraging regular self-evaluation and valuing each voice. This has created a self-improving community, which continues to develop in quality as we grow. We seek a dynamic and enthusiastic business manager who can bring their own experience and commitment to our team and our whole school community. The process that we will follow during shortlisting and interview will help us to find the right person who will help us continue to achieve these aims. We look forward to the opportunity of meeting you.

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School Business Manager Advert

Castleford Park Junior Academy

School Business Manager

Full Time plus 10 days, with flexible working pattern possible SCP 34-37

Start date: July 2020

We are seeking to appoint a school business manager on a permanent contract to commence in mid July 2020. The contract is term time only plus 10 days, with a competitive salary depending on the experience of the successful candidate. The successful candidate will:

Be the school’s leading support staff professional and work as part of the Senior Leadership Team to assist the Headteacher in her duty to ensure that the school meets its educational aims

Be responsible for providing professional leadership and management of non-teaching school support staff, to enhance their effectiveness in order to sustain high standards of safety and achievement in the Academy

Promote the highest standards of business ethos within the administrative function of the school and strategically ensure the most effective use of resources in support of the school’s Development Plan and long-term goals

Have the capacity to manage the school’s HR function by liaising with our external and internal HR service

Be responsible for Financial Resource Management, Administration Management, Information Management, ICT and Human Resources, Facility and Property Management, and Health and Safety Management of our Academy, working alongside the Senior Leadership Team

Be accountable for the probity, efficiency and accuracy of payroll and finance systems and processes

Be responsible for the procurement, selection, management, maintenance, repair and safe keeping of resources, including meeting the requirements of regular audits

Have up to date knowledge of best practice when managing the SEND and Pupil Premium grant in order to support the Senior Leadership Team to maximise its potential impact

Have delegated day-to-day responsibility for all health and safety matters, including maintaining and developing systems, policies, procedures and working practices; including the measures to be taken in the event of emergencies

Hold and articulate clear values and moral purpose, focusing on supporting school leaders to provide a world-class education for all pupils.

Demonstrate optimistic personal behaviour, positive relationships and attitudes towards all stakeholders of the school and members of the local community.

Lead by example - with integrity, creativity, resilience, and clarity - drawing on your own scholarship, expertise and skills and that of those around you, sustaining wide, current knowledge of education business management.

Castleford Park Junior Academy is part of the Castleford Multi-Academy Trust – and recently

rated ‘Good’ by Ofsted. Our dedicated team of professionals deliver high quality education for

over four hundred 7-11 year old pupils in the Castleford community.

We are committed to establishing excellent standards, continue to set our expectations high

and are always eager to develop innovative and exciting practice based upon sound research.

Please see recruitment pack and job specification for further detail.

Full Time, term time plus 10 days, with flexible working pattern possible

SCP 32-35 £34,788-£37,849 pro rata

Start date: July 2020

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In return we will offer:

Bespoke, continuous professional development opportunities

Happy and enthusiastic pupils who are keen to learn

A hard working, friendly team of staff and Governors and an ambitious and forward-thinking leadership team

Supportive parents and wider community

Opportunities to work closely with teams and specialists across the Multi Academy Trust

An opportunity to inspire and influence others to bring about lasting and sustainable self-improving systems You are invited to submit an application using the application form available at http://www.castlefordacademytrust.com/vacancies/ or by emailing sbeedle@pjacademy.net. Our prospectus is also available to view under ‘Parents’ and ‘Year 2 transition’ on our website. Please look very carefully at the job description and person specification for this post. Your personal statement must relate to this and meet the particular priorities of our school. Please also check that you have given details of your referees, one of whom should be your current or most recent employer. The other should be someone who is able to comment on your performance at work from a position of responsibility, not as a peer. Please note that CVs will not be accepted as applications.

Applicant Requirements

Castleford Park Junior Academy is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of young people

and we expect all staff and volunteers to embrace this commitment. All appointments are subject to DBS

checks and excellent references. This post also comes under the requirements of the Childcare

(Disqualification) 2009 Regulations and the successful applicant will be required to complete a declaration

form to establish whether they are disqualified under these regulations.

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and it will be necessary

for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Completed application forms to be returned to the school via post or emailed to

sbeedle@pjacademy.net

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Our Location Castleford Park Junior Academy Medley Street Castleford WF10 4 BB For directions enter WF10 4BB Into the SAT NAV Headteacher: Miss Kathryn Law Chair of Governors Mr John Dossey Telephone Number: 01977 518959

Please feel free to visit our school website following this link - www.pjacademy.net/ Please click on this link to view the Ofsted Inspection: Ofsted\CPJA Ofsted report.pdf

Castleford Park Junior Academy

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Application Timetable

APPLICATION TIMETABLE

Advert published

11th June 2020

Visits to School

Visits to the school are warmly welcomed, please contact Sandra Beedle, School Business Manager on 01977 518959 to arrange a time. We will adhere to social distancing guidance whilst escorting you around the building and will understand if you are unable to visit us at the present time.

Closing date for applications

Monday 22nd June 2020

Shortlisting

Tuesday 23rd June 2020

Interviews

TBA in the week commencing: 29th June, after shortlisting.

Application form link

http://www.castlefordacademytrust.com/vacancies/

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Castleford Park Junior Academy

Job Description and Person Specification – School Business Manager Line Manager – Headteacher

Job Description: Overall responsibility: To organise, maintain and monitor the Academy’s financial systems and to manage office functions to ensure an effective service to the school. To line manage finance and administration, catering, premises and health and safety, including commissioning and delegation of relevant activities Contribute to the safeguarding and promotion of the welfare and personal care of children and young people with regard to ‘Keeping Children Safe in Education’ and local area child protection procedures, including relentless monitoring of school site safety.

Leadership & Strategy 1. Attend Senior Management Team, full Governing Body and appropriate Governors’ sub-committee meetings to

provide information as required including annual budget statements, regular financial summaries and statements of internal control

2. Negotiate and influence strategic decision making within the school’s Senior Management Team 3. Develop and implement financial processes, produce forecasts and best value procedures for Park Junior

Academy, liaising with the Chief Financial Officer of the Multi-Academy Trust and ensuring synergy of systems and processes.

4. Plan and manage change in accordance with the school development plan alongside Senior Leaders. 5. To lead and manage all school support staff (catering, cleaning, dinnertime supervisors, administration), holding

regular team meetings to ensure that accountabilities can be met.

Financial Resource Management 1. Evaluate information and consult with the Leadership Team, Governors and Chief Finance Officer to prepare a

realistic and balanced budget for school activity- forecasting forward to ensure it is financially solvent 2. Submit the proposed budget to the Head Teacher, Chief Finance Officer and Trustees for approval and assist in

the overall financial planning process, ensuring compliance with financial regulations 3. Discuss, negotiate and agree the final budget, proposing revisions in response to significant or unforeseen

developments 4. Use the agreed budget to actively monitor and control performance to achieve value for money, providing ongoing

regular budgetary updates to Headteacher, CFO and finance committee 5. Identify and inform the Head Teacher and Trust of the causes of significant variance, or fraudulent activity and

take prompt corrective action 6. Manage and oversee the ordering of supplies and equipment for the school and maximise income through lettings

and other activities. 7. Manage the procedure of the raising and issuing of invoices and ensuring timely settlement of accounts 8. Prepare work specifications for tender and assist with the selection of contractors 9. Manage the preparation of reports, records and accounts as are required in conjunction with the Academy’s

computerised accounting systems 10. Ensure the proper collection, reconciliation and banking of any monies received by the school 11. Ensure all expenditure is correctly coded to maintain maximum use of budgets and grants 12. Ensure the assets register and inventory is up to date 13. Responsible for seeking professional advice on insurance and advising the Trust and Governors on the appropriate

insurances for the school – implementing and handling claims as necessary

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Administration Management 1. Manage the whole school administrative function and lead all non-teaching support staff 2. Design and maintain administrative systems that deliver outcomes based on the school’s aims and goals. Establish

effective methods for review and improvement of such systems. 3. Define responsibilities, information and support for staff and other stakeholders 4. Develop process measures that are affordable and that will enable value for money when managing resources 5. Use data analysis, evaluation and reporting systems to maximum effect streamlining to increase efficiency and

avoid duplication 6. Benchmark systems and information to assess trends and make appropriate recommendations 7. Prepare information for publication and return for the DfES, LEA and other agencies and stakeholders within

statutory guidelines. 8. Ensure pupil records – including care plans and personal risk assessments – remain up to date 9. Responsible for ensuring that the necessary licenses and permissions are sought in a timely manner Management Information Systems & ICT 1. Consider approaches for existing use and future plans to introduce or discard technology in the school, maintaining

an overview of new technology and improvements for existing technology 2. Ensure that the school has a strategy for using technology aligned to the overall vision and plans for the school,

taking into account value for money 3. Communicate the strategy and relevant policies, including Data Protection and Online Safety across the school 4. Establish systems to monitor and report on the performance of technology within the school 5. Ensure contingency plans are in place in the case of technology failure 6. Ensure data collection systems providing information to stakeholders are streamlined to maximise efficiency of

the data supplied Human Resource Management 1. Ensure all financial and payroll systems and controls are efficient when meeting trust deadlines 2. Ensure the school’s equality policy is clearly communicated to all staff in school 3. Ensure that all recruitment, appraisal, staff development, grievance, disciplinary and redundancy policies and

procedures comply with legal and regulatory requirements 4. Manage recruitment, performance management, appraisal and development for support staff. 5. Monitor the relevant legal, regulatory, ethical and social requirements and the effect they have on the Academy

and staff 6. Ensure staff have a clear understanding of policies and procedures and the importance of putting them into

practice, maintaining high standards of compliance 7. Monitor the way policies and procedures are actioned and provide support where necessary 8. Evaluate the school’s strategic objectives and obtain information for workforce planning 9. Identify the types of skills, knowledge, understanding and experience required to undertake existing and future

planned activities 10. Seek and make use of specialist expertise in relation to HR issues to ensure compliance with employment

legislation and Multi-Academy Trust policies eg. recruitment, discipline and grievance, absence management, contractual / pay matters, etc

Facility & Property Management 1. Ensure the supervision of relevant planning and construction processes is undertaken in line with contractual

obligations 2. Implement a Premises Development Plan aligned with the Academy’s Asset Management Plan 3. Ensure the continuing availability of utilities, site services and equipment 4. Follow sound and safe practices in estate management and grounds maintenance implementing risk management

and loss prevention strategies 5. Monitor, assess and review contractual obligations for outsourced school services 6. Ensure ancillary services e.g. catering, cleaning, etc., are managed effectively with agreed performance indicators

and routine schedules 7. Manage the letting of school premises to external organisations, for the development of the extended services

and local community requirements.

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8. Seek professional advice on insurance in conjunction with the Chief Financial Officer and implement and manage such schemes accordingly.

9. Ensure the maintenance of boundaries, footpaths, roads and rights of way, managing the premises team.

Health & Safety 1. Act as the school’s Health & Safety Co-ordinator and Fire Officer ensuring emergency procedures are current,

rehearsed and timely; plan, instigate and maintain records of fire safety practices and alarm tests in liaison with the site manager.

2. Ensure the health & safety policy is implemented at all times, put into practice and is subject to review and assessment at regular intervals or as situations change

3. Ensure systems are in place to enable the identification of hazards and risk assessments 4. Ensure systems are in place for effective monitoring, measuring and reporting of health and safety issues to the

Senior Team, Governors and where appropriate, the Health & Safety Executive 5. Ensure the maximum level of security consistent with the ethos of the school 6. Guarantee that statutory obligations are being met for pupils with special educational needs, ensuring financial

and supporting agency services are adequate for their diverse needs 7. Oversight and regular monitoring of the Single Central Record ensures it is constantly up to date and provides

safety and security for all children on the school site 8. Be prepared to undergo First Aid Training, Fire Officer training and any other update courses that the school

requires 9. To undertake other duties as reasonably expected by the Headteacher

Duties and responsibilities

1. Hold and articulate clear values and moral purpose, focus on providing a world-class education for all pupils and maintaining a relentless focus on the safety of pupils within the school at all times.

2. Demonstrate optimistic personal behaviour, positive relationships and attitudes towards pupils and staff, and towards parents, trustees and members of the local community.

3. Lead by example - with integrity, creativity, resilience, and clarity - drawing on your own scholarship, expertise and skills and that of those around you.

4. Sustain wide, current knowledge and understanding of education business management systems locally, nationally and globally, and pursue continuous professional development.

5. Support the leadership team in communicating a compelling vision, empowering all pupils and staff to excel. 6. Hold all staff under your supervision to account for their professional conduct and practice. 7. Support the Headteacher to establish rigorous, fair and transparent systems and measures for managing the

performance of all staff, addressing under-performance and valuing excellent practice. 8. Develop effective relationships with fellow professionals and colleagues in other public services to improve

academic and social outcomes for all pupils. 9. Challenge educational orthodoxies in the best interests of achieving excellence, harnessing the findings of well

evidenced research to frame a self-regulating and self-improving Academy. 10. Inspire and influence others - within and beyond our Academy - to believe in the fundamental importance of

education in young people’s lives and to promote the value of education.

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Person specification and references will be used to support the selection panel’s assessment

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Qualifications

1. School Business Manager appropriate qualifications (CSBM, DSBM, ADSBM) or willingness to work towards this √

2. NVQ Level 4 or degree level management/business qualification. √

3. Excellent numeracy, literacy and keyboard skills √

4. Evidence of recent continuing professional development with evaluation of how it has been implemented into your everyday practice

√

Experience of:

5. Recent experience of working in an office environment as a proven, strong successful senior leader. √

6. Experience of supervising and managing staff in different sectors. (Catering, cleaning, administration) √ 7. Experience of financial management including strategic financial planning, budgets and financial reporting;

preferably in an Education setting. √

8. Experience of dealing with HR, payroll, and Health and Safety √

Professional Knowledge 9. Experience of maintaining complex financial information systems and making payments. √ 10. Knowledge and experience of Health and Safety, First Aid, Medical, and Fire Safety regulations and

requirements. √

11. Understand national and regional educational services and how an administrative support service within an Academy is run.

√

12. Up to date knowledge of statutory regulations and guidance relating to the post. √

Professional Skills. Can demonstrate the ability to: 13. Analyse data and plan an appropriate course of action for organisation improvement, using high level IT skills √ 14. Review systems to ensure the robust evaluation of performance and actions to secure improvements. √ 15. Excellent organisational, communicating and problem solving skills with the ability to use own initiative and

work proactively both in a team and independently. √

16. Lead and manage team/s to successfully achieve agreed goals to agreed deadlines – using initiative to prioritise and remain flexible when managing high priority tasks simultaneously

√

17. Be an effective team player who works collaboratively and effectively with others. √ 18. Experience of developing and delivering effective and inspirational professional development for staff (including mentoring and coaching as appropriate).

√

19. Communicate effectively to a wide range of different audiences (verbal, written, using ICT as appropriate). √ 20. Support, motivate and inspire both colleagues and pupils by leading by example. √ 21. Able to contribute effectively to the work of the headteacher and senior leadership team. √ 22. Can successfully tackle difficult situations and use conflict resolution strategies. √ 23. Can work successfully with a range of external agencies and relate well to children √

Can demonstrate a commitment to: 24. Equalities and the Equality Act 2010 √ 25. Promoting the Academy’s vision and ethos √ 26. Maintaining a high quality, stimulating and innovative learning environment √ 27. Relating positively to and showing respect for all members of the Academy and wider community, placing high priority on effective team working

√

28. Ongoing relevant professional self-development √ 29. Safeguarding and child protection - the post holder will require an enhanced DBS check √

Castleford Park Junior Academy is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. The successful candidate will

be subject to a Disclosure & Barring check.