School 21 Candidate Information Pack: Director of Real World Learning and Partnerships

School 21 Candidate Information Pack:
Director of Real World Learning
and Partnerships

WELCOME TO SCHOOL 21

Dear Potential Candidate,
This is your chance to join one of the most exciting
teams in education with a mission to reinvent how
schools create amazing projects and experiences
with organisations of all types.

At the heart of our school are real world projects
that give students the chance to grapple with real-
life problems, enquiry questions and big ideas. The
aim is to produce beautiful work and make a differ-
ence to the world.

We are looking for someone to forge partnerships
with businesses, universities, voluntary sector and
creative organisations to add value to the student
projects. We want our school to be open to new
thinking and new ideas, to partner with great practi-
tioners, and have work critiqued and developed.
That is what this role is about.

In the first year this role will be focused on develop-
ing and then leading a new ‘real world’ curriculum
where School 21’s Year 10s conduct meaningful
projects for organisations in the community. The               Ofsted “Outstanding”
new Director will lead the development of an
‘entrepreneurship’ curriculum, co-design the place-
ment projects and ensure all students are develop-        In June 2014 School 21 was graded as
ing their skills and having powerful learning experi-     ‘Outstanding’ in all categories, in its first Ofsted
ences. Looking further ahead there will be the            inspection since opening Many of the findings
chance to take some of these ideas and help shape         reflected the impact of our innovation: "Pupils
School 21’s new Sixth Form provision.                     across the school make exceptional progress."
                                                          "Pupils have excellent attitudes to learning, im-
                                                          peccable manners and show respect for every-
If you are interested come and visit our school, talk
                                                          one.” Through project-based learning "pupils
to the children and teachers, and discuss how you
                                                          achieve remarkable standards of work and
can help write the next chapter of our exciting story.    demonstrated knowledge and skills at levels be-
                                                          yond those expected for their age group." “Pupils
                                                          talk and discuss with a maturity and confidence
                                                          that is remarkable for their years."

Peter Hyman,
Headteacher

                                          Pitchford Street, Stratford, London E15 4RZ
                                          Telephone: 020 8262 2121 www.school21.org

PAGE 2                         CANDIDATE INFORMATION PACK - DIRECTOR OF REAL WORLD LEARNING

ABOUT SCHOOL 21

School 21 is a pioneering new 4 to 18 school in Stratford, East
London, for girls and boys and children of all abilities, back-
grounds and races. We have just 25 pupils in a year group and
from September 2015 we will have Year 7 to 10 and Reception
to Year 3.

Founded by teachers and educationalists, we have the energy,
flexibility and team work to make a real impact on students’
lives and learning. We have a sense of purpose and mission
which comes from serving children who despite living in a so-
cially disadvantaged and at times challenging environment
have huge potential. Most of all we are building into our
structures and ethos new ways of educating students for the
21st century.

In September 2013, we moved into our new purpose designed
buildings. We are heavily oversubscribed, partly as a result of
having forged a very strong partnership between students,
staff, parents and the wider community.

 OUR VALUES AND BELIEFS
Our values of integrity (being true to your word) and humanity
(looking out for each other) guide everything that staff and
students do. We are creating a “family” atmosphere where
every child has the chance to find their voice, be supported in
everything they do, and be given the rich range of opportuni-
ties that will inspire them to enjoy school and make rapid
progress.

Six attributes shape our curriculum, and shape the growth of
each student: professionalism, grit, expertise, eloquence,
craftsmanship and spark. Each of these attributes have a
programme behind them and are integrated into lessons to
ensure they are developed fully.

Our assemblies and coaching time are central to our philoso-
phy. This is where we develop the well-being and aspirations
of every child. Our assemblies, conducted in the round, and
using drama and oracy techniques allow students to think, en-
gage and talk from the moment they get into school in the
morning.

PAGE 3                                 CANDIDATE INFORMATION PACK - DIRECTOR OF REAL WORLD LEARNING

IMPORTANT FEATURES OF
                                                        SCHOOL 21
School 21 is a rich learning environment for both staff and students. It has some key design features:
 English Language is at the heart of everything we do with students given the chance to develop
   their reading and writing skills every day.
 Oracy/speaking is a particular focus of the school, with opportunities to explore talk, in a range of
   settings built into the fabric of the school day. Working with Cambridge University we are devel-
   oping a groundbreaking oracy diagnostic tool, a curriculum and teacher toolkit.
 Well-being and growth. Our small class sizes and support staff in each class mean that more time
   can be spent really understanding the needs of each child. Our well-being curriculum and one to
   one coaching (all teachers are trained in these techniques) mean that all pupils are supported and
   none fall through the cracks.
 Project Based Learning. As well as teaching in discrete subjects, teachers collaborate to design
   projects with real world products and outcomes. We have a secondee from High Tech High in San
   Diego, one of the worlds’ leading PBL schools, working with us at School 21 to design these
   projects.
 Integration of new technology. Through sophisticated on-line resources and blogs, teachers are
   sharing resources. Students are beginning to integrate new technology, iPods and iPads into their
   learning experiences.
 All-through school collaboration. One great advantage of our all through school is that primary
   and secondary teachers can share teaching and learning ideas, train together and ensure that our
   children have a variety of rich experiences.

PAGE 4                                CANDIDATE INFORMATION PACK - DIRECTOR OF REAL WORLD LEARNING

JOB PROFILE

Title:           Director of Real World Learning and Partnerships
Salary:          £45—55K depending on experience
Start date:      As soon as possible
Contract:        Full time, permanent, subject to an enhanced DBS check

As Director of Real World Learning and Partner-        Further ahead you will get the chance to be part of
ships you will lead the design and delivery on sig-    the team that establishes an exciting post-16 edu-
nificant programmes. You will also manage the key      cation institution, with a particular focus on what it
relationships the school has with outside organisa-    takes to create and lead a successful organisation in
tions.                                                 the 21st century. Depending on interests and expe-
                                                       rience the role will involve leading on and develop-
Your role will focus initially on the delivery of our  ing the design of a curriculum, pedagogy and part-
Real World Learning Projects (RWLP) which will         nerships that enables our students to be successful
give our students the chance to conduct projects       in an ever more interconnected and competitive
outside of school in a range of organisations. This is world. There will be lots of opportunities for senior
not traditional work experience or shadowing but leadership positions on a longer term basis.
the chance for our students to execute a specific,
discrete and meaningful project in a workplace with The successful candidate will need to be skilled at
their end goal being to solve a real problem for the developing partnerships, be entrepreneurial in
organisations in which they work.                      spotting the best opportunities for our students
                                                       and be skilled at determining the rigour and quality
The role will also be about forging high quality,      of the projects.
deep relationships with universities, businesses and
local organisations. These partners will add value,
expertise and critique to our in-school projects.

PAGE 5                                  CANDIDATE INFORMATION PACK - DIRECTOR OF REAL WORLD LEARNING

PERSON SPECIFICATION
   Education and Background                               Characteristics and Skills

    Degree (or equivalent)                                Creative in approaching the development
    Right to work in the UK                                  of projects and committed to their continu-
    This post is subject to an enhanced                      ous improvement as they develop.
         Disclosure & Barring Service check                  Extremely high expectations demonstrated
                                                              through a commitment to, and an unwill-
   Desirable Experience and Knowledge                         ingness to compromise on, key areas of
                                                              quality.
    Strong belief and enthusiasm for the mis-               Ability to maintain a strategic oversight of
         sion of School 21.                                   the RWLP and 6th Form Development.
        Significant commitment to set up the pro-           Confident, articulate and credible in con-
         jects, particularly in the early nascent stag-       veying ideas with varied stakeholders in-
         es of development.                                   cluding senior education leaders, politicians
                                                              and officials (School 21 gets a lot of visi-
        Experience of building and maintaining
                                                              tors!)
         strong partnerships and/or delivering pro-
         grammes of learning between education               Excellent relationship management, with
         settings and outside organisations.                  skill in holding stakeholders to account and
                                                              building positive partnerships
        Experience of programme and project
         management supported by a sound under-              Thoughtful, insightful and curious about
         standing of risk, milestones and budgets.            problems as they arise with an ability to
                                                              take a creative and positive approach to
        Experience of recruiting, managing, train-
                                                              solving complex challenges
         ing and delegating to a small team.
        Experience of working with and developing
                                                             Confident in delivering difficult but con-
                                                              structive feedback in a respectful way
         young people

PAGE 8                                  CANDIDATE INFORMATION PACK - DIRECTOR OF REAL WORLD LEARNING

HOW TO APPLY

   Your completed application form should be submitted electronically
    to: careers@school21.org.uk or by post to:
    School 21, Pitchford Street, London E15 4RZ.
    All received applications will be acknowledged electronically.

    Please ensure the application form is saved to include your name at
    the beginning of the title. In compliance with Safer Recruitment
    guidelines, CVs cannot be accepted.

    If you wish to have an informal discussion about this role, please
    email Anne Shaker at the email address above.

    Closing date: Friday, 17th April 2015
    Likely interview date: 20th, 21st or 22nd April 2015

    School 21 is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young
    people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

PAGE 9                              CANDIDATE INFORMATION PACK - DIRECTOR OF REAL WORLD LEARNING