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Assistant head application

Last post 09/02/12 at 17:44 by TheoGriff, 11 replies
Post started by Coventrymiss on 07/02/12 at 13:28

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  • Coventrymiss avatar
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    Posted by: Coventrymiss 07/02/2012 at 13:28
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    I'm thinking of applying for an assistant head position in a secondary school and would really appreciate some ideas on how to complete the form. I've not seen this on other applications and am a bit stuck ..... it asks for you to write 2 sides of A4 on the experiences that you think the school should offer its students and local community as a 21st century school.

    I have various thoughts on what I think is effective or not in schools, and how I would like to be involved in this, but I'm worried I might be missing the point. At the same time, I don't want to come across as arrogant / naive / presumptuous in suggesting strategies for a school I don't really know the ins and outs of.

    Does anyone have any ideas as to how this type of question ought to be addressed?

     

    Thanks!!
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    Posted by: Middlemarch 07/02/2012 at 14:07
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     I do - but then, I'm not applying and it's your ideas they want, not mine.
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    Posted by: curlygirly 07/02/2012 at 15:07
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    When appointing an assistant head the GB is looking for someone who is able to articulate their vision for the school and how they would implement it. Therefore, other people's applications or ideas won't be much use to you. Unless you intend to get other people to do the job for you as well.

    Write your own according to the person spec.and then ask a respected senior colleague to look at it with a critical eye.
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    Posted by: Coventrymiss 07/02/2012 at 15:28
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    I wasn't asking people to write the form for me, I simply wanted a bit of guidance. I've been a middle manager for 10 years now and have loads of experience in my field but I'm not sure that this would be always relevant to a senior management role. I'm a head of MFL and I know that not all schools rate languages as highly as I do!

    I also think it would be easy for this to run away into a narrative and want to keep it focussed.

    So that I'm not accused of trying to get others to do the job for me, perhaps someone would be so kind as to advise of things I ought not to mention?!
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    Posted by: Middlemarch 07/02/2012 at 15:57
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    Coventrymiss:

    I wasn't asking people to write the form for me, I simply wanted a bit of guidance. I've been a middle manager for 10 years now and have loads of experience in my field but I'm not sure that this would be always relevant to a senior management role. I'm a head of MFL and I know that not all schools rate languages as highly as I do!

    I also think it would be easy for this to run away into a narrative and want to keep it focussed.

    So that I'm not accused of trying to get others to do the job for me, perhaps someone would be so kind as to advise of things I ought not to mention?!

     

    Again, you're hugely missing the point here.  Once appointed to assistant head, you're expected to be able to use your own judgment about what to say and what to write.  

    I don't know what you think about the task you've been set for this application.  I do know what I'd say, however.
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    Posted by: Coventrymiss 07/02/2012 at 17:13
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    I make similar judgements in my current position and am pretty much left to my own devices, so log as the reports are completed on time, lessons good and results on target. Which they are. I was simply looking for some support from some more experienced professionals as the smt in my own school are always too busy to discuss anything. I am setting out on this path and, having no mentor in school and having attended no courses, hoped that those with knowledge of the process could offer some wise words.
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    Posted by: Middlemarch 07/02/2012 at 17:40
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     They're looking for your ideals about education - what should a school aspire to?
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    Posted by: Coventrymiss 07/02/2012 at 18:05
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    In my opinion.. . . . To do the very best by all of their students and help each to work to the very best of their potential; to have strategies in place, such as mentoring, to help students who need support to reach their goals; to work with sen to ensure that weaker students receive all that they are entitled to and that sen support is being deployed effectively in class rooms; to work closely with the community to build links; to ensure that school leavers receive appropriate guidance as to future options; to encourage cooperation across year groups, perhaps by undertaking cross year activities or via tutoring; to encourage aspiration. These are just some of my thoughts but I have no idea if these would be suitable subjects to expand on. I desperately want to get it right but, as I've never got beyond the application, think I must be doing something wrong.
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    Posted by: curlygirly 07/02/2012 at 18:51
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    Look at the person spec, think about your philosophy, and relate it to your own experience and how you have had an impact.

    Idea: evidence: impact - simple as - if you can't get an interview from your own ideas and your own application - you're probably not the person they're looking for.

    Both Middlemarch and I have looked at applications for people, but only after they've written them.

    We've given guidance and support and been told by people that they have found it useful and have got the job as a result. The ideas need to come from you though.
  • TheoGriff avatar
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    Posted by: TheoGriff 07/02/2012 at 20:36
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    I'm with the others on this, CountryGirl.

    One of the points that I make (probably ad nauseum . . .) on the Moving into Headship or SLT seminar is the need for vision.

    And vision means having your own ideas for the future, and then how it can be made to come true.  You need your own ideas, and then the faith in those ideas.

    And another thing - your vision must co-incide with theirs.

    If you have a good vision, but it veers off from theirs, it's no good.  Which is why it is so important that it is your own choice of ideas from all the ones that you have.  If one of us gave you the wink on which ones to go for, it fitted in with the school's vision, you got the job on the basis of it, then . . . it turns out that you don't really believe in that, it's not your vision, then, then you are in a pickle.

    Which is why everyone here is telling you that it must be YOU!

    ___________________________________________

    TheoGriff. Member of the TES Careers Advice Service.

    I do Application and Interview one-to-ones, and also contribute to the Job Application Seminars. We look at application letters, executive summaries and interviews, with practical exercises that people really appreciate.

    I shall be doing the Win That Teaching Job seminar on Saturday February 25th and the Moving into Headship or SLT seminar on Saturday 18th February

    www.tesweekendworkshop87.eventbrite.com

    www.tesweekendworkshop82.eventbrite.com

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