Director of School Improvement opportunity
with Ruskin Mill Trust

Welcome

Thank you for your interest in the Director of School Improvement position with Ruskin Mill Trust.

Ruskin Mill Trust currently runs twelve centres in which the work of the Trust, Practical Skills Therapeutic education, is delivered. Four of these centres are schools, five are colleges and three are centres for further care, training and development. We also have two research centres, researching the method of the Trust, and two further centres planned.

The schools and Children’s Home within the Trust are all currently rated good and good with elements of outstanding. The principals and school leaders work well together to reflect, support and improve practice across all schools. When we make appointments, we are looking to strengthen an outstanding team; working in such innovative schools is demanding but the camaraderie of working together to achieve excellence makes Ruskin Mill Trust a very rewarding place to work. The Trust is committed to staff development and supporting the career progression of the ambitious and talented. To support this position, the Trust offers in-depth training, from induction to a Masters in the Trust’s method, Practical Skills Therapeutic Education.

We are looking for a confident, empowering and inspiring individual who is passionate about improving the lives of children, young people and families. This is a rewarding and challenging role as it will require you to be adept at thinking strategically, capable of building links with and engaging and influencing a range of stakeholders as well as demonstrating credibility. You will also be an excellent leader of people, able to build high performing teams and a culture of continuous improvement through focusing on the development of yourself and the schools within the Trust.

The Trust is looking for courage and self-enterprise within its leadership. The schools are growing and expanding, and this role will be key in ensuring that the Vision, Method and Purpose of Ruskin Mill Trust is led, championed and embedded. The Trust also has skills and capacity to embed Rudolf Steiner’s vision of human phasic development within the regulatory framework, bringing a highly dynamic, effective and transformative experience to children and young adults.

We very much encourage you to visit one of our schools, where we will be delighted to show you our wonderful community and environment. To arrange this or for further information please contact Martin Blair at Hays Recruitment (07736791138 or martin.blair@hays.com).

I wish you all the best in your application.

Aonghus Gordon, OBE, Hon DUniv, Med,
Tara Gratton, Director of Schools

About Ruskin Mill Trust

Ruskin Mill Trust is an educational charity that operates in England, Scotland and Wales, offering exciting outdoor learning environments, utilising practical land and craft activities to support the development of work and life skills in young people with autism and other learning difficulties.

Ruskin Mill Trust’s method of Practical Skills Therapeutic Education combines the insights from Rudolf Steiner’s educational inspiration and understanding of human phasic development, and is inspired by the work of John Ruskin and William Morris. Working with hand, head, heart and place, through practical activities, performing arts, therapies, culture and social enterprise, Ruskin Mill Trust helps individuals to re-imagine their potential.

The Opportunity

Director of School Improvement

Core Purpose

• This is a strategic role in leading, teaching and learning, raising standards and ensuring compliance across the RMT garden schools in line with RMT’s method, purpose and vision, and statutory frameworks.
• To work with the Co-CEO and RMT’S Civil Service in overseeing and driving the quality assurance processes.
• To work alongside the Co-CEO to identify areas where improvement needs to be made, leading supporting and guiding implementation. 
• Develop effective plans for improvement needs within each school, reporting to the Co-CEO on a weekly basis on progress made.
• Through RMT’s method of Practical Skills Therapeutic Education (PSTE) and its 7 Fields of Practice, to ensure the high-quality delivery of education for pupils and young people attending each of RMT’s schools.
• To lead with purpose, embracing the Trust’s vision and charitable objectives, embodying RMT’s Values, role-modelling and championing PSTE and shaping the culture of RMT’s schools through the 7 Fields of Practice.
• To work collaboratively across the Trust and with external agencies to deliver the best possible education and care for the children and young people within the schools.
• To contribute and lead the business development of schools.

Salary

£85k - £90k

Visits

Candidates are welcome to visit one of our schools, and this can be organised by contacting Martin Blair at Hays Leadership Appointments.

How To Apply

For further information, an informal and confidential discussion about the role or to discuss the application process please contact Martin Blair at Hays Leadership Appointments.

Safeguarding

Ruskin Mill Trust value equality and diversity and are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Applicants will be subject to safer recruitment practises including satisfactory references and an enhanced DBS check for the appointed candidate.

Martin Blair
Hays Leadership Appointments
Tel: 07736791138
Email: martin.blair@hays.com

Key Document