Welcome to Co-op Academy Priesthorpe

With over five months having passed since the initial coronavirus lockdown began, we were absolutely delighted to welcome back our full staff and student body to the academy in September. A school is simply a building without its students and staff in it. The wellbeing and safety of both, as always, have, and continue to be, our utmost priority. I spoke to staff back in March about the challenges that lay ahead and shared that I believed, above and beyond anything else, students, parents, staff and our wider community would remember the kindness and empathy we have shown each other during this period of uncertainty.

With this as a platform, anything is possible. We have had a comprehensive Risk Assessment approved by the Co-op Academies Trust Board. This is very much a 'live' document, which we add to, as we continue to adapt our systems and processes to ensure everyone, staff and students, can work and learn safely, enjoying both in the process.

I am delighted that you have shown an interest in applying for the post of Assistant Principal at Co-op Academy Priesthorpe. There has never been a better time to join the team. You will join the school at what is a very exciting, and potentially highly rewarding time. I am pleased that you are considering being part of this. We’re committed to creating a culture where all staff, at all levels, can feel proud of who we are, of our achievements and feel a sense of pride when they reflect on their individual contribution to our Academy. In keeping with the Co-op values, we strive to create a workplace that celebrates difference. Somewhere we all feel responsible, valued, empowered and trusted to do the right thing for each other, our students and our wider community.

We remain passionate, and ensure our students have access to the very best educational experiences possible. In order to achieve this, it is vital that we attract and retain the right calibre of professionals to work alongside our dedicated team. We are seeking colleagues who share the vision that our students are at the very heart of everything we do. A colleague who is able to enjoy positive, professional relationships with young people, and more importantly a colleague who can demonstrate high levels of emotional intelligence when dealing with complex and sensitive situations.

Within our school, our students are well behaved, respectful and polite. Students and staff work tirelessly to uphold our core values, which are centred around resilience and relationships. Our values underpin everything we do, on a daily basis, to ensure that we all know the role that we have to play in both our school, and our community as a whole.

Continuous professional development and succession planning are key elements of our growth, individually and collectively, as an Academy Leadership Team. We are always keen that members of the team have the opportunity to develop their skills, knowledge and experience across various portfolios of responsibility. Alongside this, there are Trust-based and external opportunities to engage in professional development. The appetite to learn, with humility, is a key behaviour that we expect of and from each other.

At Priesthorpe we will evidence your importance to us through displays of generosity, kindness and inclusivity - put simply, we care. I would encourage you to visit the academy and to meet our students, staff and leaders. Please arrange a time to visit with Paula Read, our recruitment partner at Hays Education. There are stimulating and rewarding times ahead, and I very much look forward to sharing them with you.

Martin Blacoe
Principal