Sunfield School
View Vacancy detailsWelcome
Dear applicant,
Thank you for expressing an interest in our unique and beautiful school and homes. Sunfield School and Children’s Home has been part of Ruskin Mill Trust since 2017, it is set within over 58 acres of classic English farmland, with hedges, meadows and large mature trees surrounding the school and residential buildings. There is a wide diversity of ecosystems within this, including woodlands, wetlands and grassland. We care for a variety of livestock including sheep, goats, cattle, pigs and hens, all of which are embedded within the unique Sunfield, Ruskin Mill Trust curriculum.
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 Steiner’s educational inspiration and understanding of human phasic development, and is inspired by the work of John Ruskin and William Morris.
This is an exciting time for Sunfield and others within the Trust and has resulted in us creating this new and exciting opportunity as Executive Principal at Sunfield. The schools are growing and expanding and across the Trust, school and care leaders are working collaboratively to ensure that the vision of the Trust, the expectations of Ofsted (both care and education) and the Independent School Standards braid together to provide the highest quality of care and education for our children and young people.
Trustees are seeking to appoint an experienced leader as the Executive Principal for Sunfield, who will have the commitment and passion to build on the vision and successes of the school by leading and working collaboratively with the Head of Care (and Registered Manager), School Leaders, Land and Therapy Teams and be part of the wider Ruskin Mill Trust.
We very much encourage you to visit us, 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)
Yours sincerely,
Tara Gratton
Director of Schools, Ruskin Mill Trust
About Sunfield
Sunfield offers day and residential placements for children and young people between the ages of 6-19. The residential placements range from 39 to 52 weeks and the school offers respite placements all year round.
The children and young people have a variety of complex needs, with barriers to learning and development. All the children and young people require, and are provided with, high levels of support throughout the school day. This continues in the residential provision and surrounding community. Sunfield is a highly specialised provision offering bespoke placements and comprehensively trained teams of educators, carers and therapists.
Curriculum
Sunfield’s curriculum is based on Ruskin Mill Trust’s Practical Skills Therapeutic Education approach to human development, which has been established through more than 30 years of the Trust’s work with children and young people with special educational needs. Practical Skills Therapeutic Education takes its insights from the work of Rudolf Steiner.
The children and young people at Sunfield begin their educational journey of Practical Skills Therapeutic Education through an experience of the world, and then use this experience as the basis for their physical, intellectual and spiritual development.
At Sunfield, children and young people are supported to learn as much as possible outside, participating in crafts, farming, gardening and the exploration of nature. From these experiences, individuals come to understand the larger world and their place in it, along with the connections between themselves and their community. On their journey, children and young people are supported to develop the skills that will enable them to regulate their behaviour and emotions, focus their attention, develop relationships, and to make a meaningful contribution to their community. The result is that each individual develops a new sense of confidence, self-worth and their own potential.
Vision
That each individual has the potential to shape their own future through experiencing meaningful relationships with universe, earth and people.
Values
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We value inclusive learning and living activities that integrate practical activity, thinking and emotions.
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We value mutual respect and we strive to understand all people’s differences and uniqueness.
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We value the capacity for re-imagination present in all people, towards positive change and development.
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We value openness, goodwill, tolerance and treating people with dignity and respect.
For further details about the school visit www.rmt.org/sunfield
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.
Key facts
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Four schools working with children aged 6-19
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Five colleges who work with young adults aged 16 – 25
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Three adult social care provisions working with adults aged 16 and above
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Day, residential and respite placements available
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Applications accepted year round
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Residential placements are in small scale homes in the community and on Trust sites
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Research Centres
Purpose
We provide students with holistic learning by role modelling positive relationships in the fields of arts, crafts, commerce, agriculture, nutrition, living skills and the environment.
By immersing students in the productive aspect of our curriculum, they learn to care for their own wellbeing and development, and overcome their barriers to learning. Students learn to recognise their capabilities and positively contribute to society which is continuously celebrated through cultural events and arts festivals for staff, students and the wider community.
This approach is embedded within a research training culture up to PhD and Master’s degree level, and delivered through our purpose-built training facility, the Field Centre.
We also:
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Operate social enterprise and commercial activities that involve students, staff and the community.
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Provide education training and research opportunities up to Master’s degree level through the Field Centre for staff and the wider community.
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Provide cultural events and festivals for students, staff and community.
Our Method is Practical Skills Therapeutic Education (PSTE)
PSTE stands behind the students’ curriculum and the professional development of our staff.
Why do we use PSTE?
To enable each learner to develop their own capacity for self-generated conscious action.
For further details about Ruskin Mill Trust visit www.rmt.org
Location
Vacancy details
Executive Principal
Core Purpose
The post holder will be expected to support, embrace, articulate and work with Sunfield’s and Ruskin Mill Trust’s objectives, vision, values, purpose and methodology which are drawn from a long history of appreciation and integration of Rudolf Steiner’s insights into human development. This is then braided with a practical, purposeful and therapeutic education and a homely and nurturing living environment that supports the development of the whole child. In addition, Sunfield supports families and carers, and looks to advance the public understanding through education and research.
The post holder is expected to treat each person, student and staff, with dignity and respect, ensuring high aspirations are met, and contribute to shaping the learning community of the School and home as part of Ruskin Mill Trust, always remembering that our core purpose is to improve the education and lives of our students and adults.
Salary
Up to £83,041 – this may be increased for exceptional candidates. Relocation Allowance available.
Timeline
Closing date – 8am, Monday 22nd January
Interviews – 30th and 31st January
Start date – April 2024 or later in discussion with the appointed candidate
Visits
Candidates are welcome to visit the school, 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
Sunfield School and 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
