Head Teacher Opportunity
Together Learning Trust

Welcome from the CEO of Together Learning Trust

Dear Candidate,

This is a fantastic opportunity for an inspirational and experienced leader to continue and develop the rapid improvements taking place at The Brooksbank School, with the vision to create a world class school within the supportive network of the Together Learning Trust.

The Brooksbank School has a proud history at the heart of the Elland community, dating right back to 1712, later as Elland grammar school, and most recently as a hugely successful sports specialist college. It is a true comprehensive, the largest secondary school in Calderdale with over 1700 students from 11-18.

The school has been through a rough couple of years and received an inadequate Ofsted report in February, when inspectors found serious issues with safety and behaviour. Following that report, the school has been turned around under the leadership of a partnership team from Education Exchange and Together Learning Trust, with a relentless focus on safeguarding and behaviour. The latest monitoring visit from Ofsted, at the start of October, found significant improvements have been made, and that “leaders have taken the right steps at the right time to bring about much needed change.”

Our trust formally took over the running of the school on 1st November but our team have been a key part of the transformation of the school since February. We have assembled a very strong senior leadership team in school and placed the school on an excellent footing for an energetic new leader to continue that upward journey. With the collaboration of our network of experienced teachers and leaders across our schools, and the support of our skilled central services team, we can achieve great things together.

Together Learning Trust is a thriving group of six schools in Calderdale and Kirklees, three secondary and three primary, inspiring over 5260 young people. We are driven by a shared commitment to providing magical learning experiences for all our children and a belief that all of them can achieve great things. When schools and communities collaborate, incredible things happen. Together we support and empower each other to become leading schools, cherishing and developing our staff, enabling them to thrive. We all embody a positive mindset that insists that all our children make excellent progress. The culture and behaviour in our schools is exemplary.

Our staff are amazing, in both the relationships they forge and the incredible range of opportunities they make possible. We get great results, but we give and expect so much more. We are shaping a generation of leading global citizens with the character, confidence and creative skills they need to succeed; with integrity and a commitment to excellence that will enable them to thrive.

Our mission is to run top quality schools that serve our communities best by driving high performance and giving our children and young people the best chance in life. Ultimately, exceptional student achievement stems from developing first class teaching and learning. We do this by:

• developing great people, talent and systems
• providing the widest variety of opportunities for children to develop skills, knowledge and talent to flourish
• investing heavily in the schools’ environment and staff development, working effectively with partners and embracing educational research.

Being part of Together Learning Trust feels special due to the unique nature of the schools and the opportunities it brings for staff, students and communities. For everyone in our trust our mission is simple, to grow, excel and learn together.

You are very welcome to visit the school and if you feel inspired by what you have read and what you see, I would be delighted for you to submit an application. To arrange a visit, discuss the role in more detail in confidence or to make an application please contact our recruitment partner Martin Blair at Hays Leadership on 07736791138 or at martin.blair@hays.com.

What could we achieve at The Brooksbank School, together?

David Lord
CEO, Together Learning Trust

Forward From the Chair of Trustees

It is an enormous privilege and responsibility to be Chair of Trustees of an organisation as important to our communities as this one is. Trustees, members and governors play critical roles in the leadership of our organisation. Strong governance is essential for continuous and sustained development and to ensure that we deliver on our mission, values and strategy.

The most rewarding elements of good governance are seeing hard work payoff by increasing morale within schools, improving students’ progress and attainment and having a positive impact on the educational standards and opportunities for young people.

Our support for our leadership teams is unwavering as is our determination to provide an exceptional education for all the young people in the communities that we serve. Thank you for taking the time to read our Job pack and I am confident that together we will cultivate a culture whereby all our leaders can thrive.

Jan Wallis

Chair of Trustees

Location

The school is well positioned, only a short drive from junction 24 of the M62 making it very accessible for commutes from across Yorkshire and the North West.