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Academy Riddlesdown Collegiate, Croydon

Required September 2023

Salary TCT1 £32,407 – TCT14 £48,055

Closing Date Tuesday 2nd May 2023 (at 9.00am)

Interviews tbc

Welcome

Dear Applicant

Thank you for your interest in the post of Teacher of Humanities. I hope that this information pack will help
you to learn more about our fantastic school and that you will be excited about the prospect of joining our
excellent team.

Riddlesdown Collegiate is an outstanding school (OFSTED, May 2016) with a clear vision to deliver successful
outcomes and positive futures for all of our students. They are bright, well-motivated and a pleasure to work
with, whilst our staff are talented, hard-working and ambitious for themselves and others. Our superb
facilities enable us to provide the very best learning environment and learning experiences for our students
and it is the combination of these factors that leads to the high academic standards and enviable reputation
that The Collegiate Trust is known for. I am very proud of what we do and what we have achieved at the
Collegiate and, as a World Class School, I hold the highest aspirations for what we will do and achieve in the
future. You might like to watch our Welcome, College VI and Teaching at Our School videos.

Whether you are at the very beginning of your career or are looking to develop your experience, Riddlesdown
Collegiate is a great place for professional growth. ECTs benefit from a paid induction period, prior to
appointment, and a well-established programme of support throughout the year, whilst more experienced
colleagues have many opportunities to develop skills and extend their professional learning through an
extensive and varied programme of professional development. Our aim in all appointments is to appoint
colleagues who will share our aspirations and make a major contribution to building the best life chances for
our students.

In applying to Riddlesdown Collegiate, you will need to understand our “small schools” model and your
potential role within it. Our VALUES underpin the way in which we work and describe our high expectations
and our emphasis on positive relationships across the Collegiate. Our motto, “Learners of today, Leaders of
tomorrow”, applies as much to staff as it does to students and it gives an indication of the significance we
place on nurturing talent and leadership. I shall make a presentation to shortlisted candidates at the start of
the interview day to illustrate our structure further and outline our requirements for all colleagues who work
with us.

I would be delighted to receive an application from you if, upon consideration, you feel that this role and the
Collegiate may be right for you. To submit an application, please complete the form on our website, attaching
where requested a statement of no more than two sides of A4, identifying clearly how you meet the person
specification. If you have any further questions about this post, I would be pleased to speak with you; please
feel free to telephone me at the Collegiate.

Yours sincerely

Mrs K Turner
Principal

Key Information

We operate a “small schools” model – one school made

up of a number of smaller learning communities, which

we call Colleges, each with their own staff and facilities.

Each College is led by its own Headteacher (who is an

Assistant Principal) and has its own team of

approximately 25 teachers and non-teachers, covering

most curriculum areas. Students join one of the Colleges

in Year 7 and remain there for five years before

transferring to College VI, our specialist post-16

provision. In addition, the Creative and Performing Arts

(CPA) College delivers specialist education to students

across the Collegiate in Art, Drama, Design Technology,

Media, Music and Physical Education whilst the MacKay

College co-ordinates inclusion services to students with

additional needs. Small teams, working with just 400

students each, allow us to provide even better pastoral care to all students, as well as engage with learners

and their families in more effective partnerships. They also provide teaching across the curriculum and

learning teams focusing on personalised approaches and best serving the needs of the individual students in

their care.

Information about The Collegiate Trust

Our Trust works in the Crawley and Croydon areas with a clear vision to deliver exceptional education for all.

Such an education achieves excellent outcomes in pupil progress and attainment, a rich creative, cultural

and physical learning experience, and great personal and social development for all pupils. We achieve this

by working with and developing strong teams of staff in each school, under the direction of the Principal of

the school and the Local Governing Body (LGB)

The Trust has grown out of Riddlesdown Collegiate, an outstanding (OFSTED, May 2016) secondary school

in Croydon with almost 2000 students and over 200 staff. Gossops Green, in Crawley, was the next school –

and the first primary – to join the Trust, followed by Waterfield Primary (also in Crawley) on 1st March 2018.

A second secondary, The Quest Academy (in Croydon), joined on 1st June 2018 and two further primaries,

Courtwood Primary and Gilbert Scott Primary (both in Croydon) joined on 1st September 2018. Most recently,

Kenley Primary joined on 1st September 2021.

Each school within the Trust is supported centrally by a designated Director of School Improvement on

teaching and learning issues, the Chief Operating Officer, Chief Finance Officer & HR Manager on business

management and HR issues, and the CEO on wider leadership issues. This complements rather than replaces

in-school functions and allows the Principal and LGB to operate with a high level of autonomy in delivering

the highest standards in their school. The LGB works to a Scheme of Delegation approved by the Trust’s

Board of Directors.

Our Values

Our ethos is to be a community in which all members are valued and value each other. We are the leaders

of the Riddlesdown community, responsible for our learning and the Collegiate. We work together to

maximise our own achievement and those of others. In applying for a post at Riddlesdown Collegiate,

applicants should consider how they would promote our values in their day-to-day work with students,

colleagues and other stakeholders.

Value each other

Aim high

Lead by example

Use and develop our talents

Excel in our efforts

Stick at it

Our Students

The vast majority of our students join the Collegiate in Year 7 with above average attainment. Behaviour is

outstanding and our students consistently demonstrate their desire to learn and to achieve. They enjoy

coming to school (attendance is over 95%)

and enjoy lessons where they can explore,

investigate and feel challenged by their

learning. They equally value the

opportunities they have to learn outside of

the classroom and we are proud of the

extensive and varied extra-curricular

programme that our students enjoy and

benefit from. It is these additional, high

quality learning experiences, together with

a strong set of academic qualifications that

we believe provides our students with the

very best chances of success in their future

lives.

Geography at Riddlesdown Collegiate

The key aim for the Geography team is that all students acquire the geographical knowledge, understanding

and skills to help them make sense of the changing world around them.

Our Year 7 students follow the ‘Excellence Curriculum’, an integrated Humanities curriculum, taught by

‘Excellence’ teachers. All students are taught for five periods across two weeks in Years 8 to 9 where the

National Curriculum is followed. Students study a wide variety of courses at Key Stage 3 covering aspects of

human, physical and environmental themes. In Years 10 students who opted for Geography have begun to

follow the Edexcel A course whilst Year 11 students will continue to follow the OCR B GCSE for the final time.

Both specifications allow students to study a range of topics from both the natural and human world and

allow them to consider the interactions between the 2. Assessment is through three exams: one physical,

one human and one Geographical Exploration/skills paper.

At A-level, the Edexcel specification is followed and content includes: Tectonic Hazards, Coastal Landscapes

and Change, Globalisation, Regenerating Places, The Water Cycle and Water insecurity, The Carbon cycle

and Energy security, Superpowers and finally Health, Human Rights and Intervention. Students will sit 3

exams: one physical, one human and one synoptic paper. Students also complete a n NEA on a title of their

choice.

Each member of the team works under the supervision of the Director of Geography. Schemes of Work,

Teaching Notes and Assessments have been updated in line with the latest developments in Geography

teaching, research into pedagogical approaches and the National Curriculum. There is a strong team ethos

within the group and team members have the benefit of a vast range of resources. Many different textbooks

are available, in addition to other resources such as fieldwork equipment and we use a wide range of

websites, such as Seneca, to support both teaching and learning and student progress. Teachers also have

the opportunity to use computer equipment in the classroom and a weather station to carry out Micro

climate investigations across the key stages.

Students are actively encouraged to engage with the world around them. Fieldwork is actively encouraged

as an integral part of the subject and visits take place within the locality and further afield. We look forward

to being able to visit places this year such as Hove with Year 11 to study coastal management and the London

Docklands to consider urban sustainability. We are also hopeful to carry out a trip to the New Forest, to

complete the A Level NEA and an extra-curricular trip to Iceland. The department is a member of both the

GA and the RGS and we attend regular events run by both of these organisations. As a department we are

always looking for ways to develop and bring Geography to ‘life’ for our students.

HiHstiosryt ory at Riddlesdown Collegiate

The History curriculum provides a rich and broad investigation into some of the most significant aspects of

British and global History, paying particular attention to the developments that have shaped the

communities in which our students live. We aim to incorporate the latest historical ideas into our teaching

and present them to students so that they can form, and articulate, their own judgements. We emphasise

the importance of literacy and vocabulary and support students in making progress in these key areas.

Our Year 7 students follow the ‘Excellence Curriculum’, an integrated Humanities curriculum, taught by

‘Excellence’ teachers. In Year 8 and 9 all students are taught History for five lessons of fifty minutes a

fortnight. At Key Stage 3, students follow a chronological set of enquiries based in the second-order historical

concepts. In Year 8, students study the Reformation, the English Civil War, the Ottoman and British Empires,

slavery and the Age of Revolutions. In Year 9, students study the First and Second World Wars, the Holocaust,

decolonisation, civil rights and the Vietnam War.

At Key Stage 4, we follow the Pearson Edexcel GCSE History course. Students sit three papers that cover:

Superpower Relations and the Cold War 1941-1991; Early Elizabethan England 1558-88; Medicine in Britain

1250-present with Historical Environment and Weimar and Nazi Germany 1918-39. At A Level, we follow the

Pearson Edexcel course: Paper 1 is Russia 1917-91; Paper 2 is Mao’s China, 1949-76 and Paper 3 is Protest,

agitation and parliamentary reform in Britain 1780-1928. Coursework focuses on historian's interpretations

of Tudor England.

Schemes of Work, Teaching Notes and Assessments are consistently updated in line with the latest

developments in History teaching. There is a strong ethos of team work and collaboration, with all members

of the History team working to fulfil our vision: that History teaching and learning is innovative; our students

have a ‘thirst for learning’ and they gain an enriching experience, both inside and outside of the classroom.

This has been evidenced by a strong uptake of the subject at GCSE, A level and with students going on to

study History at university.

Historical visits are an important part of our History syllabus and, to this end, we have run residential trips

for Year 11, 12 and 13 students to Europe, our most recent trip was to Berlin. Learning outside of the

classroom is an important part of our approach.

We are extremely passionate about our subject and the importance of it within a school curriculum.

Job Description

Purpose of the Post: To teach a full timetable across the age and ability range of the

College, delivering agreed Schemes of Work and contributing
fully to the History and Geography Departments and designated
College.

Accountable to: Head of College

PRINCIPAL ACOUNTABILITIES

Curricular Leadership

i. To teach an agreed timetable.
ii. To prepare and deliver effective lessons, ensuring regular assessment informs all aspects of planning.

iii. To contribute fully to collaborative development and improvement within the subject area, College
and Collegiate.

Pastoral Leadership

i. To be a form tutor within the College, monitoring and supporting the academic and social
development of members of a Tutor Group.

ii. To undertake duties at the direction of the College Head.
iii. To promote and safeguard the welfare of all children and/or young people for whom you are

responsible or with whom you come into contact with.

Professional Leadership

i. To participate in all performance management processes.
ii. Through line management arrangements, ensure professional developments needs are identified

and addressed.

Person Specification

The Collegiate Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and
expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Applicants must be willing to undergo
child protection screening appropriate to the post, including checks with past employers, online
searches and the Disclosure and Barring Service. Appointment will be dependent upon further
health, medical, safeguarding and attendance checks.

Qualifications

Good honours degree

Qualified Teacher Status

Experience

Effective working with young people of a range of ages and abilities

Evidence of making an effective contribution to a team

Skills and Attributes

Ability to deliver high quality learning over time to all students in the subject area

Ability to be an effective Tutor

Capacity to work alongside colleagues, contributing effectively to a team

Ability to quickly establish and maintain positive relationships with students, staff and families

Understanding of safeguarding issues and promoting the welfare of children and young people

Well-developed communication skills, including high level of written and oral literacy and competent ICT
use

Suitability to work with children

Potential for professional progression

Commitment to extra-curricular activities

Staff Benefits

The Collegiate Trust is an exciting, fast-paced group of schools committed to progress, collaboration and
excellence for all staff and students alike. We are a dynamic and expanding trust of seven schools (two
secondaries with Sixth Form provision, and five primaries) with numerous and diverse career opportunities
for both new and existing staff.

All staff and governors, at every level of their career, in both teaching and business support functions, have
an equal entitlement to Continuous Professional Development (CPD). This promotes, develops and supports
staff in their shared commitment to lifelong learning. Results are reviewed and evaluated regularly in order
to support further development of our CPD programme and drive constant improvement.

Through expert facilitation, Trust-wide collaboration, inter-school networking, and our extensive CPD
programme, every member of staff has the opportunity to make substantial contributions to the
development of the curriculum, pedagogy and delivery of business services, whilst improving their own
prospects of career progression. We are committed to:-

• facilitating career progression

• offering excellent professional development

• providing opportunities to lead

• extending support from Trust experts

• developing collaborative opportunities to generate new and next practice
  

Other tangible benefits of working within a TCT school include1:-

Exceptional performance rewards Two-Week October Half Term (instead of 5 INSET days) Well-equipped Staff Rooms and Work Rooms in each College Excellent learning resources in classrooms Cutting-edge technology provision Staff Diner (delicious hot and cold meals every day) Free use of Fitness Suite Other fitness and wellbeing activities, e.g. Staff Football, Yoga, Spin, Staff Choir Free Flu Vaccination available Free Microsoft Office apps Potential for rapid pay progression on The Collegiate Trust scale Contribution to cost of Masters in Education Superb NQT Induction Programme including two-week paid training in June/July A designated delivery partner for the National Professional Qualifications (NPQs) In partnership with St Mary’s University, facilitating the delivery of the MA Education, Leading

Innovation and Change

Individuals who are successful in their application to The Collegiate Trust join us at an exciting time. In return
for the opportunity to be part of our Trust, we ask that all joining members of staff share in our vision of
“Exceptional Education For All” and are motivated to work continuously towards developing their own
professional excellence.

1 At the time of publication, not all benefits available at every TCT school.

How to find us

By Car
Please see the map.
M25 J6 or J7 are 10-15 minutes drive.
Parking is available on and off site.

By Train
A direct train from Victoria to Riddlesdown
station takes 24 minutes. Riddlesdown
station is a short walk from the school.
Kenley station is also a short walk from the
school, over the common. Kenley has direct
trains from Victoria and London Bridge.
More frequent trains run from Purley
Station, where a 412 bus can be taken to
Lower Barn Road, leaving a 10 minute walk.

By Bus
On routes 407, 412, 612.

A Riddlesdown Collegiate
Honister Heights, Purley, CR8 1EX
T 020 8668 5136
E [email protected]
W www.riddlesdown.org