School 21 Candidate Information Pack:
Director of Real World Learning
and Partnerships
WELCOME TO SCHOOL 21
Dear Potential Candidate,
This is your chance to join one of the most exciting
teams in education with a mission to reinvent how
schools create amazing projects and experiences
with organisations of all types.
At the heart of our school are real world projects
that give students the chance to grapple with reallife problems, enquiry questions and big ideas. The
aim is to produce beautiful work and make a difference to the world.
We are looking for someone to forge partnerships
with businesses, universities, voluntary sector and
creative organisations to add value to the student
projects. We want our school to be open to new
thinking and new ideas, to partner with great practitioners, and have work critiqued and developed.
That is what this role is about.
In the first year this role will be focused on developing and then leading a new ‘real world’ curriculum
where School 21’s Year 10s conduct meaningful
projects for organisations in the community. The
new Director will lead the development of an
‘entrepreneurship’ curriculum, co-design the placement projects and ensure all students are developing their skills and having powerful learning experiences. Looking further ahead there will be the
chance to take some of these ideas and help shape
School 21’s new Sixth Form provision.
If you are interested come and visit our school, talk
to the children and teachers, and discuss how you
can help write the next chapter of our exciting story.
Ofsted “Outstanding”
In June 2014 School 21 was graded as
‘Outstanding’ in all categories, in its first Ofsted
inspection since opening Many of the findings
reflected the impact of our innovation: "Pupils
across the school make exceptional progress."
"Pupils have excellent attitudes to learning, impeccable manners and show respect for everyone.” Through project-based learning "pupils
achieve remarkable standards of work and
demonstrated knowledge and skills at levels beyond those expected for their age group." “Pupils
talk and discuss with a maturity and confidence
that is remarkable for their years."
Peter Hyman,
Headteacher
Pitchford Street, Stratford, London E15 4RZ
Telephone: 020 8262 2121 www.school21.org
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CANDIDATE INFORMATION PACK - DIRECTOR OF REAL WORLD LEARNING
ABOUT SCHOOL 21
School 21 is a pioneering new 4 to 18 school in Stratford, East
London, for girls and boys and children of all abilities, backgrounds and races. We have just 25 pupils in a year group and
from September 2015 we will have Year 7 to 10 and Reception
to Year 3.
Founded by teachers and educationalists, we have the energy,
flexibility and team work to make a real impact on students’
lives and learning. We have a sense of purpose and mission
which comes from serving children who despite living in a socially disadvantaged and at times challenging environment
have huge potential. Most of all we are building into our
structures and ethos new ways of educating students for the
21st century.
In September 2013, we moved into our new purpose designed
buildings. We are heavily oversubscribed, partly as a result of
having forged a very strong partnership between students,
staff, parents and the wider community.
OUR VALUES AND BELIEFS
Our values of integrity (being true to your word) and humanity
(looking out for each other) guide everything that staff and
students do. We are creating a “family” atmosphere where
every child has the chance to find their voice, be supported in
everything they do, and be given the rich range of opportunities that will inspire them to enjoy school and make rapid
progress.
Six attributes shape our curriculum, and shape the growth of
each student: professionalism, grit, expertise, eloquence,
craftsmanship and spark. Each of these attributes have a
programme behind them and are integrated into lessons to
ensure they are developed fully.
Our assemblies and coaching time are central to our philosophy. This is where we develop the well-being and aspirations
of every child. Our assemblies, conducted in the round, and
using drama and oracy techniques allow students to think, engage and talk from the moment they get into school in the
morning.
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CANDIDATE INFORMATION PACK - DIRECTOR OF REAL WORLD LEARNING
IMPORTANT FEATURES OF
SCHOOL 21
School 21 is a rich learning environment for both staff and students. It has some key design features:
 English Language is at the heart of everything we do with students given the chance to develop
their reading and writing skills every day.
 Oracy/speaking is a particular focus of the school, with opportunities to explore talk, in a range of
settings built into the fabric of the school day. Working with Cambridge University we are developing a groundbreaking oracy diagnostic tool, a curriculum and teacher toolkit.
 Well-being and growth. Our small class sizes and support staff in each class mean that more time
can be spent really understanding the needs of each child. Our well-being curriculum and one to
one coaching (all teachers are trained in these techniques) mean that all pupils are supported and
none fall through the cracks.
 Project Based Learning. As well as teaching in discrete subjects, teachers collaborate to design
projects with real world products and outcomes. We have a secondee from High Tech High in San
Diego, one of the worlds’ leading PBL schools, working with us at School 21 to design these
projects.
 Integration of new technology. Through sophisticated on-line resources and blogs, teachers are
sharing resources. Students are beginning to integrate new technology, iPods and iPads into their
learning experiences.
 All-through school collaboration. One great advantage of our all through school is that primary
and secondary teachers can share teaching and learning ideas, train together and ensure that our
children have a variety of rich experiences.
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CANDIDATE INFORMATION PACK - DIRECTOR OF REAL WORLD LEARNING
JOB PROFILE
Title:
Salary:
Start date:
Contract:
Director of Real World Learning and Partnerships
£45—55K depending on experience
As soon as possible
Full time, permanent, subject to an enhanced DBS check
As Director of Real World Learning and Partnerships you will lead the design and delivery on significant programmes. You will also manage the key
relationships the school has with outside organisations.
Further ahead you will get the chance to be part of
the team that establishes an exciting post-16 education institution, with a particular focus on what it
takes to create and lead a successful organisation in
the 21st century. Depending on interests and experience the role will involve leading on and developYour role will focus initially on the delivery of our
ing the design of a curriculum, pedagogy and partReal World Learning Projects (RWLP) which will
nerships that enables our students to be successful
give our students the chance to conduct projects
in an ever more interconnected and competitive
outside of school in a range of organisations. This is world. There will be lots of opportunities for senior
not traditional work experience or shadowing but leadership positions on a longer term basis.
the chance for our students to execute a specific,
discrete and meaningful project in a workplace with The successful candidate will need to be skilled at
their end goal being to solve a real problem for the developing partnerships, be entrepreneurial in
organisations in which they work.
spotting the best opportunities for our students
and be skilled at determining the rigour and quality
The role will also be about forging high quality,
of the projects.
deep relationships with universities, businesses and
local organisations. These partners will add value,
expertise and critique to our in-school projects.
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CANDIDATE INFORMATION PACK - DIRECTOR OF REAL WORLD LEARNING
PERSON SPECIFICATION
Education and Background
Characteristics and Skills
 Degree (or equivalent)
 Right to work in the UK
 This post is subject to an enhanced
 Creative in approaching the development
Disclosure & Barring Service check
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Desirable Experience and Knowledge
 Strong belief and enthusiasm for the mis-
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sion of School 21.
Significant commitment to set up the projects, particularly in the early nascent stages of development.
Experience of building and maintaining
strong partnerships and/or delivering programmes of learning between education
settings and outside organisations.
Experience of programme and project
management supported by a sound understanding of risk, milestones and budgets.
Experience of recruiting, managing, training and delegating to a small team.
Experience of working with and developing
young people
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of projects and committed to their continuous improvement as they develop.
Extremely high expectations demonstrated
through a commitment to, and an unwillingness to compromise on, key areas of
quality.
Ability to maintain a strategic oversight of
the RWLP and 6th Form Development.
Confident, articulate and credible in conveying ideas with varied stakeholders including senior education leaders, politicians
and officials (School 21 gets a lot of visitors!)
Excellent relationship management, with
skill in holding stakeholders to account and
building positive partnerships
Thoughtful, insightful and curious about
problems as they arise with an ability to
take a creative and positive approach to
solving complex challenges
Confident in delivering difficult but constructive feedback in a respectful way
CANDIDATE INFORMATION PACK - DIRECTOR OF REAL WORLD LEARNING
HOW TO APPLY
Your completed application form should be submitted electronically
to: [email protected] or by post to:
School 21, Pitchford Street, London E15 4RZ.
All received applications will be acknowledged electronically.
Please ensure the application form is saved to include your name at
the beginning of the title. In compliance with Safer Recruitment
guidelines, CVs cannot be accepted.
If you wish to have an informal discussion about this role, please
email Anne Shaker at the email address above.
Closing date: Friday, 17th April 2015
Likely interview date: 20th, 21st or 22nd April 2015
School 21 is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young
people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
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CANDIDATE INFORMATION PACK - DIRECTOR OF REAL WORLD LEARNING