{"id":1995,"date":"2015-01-11T11:30:02","date_gmt":"2015-01-11T11:30:02","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/mrreddy.com\/blog\/?p=1995"},"modified":"2024-10-12T14:09:07","modified_gmt":"2024-10-12T14:09:07","slug":"king-solomon-academy-vacancies","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/mrreddy.com\/blog\/2015\/01\/king-solomon-academy-vacancies\/","title":{"rendered":"How to get a job at King Solomon Academy"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"KSA<\/a>
\nSpoiler: I left my heart at KSA.<\/p>\n

Background<\/strong>
\nThe journey started about 7 years ago, when a group of ex-Teach First teachers including me and Max Haimendorf (now KSA Secondary’s Headteacher), began some coffee-shop thinking about the endemic issue of educational disadvantage. The solution, we concluded, was that Pupils With The Odds Stacked Against Them need an environment where there is a smaller number of teachers caring for them in a higher quality way. <\/p>\n

Our merry band was in the right place at the right time, when a visionary Board of Governors was trying to find a headteacher for their small academy. Max was appointed as soon as they realised what a meeting of minds there was. Edu-headlines were all about how young he was and how he didn’t have much experience (compared to most first-time heads). While both true, I’ve never met a 28-year old with his clarity of vision and his strength of leadership. From the beginning, he was unintimidatable, full of integrity and had a “whatever it takes” approach to the care and outcomes of our pupils. <\/p>\n

Now<\/strong>
\nFast-forward to the summer of 2014 and our pupils achieved establishment-defying results. 58% of the Class of 2016 were on FSM and 75% were pupil premium. 93% earned 5 A* to C grades the hard way. Most did triple science, we chose the exam boards perceived to be the hardest and there wasn’t a percentage-boosting qualification in sight. The pupils, their parents and the teachers can rightly be proud. That’s an *amazing* feeling for all of us that can’t be taken away. When I think of their stories, when I remember the tribulations along the way and when I see their faces on results day, it’s the best shot in the arm you could imagine.<\/p>\n

Culture<\/strong>
\nIt’s hard to understate how much our school culture means to us. From the home meetings to pupils’ first day at school, from staff training to classroom ambiance, culture is our number one priority. More important than covering curriculum content even. So cut to it Bruno, what is that culture like? I could spend hours on this but if I give you the colours, you can paint the picture. <\/p>\n