Background and Vision

The right to be safe, the right to learn and the right to play

Hillside Primary School is an amazing place to work and to learn. We have fantastic students with positive attitudes to learning, high performing staff who are ready to take on new challenges and an increasingly engaged local community.  We are sited in the heart of Newsome, Huddersfield, in a beautiful, modern, eco-friendly school building with extensive space both inside and outside.  Our building reflects our ‘green’ ethos, and responsibility for teaching pupils about wider global issues.  At Hillside, children feel invested in and have the physical, emotional and educational space and support to grow and to succeed. 

We pride ourselves on our safe and friendly atmosphere, our high expectations and our commitment to supporting all pupils, whatever their starting points, to achieve the highest possible standards.  Our vision is that every member of our school community believes in themselves; achieves because they have the confidence to work hard and try new things, and feels successful in whatever goals and ambitions they set themselves both now and in the future.  We know that children only get one chance at childhood and receiving the best possible education really matters for their immediate, as well as their future, wellbeing, health and happiness. 

Hillside is a vibrant school community with staff, pupils and families from a diverse range of backgrounds with differing experiences, cultures and beliefs.  At Hillside we actively encourage learning about each other and we expect the highest standards of respect from, and for, all.  We firmly believe ‘we have far more in common than that which divides us’, and actively work towards a harmonious ethos and environment where everyone is included equally. Pupils learn together using ‘Kagan’ cooperative learning approaches.  We aim for all pupils to develop understanding and respect, as well as knowing and valuing themselves and their own unique skills and abilities.

We have a highly skilled and dedicated staff who are passionate about learning and support children to make as much personal and academic progress as possible during their time at school.  We promote a ‘mastery’ approach to learning with high expectations that pupils learn basic numeracy, reading and writing skills quickly and are able to recall past learning through regular ‘Rosenshine’ review and retrieval opportunities.  Children are encouraged to develop a love of reading, read widely and expand their vocabulary. Staff are encouraged to use their initiative and to actively pursue CPD opportunities, research widely, and develop and share their learning with others.

 At Hillside we understand the importance of working in partnership with parents/carers as well as the wider community.  We have an outward-looking approach and pride ourselves on having good relationships with SPA partners, local schools, businesses, faith groups and employers. This includes a long term and very successful commitment to the development and training of Huddersfield Horizon SCITT and Huddersfield University ITT & PGCE students.  We are active participants in Castle Community Hub which supports the wellbeing and safeguarding needs of pupils and families.  Pupils’ safety, emotional health and well-being are our highest priorities and we have a well-established, highly effective and vigilant safeguarding and pastoral support offer in place. 

 You must be able to work as part of a team to support the learning and welfare of pupils in school.  Experience of working with pupils with complex needs including gastronomy feeding would be an advantage. Training and support will be available for all successful applicants.