School HMC & IAPS

Deputy Head (Prep School) Required for January 2021 (flexible)

Here at Culford We want our pupils to be flexible, innovative Prep there are dynamic and resilient in their future lives, so two things we we seek to model those values as leaders, want to see: teachers and a community. So if you are a happy children highly motivated leader with a passion for with an teaching and learning and you want to part of eagerness to a happy and successful team, I would be learn. And, I delighted to receive your application to join us. am delighted to say, at our school, these are With very best wishes, commonplace. We foster that enthusiasm for learning, develop their talents and find new ones.

Culford School is an exciting place to work with colleagues who are warm, welcoming and highly supportive. You will work alongside a Claire Bentley Common Room of highly experienced Head of Prep School teachers who believe in academic success for all pupils, whatever their abilities, with excellent pastoral care and outstanding facilities. This ensures that children are encouraged to make the most of the exciting array of opportunities on offer.

Closing date for applications: Midday, Wednesday 8 July 2020 . Early applications encouraged.

Culford School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and all applicants must be willing to undergo child protection screening appropriate to the position, including checks with past employers and the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS). The Appointment

The school is seeking to appoint a forward-thinking, dynamic and innovative individual with excellent interpersonal and organisational skills to the role of Deputy Head.

This is an important, busy and high- profile position with responsibility for the day-to-day running of the school, managing staff and deputising for the Head as required. Candidates must be highly motivated, imaginative and keen to regard this as an exciting opportunity for further career development. There is a reduced timetable with contribution to the Games and/or extra- curricular activities programme and participation in the boarding programme. Accommodation on site may be available.

The successful candidate is likely to have middle or senior management experience and have a clear understanding of life in a busy day and boarding prep school. Taking the lead on academic excellence is essential as is a passion for supporting the wellbeing of pupils and colleagues. All staff support the Prep School boarders through activities and supervision and a few staff are residents either on site or in the house. Our best lessons often take place outside the classroom and the working day: perhaps a chance conversation about shared interests or reading; or shared experiences on trips and visits. The School

With around 750 pupils aged 1-18 across the whole school, we are set in 480 acres of parkland. The Prep School educates 240 children aged 7-13 years and staff and children benefit from all the facilities of a much larger school with Culford’s £2.2 million Library and superb Sports and Tennis Centre with its 25m indoor pool and four indoor tennis courts. As well as this, we have access to a music school, studio theatre, art and design centre and two all-weather artificial turf pitches. So whether a child is sporty, musical, dramatic or artistic in temperament, Culford Prep has everything to fuel their passions.

There are specialist teachers for all subjects and an extensive programme of activities and clubs enables children to try new things, develop new passions and gain enormous confidence. The School is academically selective within a deliberately broad framework. Top performing pupils work towards scholarships and exhibitions while we also provide full support to those with mild to moderate Specific Learning Difficulties.

Boarding at Culford can begin from age 7, and a tight knit community of some 50 children are based at the Prep School boarding house, where there are separate dormitories for boys and girls with common rooms and lounges where children can play and relax. Our boarders enjoy a wide range of activities, and weekend trips, in addition to having full access to Culford’s impressive range of sports, art, music and drama facilities. With the constant support of our Houseparent and House Tutors, boarding really is a fun home-from-home. The Role

The Deputy Head is directly responsible to the Head of the Prep School and acts for her in her absence. S/he has a reduced teaching timetable. In addition s/he is responsible for the following areas:

• Responsible for the day-to-day running of the Prep School • Management of staff performance • Leadership and management of teaching and learning • Oversight of handbooks and school policies • Oversight of pupil welfare and school discipline • Inspections Coordinator • Common Room requirements and recruitment • Management and appraisal of the School Office • Oversight of production of all handbooks and policy documents • Promoting liaison with the Senior and Pre-Preparatory Schools • Oversight of all academic policy and curriculum developments • Oversight of academic and non-academic budgets, monitoring and evaluating their use • Advising the Head on staffing requirements and the deployment of teachers • Oversight of the construction of the timetable (working with the Senior Teacher) • Setting and monitoring departmental and whole school academic targets • Oversight of the assessment, recording and reporting procedures • Oversight of examinations including the setting and marking of papers • Advising the Head regarding entrance and scholarship results • Oversight of pupils’ selection of academic subjects for Higher Performing sports players • Oversight of the production of departmental handbooks and schemes of work • Chairing the Heads of Department meetings • Attendance at Governors’ meetings by invitation • Oversight of individual pupils’ academic performance

This job description will be reviewed annually and may be subject to amendment or modification at any time after consultation with the post holder. It is not a comprehensive statement of tasks but sets out the main expectations of the School in relation to the post holder’s professional responsibilities and duties. The Person

Our new Deputy Head will be an inspirational, highly-motivated and strategic leader who can secure the full engagement of pupils, parents and colleagues. The successful candidate will have the following qualifications, experience, knowledge and personal qualities:

Qualifications and Experience

• A good degree and teaching qualification with strong evidence of professional development. • Experience of middle or senior management • Experience of teaching pupils in Key Stage 2 and/or Key Stage 3

Skills and Knowledge

• A passion for academic excellence with a professional and motivational approach demonstrating a clear understanding of what excellence looks like to ensure high standards across the school. • Excellent and effective class management skills • A commitment to, and knowledge of, the safeguarding of children • A demonstrable enthusiasm for co-curricular opportunities including sports and the creative arts which are central to life at Culford. • A research-informed knowledge of current educational issues, covering both academic and welfare matters including and up-to-date knowledge of current legislative issues and guidance in relation to working with young children • The ability to prioritise with excellent time management and IT capabilities.

Personal

• Fully supportive of the aims and ethos of a • Excellent written, spoken and listening skills • A high level of flexibility with a ‘can do’ attitude and an openness to new ideas and practices • Approachable, able to put people at ease, reassure, guide, and explain. • Ability to deal confidently with difficult pupils, staff and parents. • Understanding the age appropriate needs and concerns of young people and having natural empathy with them. • Hard working, driven and determined. • Resilient with a good sense of humour. • The ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines The Location

Suffolk is a wonderful place to live and is a special town. Small enough to feel like a community, it boasts its own Cathedral and Abbey Gardens and its medieval heart gives it a charming feel. It is also a modern shopping centre, however, with a retail development, the Arc. As well as the normal retail outlets, the area contains the Apex Centre, a venue that offers theatre and live music of all sorts regularly.

The town is home to a number of independent retailers, craft pubs, breweries and restaurants. As well as a multiplex cinema, there is also an Art House cinema that shows an eclectic range of movies which can be watched with wine or beer and from the comfort of a sofa; and the town also boasts a lovingly restored Regency theatre. CULFORD Suffolk has low crime rates and high sunshine levels Stansted compared to the rest of the UK; and accommodation Heathrow LONDON around Bury St Edmunds is relatively affordable. It is, Gatwick however, centrally located on the A14 with and Cambridge both 40 minutes away for a wider range of shops, museums, restaurants and theatres. The coast is less than an hour away with Aldeburgh and Southwold well known for their beauty.

London is a 90 minute drive down the A11/M11, or under two hours by train. Further flung destinations are equally close: Harwich ferries serve Holland and Europe; Stansted airport is 45 minutes away and Gatwick and Heathrow are both within 2.5 hours drive.

The Application Process

To apply please complete an application form and write a Applications should be received no formal letter addressed to Mrs C Bentley, Head of later than midday, Wednesday 8 July 2020. Prep School. Send both documents, stating the position applied for in the title line, to: Interviews are planned for the week beginning [email protected]. Please also include a copy of Monday 13 July 2020. your current CV. All information will be treated as strictly confidential. Your accompanying letter should be no longer than two sides of A4 and provide additional relevant information to If you have any questions or enquiries regarding support your application. The application form can be the application process, or would like downloaded from: http://www.culford.co.uk/work-for-us to arrange a conversation or pre-application visit, please ring the Head’s PA on: 01284 385382 If unable to apply by email please post your application, marked “Strictly Private and Confidential” to: All appointments are subject to pre-employment checks to meet vetting and Mrs C Bentley barring requirements. For more information Head of Prep School about that process please refer to the Culford School application form. Bury St Edmunds Suffolk IP28 6TX