Elstree School . Reading. . RG7 5TD 0118 9713302

www.elstreeschool.org.uk

Candidate brief for the position of Head of English To Commence September 2017

Elstree

School

Contents

The School 3

The Role 5

Responsibilities 6-8

The Person 8

Remuneration 9

2 Candidate brief - Head of English to commence September 2017

Elstree The School School Set in 150 acres of stunning parkland in rural , Elstree welcomes boys aged 3-13 years and girls aged 3-8 years. From Year 4 onwards, boys can choose to board in this happy, secure and purposeful environment. It is an idyllic place for children to be nurtured and inspired.

The School has recently been awarded the highly prestigious Tatler Prep School of the Year 2015. This award reflects the overall excellence of the School combined with our quality all round education, as well as recognising that the School has a clear sense of purpose and strategy under the leadership of the Headmaster, Sid Inglis.

At Elstree we are academically ambitious and provide a first class all-round education. Our boys go on to the top public schools and we are immensely proud of the strong Common Entrance and Scholarship record. The emphasis is on building confidence, developing talent and maximising potential.

Christian values underpin everything we do. Pupils are encouraged to respect one another and to gain a strong sense of personal worth. We pride ourselves on their openness and positive spirit, their good manners and, above all, their ability to contribute fully to the school and make lifelong friends.

It is so easy to complicate education. Whilst it is vital to embrace the challenges of the 21st Century, we must never lose sight of the importance of giving children a proper childhood. Creativity, teamwork and tolerance go hand in hand with a hunger and curiosity to learn and a strong will to succeed.

Whilst Elstree’s facilities and approach have modernised hugely in recent years, the aim is still to embed the important values of hard work, kindness to others and making the most of opportunities. Academic achievement coupled with the chance to be involved in sport, music, art and drama, ensure that Elstree remains a preparatory school in the broadest sense of the word.

Year 3 forms the main point of entry for the new intake of pupils from other schools to join boys and girls from our Pre-Prep Department. Years 3 and 4 have a Class Teacher who teaches their English, Maths, Science, Geography, History and RS Lessons. The pupils start to become more independent as they move around the school for PE, DT, Art, Music, French and ICT with specialist teachers.

3 Candidate brief - Head of English to commence September 2017

Elstree

At the end of Year 3, we wish our Schoolgirls every success at their chosen prep school and Elstree becomes boys only from Year 4 upwards. We offer shooting, model railways, making dioramas full of toy soldiers, playing with remote control cars, den building, mountain biking, raft building alongside choirs, orchestras, art and design technology, fencing, horse riding, drama productions and dance. Year 4 also brings the introduction of Saturday School which gives us the opportunity to give more variety and breadth to both the academic and extracurricular programmes and the chance to start boarding.

Once in Years 5 and 6, the boys move to a ‘Tutor’ system and are taught by individual subject specialists for all of their subjects and begin to work independently work in supervised prep time, which is structured within the school day. Their Tutor supports and helps boys to adjust to organising themselves – being in the right place at the right time, with the right things, having completed any work set.

Years 7 and 8 begin to have a greater focus on the examinations ahead of them and their target school. Tutors consider how best to guide individuals towards their own goals and how to encourage them to get the best out of themselves. Our strong record of Common Entrance results and Scholarship Awards bears testimony to the success of our approach and our Year 8 boys leave us as confident young men, without arrogance but with enthusiasm and a readiness to tackle all that lies ahead.

Two state of the art Science laboratories, well-equipped classrooms, a new full size all weather pitch and spacious play areas ensure that we offer a purposeful, stimulating and supportive environment for children to discover their individual talents. Phase 1 of the Music Department redevelopment is now complete, with phase 2 starting later this term giving bigger practice rooms, a large choir and ensemble rehearsal room and a revamped teaching space. The next planned development is for the Art and DT departments.

4 Candidate brief - Head of English to commence September 2017

Elstree School The Role

This is an exciting opportunity for an inspirational, motivated and experienced teacher to join the school as Head of English. The role of Head of English is pivotal to the success of the school and for the right candidate there may be an opportunity to also lead our dynamic drama department. You will be responsible for the leadership and management of this highly successful department. The successful applicant will teach to Common Entrance and Scholarship level and will be expected to make a full contribution to all aspects of boarding life.

5 Candidate brief - Head of English to commence September 2017

Elstree

School

Responsibilities

Head of Department

 Have a demonstrable enthusiasm for English and for teaching, matched by relevant experience in the latest teaching methods and equipment, and be able to develop in the pupils a passion for the subject as well as a growing confidence and proficiency;

 Maintain a well-ordered department fully acquainted with current Health and Safety legislation and best practice, and organise all assessments and examination results in the department; monitor the performance of the boys in all assessments to ensure that standards are as high as possible in all age groups and to use the results in the future planning of teaching and learning in the department;

 Ensure that all schemes of work are up to date, reviewed annually, incorporating any changes in the National Curriculum and scholarship syllabuses and ensuring continuity and progression from year to year, and to liaise with the specific subject co-ordinator at the Home Farm Pre-Prep department. Schemes should indicate clearly to all interested parties the work that children in any group are doing, any learning objectives, cross-curricular linkage, attainment targets and levels covered;

 Keep abreast of all developments in the teaching of the subject, encouraging ‘in-service’ courses/training in the department;

 Ensure that the department is well resourced, managing the departmental budget and the teaching rooms used by the department;

 Encourage cross-curricular links with other departments, and to assist where appropriate with school drama productions;

 Liaise closely with the Learning Development Department about how best to support the boys with special educational needs and identify and support those recognised as having above average abilities;

 Contribute to a subject specific development plan informing management of the successes, issues and problems encountered in the department;

 Promote the subject within the school and within the community if appropriate, and by organising special events for the children and parents. Particular responsibility should be taken for the relevant display of subject work in the school;

 Deal with queries from parents or any other interested parties, relating to the work of the department;

 Support Scholarship students, run extra tuition clinics and liaise with the Librarian in promoting reading within the school;

6 Candidate brief - Head of English to commence September 2017

Elstree

 Observe members of department in lessons and be involved in staff appraisals as appropriate; School  Oversee and organise any Departmental related events such as Poetry Declamations, reading competitions, book days and other activities.

As a Teacher

Teaching, preparation, assessment, record-keeping, the writing of reports, pastoral care and the liaison with parents and other staff are regarded as an integral part of every teacher’s commitment. An average commitment is 28 x 35 minute lessons per week.

Every teacher is expected:

 To teach the lessons as required by the Headmaster;

 To contribute to the preparation and marking of examinations, coursework and practical assessment;

 To keep informed of current teaching and subject specific developments through documents, meetings and in-service courses;

 To manage their classroom in such a way that it is a stimulating and welcoming environment for the boys;

 Be an integral part of a team that accepts the collective responsibility for the health, education and welfare of the boys in the school, and to abide by Health and Safety regulations;

 Assist in the implementation of the aims of the School, which are based upon developing each boy’s natural ability to the full, and to support the Christian ethos of the School;

 Play as full a part as possible in the corporate life of the school, such as undertaking a contribution to the extra-curricular activities (as reasonably required by the Headmaster) and a fair share of the supervisory duties in the school, including duties within the Boarding House, leading activities at weekends and in the evening, as appropriate;

 Contribute to the School ethos by upholding discipline and standards of general behaviour around the School and to uphold and support decisions taken by the Headmaster or by his representative, such as the Deputy Head, Director of Studies or Head of Department

 Attend Parents’ meetings, Common Room and Departmental meetings and major functions when required by the Headmaster;

 Cover for absent colleagues and, when absent themselves, set appropriate work wherever possible;

 Take part in the Staff Career Development (Appraisal) scheme;

 Teachers may in time be asked to be a form tutor. In this eventuality, additional help will be given to support this advancement.

7 Candidate brief - Head of English to commence September 2017

Elstree  Have a strong awareness of safeguarding procedures and fully embrace the pastoral support for pupils. School

As a Form Tutor

Most members of staff will be expected to be a tutor to one class of boys. They will remain tutor to this group for at least one academic year. Detailed duties of a Form Tutor will be found in the Staff Handbook but, in brief, all tutors are:

 Responsible for the pastoral care of all boys in their class;

 Expected to oversee the academic and social development of all boys in their class;

 Responsible for liaising with the Headmaster, Housemaster (if boarding), parents and other staff about the interests of every boy in their class and

 Responsible for bringing to the Headmaster’s attention any concerns about the progress and development of boys in their class.

The Person

Essential Desirable Method of Assessment Education and Ability to teach English QTS/PGCE Application form Qualifications: up to Common (experience may be a Entrance /Scholarship substitute) level. Good degree or equivalent in a English related subject Experience: Prior teaching Application form experience to Interview Common Entrance / Previous experience Scholarship level Ability to teach scholarship candidates Skills & Abilities: Practical IT literate Application form Confident Enthusiastic Interview Diligent Creative Previous experience Cooperative Observed lesson Team worker Knowledge: Safeguarding Application form Interview Previous experience Observed lesson

8 Candidate brief - Head of English to commence September 2017

Elstree School Remuneration

The successful candidate will receive an attractive salary package according to experience and expertise. Accommodation may be available.

How to Apply

The application pack contains the following:-

 Head of English Briefing Pack

 An application form

 The School’s Safeguarding Children Leaflet.

 An Equal Opportunities form (Please return separately in an envelope marked HR Confidential).

Appointment of the successful candidate will be subject to verification of medical fitness, receipt of satisfactory references and an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service Check.

If you are interested in applying for this post, please complete the application form in full and return to the School by 6th February 2017; early applications are welcomed. Please also include a hand-written covering letter detailing why you feel you are suitable for this role. You may like to add a curriculum vitae but this will not be accepted in place of the application form. Your application may be submitted by email to [email protected] or by post to the following address:-

Recruitment Elstree School Woolhampton Reading RG7 5TD

Short-listed candidates will be asked to attend an interview at the School and will be asked to present a sample lesson. Interviews will take place the week commencing 20th February 2017. If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact us.

Elstree is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people, and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

9 Candidate brief - Head of English to commence September 2017