Head Teacher Somerhill Pre-Prep Recruitment Package
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THE SCHOOLS AT SOMERHILL Head Teacher Somerhill Pre-Prep Recruitment Package YARDLEY COURT SOMERHILL PRE-PREP DERWENT LODGE About us A Message from the Principal – Duncan Sinclair Ours is a very special school with a unique structure in this part of the world. We have a coeducational pre-prep of 200 boys and girls aged 3-7. At the end of Year Two, in the same way as for ‘diamond model’ schools, our girls join Derwent Lodge, (136 girls Year 3 to 6) and the boys join Yardley Court (250 boys Year 3 to 8). Our pupils are therefore taught in single sex classes from the age of seven but very much in a coeducational setting. More details can be found on our website: www.somerhill.org The School is based in a stunning Jacobean mansion set schools. That said, many of our pupils will move on to in 150 acres of beautiful parkland. You will be hard-pressed independent secondary schools which, for the boys, includes to fi nd a more glorious setting for a school! Somerhill is an the likes of Tonbridge, Sevenoaks, Bedes, Sutton Valence and estate just to the South of Tonbridge and is readily accessed Eastbourne College. Derwent Lodge girls commonly move by a slip road off the A21. We have excellent facilities on to Sevenoaks, Kent College, Walthamstow Hall, Mayfi eld including a multi-purpose sports hall, Astroturf, new dining and Benenden. hall and indoor swimming pool complex and a Music School Whilst the Schools at Somerhill have some 600 pupils, the built in 2014. division into three separate schools means that each school Ours is a mixed ability school. We have very bright and is able to tailor its teaching to best suit the children within capable pupils, some of whom will go on to win scholarships it. Parents feel that they have the best of both worlds with at academic schools such as Tonbridge and Sevenoaks at small school care and linked pupil/teacher ratios but with 11+/13+. We also have boys and girls who fi nd aspects of larger school facilities and social opportunities. They are their learning more challenging and currently approximately very supportive of the idea behind a co-educational pre- 60+ pupils receive some measure of additional support. prep leading to single sex prep schools, but within a mixed We are in a very strong catchment area for local grammar gender environment. The Aims of the School The Schools at Somerhill seek to help each of our pupils to achieve the greatest all-round development and success of which they are capable. This includes promoting their academic, personal, spiritual, social, and moral growth. We aim to give each child self-esteem, resilience and a determination to make their lives as fulfi lling as possible both here at Somerhill and as members of a global community. We encourage our pupils to work hard and take a pride in achievement, to think honestly and independently, to face up to challenges, to accept responsibility, to show concern for others and the environment and to develop a broad range of skills and interests. In a caring and happy community, we want our children to make the most of their talents and promote the well-being of themselves and others. Somerhill Pre-Prep is our school for 3 to 7 year old girls and boys. “High quality education in a happy environment. Teaching enables pupils of all abilities to make progress. It promotes exploration and independent learning and gives pupils confi dence in their abilities.” Independent Schools Inspectorate Derwent Lodge is our Preparatory School for 7 to 11 year old girls. “Excellent standards in lessons, in the scholarships and places gained at senior schools. Girls work together exceptionally well and show considerable imagination, independence of thought and fl air.” Independent Schools Inspectorate Yardley Court is our Preparatory School for 7 to 13 year old boys. “Pupils thrive in the atmosphere of hard work, enjoyment and eff ort. Their attitude to their work is excellent and they take pride in their achievements and the success of others.” Independent Schools Inspectorate Person Specifi cation Somerhill Pre-Prep We are seeking a Head who: The Head of Somerhill Pre-Prep is a very senior position, • Has leadership experience. They may well already be a answerable to the Principal and working closely with serving pre-prep Head of an IAPS school the Heads of the prep schools. On a day-to-day basis the • Has a good university degree and appropriate teaching Head Teacher enjoys considerable autonomy but must qualifi cations always be aware of their role within the larger organisation. They will bring energy, enthusiasm and a high degree of • Will provide clear vision and command respect amongst professionalism to the role. The Head Teacher manages 35 the whole school community staff in the Pre-Prep, 30 of whom are full-time employees. • Is an incisive and strategic thinker who is able to motivate Our Pre-Prep numbers are currently as follows: pupils and staff • Is an innovative manager who is able to assess and 2 Pre-school classes with mixed Rising 3 and Rising 4 age promote excellent teaching and learning children: 43 children • Is knowledgeable about pre-prep schools and the Early Reception 3 classes 54 pupils (max) Currently 48 on roll Years and Foundation Stage Year One 3 classes 56 pupils (max) Currently 48 on roll • Communicates well and enjoys working in partnership Year Two 3 classes 60 pupils (max) Currently 59 on roll with parents and Governors Total: 198 • Will inspire and excite pupils by generating a love of learning • Possesses resilience and a sense of humour • Has a genuine joy for working with children Role Description The Schools at Somerhill Pre-Prep Head Teacher Accountable to: The Principal of The Schools at Somerhill and The Governing Body Main Purpose: To lead and manage Somerhill Pre-Prep on behalf of the Principal and Governors, encouraging staff to give the best possible care to pupils in their charge and achieve the highest quality teaching and learning across all year groups. The Package • Very attractive salary based on experience and qualifi cations and refl ecting both the size of the school and the importance of this position • Private medical insurance • Membership of the Teachers’ Pension Scheme • Fee remission for children Start Date: April or September 2019 We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Detailed Role Description 1 Strategic Direction 2 Teaching and Learning The Head Teacher, working with the Senior Leadership Team 2.1 Create and maintain a welcoming environment and a and Governing Body, develops a strategic view of the school code of behaviour that promote and secure good teaching, and its community; analysing and planning its future needs. eff ective learning and high standards of achievement. 1.1 Lead by example, providing inspiration and motivation 2.2 Determine, organise, implement and monitor the for the pupils, staff , governors and parents of Somerhill curriculum and its assessment to ensure that they: Pre-Prep School. • meet with statutory requirements; 1.2 Work in partnership with SLT, Governing Body, staff and • are relevant to the needs of all pupils. parents 2.3 Ensure that improvements in literacy and numeracy • To create a learning culture and ethos, providing are a priority for all pupils, including those with special educational vision and direction, which secures eff ective educational needs. teaching, successful learning and achievement by pupils 2.4 Ensure that pupils develop study skills in order to learn and sustained improvement in their spiritual, moral, social, more eff ectively and with increasing independence. culture, intellectual and physical development. 2.5 Determine, organise and implement a policy for the • To prepare the children in the Pre-Prep for their onward spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of pupils journey to DL and YC by working closely with the Heads and their personal and health education. of each section and the Academic Director, ensuring a continuous academic and pastoral journey for each 2.6 Monitor and evaluate the quality of teaching and individual standards of learning and achievement of all pupils at the school. • To create and implement the annual development plan for SPP and contribute to the overall Somerhill development 2.7 Determine and implement policies which promote: plan with sound fi nancial management and organisation • self-discipline; to ensure whole school improvement, maintaining • good conduct and behaviour; the cycle of continuous self-evaluation and school • positive strategies and programmes for pupils’ support; improvement planning. • good attendance and punctuality. • To monitor, evaluate and review the eff ects of policies, priorities and performance of the school in practice and 2.8 Create and maintain an eff ective partnership with take appropriate action. parents to support and improve pupils’ achievement and personal development. • To ensure the management of fi nances, organisation and administration support the school’s vision and aims. 2.9 Participate, to such an extent as may be appropriate having regard to the Head Teacher’s other duties, in teaching 1.3 Ensure that all those involved in the school are pupils at the school. committed to its vision, ethos and aims, motivated to achieve them and engaged in meeting long, medium 2.10 Maintain the principle of assessment for learning and and short-term objectives and targets that secure the eff ective use of data, in order to set challenging yet realistic educational success of the school. targets to move pupils on. 3 Leadership and Management 4 Effi cient and eff ective deployment of staff and The role of the Head Teacher is one of leadership.