Sutton Valence School Candidate Information Head of Maintenance November 2019 the School

Sutton Valence School Candidate Information Head of Maintenance November 2019 The School

Sutton Valence School consists of Sutton Valence School (SVS) and Sutton Valence Preparatory School (SVPS). SVS is an independent, HMC co-educational day and boarding school. It is part of, and overlooks, the picturesque village of Sutton Valence five miles from Maidstone. The roll at Sutton Valence is currently 550 pupils between the ages of 11 and 18 of which 115 are boarders. Class sizes are small and the overall pupil-staff ratio of 9:1 enables Sutton Valence pupils to benefit from the close guidance and individual attention of teachers. The academic staff are all highly-qualified subject specialists. Contained within the 100 acre site, there are excellent games pitches, a superb all-weather playing surface and a sports centre which contains a state of the art fitness suite. The School has a fine musical tradition and a flourishing drama department. Sutton Valence Preparatory School occupies its own site in the neighbouring village of Chart Sutton and currently has 300 pupils between the ages of 3 and 11. In addition, the School has a number of residential properties contained within the School sites and also in the village of Sutton Valence. Sutton Valence Vision, Mission and Ethos

Vision one school, many journeys Through membership of our community and the academic and co- curricular opportunities it provides, we believe that all young people in our School will be enabled to fulfil their true potential. We want our students to be confident civilised, tolerant and open-minded individuals who possess a love of learning and a strong set of values reflecting our principles as a Christian Foundation.

Our Mission is to provide:  A caring, supportive and inclusive community for the education of children aged 3-18, day and boarding;  A challenging, relevant and broad curriculum delivered in ways that allow all to achieve;  An outstanding range of sporting, artistic, cultural and social activities, and opportunities so that children can develop skills such as self-discipline, commitment, leadership and teamwork;  A safe, secure and stimulating environment which promotes excellence, independence and high standards whilst providing support to all who need it;  A grounding in moral and spiritual understanding which will promote respect for others, along with self-respect.

Ethos A community where each cares for all and individuality is cherished. The Department

Reporting to the Estates Bursar, the Head of Maintenance leads a team of six maintenance assistants at the Senior School and works with the maintenance supervisor at the Preparatory School. This is a busy department responsible for the routine maintenance and repairs of the buildings on site and the preparations for functions and events. In addition, there are small building projects that are undertaken during school holidays. The buildings consist of classrooms, sports facilities and residential property. This is an operational role managing staff and contractors, rather than that of a facilities manager. Specific Responsibilities

The Head of Maintenance will review and monitor the programme of work to ensure high quality results within the approved budgets, assist in the management of Health & Safety requirements affecting the school site ensuring regulations are adhered to, line manage the team and will oversee contractors. The post holder will be expected to:

 Line manage the Maintenance Assistants, carry out appraisals, provide development plans, organise training and assist in recruitment and ensure that maintenance staff are trained and operate a safe system of work at all times;  Be responsible for the day to day organisation of the Maintenance Department with regard to allocation of tasks and general monitoring of work output across the whole School site, including residential accommodation;  Assist in the maintenance repairs across the sites and all residential accommodation;  Liaise with and ensure all contractors undertaking work at the school fully comply with School’s Safeguarding Policy, Health & Safety Policy and Fire Procedures at all times;  Ensure that the legal provisions relating to Health, Safety and Welfare at work are properly adhered to, including undertaking Risk Assessments;  Ensure the School’s fire protection, alarm and surveillance equipment is well maintained and operational;  Be responsible for overseeing the plan of preventative maintenance during term and non-term periods and monitoring its implementation;  Assist in the required process for tendering and quotations for building projects;  Assist the School Bursar and Estates Bursar in the annual review of capital, maintenance and general development expenditure, ensuring expenditure is within budgetary limitations. Person Specification  Excellent numeracy and literacy skills;

The successful candidate will be expected to possess the following  A confident user of IT to include Word, Outlook and Excel Spreadsheets; competencies:  Personal commitment to continuous self-development;  Ability to cope with physical demands of the job. Judgement  Display confidence in own judgement but respond constructively to Desirable alternative ideas.  Experience of working in a school, academy or other educational based background; Strategic Thinking and Planning  NEBOSH Certificate level or above.  Help translate strategic aims into practical and achievable plans and objectives; Outline Conditions  Demonstrate sensitivity to school needs and wider issues. Salary is circa £30,200 per annum. The annual leave entitlement is four weeks Communication in addition to Public Holidays. Lunch is available in the refectory free of  Be concise and persuasive, orally and in writing; charge during term time. Staff may use the excellent fitness facilities in the  Choose the method of communication most likely to secure Sports Hall at the senior site in the evening, if not being used. The School effective results; operates a contributory pension scheme which is open to all members of  Possess excellent person-to-person skills and the ability to manage staff. Staff with a contract for at least one full term and who have children challenging situations with diplomacy and humour when who attend the School will be eligible to receive a discount in respect of appropriate; School fees. The current rate of discount is 65% for full-time staff, and for  Display tact and diplomacy in all interpersonal relationships with part-time staff the relevant percentage will be calculated on a pro rata basis. the public, parents, pupils and colleagues;  Comfortable and effective in a representational role; Any offer of appointment will be subject to satisfactory references, the  Able to negotiate, persuade and motivate others. completion of a successful medical examination and criminal record check via the Disclosure and Barring Service. Delivering Results The School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of  Able to drive policy forward to ensure school policy objectives are met; children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. A copy of the School’s child protection policy may be found on  Understand the importance of matching resources to priorities; the School’s website and applicants are expected to have read it if invited for  Effective in managing targets and timescales and rigorous in monitoring outcomes against targets. interview. Application Process Specific Requirements Accompanying letters of application should state what particular skills and Essential attributes you can bring to Sutton Valence School, brief details of how you fit  Building trade experience in a working environment and some the position, including specific details of skills, experience and achievements, knowledge of most trades; and details of any interests and hobbies.  Proven ability to manage a team effectively and also be a team player; To apply, complete the application and monitoring form and email it with a  The self-motivation and personal drive to complete tasks to the covering letter to [email protected] or post it for the attention of the required timescales and quality standards whilst remaining flexible Estates Bursar, Sutton Valence School, North Street, Sutton Valence, Kent and adapting to changing workload demands and new challenges; ME17 3HL.  Be working towards or already achieved a nationally recognised Health and Safety qualification; Closing date: Monday 21st October 2019

 Experience of implementing Health & Safety in a working Sutton Valence School is an equal opportunities employer. environment relating to risk assessments, fire precautions, regulations and appropriate safety procedures; A member of The United Westminster and Grey Coat Foundation. Registered Charity No 1181012

Sutton Valence School North Street Sutton Valence Kent ME17 3HL