Walhampton School Appointment of Head of Pre-Prep for September 2016 Contents
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Walhampton School Appointment of Head of Pre-Prep For September 2016 Contents Welcome - 1 The role and key tasks - 5 Personal attributes - 8 Application Process - 8 Welcome to Walhampton An independent day and boarding school for boys and girls aged 3 -13, Walhampton lies in ancient woodland on the southern edge of the New Forest on the coast near Lymington in Hampshire. A thriving co-educational school of 370 boarders and day children, Walhampton is on track to become one of the UK’s best prep schools. With big vistas and broad horizons set within one hundred acres of lawns, lakes and woodland, the school’s location is truly remarkable. Few prep schools can match its setting. We prepare our boys and girls for 13+ Common Entrance and scholarships to senior independent schools including Bryanston, Canford, Clayesmore, Eton, Harrow, Marlborough, Radley, St. Swithun’s and Winchester. Academic standards at Walhampton are excellent and were strongly endorsed in our most recent ISI report. We have enjoyed 100% success rate in Common Entrance for a number of years. Our location and facilities enable us to offer a broad and dynamic curriculum which stretches beyond the classroom. Lessons are taught in our kitchen garden, fields and woodland bringing maths, English and science to life while making sure sports, music and the arts flourish alongside academic disciplines. In how many other schools would you find the Battle of Trafalgar staged on a lake, or Hastings re-enacted with children in armour on horses? As well as rigorous academic standards, Walhampton is passionate about breadth. It offers over 60 on site extra-curricular activities including beekeeping, model railway, fishing, dance, archery, and shooting. Tere is a distinct ‘Swallows and Amazons’ spirit that burns brightly here. Sailing lessons take place on our lakes and horse riding is also popular in our equestrian centre. Full, weekly and flexi-boarders enjoy the relaxed and homely atmosphere of Bradfield House. Flexi boarding enables children to enjoy all that the school has to offer, while supporting families with busy lives. At Walhampton parents, children and staff will find a school in a stunning location, with a distinctive ethos and tremendous spirit. 1 Our ethos "Let us all rejoice in our work" All schools have a set of aims on which the school is built and to which it aspires. - Walhampton aims, as a coeducational day and boarding school, to: • Promote the importance of moral, spiritual and social values, inspired by the school's underlying Christian ethos • Be a dynamic school in which teaching is exemplary and pupils develop both the discipline of study and the joy of learning • Develop the academic, creative and sporting talents of each child, ensuring a broad and balanced education of the whole person • Be a distinctly happy school to which children and adults feel a deep loyalty - a place in which children can laugh, feel safe and enjoy being children • Inspire in every child a love of nature and the outdoors • Be a school that is outward looking, building links with parents and the local community, as well as celebrating cultures from around the world • Develop in every child a strength of character so they leave Walhampton as confident, capable, compassionate and independent minded young people Tis set of aims provides our school with a distinctive identity and strong sense of direction. It captures the essence of who we are and what we stand for and can be summed up in seven words: Values, Learning, Breadth, Joy, Outdoors, Community and Character. 2 Drama, Music and Art In music, drama and art, every child has opportunities to create and perform. Our focus is to help each child to find their artistic ability within. We then ensure they have the environment and encouragement to express Academics their creativity: in writing, music, singing, drama and the visual arts. Tis includes many opportunities to Our children achieve consistently impressive academic exhibit work and perform in front of an audience. results, taking their learning to the next level as they prepare for the country’s leading secondary schools. It Te school delights in a number of performances in is especially encouraging when the quality of our our purpose-built Performing Arts Centre. From the teaching is recognised externally. unforgettable Pre-Prep Nativity to full-scale productions by the Prep juniors and seniors, the Te Independent Schools Inspectorate has said: children always have their audience spellbound. Each “Pupils’ achievements and their learning, attitudes and year, over 60 children further their passion for drama skills are excellent…an exciting and dynamic school in and musical theatre by taking LAMDA examinations, which children acquire a genuine thirst for knowledge with the majority achieving Merit or Distinction. and a love of learning. Pupils are extremely well prepared for their future lives.” Sport Importantly, our location and facilities mean we can We encourage children to find their sport, and then offer a far broader and more balanced education than give them opportunities to excel in it. We’re proud to many other schools. Education isn’t only about formal offer such a huge range and variety, from sailing, exams: we believe in taking children beyond the archery, golf and fencing to traditional team sports like classroom to our kitchen garden, fields, lakes and hockey, netball, rugby and football. Our outstanding woodland to bring maths, English, science and history facilities include a purpose-built sports hall, astroturf to life - and making sure sports, music and the arts pitch, long jump runway, 400m track, football and flourish alongside other academic disciplines. rugby pitches, netball court, swimming pool and cricket nets. Our highly qualified teachers inspire and bring learning to life: their multi-sensory approach Every child at Walhampton participates in daily sport complements our broad curriculum, developing and has numerous opportunities to represent the meaningful cross-curricular links wherever possible. school. Our Learning Support Unit is also In Sport as elsewhere, we are never elitist or exclusive: on hand to provide bespoke support, offering our watchwords are inclusiveness, diversity and additional help to those who need it, and challenging excellence. Whatever the activity, our approach is gifted children. Our aim is to nurture, instill based on strong specialist coaching, team spirit, the confidence and encourage enthusiasm. benefits of competition and constantly improving your personal best. 3 Boarding Pre-Prep It is a privilege to work with children in their precious early years: to help them find their way, make friends Walhampton has strong family values. Its day and begin their educational journey. children are completely integrated with our full-time, weekly and flexi-boarders - all of whom thrive within We start with the child, not the curriculum. our ‘home from home’ environment. Walhampton’s Pre-Prep and Nursery is a happy, big hearted and productive place where children can We work hard to provide a caring atmosphere that develop the building blocks for life and learning, with makes being away easier. Our comfortable and the help of caring staff who understand their spacious shared bedrooms offer stunning views across individual needs. the Solent. Our welcoming classrooms provide outstanding A number of staff and their families live on the facilities that extend outside. It is a fun and premises, including our house parents who ensure educationally stimulating environment for children to boarding is flourishing, caring and fun. Tey make start exploring their world through engaging lessons sure all boarders are supported at all times. alongside play, music, drama and sport. During the week, we ensure a healthy balance A genuinely nurturing school, we focus on giving between work, rest and play, and keep a close eye on each child exceptional opportunities for learning and the needs of each individual. Boarders enjoy their own personal development - and to help make the Common Room, TV and games room along with the transition to ‘big school’ that much easier. swimming pool, sports hall and other activities. Our boarders really make use of the space and opportunities available to them. 4 The Role Tis is an outstanding opportunity to lead and develop Walhampton Pre-Prep. Te candidate will have a track record of management and leadership, and the drive to achieve excellence in an Early Years and Pre- Prep education. Applicants should have held significant Key Stage responsibilities, and have experience of raising standards through effective teaching and successful practice. Te principal function of the post is to provide daily guidance and leadership in order to deliver a first class Pre-Prep department. As such, the role requires the appropriate level of experience and gravitas in management, academic delivery and pastoral care. Te role requires a clear understanding of the essential qualities necessary for effective teaching and learning as well as up-to-date knowledge of statutory regulations and guidance relating to the post. Te individual will need to take responsibility for promoting and safeguarding the welfare of children in the Pre-Prep. Te Head of Pre-Prep is a member of the Senior Leadership Team (SLT) and will need to represent the department in matters of policy, budgeting and general school strategy. As Head of the department, there is a requirement to take full responsibility for the school in the absence of the Headmaster and the Deputy Heads. Te post holder is expected to take a keen interest in the lives and well-being of the Walhampton Pre-Prep pupils and is also required to build and foster good relationships with parents, teachers and other outside education agencies. Te Head of Pre-Prep reports to the Headmaster on a regular basis. A member of the Board of Governors is assigned to take a special interest in the affairs of the Pre-Prep and will meet regularly with the post holder.