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

An independent day and for boys and girls aged 3 -13, Walhampton lies in ancient woodland on the southern edge of the on the coast near in .

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.

5 Principal requirements:

• To be responsible to the Headmaster for the day to day internal management, organisation, operation and administration of the Pre-Prep Department.

• As part of the Senior Management Team, to assist the Headmaster in planning and implementing school policies and to undertake any other duties that the Headmaster may from time to time require.

• To oversee the management of the EYFS.

• To take responsibility for the teaching of some lessons, displaying a high level of professional ability as an example to new teachers, pupils and others.

• To maintain a high standard of professional commitment.

• To co-operate and liaise with fellow staff from each department for the good of the pupils and of the school.

• To take appropriate responsibility for the health and safety of pupils, visitors and work colleagues in accordance with the requirements of legislation.

• To contribute to the overall life of the whole school.

• To contribute to the school’s marketing strategy and to participate in Open Days.

Pupils:

• To provide a secure, stimulating and orderly environment in which pupils’ happiness, welfare and all round development can be nurtured.

• To provide a sound foundation for pupils’ progress and to monitor it carefully.

• To ensure a wide range of activities for pupils and to give them confidence in their ability to take on new challenges.

• To identify any children with particular educational or emotional needs and, where necessary, to make provision for them.

Colleagues:

• To liaise between the Headmaster and Pre-Prep staff where appropriate.

• To be responsible for monitoring the work of the Teaching Staff and the Teaching Assistants in Pre-Prep.

• To lead the team of Pre-Prep Teachers and assistants and encourage their continuing professional development through regular appraisal and inset.

• To liaise, as appropriate, with other members of staff, e.g. Head of Juniors, Deputy Heads, Director of Studies, Heads of Department, Bursar, learning support staff.

• To attend senior management meetings.

• To assist in the appointment and induction of new staff.

6 Parents:

• To ensure that positive communication is maintained with parents through reports, parents’ evenings, letters and other informal opportunities.

Academic:

• To effect the continuing development of a broad, balanced and stimulating curriculum.

• To ensure that schemes of work are regularly updated and policy documents are reviewed.

• To oversee the delivery of the curriculum.

• To ensure that records are kept and to monitor the use of records to inform planning and target setting.

• To keep abreast of current educational thought.

• To liaise with Heads of Departments in the main school to ensure continuity between Pre-Prep and main school.

• To liaise with the Head of Juniors regarding transition to Year 3.

Organisational:

• To keep the Headmaster aware of events in Pre-Prep, through attendance at weekly meetings, Senior Management meetings and other opportunities, as appropriate.

• To co-ordinate the Pre-Prep academic and administrative timetables.

• To deploy teaching and non-teaching staff in an efficient manner.

• To organise appropriate cover within Pre-Prep in the event of illness, training and rescheduling.

• To ensure the efficient management of available resources.

• To monitor and oversee the ordering, maintaining and updating of resources within the Pre-Prep.

• To ensure the efficient management of the annual budget for the Pre-Prep.

• To delegate as necessary and appropriate to ensure that the Pre-Prep fulfils the requirements of the whole school policies.

• To carry out risk assessments, organise transport and catering for educational, recreational outings and visits from speakers.

• To have responsibility for the organisation of Pre-Prep events such as Harvest Festival, the Nativity, induction meetings, parents’ meetings and prize giving. Also to liaise with the Director of Sport and games staff in the organisation of the annual sports day.

7 Personal attributes

Te successful candidate is likely to have some, or all, of the following attributes:

• Excellent leadership and interpersonal skills.

• Current or recent experience of management in a primary or pre-preparatory school.

• Ability to communicate well with children and adults, orally and on paper.

• A commitment to children of all ages and a devotion to their well-being and education.

• Experience in using IT for education, administration and communication.

• Ability to work under pressure and a capacity for hard work.

• Energy, pragmatism and resourcefulness.

• Ability to appreciate the needs of the whole School whilst being a persuasive advocate for the Pre- Prep.

• A very positive outlook and an excellent sense of humour.

Qualifications

• Qualified to degree level with QTS or recognised equivalent.

Background

Pre-Prep has 130 day boys and girls from Nursery to Year 2. Te stand alone department is set within the school’s grounds and makes excellent use of the impressive facilities. Te Head of Pre-Prep enjoys a good degree of autonomy in the day-to-day running of this part of the school.

All classes are supported by teaching assistants. Class teaching is enhanced by Music and PE specialists and a Learning Support team. As well as light and airy classrooms, Pre-Prep has a central hall space, a library and access to specialist music, art and cookery rooms. PE and games for the younger children take place in the school’s Sports Hall and the older children use the excellent facilities and substantial grounds. Some activities and lessons take place at the main school. In 2012, the Independent Schools Inspectorate found our Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) provision to be “Outstanding”.

Terms of Employment For an outline Terms of Employment, a full Job Description and an Application Form please email [email protected]. A formal contract detailing full terms and conditions will be drawn up on appointment.

The Application Process

All applicants should complete their official application form electronically and email it, together with a covering letter to Headmaster, Titus Mills stating why they wish to apply for the post and the qualities they would bring to it. A Curriculum Vitae may be submitted but will not be accepted in substitution for a completed application form and will only be referred to at the short list stage.

Applications should be sent to [email protected] and will be acknowledged by email. Te closing date for applications to be received by the school is noon on Monday, 2nd November 2015. Interviews and a tour of the school will be held during week commencing 16th November 2015.

8 , LYMINGTON, HAMPSHIRE, S041 5ZG Telephone: +44 (0)1590 613300 Email: offi[email protected] Web: www.walhampton.com Headmaster: Titus Mills BA (Hons) PGCE Walhampton School Trust Ltd. Registered in No. 871641. Registered Charity No. 307330