Together Clifton we are Deputy Head Academic Deputy Brief for thepositionof
cliftoncollege.com Introduction from the Head Master
– Thank you for your The successful applicant will work with the other members of the Senior Leadership interest in this role at Clifton. Team to realise the College’s exciting and I am delighted that you are ambitious development plans and to shape considering applying for one the future strategic direction of the school. We are looking for candidates who have of our Deputy Head positions. a deep passion for their area of responsibility I hope the information in this and who realise success by combining this brochure will answer some of with drive and commitment. the questions you may have The Deputy Head Academic will be an exceptional individual who leads by example but please do not hesitate to and earns the respect of everyone within the contact me if you would wish to Clifton community. Clifton is a remarkable school which aims to prepare every pupil discuss any aspect of the role in for life in a rapidly changing world. We are more detail. ambitious about the future of every one of our pupils and the successful candidate must share in this ambition. With the Deputy Head Co-curriculum retiring at the end of this academic year and with our The Senior Leadership Team will see Clifton former Deputy Head Pastoral having returned into the next chapter of its history. If you with his family to his native Australia, the would like to be part of that future as our College has taken the opportunity to review Deputy Head Academic, then we would be its Senior Leadership Team. delighted to consider your application. This has led us to expand the team with the creation of the post of Senior Deputy, a post that will be taken in September by our current Deputy Head Academic. Consequently, we are now looking to appoint three Deputy Heads for September 2021: Academic, Pastoral and Co-curriculum. This is an unprecedented opportunity to become part of a dynamic new Tim Greene Senior Leadership Team. Head of College
- 02 Clifton College
– Together, we are In 2017, Bristol topped the Sunday Times rankings of best places to live in Britain. Clifton. It was recently listed fourth in the Rough Guide’s top ten cities to visit worldwide. The city combines charm and beauty, and Founded in 1862, Clifton College is a leading is innovative in its culture and economy, independent day and boarding school in drawing more and more families to move to the UK. The College is housed in splendid, the area from London in order to live, work grand Grade II listed buildings in the beautiful and be educated. The school is also well- suburb of Clifton in Bristol. The Upper School connected by road, rail and air to national and provides an exceptional all-round education international destinations. for 724 girls and boys aged 13-18. 300 of these are boarders and 303 are in the Sixth Form. The College’s own Preparatory and Pre-Preparatory School cater for a further 500 pupils aged 2-13. The school successfully combines heritage with modernity, enjoying the best of both. It benefits from state-of-the-art facilities for learning and educational enrichment and a broad academic curriculum, in which pupils achieve excellent results, as well as a strong co-curricular offering across sport, music and the arts.
- 03 Ethos & Values
– Prepare every pupil for a rapidly changing world.
This is underpinned by our Mission: • To inspire each child to seize learning and opportunity and realise their full potential through an eagerness to embrace life with passion, integrity and resilience, and to make a positive difference to the lives of others. • To be a school with exceptional pastoral care, inspirational teaching, first-class inclusive sport, diverse co-curricular activities and an outstanding environment. The College lives and breathes its values which are Integrity, Spirit and Resilience, and aims to recruit staff who lead their field, and are able to inspire and support pupils to aspire to the highest standards of which they are capable.
04 - Admissions, Scholarships & Bursaries
The normal points of entry to the College are at Year 7, Year 9 and Year 12. Entry to the College involves either a personal visit or attending an Open Day and the College will also ask to review a recent school report and handwritten personal statement by each applicant. Prospective pupils may also be invited to a school ‘taster day’. Following a visit to the College, prospective pupils for Years 7 and 9 take entry tests and attend an interview with a senior member of College staff and successful candidates are then offered a place at the College. Prospective entrants at Year 12 need to have at least three 7 (or A) and three 6 (or B) grades at GCSE or equivalent. There are Academic, Music and Sport Scholarships on offer at Years 7, 9 and 12, and there are also Art, Drama and Design & Technology Scholarships. This complements a means-tested Bursaries programme for children with potential but whose parents may need assistance in paying school fees.
- 05 Academic Life
– Aim High, Stay Grounded. tailored to the needs of each individual by the College’s Learning Support Department housed in its own building. Clifton’s aim is to ensure academic excellence In the Sixth Form, the curriculum offers a wide for all. Intellectual risk-taking is encouraged range of A Level, AS Level and BTEC subjects in an environment where students are free to which are complemented by additional question, free to discover, free to try and free learning in examined and non-examined to succeed. Academic expectations are high courses. As well as taking the GCSE subjects and pupils are expected to work to the best of on to A Level standard, a diverse range of their ability. subject choices also includes: Dance, Further The College’s commitment to its values Maths, History of Art, Music Technology, supports students in the development Philosophy, Psychology, Russian, Sculpture of their intellectual agility and, as they and Ceramics. There are also BTEC options in progress, they learn to cope with greater Applied Psychology, Business, Digital Music independence and rigorous challenges. Production, IT, and Sport. In addition to four They develop the working methods which will main subjects, pupils can select up to two see them through their time at Clifton College, additional subjects such as LAMDA, Medical whilst also being encouraged to remain School Preparation and AS/GCSE languages naturally inquisitive and eager to learn. While such as Russian and Italian. recognising that every pupil has different Results are excellent at both GCSE and abilities, talents and levels of confidence, A Level: in 2020, 55% of A Level grades were they are all encouraged to aspire to reach the A*/A, while 47% of GCSE grades were A*, 8 or highest standards of which they are capable. 9 and 70% were grade 7 or A and above. In In Year 9, the curriculum is designed to offer 2019, 46% of A Level grades were A*/A, while a broad foundation from which GCSE choices more than 40% of GCSE grades were A*, 8 or 9. can be made and, in a number of subjects, In 2019, 90% of students won a place at their to actually begin the GCSE course content. chosen university with many of these Russell Most pupils in Years 10 and 11 work towards Group universities such as Bath, Bristol, 10 GCSE subjects based on a core curriculum Durham, Edinburgh, Exeter, Manchester plus options to suit their preferences, talents and UCL as well as Oxford and Cambridge. and potential future careers. Others are increasingly opting for universities The core curriculum includes English, Maths, overseas including Yale, Toronto, San the Sciences, one modern language (French, Francisco and Hong Kong. Mandarin, German or Spanish) and PSHE. To help pupils make informed choices about In addition, pupils choose further subject university and future career paths, Sixth options from a diverse list that includes Art Formers receive tailored careers advice, and and Design, Business, Classics, Classical the College’s expert staff work in close contact Civilisation, Computer Science, Dance, Design with parents and pupils to ensure they receive and Technology, Economics, English as an the best support and encouragement. Additional Language, Geography, History, Music, PE, Religious Studies or a second modern language. Learning Support is also available as an option group subject to pupils with specific needs in Years 9-11 with support
06 - Pastoral Care
– It is like one big family: The day Houses have the same pastoral structure as the boarding Houses and everyone takes care of there are no distinctions in terms of each other. status or opportunity between day and boarding pupils.
While the College fosters individualism, Academic lessons are held on Saturday passion and talent, this is always balanced mornings, with sports fixtures against other with a powerful community ethos and a schools for most pupils in the afternoon. It culture of high expectations. The College is this chance to be part of an active and achieves outstanding pastoral care by fulfilling seven-days-a-week community that creating a caring and supportive atmosphere distinguishes Clifton College from other day that helps every child feel safe and secure. schools in the city. The House system is one of the College’s All students are members of small tutor great strengths, engendering a sense of groups and all teachers at Clifton are tutors, belonging in all students, and the mechanism providing HoMs with a holistic view of for delivering outstanding individual care. children in their care. Students socialise Each student is allocated to a single-sex, across the age groups and work together all-age House, which becomes their home on a wide range of sporting, cultural and from home throughout their time at the academic events. Older students take College. There are twelve Houses in total; pride in encouraging and mentoring the seven Boarding Houses (four for boys and younger children. three for girls), five Day Houses (three Chapel and the spiritual life of the College lie for boys and two for girls) including one at the heart of Clifton and kindness, tolerance, girls’ House that accommodates a mix of good manners and honesty are promoted boarding and day girls. Each House is run as core values. The Chaplain plays a unique by the Housemaster/mistress (HoM) who and significant role in supporting students is ultimately responsible for the welfare of and staff of all faiths and of none. The College students in the House. has an Anglican foundation but children of Boarders are encouraged to take part in all faiths and none are welcome, and special weekend activities or trips organised by their arrangements are made for their religious House or the College. There is no restriction needs if required. on full boarders going out with parents or Clifton also has a strong Jewish tradition guardians at the weekend, unless they have and Jewish pupils can attend the school’s commitments to fulfil. Apart from official own synagogue, receive Hebrew instruction quarter and half-term breaks, boarders may and preparation for Bar Mitzvah or Bat also go home (or to a guardian), by prior Mitzvah, if parents so wish. arrangement, after any commitment on Saturday, returning on Sunday evening. That said, most boarders elect to stay throughout the weekend.
- 07 Co-curriculum
– Develop confidence, The College’s proximity to central Bristol enables it to draw on links with local independence and leadership. universities, businesses and cultural centres, further enriching the overall educational experience at Clifton. The College is also The ‘Clifton Experience’ complements and a proud and active member of the Bristol enhances academic learning. Music, art and Education Partnership - a collaboration of drama together with sport, outdoor pursuits, local state and independent schools, a Sixth The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, Clifton in the Form College, University of Bristol, University Community and the CCF play a large part in of the West of England and Bristol City the life of the College. Council to improve the outcomes of young There are opportunities through the co- people in the area. curricular programme for students to develop There are ‘carousels’ of activities, a confidence, independence, leadership, programme of lectures, visiting authors teamwork and resilience whilst broadening and school and student-led House interests, which can lead to lifelong passions competitions (e.g. art, drama, dance, music, or even a career. While participation in some sport, debating, general knowledge, darts) areas of the co-curriculum is compulsory, all that further enrich the programme, plus pupils are strongly encouraged to participate educational trips, expeditions and tours fully in the wide-range of optional co- throughout the year. curricular activities and societies. The programme develops as students move More than 50 different activities and societies through the College and a Record of Co- are available ranging from origami, coding, Curricular Achievement allows the students to Asian cookery and public speaking to natural reflect on their experiences. The programme history, ‘MUN’, Business Enterprise, rock varies from year to year to reflect the interests climbing and creative writing. Students are and strengths of participating members of also encouraged to run their own societies staff and the demands of pupils themselves. and discussion groups. Excellence in these areas is acknowledged through the awarding of ‘colours’ ties.
- 08 Arts – There is such a diverse There are around 25 major musical events per term, ranging from individual recitals to variety of activities you can orchestral concerts, band nights and whole choose from. school singing events such as the ‘Congers concert’ and the hotly-contested House singing competition, while recent full-scale Drama and music play a valuable role in the music productions include ‘We will Rock You’, cultural richness of life at the College. ‘Little Shop of Horrors’ and ‘School of Rock’. The College has a strong choral tradition with Clifton was one of the first boarding Colleges Old Cliftonians including Sir David Willcocks in the country to have its own purpose- and Andrew Nethsingha, current Director of built theatre, The Redgrave Theatre, which Music at St John’s College Cambridge. is named after former Clifton College pupil Sir Michael Redgrave. It seats 320 guests The Chapel contains a Steinway model and hosts more than 40 productions a year, C piano and a four manual Harrison and including the much-anticipated spectacle Harrison organ, boasting the recent addition that is the Clifton College Annual Musical, of a 32-foot double ophicleide rank, thanks to the Summer Arts evening and the House Play a successful fundraising campaign. Festival in February. The College also has a purpose built, state-of-the-art dance studio During 2020, music was successfully to further students’ creative and technical streamed on the Music department’s YouTube skills. There is a wealth of acting talent at the channel, gathering over 10,000 views in the College and recent graduates have gone on to Michaelmas term for events including the prestigious drama schools. House Part Song Competition; Music from the Redgrave (Pop); a classical Winter Concert; Music is the soundtrack to life at Clifton. and the very popular annual Carol Service. The Joseph Cooper Music School was refurbished 10 years ago and offers a Clifton also has a strong tradition in Art and recording studio, 20 practice rooms, three Photography. Former Cliftonian students classrooms and a fine recital hall. Over 300 include Bloomsbury art critic and artist music lessons take place every week with 30 Roger Fry; famous St Ives School member, visiting music teachers providing tuition on Peter Lanyon; and artist Henry Tonks. instruments ranging from jazz piano to the Old Cliftonian, Sterling Henry Nahum, bagpipes. The selection of co-curricular music known professionally as ‘Baron’, was court groups ranges from traditional Chapel and photographer to the Royal Family and Chamber Choirs and Orchestra to Soul Band, photographed the wedding of Philip and Swing Band and pop groups. Princess Elizabeth and the christenings of Prince Charles and Princess Anne.
09 - Sport
– We place equal importance As well as providing ‘sport and fitness for all’, the College also runs a Performance on the benefits of fresh air and Sports Programme (PSP). Its aim is to give exercise, as well as new skills pupils the greatest opportunity to be the best and interests that sport brings athlete they can be. The selective programme provides a graduated and progressive to our pupils. pathway for individual development and additional time slots for training, strength and conditioning and physiotherapy. Clifton College has a long and proud sporting tradition, which began with the first Head The main sports also have strong links with Master, John Percival, who believed all external academies and clubs which allows should be involved in physical activity. These our College athletes to progress to National days, Clifton still operates a policy of ‘Sport Performance pathways. Bristol Bears, and Fitness for All’, and the range of sport Gloucestershire County Cricket Club, and offered is outstanding, both in its breadth and Clifton Robinson’s Hockey Club are examples excellence of instruction. of the College’s well-established links. The superb sporting facilities include The Throughout the year, Clifton students play Close, which has witnessed many magnificent a wide range of competitive sports. Beyond sporting achievements, such as the Rugby, Hockey, Cricket and Netball, there is unprecedented England versus Wales Rugby Athletics, Cross-Country, Fencing, Football, training session in 2018 but also stretching Rackets, Rowing, Rugby 7s, Sailing, Shooting, right back to WG Grace scoring many first- Swimming, Tennis and Real Tennis. class centuries in cricket. Aerobics, Badminton, Basketball, Climbing, Equal importance is placed on the benefits Golf, Horse Riding and Kayaking are also of fresh air and exercise, as well as new skills available as non-competitive sports options. and interests that sport brings to pupils. Sports scholarships are awarded at 11+, 13+ The College’s nearby 90-acre site, known as and 16+ entry levels and these pupils are Beggar’s Bush, is Bristol’s biggest outdoor automatically placed on the Performance sports complex. It includes three astropitches, Sports Programme. one being a water-based Olympic standard hockey pitch; a 3G pitch; an indoor tennis and netball centre; a Real Tennis court; plus cricket, rugby and football grass pitches and two pavilions.
- 10 The Role
The Deputy Head Academic reports to • Monitoring and tracking pupil performance • To work closely with the Deputy Head • To set the incoming Third Form (Year 9) in Safeguarding the Head Master and is responsible for including the interpretation and (Academic) in the Prep School appropriate teaching groups the structure, content and delivery of the judicious use of measures such as public • Maintain an up-to-date knowledge of • To sit on and co-ordinate the Council • Ensure that HoDs work with the academic curriculum. He/she is a member examination results and value-added data Safeguarding legislation, and the College’s Education sub-committee Examinations Officer to keep a precise of the Senior Leadership Team which works safeguarding policies and procedures • Taking overall responsibility for the schedule of coursework key dates cooperatively to ensure the smooth running • To ensure that the academic concerns academic department budgets of the school and the realisation of the of the school satisfy requirements for ISI Health & Safety Upper School Academic College’s development plan. • Inspecting the departmental inspections documentation, including Handbooks and Team Management • Ensure that an up-to-date knowledge of Specific aspects of the role include • Advise the Admissions team on suitability Schemes of Work Health and Safety legislation as applicable the following: of candidates for entry to the College, • To review and update the job descriptions to the role is maintained and that the • Ensuring all academic documents are kept maintain suitable procedures for for Assistant to the Deputy Head College’s Health and Safety policies and Performance Development up-to-date, e.g. the Termly Cycle of Grades assessment, and interview scholarship and (Academic), Assistant Head (T&L), and procedures are fully implemented and & Management and Reports other candidates Examinations Officer and to appraise them adhered to • To induct new Heads of Department • Take overall responsibility for the progress • Oversee the work of the Block II Senior • To take overall responsibility for the of students in different groups, i.e. SEN, Tutors with particular regard to academic Professional Development performance of the Heads of Departments EAL and More Able students, and liaise intervention, scholars’ activities, internal (HoDs) and by working closely with them Academic Matters regularly with the staff with specific examinations and subject choices • Maintain and update your own knowledge take an overview of the performance • To take overall responsibility for the responsibilities for those groups and skills in line with legislation and the of all academic subject teachers. This academic curriculum • Work alongside the Head of Sixth Form needs of the role necessitates a close working relationship Academic Administration with regard to academic intervention, with the HoDs to advise, help and guide • Chair meetings of the Upper School internal examinations and subject choices them in the better performance of their Academic Planning Committee • To plan and prepare the school duties and through them, the performance • Chair HoDs meetings timetable in terms of department Other Duties of their department teams allocations and teacher loadings for the • Keep up-to-date with national • To share weekend duties, including • To line manage the Assistant Head timetable to implement developments in education Saturday Night Detention Teaching and Learning • To write and publish Curriculum • Work with the Assistant Head (T&L) • To represent the school at meetings of • To line manage the Examinations Officer Booklets in conjunction with the Academic Deputy Heads through CPD and INSET to ensure teaching Marketing department • To select and interview applicants for all staff provide education of the highest • To attend school functions and events as academic posts quality • To be responsible for the procedures often as possible and to support pupils and by which pupils and parents make staff in their activities and endeavours • To lead in the appraisal of the HoDs • Keep abreast of developments in subject choices biennially, including an assessment of technology in education, and work closely them as leaders of their teams and helping with the Head of Digital Education • Oversee arrangements for pupils during Equal Opportunities them to develop in and after their GCSE, AS and A Level • Recommend to the Head Master any that role examinations • Maintain an up-to-date knowledge of changes to the curriculum which may arise Equality and Diversity legislation and the • To guide HoDs on target setting for their from any of the above that could enhance • To correspond with parents on matters to College’s Equality and Diversity policies departments including a review of the the educational provision to Clifton College do with the academic curriculum, referring and procedures, in particular regarding the development plan for the department pupils to the Head Master as appropriate recruitment and retention of staff
11 - The Person
The following are viewed as essential for Qualifications & Experience the post: • Relevant strong academic credentials Personal Qualities and significant experience within a teaching environment • Integrity and the highest level of • Success as a Head of an Academic professional standards Department • Commitment to the aims and values of • Outstanding teacher with a continuing the College enjoyment of being in the classroom • The capacity to inspire the confidence and • Experience of successfully managing a respect of colleagues, pupils, parents and team of people members of the wider Clifton Community • Proven track record of delivering change • Excellent interpersonal skills and high level of emotional intelligence Required Skills • An ability to work harmoniously with others • Ambition and capability to aim for Headship of an outstanding school • Ability to lead by example with self- confidence and a positive approach • Learning agility and curiosity • A commitment to their own and others’ • Considerable work rate and administrative professional development efficiency • Ability to maintain high levels of • Bright and articulate with an excellent confidentiality standard of verbal and written communication • Ability to work with optimism, good humour and commitment • Financial literacy
Special Working Conditions
• Occasional travel and working off-site
- 12 Application Process
Interested candidates are invited to contact Jonathan can also be reached by calling the Candidates will be reminded to bring with RSAcademics by email or telephone to Head Office on 01858 383163. them the documents for a Safeguarding arrange a confidential discussion: check and the originals of their academic The process is as follows: qualifications certificates. Helen Flower, Search Consultant • All applications will be acknowledged by [email protected] Clifton College is an equal opportunities email. If a candidate has not received 07921 587752 employer and is committed to equality, acknowledgement that his or her diversity and inclusion. Michael Spens, Senior Advisor application has been received within two [email protected] working days of sending it, applicants Clifton College is committed to safeguarding 07740 783564 should, please, contact the Head Office and promoting the welfare of children and by telephone the successful applicant will be subject to an The deadline for receipt of applications is enhanced disclosure through the Disclosure 10.00am on Thursday 11th February 2021. • Selected candidates will be invited to a first round interview with Michael Spens and Barring Service. Candidates should complete their of RSAcademics via video conferencing application form electronically and email it to on Thursday 18th and Friday 19th RSAcademics, together with a covering letter February 2021 addressed to Dr Tim Greene, Head of Clifton College, which explains their reasons for • Shortlisted candidates will be invited applying. There is no need to submit a CV. to visit the school during the week commencing Monday 1st March 2021 The completed application form and covering • Shortlist interviews with members of the letter (both as PDF files, please) should be panel will take place at the school during emailed to Jonathan Barnes, Operations the week commencing Monday 8th March Manager (Leadership Appointments) at: 2021. The day will include an interview and [email protected] presentation plus various other activities
Founded in 2002 by Russell Speirs, RSAcademics specialises in schools, in the UK and internationally. The company advises on business strategy and strategic marketing, development and fundraising, leadership consultancy and the search and selection of Heads, Chairs of Boards, Bursars and other senior staff. Comprising a team of exceptional talent and experience, RSAcademics provides a high-quality service to schools with rigour, expertise and warmth. RSAcademics is committed to promoting diversity and inclusion in schools. Please visit www.rsacademics.com for more information.
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