Head of English Required for September 2021 WWW.EPSOMCOLLEGE.ORG.UK Introduction Epsom College is one of the UK’s leading independent co-educational schools, providing boarding and day education for over 1,025 girls and boys aged 11-18. The school’s increasing popularity grows out of a rich and distinguished tradition of academic excellence, complemented by a breadth of sporting and cultural opportunities. The beautiful 85-acre College estate is home to a community of outstanding and inspirational teachers. Each works hard to continue the legacy of the founder of the College, Dr John Propert, by extending the horizons of pupils in a rapidly changing world while continuing to uphold the school’s founding values of benevolence and excellence. As an HMC school, Epsom is proud of its rich history and confident in its future. Under the leadership of Headmaster Jay Piggot, ambitious plans to strengthen the school’s competitive UK position and international links – particularly, Epsom College in Malaysia - continue to grow apace, thus maintaining and enhancing the College’s global reputation. This is an exciting time to join Epsom and to contribute to the further development and success of the College. Working at Epsom is rewarding both personally and professionally; staff flourish in this boarding school community and significantly enhance their own professional development. The College welcomes teachers and pupils from all backgrounds and one thing unites them all – a passionate commitment to Epsom’s values and ethos. 2 A Unique History Epsom College was founded in 1855 and granted royal Built in 1857, the Chapel of St Luke stands at the heart of the patronage by Her Majesty Queen Victoria in the same year. College estate and is a physical reflection of the school’s Today it has Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II as its patron. Christian heritage. Embracing diversity, the College community now includes pupils and staff of many different The College has a truly unique history. It began life as faiths and beliefs. The Royal Medical Benevolent College thanks to the work of founder Dr John Propert, who raised funds to build an Investment in the school’s infrastructure continued at a institution for qualified medical practitioners and their remarkable pace during the latter quarter of the 20th century spouses as well as a school for their sons. as buildings were upgraded, Houses changed and extended. The Royal Medical Foundation, based at the College, The College has been co-educational for more than 40 years, continues to play an active part in school life. The charitable with girls first welcomed to the school in 1976. Since the foundation was built through generosity and a dedication to opening of the Lower School in September 2016, Years 7 and improving the lives of the individual and society, values which 8 number as many girls as boys, something of which we are remain at the heart of the College today. immensely proud. The School now has more pupils than ever before and the number is rising. 3 Academic Life A strong academic focus is at the heart of the College and is based on the principles of encouraging lifelong learning, independence and a culture of intellectual curiosity. Supported by well qualified and inspirational staff, pupils are challenged to question, to be reflective and to develop the life of the mind. With its medical heritage, the College is renowned for its excellence in the sciences and this now extends to all areas of its broad academic curriculum. The curriculum begins in the new Lower School with a varied and balanced range of subjects. Alongside traditional subjects, pupils choose from four modern languages (including Mandarin) and follow innovative courses and STEM projects. All pupils entering the school at 11+ are issued with an iPad to transform their learning and organisation. At 13+, pupils study a curriculum that includes three separate sciences, computing, music, art, drama and design technology. Pupils will work towards ten GCSE subjects and in many subjects IGCSEs have been introduced to provide a more rigorous preparation for A-level study. In the Sixth Form, the curriculum has been fully updated to offer a greater choice of subject combinations, to meet the needs of specialists as well as generalists. Most pupils follow a course of three subjects to A-level and will also choose an option from the core curriculum which contains subjects such as Global Perspectives, Extended Project, Core Mathematics and English. The curriculum has been designed to stretch pupils beyond the scope of traditional A-level specifications and to prepare them for university study and for life. In the last few years, Epsom has consistently achieved high value-added scores at both GCSE and A-level. The vast majority of Sixth Form leavers move onto higher education with the majority earning places at leading Russell Group universities. The College is strongly committed to the development of its teaching and learning, investing in exceptional academic facilities and learning resources, and in high quality professional development. Epsom College prides itself on delivering an all-round education and learning experience, encouraging students to stretch themselves in an environment of high intellectual energy. 4 Pastoral Care Epsom prides itself on delivering the highest standards of pastoral care. The close-knit House system is crucial to day-to-day life at the College, forming a home away from home for all pupils. Over 60 per cent of Epsom’s staff reside on, or very close to, the campus. Each Boarding House is home to a Housemaster or Housemistress and their family, complementing the relaxed and homely feel that typifies the school’s strong boarding ethos. Pastoral care is further strengthened by dedicated House Tutors, who closely monitor pupils’ academic progress and social development. There are 13 Houses – four boarding and three day Houses for boys; and two boarding and four day Houses for girls. Each House is supported by a Matron and a full team of dedicated domestic staff, who are always on hand to care for the pupils’ welfare and practical needs. Senior House prefects serve as positive role models and mentors for the younger year groups and together they form one family whose strength lies in the emphasis it places on discipline, tolerance and understanding of others. Communication between staff and parents is frequent and constructive. Staff are conscious of the commitment they have to parents and to providing a regular link between home and school. Keeping parents fully involved and informed on their child’s progress, and of significant developments in the wider College community is of paramount importance. There is a healthy rivalry in the form of popular inter-House competitions. Houses compete against each other in a number of activities, including a variety of sports and the annual Choral Competition. Each House also arranges soirées and trips out, further contributing to a sense of belonging. 5 Co-curricular There is a plethora of co-curricular activities available to pupils, Music is a vital aspect of life at Epsom College and the College catering for all interests and talents. Orchestra, Big Band, Downs Singers, Chapel Choir, smaller ensembles and rock bands have all taken centre stage. The College has a proud reputation for producing highly The 70-strong Chapel Choir is one of the most high-profile pupil successful individuals and teams in a number of sports. All pupils, groups at the College and enjoys regular invitations to perform no matter their ability, have a comprehensive games programme evensong at Cathedrals throughout the country. with opportunities to play competitively at school and House level. More than 25 sports are played regularly at Epsom, the Drama is thriving, with a stage performance each term, as well main sports for boys being rugby, football, cricket, tennis and as frequent House plays and musicals, all involving a large cast athletics, while girls’ sports include hockey, netball, athletics, of pupils. tennis and rounders. The purpose-built Performing Arts Centre also provides The College’s Combined Cadet Force is one of the largest in the opportunities for theatre performance, dance and the increasingly UK and has Army, Navy, and RAF sections. Pupils over the age of popular silks and aerial skills. Art also flourishes at Epsom in the 14 are expected to join for at least two years when much time is spacious John Piper Art School. devoted to camping, expeditions and leadership training. Older boys and girls have the opportunity to participate in the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme, while many pupils also take part in some form of Community Service, highlighting the importance every member plays in the wider society. 6 Location and Facilities The College’s magnificent red-brick Victorian buildings are All Houses are located on campus within walking distance set in an 85-acre estate on Epsom Downs, a stone’s throw of the main school buildings. Most staff residences are also from Epsom Racecourse, home of the famous Derby. The on campus with others located within a ten-minute walk of College benefits from being inside the M25 yet only 30 the College. minutes by train to central London. It is also ideally located for overseas students, being 30 minutes from Gatwick and There is an extensive range of outstanding facilities for 50 minutes from Heathrow. co-curricular activities, including all-weather floodlit pitches, an excellent sports hall complex, indoor cricket nets, Teaching is conducted in 50 well-equipped classrooms six squash courts, a 25-metre indoor swimming pool, an grouped by Department, each with its own specialist resource indoor rifle range and a very well-equipped fitness centre. base and dedicated IT support facilities.