Headmaster: Richard Russell MA (Cantab.) Horn Park Lane SE12 8AW T: 020 8852 2283 F: 020 8297 1216 E: [email protected] www.colfes.com

Appointment of an Admissions Assistant

Job Title: Admissions Assistant Salary: Up to £21,000 p.a. depending on experience

Reporting to: Director of Admissions

Start: September 2016

Hours: Monday to Friday 9.00am – 5.00pm, including a number of weekends and evenings during each term

Holidays: 6 weeks plus public holidays. It will be a requirement to work during some school holidays and it is the expectation that holiday will only be taken in term time in exceptional circumstances.

Benefits: Use of the school canteen during term time only. Free membership of Colfe’s Leisure for yourself only. Membership of the support staff pension scheme. This position does not attract fee remission.

Colfe’s School

Colfe’s is one of London’s oldest schools, with origins in the fifteenth century and it was re-founded by Abraham Colfe, Vicar of , in 1652. The Governors decided in 1977 that the School should return to independent status after 25 years as a voluntary aided grammar school. Whilst proud of its 350-year history, Colfe’s is a modern school whose central purpose is to prepare pupils for the challenges of the 21st century. Distinctive features include vertical tutoring, within the context of a very strong house system, and a learning culture in which intellectual versatility and resilience are fostered. The Junior School, comprising EYFS, KS1 and KS2 pupils, is located on the same site as the senior school and fully integrated with it.

Colfe’s educates pupils from 3-18. The EYFS/KS1 part of the school has recently undergone an expansion and now caters for 220 pupils. This significant building project has seen the creation of stunning new classrooms, a dedicated ICT suite, music room, library and multi-purpose hall. The KS2 part of school is equally successful with three forms in each year group. A major new Sixth Form and teaching complex, the Stewart Building, opened in autumn 2015. Pupils achieve consistently well in all areas of the curriculum and are particularly successful in art and Sport.

Colfe’s enjoys a very strong reputation locally, in and Blackheath. Its proximity to the London borough of Lewisham guarantees a high degree of social diversity which is further supported by the bursary programme, funded in part by the Leathersellers’ Company. The School has selective entry and academic standards are high with GCSE results typically around 55% A*/A with A level results consistently above 80% A*/B. More than 50% of pupils gain places in Russell Group universities, including Oxford and Cambridge. Pupils also win places at top universities for art, music and drama, reflecting the importance of the Arts at the creative heart of the school. Competitive sport has a high priority: Colfe’s teams have won national netball competitions in recent years and two recent leavers have played rugby for at U16, U17 and U18 level.

Colfe’s links with former pupils remains strong through the Old Colfeian Society and the work of the Development Office.

The post

The successful candidate will provide comprehensive administrative support to our busy Admissions office. This is an exciting role for a professional keen to contribute his/her skills to this thriving school.

Principal tasks

The principal tasks will be to:

1. Provide administrative support to the Director of Admissions in respect of managing parent enquiries to the school.

2. Be a first point of contact for parents enquiring about a place at Colfe's ensuring that every enquiry and follow up is managed with the utmost care and attention.

3. Planning and supporting events for parents and pupils.

4. Attend Open Days and other events (some of which will be out of normal hours) in support of the Admissions team.

5. Assist with the planning and follow up of visits and tours for enquiring parents.

6. Assist with the management of entrance tests including liaising with Heads of departments and the preparation of new papers.

7. Coordinate regular meetings of admissions, marketing and alumni relations teams.

8. Provide input and advice to ensure the department runs efficiently at all times.

9. Perform other duties of a similar level and nature as required by the school.

The qualities and key skills required

Organisation Attention to detail and accuracy are paramount. Persistence in managing and following through on multiple projects. Capable of prioritising work and meeting exacting deadlines, yet flexible. A strong team player who is also able to work independently and thrives in a busy and lively environment. Able to take responsibility for the office when team members are engaged elsewhere.

Interpersonal skills Customer focussed. Ability to build rapport and communicate persuasively with people of different backgrounds, especially parents considering Colfe’s School.

Communication Excellent communication skills both oral and written. A warm and engaging telephone manner.

IT and numeracy Competence in standard office software (word-processing, presentation and spreadsheet packages).

Creativity The ability to adapt to new situations and address problems from new perspectives.

Engagement An understanding of and belief in the aims and ethos of independent education in general and Colfe’s School in particular.

Attributes Essential Criteria Desirable Criteria

Skills & abilities Proven organisational skills gained in a busy and multifaceted environment

Experience Proven experience of working in a busy Experience of working in administration administrative environment in an education, sales and marketing or events environment dealing with customers face-to-face and over the ‘phone (This will be tested at interview)

Qualifications High standard of written English, grammar and numeracy (This will be tested as part of a wo stage interview process which will include an initial telephone interview)

Personal Highly Current driving licence circumstances presentable and willing to attend Open Days and other school events outside normal school hours

Equality Candidates must demonstrate understanding of and acceptance and commitment to the principles underlying equal opportunities

Customer Care Appreciation of effective customer care Application procedure

The recruitment process will require all applicants to complete an application form, accompanied by a letter of application, current CV and details of two referees, who will be contacted prior to interview, in accordance with the School’s Safer Recruitment procedures.

The application should be marked private and confidential and submitted by email [email protected], or by post to:

Mrs Anna Ross Colfe’s School Horn Park Lane London SE12 8AW

The deadline for applications is Sunday 3 July. Colfe’s reserves the right to appoint to this post before the closing date if necessary.

Colfe’s School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. All applicants must be willing to undergo child protection screening, including checks with past employers and the Disclosure & Barring Service.