Head of Gresham’s Prep School Recruitment Pack

Gresham’s School, Cromer Road, Holt, NR25 6EA | 01263 714500 | www.greshams.com Appointment of The Head of Gresham’s 1 Prep School The Governors of Gresham’s School are seeking an outstanding new Prep School Head to replace Mr James Quick, who retires after 15 years of superb leadership, from September 2019. Gresham’s is an independent co-educational day and boarding school located in an area of outstanding natural beauty just four miles from the stunning coast. Founded in 1555 by Sir John Gresham, the School occupies a large 200 acre campus on the edge of the Georgian market town of Holt. The Nursery and Pre-Prep, Prep and Senior schools occupy their own sites with approximately 850 pupils across the three schools.

The Prep School The Prep School is a happy and vibrant day and boarding school of around 240 children (Years 3-8) and 40 staff based on its own site half a mile from the Senior School. The School has built an excellent reputation as a forward-looking, friendly and imaginative place of learning, with first-class pastoral care and an extensive extra-curricular programme. The School has its own purpose-built site in Holt. This comprises, the Butterwick Centre (Art, Design and ICT), the music building, classrooms, science labs, boys’ and girls’ boarding and social houses, the school hall and theatre, the dining hall, extensive playing fields including tennis and netball courts. The Prep School shares the use of many facilities on the Senior School site such as, two astro-turf hockey pitches, the swimming pool, the sports hall, squash courts, the Chapel and the outdoor activity centre in our woodland area. The Role 2 The Head of the Prep School is responsible for all matters connected to the management and organisation of the Prep School, and for the recruitment of staff and pupils. He or she reports to Head of the Senior School on matters concerning the every-day running of the School and is accountable to the Board of Governors for providing vision, leadership and direction. The role involves line-managing the Head of Pre-Prep and ensuring that the schools are consistent in their approach. The Head is a member of the whole-school Senior Leadership Team and is expected to support whole -school activities and initiatives, including being intimately involved with decision making and strategy. The Head is expected to work closely with the Director of Admissions and Marketing on all matters concerning pupil recruitment and retention. Central services such maintenance and school transport are shared by all three schools and fall under the remit of the Bursar. The current Head is a member of the Independent Association of Preparatory Schools.

The Candidate The Governors are looking for an inspirational educationalist who has outstanding inter-personal skills. The Head will have empathy and understanding for children of prep-school age and the issues that face them.

The successful candidate will be ambitious for the School and all its pupils and will play a key part in developing teaching and learning strategies. An appreciation of the holistic nature of a Gresham’s education, including boarding, is essential, as is the ability to win the confidence of all sections of the school community.

The Head will play a key role in marketing Gresham’s and recruiting new pupils to the School. Experience of working in prep schools along with knowledge and understanding of best practice in safeguarding are key requirements. An understanding of finance and budgeting and the ability to think and plan strategically is vital. The Head must be an exemplary role model. The School is full of fun and laughter and a well-developed sense of humour is also very important! Remuneration Package 3 The salary will be commensurate with the importance of the post and with the experience and qualities of the successful candidate. A five-bedroom family home on the school site will be provided. The property will be free of rent, council tax and utilities (dependent upon circumstance, these may attract a P11D value). The Head will be expected to live in the house during term time. The School will provide reasonable domestic and gardening services. Free medical insurance (with a P11D value) will be available together with enrolment in the Teachers’ Pension Scheme. If applicable, the Head’s children may be educated at the School at preferential rates.

Key Duties and Responsibilities • To work closely with the Chairman of Governors, the Head of the Senior School and the Board of Governors to formulate strategic plans for the School and prepare policies for the implementation of objectives. • To attend meetings of the Board of Governors, including sub-committees, with the right to submit items for the agenda and to speak at all meetings. • To submit reports to Governors, both orally and in writing, in connection with the Head’s responsibilites and to assist and advise the Governors in the exercise of their functions. • To work closely with the Bursar and the School Accountant to ensure delivery of the agreed budget. Each Head is responsible individually to the Board of Governors for delivery of their budget. • To ensure a high standard of education within a holistic curriculum. 4 • To work effectively with the Director of Marketing and Admissions in order to market the School effectively, to enhance its reputation, and to ensure high levels of pupil recruitment. • To ensure effective communication with prospective and current parents, former pupils, feeder school heads and others with a direct interest in the School. • To deal with any complaints in a timely manner. • To maintain the School’s ethos and strong sense of values as an enlightened Christian community. • To represent the School and be its public face in the local community and further afield. • To appoint, motivate and deploy staff effectively with an appreciation of the need for continuing personal development. To ensure that a fair and constructive Performance Development Review process for all staff is in place. • To dismiss or suspend teaching staff in accordance with the School’s disciplinary procedures, adhering to relevant law. • To ensure that the School is well-prepared for ISI inspection. • To manage staff effectively, ensuring that the School has an effective and happy working atmosphere. • To ensure that children are well behaved and respectful at all times when present on the School’s premises or engaged in school activities. Personal Experience and Attributes 5 Candidates must be able to demonstrate: • Recent experience working as a Head, or Deputy Head or Senior Leader in a similar environment. • Knowledge and understanding of all current regulatory and educational policies. A knowledge of the Independent Schools Inspectorate Regulatory Requirements (Sept 2018) would be an advantage. • The ability to understand and empathise with children of prep-school age. • The ability to deliver change effectively. • The ability to lead and inspire teachers to deliver the highest quality lessons that challenge and enthuse young minds. • Inclusive leadership qualities which motivate, inspire and challenge staff to continually aim to improve performance in all areas of school life. • The ability to make all staff feel they are key to the success of the School. • An interest in the arts, sport and other extra-curricular activities. • Experience of information technology in educational applications. • An awareness of new technology and an ambition to use this in the enhancing academic performance and classroom delivery. • Familiarity with social media and its uses and dangers in a school environment.

Application and Appointments Procedure An application form together with a letter of application should be sent to the Headmaster’s Personal Assistant, Mrs Victoria Hovenden, at Gresham’s School, Cromer Road, Holt, Norfolk NR25 6EA or by email to [email protected] Closing date for applications will be Friday 26 October at 4pm. Arrangements for Selection and Interview • Those selected for interview will be informed on Monday 29 October 2018. • Unsuccessful applicants will be advised after that date. • Interviews will be held in Fishmonger’s Hall, Bridge, London on Friday 2 November 2018. • Candidates plus their spouse or partner will have an opportunity to visit the school on a day that suits between Monday 5 and Wednesday 7 November 2018. Lunch and overnight accommodation will be arranged by the School. • References for short-listed candidates will be taken before the final interviews. • Final interviews will take place at the School on Friday 16 November 2018.

The Selection Panel’s preference will be made known as soon as is practicable thereafter so that detailed arrangements can be finalised. Any offer of appointment will be subject to all Safer Recruitment Checks (as specified in KCSIE September 2018) and in line with the ISI regulatory requirements (September 2018). You may also be required to undertake a medical examination.

Should you wish to have an informal discussion with Mr Douglas Robb, Headmaster, before submitting your application, please contact Mrs Victoria Hovenden on 01263 714511 or by email to [email protected]. Parents queue up to praise this relaxed and “happy school where childhood still seems to last the right length of time. . ” The Good Schools Guide

Gresham’s is proud of its exemplary approach to the safeguarding of our children and conduct a robust recruitment process. Applicants are expected to engage fully with the requirements of this process. An offer to join the School is made subject to a satisfactory Enhanced DBS check along with clearance on all other relevant safeguarding and child protection requirements.

Gresham’s School, Cromer Road, Holt, Norfolk NR25 6EA | 01263 714500 | www.greshams.com

Registered Charity No: 1105500