CHEDER HEADTEACHER

RECRUITMENT PACK

JULY 2020

CHEDER HEADTEACHER RECRUITMENT PACK

CONTENTS

Introduction Roles and responsibilities Key skills and experience Key terms and conditions

INTRODUCTION

ABOUT THE ROLE

The Cheder is a greatly valued and essential part of our synagogue community, and we are looking for someone who is excited to nurture and develop our Cheder, ensuring it is somewhere that our children are happy and engaged with Jewish activities that they enjoy and learn from, and in which the wider community is engaged. At the same time, we will provide the opportunities for you to feel fulfilled, supported and happy.

The role is responsible for the running and development of the BRS Cheder and Gan, so that it provides a high-quality and engaging programme of Jewish education and provides a place for Jewish children to meet and make friends with other Jewish families.

ABOUT OUR SYNAGOGUE

Bromley Reform Synagogue (BRS) is a member of the Movement for Reform Judaism and serves Jewish individuals and families across south east London and north west Kent. Our lively and intimate community is made up of about 500 people of all ages and many different backgrounds.

The synagogue has a rich history and has served the community for more than 55 years since it was founded by a handful of local families in 1964. We have our own beautiful and unusual synagogue building which includes a reception hall and classrooms for our growing Cheder (for 5 to 13 year olds) and Gan (stay & play for under 5s).

The Cheder caters for around 70 children and recently adapted quickly to the Coronavirus pandemic by launching ‘HomeShul’ – a weekly virtual Cheder.

ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Curriculum, resources and assessment

1. Review, maintain and implement the Cheder curriculum, in alignment with the philosophy of Reform Judaism – and to liaise regularly with the Rabbi and Chair of the Education Committee to ensure the implementation of the curriculum is relevant, engaging and high quality. 2. Arrange the Cheder calendar around the luach (Jewish calendar) – including arrangements for Children’s Services in liaison with the Rites and Rituals committee – and ensure it is communicated to all those who need to know. 3. Deliver the Cheder assembly and other Cheder events as required. 4. Ensure there are sufficient and suitable resources available and accessible for teachers and helpers to prepare and deliver their lessons, ordering resources as required. 5. Ensure assessments for each child’s Hebrew and Jewish knowledge are carried out and shared with parents in the annual report. 6. Arrange the process for the choice of, and collection of tzedakah (charity donations) for, the annual Cheder charity. 7. Attend relevant networking events, establish and maintain partnerships with other community organisations (e.g. RSY, PJ Library) and undertake appropriate professional development to ensure the Gan/Cheder continues to grow and develop. 8. Be responsible for coordinating with a music teacher when they are on site.

Child welfare and safeguarding

9. Be present at every Cheder session (or arrange suitable cover where necessary) to manage the Cheder. Make sure there are first aiders and staff and children are aware of fire evacuation procedures. 10. Arrange suitable refreshments for Cheder sessions and special events. 11. In liaison with the synagogue’s Safeguarding Officers (Katia Pisetzky and Michelle Brooks Evans) to ensure all teachers have a good understanding of their safeguarding duties and knowledge of safeguarding processes and policies. 12. Ensure that all teachers and helpers over the age of 16 have valid Disclosing and Barring Service (DBS) checks. 13. Ensure teachers are aware of any health issues or special educational needs relating to the children in their class. 14. Liaise with Cheder security regarding the Cheder calendar and special events to ensure all attendees and the building are kept safe and secure. 15. Ensure attendance is recorded through class registers and liaise with families as necessary.

Staff management and development

16. Carry out the recruitment and induction of all new teachers and helpers, for review and approval by the Education Committee. 17. Ensure all staff receive, or are in possession of, an up to date contract. 18. Monitor and keep records of staff attendance and liaise with Education Committee Chair regarding payroll. 19. Supervise all teachers and helpers, providing guidance and support to enable them to carry out their duties effectively, including an annual appraisals, and support with educational approach and behaviour management, as required. 20. Arrange for, and encourage, teachers and helpers to attend and access relevant seminars, conferences and training. 21. Convene and chair a teachers’ meeting at least once a term to gain feedback and discuss plans for the following term.

Parent communication and engagement

22. Support new and prospective members with children of Gan/Cheder age to welcome them, support them with their queries and arrange a visit to Cheder, if appropriate. 23. Register and enrol all new Cheder children, ensuring any special educational needs and/or health issues are understood and relevant teachers are informed. 24. Communicate regularly with Gan/Cheder parents (and the wider community), including reminders about Cheder events and dates, ‘Cheder News’ for Highlight (the synagogue’s newsletter) and an annual welcome letter from teachers. 25. Monitor the attendance and behaviour of Cheder children and contact parents to discuss and offer support where necessary. If, in exceptional circumstances, a child is unable to attend Cheder, offer support with home learning. 26. Liaise with the Hooray Cheder (PTA) committee to ensure alignment with the Cheder calendar and parent engagement. 27. Maintain Cheder noticeboard and displays of children’s work and events.

Finance, reporting and administration

28. In consultation with the Chair of the Education Committee and the Hon Treasurer, prepare an annual budget for the Cheder, to be reviewed and agreed by the Education Committee. 29. Attend Education Committee meetings to present a report about Cheder, and discuss Cheder related developments. 30. Manage expenditure against the agreed budget, tzedakah received, and financial records as required by the Treasurer. 31. To oversee ongoing charitable projects within the Cheder and record disbursement of monies received. 32. Manage all records about Cheder children and their families (including photos) in accordance with GDPR.

KEY SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

The successful applicant will be expected to satisfy most (if not all) of the following:

 Experience of informally educating children in a Cheder or similar setting  Experience of people management and/or a leadership role  Willing and able to create fun and exciting activities  Able to read Hebrew and understand Jewish liturgy sufficiently to teach, and guide the teaching of, children aged 3-13  Able to communicate appropriately in written and spoken forms with children and adults  Able to apply the principles of Reform Judaism to all aspects of this role  Willing to adapt plans flexibly to suit changing circumstances, sometimes at short notice

The successful applicant is likely to be:

 Creative and enthusiastic  Resilient  Organised and punctual  An attentive listener and problem solver  Innovative and imaginative, and able to meet the children’s learning needs  Keen to develop their own skills and capabilities

KEY TERMS AND CONDITIONS

Employer: Bromley Reform Synagogue (BRS)

Place of work: Bromley Reform Synagogue, 28 Highland Road, Bromley BR1 4AD, and other such places as the role may require. We are open to discussions about options for homeworking during the week.

Salary: To be agreed according to qualifications and experience

Contract type: Permanent

Responsible to: Chair, Education Committee

Hours of work: 12 hours per week (including every Sunday 9.30am-1.00pm during term-time, relevant committee meetings (e.g. Board, Education Committee), and festivals / services. Other working arrangements are flexible and to be agreed with the line manager.

Annual leave: 4 weeks paid leave per annum, only to be taken during Cheder holidays unless it has been approved by the Chair of the Education committee.