SCHOOL

Deputy Head Academic FOR SEPTEMBER 2021

INFORMATION FOR APPLICANTS

BARNARD CASTLE SCHOOL | BARNARD CASTLE | DL12 8UN | UNITED KINGDOM A Unique Opportunity

Barnard Castle School is seeking an outstanding individual to lead all aspects of the academic life of our thriving community. This represents a truly unusual opportunity to play a pivotal role in a dynamic, forward-thinking and collegiate environment at a time of exciting development and significant growth for the school. The post-holder will be instrumental in leading the implementation of our innovative new curriculum built with character development at its heart, as well as being the driving force behind a novel school-wide digital learning strategy. They will join a school which is very much a rising star in the sector, with year-on-year increases in top grades at A Level over the last four years. The current incumbent of the post is moving on to Headship and the role is absolutely suited to someone who is aiming to make the step up to Headship within the next five years.

The History of Barnard Castle School

Barnard Castle School has its roots in the medieval past and its eyes set firmly on the future. The school traces its origins back to the nearby Hospital of St John, which was an educational and religious community established by John de Balliol in 1229. He was also the founder of Balliol College in Oxford and his passion for learning remains central to our philosophy today. In 1883 with a gift from Benjamin Flounders, a Victorian philanthropist, and the proceeds of St John’s Hospital, the present main School building was constructed. Tony Jackson, the school’s tenth Headmaster, was appointed in September 2017 as “Barney” embarked on an exciting new era.

The School

‘When you are steeped in little things, you shall safely attempt great things’

This motto perfectly sums up what Barnard Castle School - or ‘Barney’ as it is affectionately known - aims to do in preparing its pupils for life beyond its doors. Through creating an inspirational, compassionate and unpretentious environment, Barney aims to develop young adults with character. Our staff believe that our pupils should be confident, resilient, intellectually curious, tolerant and driven, with an undercurrent of humility, and are prepared to live, embrace and lead in an ever-changing world.

‘Parvis imbutus tentabis grandia tutus’.

The school has a genuine warmth amongst its 692 pupils and 180 staff,which fosters a strong sense of community and endeavour. It is highly unusual to find a school where pupils from Year 9 and Year 11 sit at a table for lunch together sharing a conversation, discussing their latest sports fixture or drama rehearsal. However, this attitude is ingrained in a Barnardian from very early on. The co-educational and cross-year group atmosphere starts in the journey from the Preparatory School (ages 4-11) right through to the state-of-the-art bespoke Sixth Form Centre in the Senior School (ages 11-18). A Barney pupil is quick to make someone else feel at ease, whether that is through simple encouragement or a warm smile.

Whilst we are extremely proud of what our pupils achieve academically, we also recognise the importance of preparing the next generations for an evolving and increasingly competitive

BARNARD CASTLE SCHOOL | BARNARD CASTLE | COUNTY DURHAM DL12 8UN | UNITED KINGDOM global marketplace. To do this we focus on developing the individual character of every child, and during their journey with us, we aim to cultivate vital life skills through building relationships amongst the pupil body and teachers alike. Each pupil has a dedicated Tutor who meets with them several times a week to discuss anything from pastoral issues to academic progress.

We want our pupils to develop a prepared mind for life beyond school. This requires confidence, resilience and compassion, all built up over a period of time, and in a variety of ways, both within and beyond the classroom. It also requires that most important quality: humility. At our core is an unpretentious and humble outlook, and it is this combination of confidence and humility that allows our pupils to light up a room.

We want teachers who believe in our purpose as educators and are proactive in immersing themselves in school life during term time. We would like them to role model the qualities we hope to instil in our pupils throughout their journey from the Prep School through to the end of the Sixth Form. Teachers are expected to take part in the extensive extra-curricular “Mind, Body and Soul” programme that runs between 4pm and 5pm and can choose to offer an activity that they are passionate about. We believe in fostering lasting relationships, and contact time with pupils outside the classroom is what makes the Barney difference.

The School is situated in its own extensive grounds on the outskirts of an historic market town, recently noted as being the safest in England, in an area of outstanding natural beauty. It is well-resourced and enjoys an enviable reputation for its pupils’ achievements on a broad variety of fronts. It is also in proximity to and enjoys close relationships with departments in the universities of Durham, York and Newcastle.

Our Vision ● To be viewed as the leading independent co-educational day and in the North of England.

● To foster the concept that ‘Barney is for Life’, imbuing a real sense that to be a Barnardian is something special and life lasting.

● To make an impact: in Barnard Castle, County Durham and the wider world. ● To place the school in an even stronger position for future generations to enjoy all the benefits of a Barney education.

Our Purpose ● Through creating an inspirational, compassionate and unpretentious environment, we aim to develop young adults with character.

● They are happy, confident, resilient, intellectually curious, tolerant and driven, with an undercurrent of humility, who are ready and prepared to face, embrace and lead in an ever changing world.

● For this environment to be fostered, we must aim to maintain and build upon the following five key features which are central to our school’s DNA.

BARNARD CASTLE SCHOOL | BARNARD CASTLE | COUNTY DURHAM DL12 8UN | UNITED KINGDOM Our Key Features

A Community

Community is our strength. Our pupils, teachers and support staff are all integral to instilling our key principles (‘The Barney Way’) and once you enter the school, you are a Barnardian for life. The integration of young and old, through the , is unique and underpins all that we do. Most importantly, we care for other’s happiness and speak up if we see injustice or prejudice. Ultimately, our staff and pupils feel part of something bigger than themselves, not just during their time at school, but for the rest of their lives. We also actively seek to engage with parents and the local community to ensure this sense of community is not limited to just those within the physical boundaries of our school.

Character Developers

We have always provided an education that extends beyond the exam room, and this is more important now than it has ever been, with the rise of globalism and Artificial Intelligence. Our young men and women need to possess strong characters and be armed with a set of values and characteristics that will see them flourish in this uncertain future. This must be central to our school’s offering.

Fully co-educational Boarding and Day School

We embrace the co-educational environment, and work hard to ensure our students are treated fairly regardless of gender, and that opportunities are available to all. As part of that structure, we are committed to retaining a strong boarding community as part of the wider school community, for the endless benefits this brings to the school, from cultural literacy as a result of our international students, to the structure of the timetable which sees time given to deliver our school’s broad and varied curriculum.

A Broad Entry

Life is not all about interacting in a selected environment. It is about integrating with those with varying abilities and talents, and celebrating achievements of potential reached as opposed to the highest grades. As long as we believe individuals can access our curriculum, and show the character traits we strongly believe in, we will support them on their journey.

Traditional yet Contemporary

Barney has a long and proud history, and has developed many important traditions within its Victorian buildings which has resulted in producing generations of strong yet humble characters. It is important not to lose sight of these, whilst at the same time ensuring we remain relevant and forward thinking as we delve further into the Twenty-First Century.

BARNARD CASTLE SCHOOL | BARNARD CASTLE | COUNTY DURHAM DL12 8UN | UNITED KINGDOM Our School Aims

In ensuring we have clarity on what the school is about, and with a desire to see these features remain at the heart of all we do and offer for generations to come, we have the following Strategic Aims which are linked to our key features:

Strategic Aims Operational Aims

1. Wellbeing 1. Efficiency We aim to be recognised as the leading school We aim to ensure the smooth day to day for outstanding pastoral care in the North financing and running of the school/ of England, ensuring the safeguarding and business, with the overall objective of protection of each individual associated with ensuring the school operates within Barney, from pupil to employee and educating prudent financial parameters. everyone in understanding positive mental health. 2. Infrastructure 2. Character We aim to ensure the upkeep, safety and We aim to develop confidence, humility, appropriateness of the facilities which resilience, tolerance, determination, a strong support the running of the school/ spiritual and moral compass, altruism and business. To ensure those individuals soft/life skills in each of our pupils. working at the school are performing strongly, and to attract high quality 3. Curiosity individuals to the school. We aim to develop young adults who are intellectually curious, possess an appetite 3. Legacy for learning, have an independent attitude We aim to establish and maintain a strong towards their intellectual development, alumni network; to plan and prepare a thirst for knowledge and are culturally for the next generations of Barnardians, literate; culminating in academic results looking at future capital projects as well which maximise potential. as scholarship and bursary funding which will see the school go from strength to 4. Journey strength. We aim to use our ‘whole school’ to see genuine development from the age of entry until 4. Framework departure and beyond, in all aspects of life. We aim to ensure that the school is compliant and to mitigate risk. 5. Interaction We aim to promote the school in the wider community, raising awareness regionally, nationally and internationally and be the ‘School of Choice’ in the area; for pupil, parent and teacher.

BARNARD CASTLE SCHOOL | BARNARD CASTLE | COUNTY DURHAM DL12 8UN | UNITED KINGDOM Our School Aims

Community Purpose Through creating an inspirational, compassionate Character Development and unpretentious environment, we aim to develop young adults with character. They are happy, con- fident, resilient, intellectually curious, Fully Co-Ed School tolerant and driven, with an under- current of humility, who are ready and prepared to face, embrace Features Key and lead in an ever-changing A Broad Entry world.

Traditional yet Contemporary

Aims Governance

1 WellbeingWellbeing

Educational Welfare 2 CharacterCharacter & Staff Development

3 CuriosityCuriosity School Strategy Marketing 4 JourneyJourney (1-25 years)

5 InteractionInteraction

Finance & Estates 1 CurrencyEfficiency (0-16 months)

2 Infrastructure

3 Legacy Governance Operational

4 Framework

BARNARD CASTLE SCHOOL | BARNARD CASTLE | COUNTY DURHAM DL12 8UN | UNITED KINGDOM School Results and Achievements

The School has enjoyed a healthy upturn in public examination results over recent years, most notably with year-on-year increases in A* as well as A grades at A Level. The post-holder will join at a truly exciting time for the school, with the implementation of a new curriculum built with character education and pupil self-reflection at its heart (“Project Umbrella”), as well as a new commitment to integrating the use of ICT to support teaching and learning. The Deputy Head (Academic) will take the lead in implementing these major new initiatives across the Senior School.

A Level and Pre-U equivalent 2020 2019 2018 2017

Grades A* – A 43% 28% 22% 20%

Grades A* – B 69% 46% 48% 54%

Pass rate 100% 98% 94% 98%

GCSE and IGCSE including A* – E equivalent 2020 2019 2018 2017

Grades 7 – 9 40% 25% 41% 35%

Grades 4 – 9 96% 88% 91% 87%

● Most Sixth Formers complete three A Levels, with an average of 35-40% also sitting the Extended Project Qualification alongside these. A few complete four A Levels and a very small number (one or two per year) will take two A Levels plus an additional AS Level, or and EPQ.

● The majority of our Year 11 pupils sit a combination of nine or ten GCSEs and IGCSEs. About 60% of the year group sit separate Science GCSEs, and those in the top set for Maths also sit IGCSE Further Pure Mathematics as an eleventh subject.

● In the last two to three years, we have introduced vocational alternatives in BTEC Sport (as an alternative to A Level Physical Education, which is also offered), Cambridge Technical Information Technology and Cambridge National Creative iMedia (the latter as an alternative to IGCSE Computer Science, which is also offered).

BARNARD CASTLE SCHOOL | BARNARD CASTLE | COUNTY DURHAM DL12 8UN | UNITED KINGDOM The Senior Management Team

Chair and Board of Governors

Headmaster

Deputy Head Deputy Head Headmistress Deputy Head Second Master Bursar i/c Sixth Pastoral of Prep School Academic

Assistant Director of Studies *

The day to day leadership and running of the School is devolved by the Governing Body to the Headmaster and his Senior Management Team.

Effective, easy and constant communication and collaboration between members of the SMT is highly valued and regarded as essential to the effective achievement of the aims of each member and to the success of the School.

The SMT consists of five senior colleagues in addition to the Deputy Head (Academic) and the Headmaster:

● The Bursar who manages all matters ● The Head of Sixth Form who manages pertaining to finance, buildings, grounds all aspects of an attractive and highly and support staff; successful Sixth Form Programme for approximately 150 Sixth Form students; ● The Second Master who undertakes the lion’s share of the daily running of the ● The Deputy Head (Pastoral) who leads all School, is in overall charge of boarding aspects of pastoral care, behaviour and and deputies for the Headmaster; child protection.

● The Head of the Prep School who manages a very successful and popular Prep School which contains 200 boys and girls aged 4-11;

* The Deputy Head (Academic) will be supported by a new position, Assistant Director of Studies.

BARNARD CASTLE SCHOOL | BARNARD CASTLE | COUNTY DURHAM DL12 8UN | UNITED KINGDOM Job Description

Overall Expectations

● To set the strategic direction for academic development and to lead the School in the promotion of both academic success and a culture of learning. ● To provide a broad and balanced academic curriculum in order to give our students the best possible preparation for their future lives. ● To lead the implementation of the new curriculum (Project Umbrella) and the School’s Digital IT Strategy. ● To support the Headmaster. ● The post-holder will be expected to teach one of our curricular subjects, but the post comes with a 50% timetable remission.

Expectations as a member of the Senior Management Team

● To support the Headmaster and deputise for him as required. ● To play a full and active part in all aspects of School life. ● To undertake a full strategic role in the Senior Management of the School ● To ensure that, through appropriate rewards and recognition, we establish a positive culture throughout the School. ● To contribute toward whole School improvement. ● To establish and maintain an effective framework for monitoring the quality of education we provide. ● To play a part in the marketing of the School. ● To ensure that students play a significant role in School improvement. ● To support the Heads of Department in maintaining high standards of classroom conduct in their areas at all times. ● To ensure that our School Rules support positive behaviour which promote learning, and are clearly understood by staff and pupils. ● To contribute to the INSET programme so that it addresses the principal needs of the School and the staff. ● To ensure that Barnard Castle School maintains good links with the community and delivers a tangible benefit to it. ● To set high standards of communication with pupils, staff and parents. ● To maintain a high-profile presence around the campus during the day and at major calendared events ● To promote the School to prospective pupils and their parents. ● To undertake at least one evening duty per week, supporting pupil prep time as well as the boarding staff.

BARNARD CASTLE SCHOOL | BARNARD CASTLE | COUNTY DURHAM DL12 8UN | UNITED KINGDOM Key Responsibilities - Strategic

● To champion and lead the implementation of Project Umbrella – the School’s new curriculum strategy – through its first year and beyond. ● To take the lead responsibility in developing and implementing the School’s new Digital Learning strategy. ● To lead a flourishing, broad academic curriculum within the School, leading to the recruitment of appropriate staff in accordance with all relevant safeguarding and safer recruitment policies, legislation and good practice. ● To lead and oversee the effective Professional Review and Development of all academic staff, ensuring that all teaching staff consider and engage in continuous professional development with regard to their teaching practice, and take responsibility for their own classroom performance. ● To lead and coordinate the School’s Academic Scholarship Programme, liaising as necessary with the Second Master (who has overall responsibility for Scholarships), Admissions Office, Head of Sixth Form, Head of Art, Director of Music, Director of Sport and Director of Drama. ● To ensure that the School is “inspection ready” in its academic culture and administration and to be the academic lead and point of contact with the inspection team during an inspection.

BARNARD CASTLE SCHOOL | BARNARD CASTLE | COUNTY DURHAM DL12 8UN | UNITED KINGDOM Key Responsibilities - Operational

● To ensure that the teaching delivered to all pupils within the School is of a consistently high standard. ● To line-manage and support all Heads of Department (HoDs) in leading their teachers, ensuring a focus on sustaining and raising the quality of teaching and learning, and embracing the use of technology to enhance the same. ● To work with HoDs and the Deputy Head (i/c Sixth Form) to ensure the effective and efficient organisation of the academic life of the School, and the effective communication of all academic matters to relevant parties. ● To line-manage and support the work of the Assistant Director of Studies. The ADoS has initial responsibility for: the management of pupil data and the tracking of progress through iSAMS (including baseline testing); the organisation of internal exams including mocks; the compilation of academic reports and assessments; the construction and running a system for Lesson Cover for staff absence; the construction of an appropriate and equitable prep timetable; the successful running of Parents’ Meetings - as well as for supporting the Deputy Head (Academic) as required with analysis of exam results. ● To handle, investigate and respond to complaints regarding academic matters in line with the School’s Complaints Policy. ● To ensure that the School has effective policies and a procedural framework which support the curriculum, promoting and overseeing the implementation of a Curriculum Policy and an Assessment Policy which are consistent with good practice, and with the GCSE, IGCSE, A Level, Pre-U or vocational qualification frameworks. ● To support and oversee the work of the Timetabler to ensure the timetable is fairly, accurately and efficiently prepared in a timely manner. ● To manage the Examinations Officer to ensure that all exams are conducted securely, efficiently and effectively, liaising with the Head of Academic Support to ensure that all exam-access arrangements are applied for and put in place for those pupils who need them. ● To ensure - with the help of the ADoS - the accurate analysis and promulgation of external exam results and value-added data, briefing relevant stakeholders, and submitting statutory reports to regulatory bodies on this (e.g. DfE, ISC, BSA, ISI, HMC). ● To promote and maintain close links with the Prep School and with other feeder Schools in order to recruit appropriate students, and to ease the academic transitions they experience. ● To maintain productive links with the Prep School to the benefit of both schools and their pupils, especially in the deployment of shared staff and resources, and to ensure that a coherent and appropriate curriculum runs throughout the whole School. ● To organise School Entrance Examinations, in liaison with the Admissions Office and the Prep School. ● To manage the finances of those budgets which fall under the specific area of responsibility of the Deputy Head Academic. ● To liaise closely with the Second Master regarding the award of scholarships and the running of the Scholarship Programme. ● To lead with the Able, Gifted and Talented programme. ● To assist and advise the Higher Education Officer with Oxbridge applications. ● Work closely and line manage the Academic Support department.

BARNARD CASTLE SCHOOL | BARNARD CASTLE | COUNTY DURHAM DL12 8UN | UNITED KINGDOM Role Criteria

In order to meet the high standards expected of a leading professional in our School, the Headmaster is seeking to employ a person with the following qualities, experience, skills and abilities.

Essential Criteria

● A good sense of humour ● A good honours degree in subject relevant to the Barnard Castle School curriculum ● Evidence of being an excellent teacher ● Leadership qualities, including energy, resilience and the ability to enthuse and motivate others ● Sympathy with the Christian values of the School and the nature of working in a boarding environment ● A record of and commitment to continuing professional development ● The ability to develop and maintain effective team-working relationships ● The ability to positively manage parental, student and colleague expectations ● Excellent written and verbal communication skills appropriate to senior level management in an educational environment ● A thorough understanding of effective teaching, learning and assessment in relation to raising pupils’ attainment ● An ability and willingness to make a significant contribution to the extra-curricular life of the School ● High levels of organisation ● Ability to make effective use of data and analyses ● Ability to evaluate and improve the performance of self and others

Desirable Criteria It is anticipated that the successful applicant will have first-hand experience of some of the following: ● A higher degree or experience of educational or subject-specific research ● Experience of external examination marking or setting ● Knowledge of the requirements and operation of ISI in terms of teaching, learning and assessment ● Evidence of successful leadership and management of people, resources, innovation and improvement ● Evidence of excellent management, which incorporates detailed planning, successful implementation and effective monitoring and evaluation of strategies ● Experience in timetabling, curriculum design or whole school direction ● Highly developed ICT use and skills relevant to a modern and forward-thinking

BARNARD CASTLE SCHOOL | BARNARD CASTLE | COUNTY DURHAM DL12 8UN | UNITED KINGDOM Recruitment Process

Enquiries

If you have any questions about the role in advance of applying, please contact the current Deputy Head (Academic), Dr Michael Truss ([email protected]) who will be pleased to arrange a call for an informal discussion.

Applications

If you feel that you can meet the above requirements then please submit a letter of application along with the Barnard Castle School application form to the Headmaster. Only applications containing the requested information will be considered.

Applications should be sent to:

Mr A C Jackson Phone 01833 696081 Headmaster Barnard Castle School Fax 01833 638985 Barnard Castle E-mail [email protected] County Durham DL12 8UN

Information about Interviews:

Accommodation Longlist Interviews On-site accommodation or appropriate Will be held by video call between housing allowance will be provided 12th - 16th November 2020

Deadline Final Shortlist Interviews 5pm – Friday 6th November 2020 Will be held in-school on Tuesday 24th November 2020

Applicants should read carefully the application procedure – guidance for applicants, Policy on the Recruitment of Ex-offenders and the Disclosure policy and the Safer Recruitment policy.

Barnard Castle School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and all applicants will undergo child protection screening, including checks with past employers and an enhanced DBS and Barred list check with Disclosure and Barring Service.

Barnard Castle School is an equal opportunities employer.

BARNARD CASTLE SCHOOL | BARNARD CASTLE | COUNTY DURHAM DL12 8UN | UNITED KINGDOM WWW.BARNARDCASTLESCHOOL.ORG.UK

BARNARD CASTLE SCHOOL | BARNARD CASTLE | COUNTY DURHAM DL12 8UN | UNITED KINGDOM