Brushwood Junior School

Candidate Information Pack

Class Teacher

Contents Welcome letter from Jo Robertson, Head Teacher ...... 3 Job description ...... 5 Person specification ...... 8 Our School Values ...... 10 The terms and conditions of the role ...... 11 Application process and timescales ...... 11 School visits: ...... 11 Applications: ...... 11 Shortlisting: ...... 11 Interview: ...... 11 Information about Brushwood ...... 12 What the Brushwood family says ...... 13 Here are some of our achievements…...... 13 Local Information ...... 15

Welcome letter from Jo Robertson, Head Teacher

Dear Applicant,

We are delighted that you are interested in joining the teaching staff of Brushwood Junior School. We are seeking to make an appointment to start in September 2019 with handover opportunities during the summer term.

Our school is a great place to work, with a fantastic atmosphere which greets you as soon as you walk through the door. Everyone at the school is very proud of its achievements and we are very keen to ensure that our children receive the very best education.

The school is proud to offer;

 A comprehensive and supportive induction package to enable you to quickly feel part of the team.  Enthusiastic and well behaved pupils who are eager to learn  A commitment to high quality support through peer coaching and a comprehensive CPD package tailored to meet your individual needs.  A talented, dedicated staff team  Excellent facilities including a variety of outdoor learning environments  Exciting career development opportunities for ambitious and aspirational teachers  A school appreciated by the wider community  A highly active and supportive governing body

Is Brushwood the right school for me?

You need to be a qualified teacher with a passion for teaching children across the 7- 11yrs range. You need to be ambitious and motivated to improve the learning outcomes for every child in your care. You will be eager to engage with professional development opportunities to continually develop and improve your practice. You need to be able to collaborate with others and demonstrate a commitment to maintaining high standards. You will have energy, enthusiasm, a growth mind-set and a sense of fun. Successful candidates will uphold and model the Brushwood values and ethos in all areas of their work and conduct.

Brushwood Junior school is committed to safeguarding children and our successful candidate will be subject to an enhanced DBS check. Our commitment to safeguarding is underpinned by robust processes and checks which are in place throughout our recruitment process.

We warmly welcome visits from potential candidates – please contact Claire Smith on 01494 786023 or by email at [email protected] to arrange a date and time to visit us.

Please feel free to visit the schools website: www.brushwood-jun.bucks.sch.uk.

We look forward to receiving your application.

Yours faithfully,

J Robertson Mrs. Jo Robertson Head Teacher

Job description

Brushwood Junior School – Class teacher– Job Description

JOB PURPOSE

To take responsibility for teaching a mixed ability class. To promote the aims of the school through effective teaching and learning for this class.

To provide professional leadership and management for your subject and secure high quality teaching, effective use of resources and improved standards of learning and achievement for all pupils.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES

Teaching and Learning To provide effective learning experiences for all children in the class/group. Monitor and assess children’s learning and set targets for improvement.

To secure and sustain the effective teaching of your subject/s in the school. To monitor and evaluate the quality of teaching and standards of children’s work and report back to the Head teacher and Senior Management Team

To ensure that safeguarding procedures and policies are understood and adhered to and that the emotional and physical welfare of the children is kept of paramount importance.

Leading and Managing People

To pro-actively model the high expectations of the school learning culture and ethos and to adhere to the staff code of conduct at all times. To lead, manage and work collaboratively with the children, other adults and colleagues.

To provide all those with involvement in the teaching of your subject/s the support, challenge, information and development necessary to sustain motivation and secure improvement in teaching.

Efficient and Effective Deployment of Resources To ensure appropriate resources are used efficiently, effectively and safely in all learning situations. To identify appropriate resources, to support the teaching and learning of your subject/s and to ensure that they are used efficiently.

KEY TASKS

Teaching and learning (class teacher)

 Plan and assess children’s learning using knowledge of school policies, schemes of work and National Curriculum requirements  Plan differentiated work to meet the needs of individuals and groups promoting progression, continuity and quality learning.  Maintain Long, Medium and Short Term Plans on agreed planning proforma.  Submit all plans and records for monitoring as and when required.  Monitor and assess children’s work and use assessment to identify individual needs and so inform future planning.  Keep records of children’s progress up to date and report achievement in line with school policy and statutory requirements.  Regularly review and reflect on own and children’s work to ensure continuity and improvement in the standard and quality of work carried out.  Implement agreed school assessment, reporting, record keeping and tracking systems ensuring regular updating and analysis.  Undertake any statutory testing procedures.  Communicate clear objectives and high expectations to children using a variety of teaching and learning styles appropriate to purpose ensuring a broad and balanced curriculum.  Set a good example to children through personal presentations and professional conduct.  Take responsibility for own professional development and keep up to date with developments in pedagogy.  Be an active member of the whole school team and to participate fully in staff meetings and INSET and wider school events eg productions, extra-curricular clubs, school visits and carnival as appropriate.  Participate in performance management and continuing professional development.  Consult with subject managers for advice and support in curriculum delivery.

Teaching and learning (subject leader)

 To take an active role as a curriculum leader in the development of your subject/s.  Develop and implement policies and practices which reflect the school’s commitment to high achievement and effective teaching and learning  Promote a climate enabling staff to develop and maintain positive attitudes and confidence in teaching your subject/s.  Identify priorities for improvement to inform the School Strategic Plan.  Undertake ongoing training in teaching and learning of your subject/s and keep abreast of developments.  Undertake regular work-sampling to check on standards, continuity and progression throughout the school, feeding information back to the staff.  Monitor teacher records to ensure regular completion and use as a diagnostic tool.  Report to Governors as required.

Leading and managing (class teacher)

 Plan to manage pupil behaviour taking into account the personal, social and emotional needs of children.  Plan co-operatively with the team, sharing information, ideas and expertise.  Establish good relationships with parents to promote pupils learning and development and involve parents in the life of the school.  Establish and maintain a positive regard towards pupils, always aiming to raise self- esteem.  Consult and plan with support staff and outside agencies, as appropriate.  Support supply teachers as necessary, to promote continuity and progression.  Take responsibility for duty playtimes as per rota.

Leading and managing (subject leader)  Liaise with other subject leaders to identify cross curricular links and highlight in planning.  Develop teacher skills and sharing expertise, planning and leading Inset.  Ensure that NQTs are appropriately trained and supported  Promote cross phase continuity.

Efficient and effective deployment of resources (class teacher)  Organise and maintain a stimulating, happy, healthy and safe working environment appropriate for the range of activities taking place.  Teach pupils how to take responsibility for resources and care for the environment  Ensure that resources are well organised and readily available to promote learning.  Regularly review classroom organisation in light of school policies.  Set up attractive, interactive, celebratory and stimulating displays in the classroom, shared areas and hall, changing these under the direction of the display co-ordinator.

Efficient and effective deployment of resources (subject leader)  Manage a budget and be responsible for determining subject priorities.  Ensure efficient management and organisation of learning resources including ICT. Assess resource needs in consultation with colleagues.

Person specification

Essential Desirable

Qualifications Degree level qualification (2:2 or Evidence of continuous INSET and better) with Qualified Teacher status commitment to further professional development The equivalent to GCSE grade C or above in English and Maths

Experience The Class Teacher should have In addition, the Class Teacher experience of: might have experience of:

teaching at Key Stage 2 Leading the development of teaching and learning in a subject The ability to communicate area across the school. competently in English both verbally and in writing. Teaching across the whole Primary age range;

Working in partnership with parents.

Knowledge The Class Teacher should have In addition, the Class Teacher and knowledge and understanding of: might also have knowledge and understanding understanding of: The Teachers’ Standards as published on Gov.uk the preparation and administration of statutory National Curriculum the theory and practice of providing tests; effectively for the individual needs of all children (e.g. classroom organisation the links between schools, and learning strategies); especially feeder schools.

statutory National Curriculum age appropriate requirements within key stage 2;

the monitoring, assessment, recording and reporting of pupils’ progress;

the statutory requirements of legislation concerning Equal Opportunities, Health & Safety, SEND and Child Protection; the positive links necessary within school and with all its stakeholders;

Effective teaching and learning styles.

Skills The Class Teacher will be able to: In addition, the Class Teacher might also be able to promote the school’s values and aims positively, and use effective strategies develop strategies for creating to monitor motivation and morale; community links.

develop good personal relationships within a team;

establish and develop close relationships with parents, governors and the community;

communicate effectively (both orally and in writing) to a variety of audiences;

Create a happy, challenging and effective learning environment.

Personal Approachable characteristics Dedicated Empathetic Enthusiastic Organised Patient Resourceful Sense of Humour

Our School Ethos

At Brushwood we provide a well-ordered and stimulating environment in which learning can flourish so that your child has the maximum opportunity to succeed to the best of their ability. Brushwood is a ‘CAN DO’ school, finding routes to success for the whole school community.

We work to inspire children to be confident, independent, active learners and to foster a life-long love of learning.

We aim to:  Inspire children to achieve the very best they can  Help children to see there are no boundaries to what they can achieve  Show children ways of achieving their ambitions  Develop and secure children’s confidence in their own abilities  Develop independent thinking skills to equip children for life  Help children understand the world in which we live and to question injustices  Make learning relevant to children’s lives  Develop high self-esteem in children  Create an environment which celebrates and respects differences  Ensure that children know their views are valued and important and they can make change happen

Our School Values

RESPECT, CONFIDENCE, COLLABORATION, AMBITION, RESILIENCE

The school values were agreed by all children and staff at the school. We expect all members of our school community to model these values in all areas of their work and behaviour. The terms and conditions of the role

Salary: £24,859 -£40,520 (MPS/UPS plus Fringe)

Hours: Full-time (Permanent)

Start date: September 2019

Application process and timescales

School visits: Please contact our school business manager Claire Smith on 01494 786023 to arrange a school visit and an opportunity to meet the Head teacher.

Applications: Please submit your completed application form by email to office@brushwood- jun.bucks.sch.uk by 12.00pm on Tuesday 15th May 2018. Shortlisting: Shortlisting will be carried out on Wednesday 16th May and candidates will be telephoned and emailed on that day, to confirm an invitation to interview or to let you know if you haven’t been successful at this stage.

Interview: Interviews will be held at the school on Monday 21st May and candidates are asked to allow a couple of hours to complete the process

. Candidates will:

 Be asked to prepare and deliver a 20-minute lesson  Take part in a panel interview with the School leaders.  Have an opportunity to have a tour of the school if not already done so.

We will ensure that you have plenty of opportunity to ask all the questions you may have so that you feel sure Brushwood is the right next step for you.

Information about Brushwood Key Information Age range: 7 – 11 Gender: Mixed Faith: All Location: Brushwood Junior School Brushwood Road HP5 3DW Phone Number: 01494 786023 Email: [email protected] Website: http://www.brushwood-jun.bucks.sch.uk/

OFSTED Rating: Brushwood is rated as an outstanding school. Please click here to see our OFSTED report dated March 2012.

School premises: 4+acres, 5 double classroom blocks, main hall, dining room and kitchen area, tech and music area, library, 3 outdoor courts, outdoor gym, climbing wall and table tennis tables, sports fields including outdoor toilets. Staff room, staff office. Number of children 283 (April 2018). At Brushwood School, pupils are normally admitted at the beginning of Year 3 without reference to ability or aptitude. The school also welcomes children with disabilities, provided appropriate support can be put in place. The number of intended admissions for the year commencing 1 September 2017 was 96. This is a change from the usual admission number of 64 to reflect the ‘bulge year’ of pupils admitted to Brushwood Junior School’s feeder school; Newtown Infant School and Nursery, in September 2014. This admission number will revert back to 64 in September 2018. Number of SEN: 45 SEN, 9 EHC KS2 Results 2018 Reading 80% Grammar, Punctuation & spelling 80% Maths 70% What the Brushwood family says He has done extremely well and that will be down to excellent teachers - Parent Learning is fun at Brushwood. We all help each other. We have friendly teachers – M (Student)

Brushwood is a good place to let out your ideas – H (Student)

Kind caring school, which is well managed treating each child individually – Parent

Golden time is a golden treat for us every Friday – L (Student)

Brushwood school is fun because the playground is big and so is the field – T (Student)

I like Brushwood because of all the clubs, especially netball – J (Student)

Because they work so hard and learn a lot and it seems more than all the other schools in the area! - Parent

Here are some of our achievements…..

Outstanding OFSTED In 2012 Brushwood was recognised as an outstanding school and we are pleased that our national test results reflect this. OFSTED identified that we offer a consistently outstanding quality of teaching and we believe this engenders an enthusiasm for learning in out pupils.

Silver Arts Mark The children at Brushwood work on various art and design projects like production of portraits, Ancient Greek vases, studying different artists, to name a few. The school has been awarded the Silver Arts Mark as recognition of its commitment to this area of curriculum.

UNICEF Rights Respecting Award Children are encouraged to rehearse positive personal development and take responsibility for their current and future actions. Brushwood was the first school in Buckinghamshire to attain a UNICEF Rights Respecting Level 2 award.

Chesham in Bloom 2018 – Gold Award winners

This project involved a concerted collaborative effort from parents, staff and the three Gardening clubs in operation at the school. We had to re-establish the old bramble stricken vegetable patch and keep everything watered during the hottest summer in years! We grew a wide range of vegetables and flowers. We displayed pots and hanging baskets around the school and impressed the judges with a feast of home grown treats. As a result, we were the very proud winners of the school section of Chesham in Bloom. Schools of Chesham Carnival 2018 – First in the Walking Float Category The theme of the procession in 2018 was Music and Brushwood’s contribution to the procession was Hip Hop! The children and parents created Hip hop costumes complete with snap caps and bling. Javier in Y6 wrote and performed a rap about Brushwood school and the rest of the children joined in with the chorus. We all had a fantastic time being the ‘coolest’ school parading through the town. We were even more delighted that the judges recognised the effort and team work involved and presented Brushwood with the winner’s shield for best walking float. Community Cards Scheme 2016 winners Year 6 classes from 33 primary schools across Chiltern and South Bucks took part in the sticker-collecting scheme that ran from April to June. The aim of the project is to encourage children to get involved with activities, care for their community, be safe and engage with local community organisations. Brushwood Year 6 won this project and were treated to a day out at LEGOLAND Windsor resort.

‘Disability Awareness’ – theme fortnight During the theme fortnight, the children had the opportunity to learn sign language, write their name in braille, learn about prosthetics and how these are used by amputees, accessibility issues along the High Street, meet hearing dogs and understand that disability does not have to be seen in a negative way. The children enjoyed listening to a wide range of speakers and visitors during the fortnight and learn from life stories and real events.

Local Information

Brushwood school is situated on Brushwood Road, a cul-de-sac in a residential corner of Chesham.

Chesham is a friendly market town in the Chiltern Hills, Buckinghamshire, England. Chesham is a town council within . It is situated in the Chess Valley and surrounded by farmland, as well as being bordered on one side by Amersham and Chesham Bois. Chesham has around 20,000 residents.

Today Chesham has a diverse economic base comprising many typically small- medium-sized enterprises representing all business sectors. There is a modern purpose built theatre, museum, open air heated swimming pool and good variety of individual shops including a brewery shop.

The pedestrian High Street retains some of the character of the old market town with some long-established traditional family retailers and a street market on Wednesdays and Saturdays.

Buckinghamshire has a selective education system, and children are selected for Grammar School places via the 11+ test taken at the beginning of Year 6.

Transport links:

Roads: The A416 runs through the town, from Amersham to Berkhamsted, and connects the town to the A41. The A416 was diverted around the High Street and later upgraded to be dual-lane. Chesham's High Street was pedestrianised in 1990 and the benefits to the High Street have been felt ever since.

Rail: Chesham tube station, close to the town centre, is on the connecting to Chalfont and Latimer station. The nearest National Rail connections are , although the LU line also connects directly to Chalfont & Latimer station, from where the Metropolitan line and Chiltern Railways provide a joint service to Baker Street station and Chiltern Railways trains travelling to Marylebone station..

Bus services: The principal bus companies running local services are Arriva, Carousel, Red Rose and Redline.

Cycling: The town is a setting off point for exploring the Chilterns. Cycling heritage trails have been developed by the district authority, two of which are centred on countryside around Chesham.

Air transport: Luton airport is 15 miles away and Heathrow airport 22 miles away.

Accommodation:

There is plentiful housing in the areas around Chesham both rental and owner occupied. Within a 15 mile radius of Chesham, 3 bedroom semi-detached properties can be sourced for under £100k. in areas such as Dunstable, Luton, Slough, Harrow & St Albans. If you wanted to live in Chesham, Rightmove shows that most property sales in Chesham in 2015 involved terraced properties which sold for on average £336,406. Flats sold for an average price of £219,763, while semi-detached properties fetched £414,516. Chesham, with an overall average price of £375,224 was cheaper than nearby Chesham Bois (£916,000), Amersham (£587,136) and Little Chalfont (£730,580).

Shopping and Recreation:

There are local shops, restaurants and pubs in Chesham. Chesham has a high proportion of independent shops with friendly staff and good access. There is a regular local produce market and events throughout the year.

The nearest substantial shopping centres are:

 Hemel Hempstead (8 miles).  High Wycombe (10 miles).  Aylesbury (16 miles).

The New Elgiva Theatre is located in Chesham and presents a wide-ranging programme of professional and amateur theatre productions, musicals, comedy, dance, one night shows and concerts, pantomimes, films, exhibitions etc.

Opposite the town centre is Lowndes Park, a large park with playgrounds and formerly an open air paddling pool. There is a large pond in the park, known as Skottowe's Pond. The Moor, originally an island created by the diversion of the Chess to power mills is today an open space used for recreation. There are two public swimming pools in the town.

There are 135 footpaths in the Chesham area and in May 2010 the town became the first in the Chilterns to be recognised as a "Walkers are Welcome Town”.

Brushwood Junior School Brushwood Road Chesham Buckinghamshire HP5 3DW

Telephone: 01494 786023

E-mail: [email protected]