KINGSWOOD HOUSE SCHOOL
Appointment of
HEAD
From September 2017
Information for Candidates
CONTENTS
About the School
History and Overview Location Aims and Philosophy Structure of the School Governance Senior Leadership Team Pastoral Care and Child Protection Extra-Curricular Activities Parents’ Associations Inspection Reports
About the Post
Job Description (Role and Responsibilities) Person Specification Terms and Conditions Safeguarding Equal Opportunities How to Apply Dates for Selection Process Interview Expenses More Information
ABOUT THE SCHOOL
History and Overview
Kingswood House School was founded in 1899, and moved, thanks to the enterprise of the then Headmaster, Rev. Sandberg, to its present site on West Hill (Tanglewood, a former girls’ school) in 1920.
Later years saw Headmasters Mr Dixon, Mr Morley-Tabor, Mr Malden, Mr Thorne, Mr Scott-Malden, Mr Harvey and, currently, Mr Brooks accept leadership of the School.
By the late sixties Kingswood House became exclusively a day school, allowing dormitories to be converted to Music Rooms and a Library. Later, in 1973, the Langlands building was opened comprising Assembly Hall, Gym, Changing Rooms, Art Room and Science Laboratory.
In 1989 the Study Centre was opened and was refurbished as part of our development programme in 2009. The IT Suite and Library have been upgraded and an Astroturf and an adventure trail have been added. The boys also have the opportunity to use local facilities at Epsom Cricket Club, Epsom College and the Adrian Mann Theatre at NESCOT.
At the beginning of 2013 the school launched an exciting development programme consisting of a Junior School, Pre-Prep Department, Humanities classrooms, a swimming pool and sports hall. The Junior School was completed in October 2013 and the Pre-Prep and Humanities Departments were completed in August 2014.
In 1963 the School was formed into an Educational Trust under a Board of Governors. The Head is a member of the Incorporated Association of Preparatory Schools and the School is currently home to a maximum of 210 boys between the ages of three and thirteen and girls from three to seven. The School’s centenary was celebrated in 1999.
In 2015 the Governors announced that a new Senior School will open in September 2017, educating boys through to their GCSEs. In response to demand, our first Year 9 class will commence in September 2016.
Location
Kingswood House School is located just outside Epsom town centre on West Hill (postcode KT19 8LG).
The School is very well positioned for easy access to Heathrow and Gatwick airports, the A3/A24 and the M25/M3/M23 motorways. There is a frequent train service into London from Epsom national rail station which is ten minutes walk away.
With such excellent transport links the School is easily accessible to a very large catchment area, though most pupils live just a short drive away. The School provides a minibus service for those living further away. Limited parking is available in front of the School but there is a car park to the rear at the bottom of the playing field in West Hill Avenue.
The Aims and Philosophy
The School aims to:
. Develop the individual abilities of each child in a secure, caring and friendly environment where they are happy and motivated to learn and to appreciate the benefits of healthy living and physical fitness.
. Encourage participation, enjoyment and success in all areas of the School’s curriculum to create a well-rounded, confident child who shows respect, tolerance and compassion towards people and the environment.
. Help children develop self-worth and maturity so they are equipped to deal with life’s challenges and are well-prepared for the next stage of their education.
. Create a strong partnership between parents, children and staff to foster social awareness and to allow all members of the School community to feel valued and appreciated.
Kingswood House is committed to the provision of the very finest contemporary education, coupled with the retention of old fashioned values and traditions.
While many schools might lay similar claims to the above, there is a remarkable ‘ethos’ at Kingswood House where parents, pupils, staff and Governors work closely to give the children the very best educational opportunities; academic, cultural, artistic and sporting. Every child is valued and they thrive in an environment where strong pastoral support and a sense of community are given the highest priority. The School strives to inspire, to provide opportunity and to realise potential in every child. Pupils are also given confidence to ‘have a go’, the feeling that they ‘can’, and the persistence to keep going. Initiative and creativity are encouraged. Other schools may say it; at Kingswood House we do it.
While the School supports pupils with a wide range of academic achievement, Kingswood House has a particular success with those of middling ability and those with special educational needs, and the Study Centre (see below) is considered a centre of excellence and a unique selling point.
Structure of the School
Pupils may enter the school at any time during the year if there is a place available. The most common point of entry is in Year 3 (age seven) when parents realise their child needs the special support which Kingswood House provides so well.
The Pre-Prep Department
There is currently a Pre-Prep consisting of the Nursery (First Class), Reception, Year 1 and Year 2. The Nursery is closing at the end of 2016 and Reception at the end of 2017 to make room for the new Senior School, which will occupy the current Pre-Prep building. Years 1 and 2 will be relocated.
The Prep School
The Prep School is divided into the Junior Department (Years 3, 4 and 5) and the Senior Department (Years 6, 7 and 8).
The Junior Department has its own new two story building and boys are mostly taught in their form rooms. Pupils are happy, feel valued and are motivated to learn and grow in independence, not only in thinking but in being.
Kingswood House believes in small classes, so each year group is divided into two streams. Smaller classes enable us to concentrate fully on the individual child, nurturing confidence and developing self-esteem.
The Senior Department provides an environment specifically designed to promote academic learning. Although the primary focus is the Common Entrance syllabus, we incorporate many aspects of the National Curriculum.
Pupils are taught by specialists who show their enthusiasm through imaginative preparation and a well-planned curriculum. They respond to each pupil as an individual, adapting their teaching to accommodate different learning styles.
Pupils are encouraged to be independent learners to acquire confidence and life skills to further their education in secondary school and beyond.
New Senior School
In September 2015 the Governors announced that from September 2017 Kingswood House will educate boys through to their GCSEs. However, due to demand, our first Year 9 class will commence in September 2016.
The new Senior School is a proactive move in the light of a shifting educational market. Good secondary schools are heavily over-subscribed for day places and the main senior schools now take boys at age 11. As a result there is significant pressure on parents to move their son at the end of Year 6, which is a major threat to all Prep Schools.
As well as this threat, this shift also presents an opportunity to fill the shortage of places and there is currently a particular dilemma about where to send those boys with below 110 Verbal Reasoning/Non-Verbal Reasoning at 13+.
While other Prep Schools are contemplating stopping at age 11, the new Kingswood House Senior School both underpins Years 7 and 8 and gives parents an option to continue the Kingswood House ethos to GCSEs.
The Study Centre
The Study Centre is recognised to have been providing a high quality education and level of expertise for many years. Specialists work closely with staff and parents to ensure the children’s personal, social emotional and academic needs are met in order that learning and self-esteem are enhanced.
In line with their genuine desire to get the best from each boy, teaching staff liaise with our SENCo and Study Centre staff who can offer specialist guidance and additional support to pupils where appropriate and facilitate early identification of any need.
The School currently has 16 pupils with either a Statement of Educational Need or Education and Health Care Plan.
Governance
The School is a Registered Charity, number 312044. It is governed by a Board comprising 12 Governors; eight are former parents, one a retired Prep School Head, one a Senior School teacher, one a Senior School SENCo and one a current Prep School Bursar.
Governors are selected for their expertise in specific areas (finance, legal, educational and property).
The Head, Deputy Head and Bursar attend all meetings.
The Board has seven active sub-committees:
Finance Marketing Health & Safety Risk Management Education Child Welfare Strategy.
Senior Leadership Team
The Senior Leadership Team, which is chaired by the Head, currently consists of the Bursar, Deputy Head, Director of Studies, Head of Junior Department and Head of Pre-Prep.
The Team works closely together and meets each week to consider issues including:
Future School strategy Policy development Development planning Curriculum planning Inspection preparation and paperwork Monitoring of pupil academic performance Pupil progression Transfer to senior schools Appraisal of staff and performance management Monitoring pupils’ behaviour and general progress Extra-curricular activities Day-to-day running Wider School initiatives.
Pastoral Care and Child Protection
Pastoral care is initially the responsibility of the form teacher, who is supported by the Head of Department, Head of Pastoral Care and Deputy Head or the Head.
Communication with parents is via a Homework Diary, ParentMail (email) or by appointment. In addition, many parents drop in on an informal basis.
Mrs Sally Witts, Bursar, is the School’s Designated Safeguarding Lead and Mr Liam Clarke, Head of Pastoral Care and the Junior Department, and Miss Eleanor Walliss, Head of Pre-Prep, are the Deputy Safeguarding Leads. Dr Hywel Bowen- Perkins is the School Governor with Child Protection responsibility. The School culture encourages everyone to feel comfortable to discuss and/or report any concerns in complete confidence.
Extra-curricular Activities
Sport plays a significant part in the life of the School and has a full fixture list in football, rugby, rugby 7s and cricket. Other sports include hockey, tennis, cross country, athletics and climbing (there is a climbing wall on site).
Boys are encouraged to participate from an early age and all boys will be offered the chance to represent the School at one level or another.
There are many regular weekday activities including fencing, chess, lego, choir, drama, etc., and a varied programme of activities, trips and visits to which all the staff contribute. This results in pupils having numerous opportunities to experience extra- curricular activities both on and off site.
The School also holds a varied programme of activities during the holidays which offers a wide range of events and activities both on and off site.
Residential trips include the Jersey Sports Tour for Years 7 and 8, an activity bonding trip for Year 5, French trip for Year 7 and Outward Bound for Year 8.
We also take parents and children skiing each February and go on a sailing/water sports activity holiday in France every two years.
Parents’ Associations
Unusually, Kingswood House has two associations to which all parents are members: the Kingswood House Association and the Kingswood House Sports Association.
Both committees are very active in arranging social events and activities for parents and pupils and they work hard to raise funds for the School. In the past few years the money raised has provided staging for school productions, games and go-karts for break time, maintained the upkeep of a Vivaro ‘van’ and we have planted a willow village.
Inspection Reports
The last Integrated Inspection report by the Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI) in October 2014 was excellent in every area and is very complimentary about the School.
To view it in full please see the School’s website www.kingswoodhouse.org/our- school/inspection-reports.
The School is also a member of the Council for the Registration of Schools Teaching Dyslexic Pupils (CReSTeD) and their last inspection was in April 2014 and can also be found on the School’s website at the above link.
ABOUT THE POST
Job Description (Role and Responsibilities)
The Governors of Kingswood House School invite applications for the post of Head to succeed Peter Brooks who is retiring as Head after 42 years of exceptional and loyal service to the School, including 20 years as Head. Since the new Senior School is at such an early stage, the Governors have requested that Peter continues a part-time consultancy for one year to oversee the development of Years 9-11. This will be discussed further at interview.
Head’s Role
The Head is responsible to the Board of Governors for ensuring that the School successfully fulfils its aims whilst being run smoothly and efficiently, for developing its future strategy with the Governors, and for ensuring that the School is at the forefront of educational developments and initiatives. The successful applicant will report directly to the Board of Governors and work with the Chair to enable the Board to fulfil its duties and responsibilities for the proper governance of the School and to ensure that the Board receives timely advice and appropriate information on all relevant matters.
The successful applicant will have the personal and inspirational qualities to lead, motivate and develop the School so that it fulfils the academic, pastoral and social needs of the pupils, parents and staff whilst maintaining the much-valued ethos of Kingswood House School.
Key Responsibilities
In summary, the Head’s key responsibilities are:
The leadership and management of the School The strategic direction of the School and its policies The pastoral care, safety and welfare of all pupils and staff The overall financial performance of the School To ensure compliance with all regulatory and legal requirements To lead and motivate the Senior Leadership Team The appointment of staff (some SLT roles/Bursar will involve Governors’ support) The assessment, appraisal, guidance, support and professional development all staff To plan and implement an effective curriculum and timetable and the academic organisation of the School To monitor pupils’ progress The marketing of the School The recruitment of pupils To support and advise parents and to be readily available and approachable to them To maintain good communication and relationships with all stakeholders, including local schools and the community To establish and maintain good relationships with senior schools. Person Specification
The successful candidate will have the personal qualities to lead, motivate and inspire the School and must value the special ethos of the School and nurture it as a unique selling point. The candidate will demonstrate natural authority and leadership qualities and have the ability to make and implement sound decisions.
The candidate will be able to relate to, value and communicate well with all members of the School community, develop and maintain strong and positive relationships with the Governors, SLT and other colleagues and have a sincere and whole-hearted commitment to the safeguarding and welfare of children.
Desirable attributes
The candidate will have the experience of working in an independent school as a significant member of the Senior Leadership Team.
Applications will also be welcomed from candidates with relevant maintained sector experience.
The successful candidate will be a person who leads by example; a leader who is at all times approachable and friendly, decisive but caring and understanding in resolving conflicts.
He/She will be charismatic, thoughtful and reflective, a kind but decisive manager of people, someone with a warm personality able to inspire all members of the community that is Kingswood House, namely its pupils, parents, staff and Governors.
Terms and Conditions
A generous remuneration package, commensurate with the importance of the role and the experience of the successful candidate, will be offered The post is pensionable through the Teachers’ Pension Scheme Membership of IAPS and attendance at its meetings and annual conference Reasonable costs of School entertainment and general expenses will be covered Private health cover is provided The confirmation of the appointment will be subject to two satisfactory references, medical review and the appropriate safeguarding and enhanced DBS checks Removal expenses associated with relocation if required.
Safeguarding
Kingswood House School Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff to share this commitment. All applications should read the School’s Child Protection policy, which is available on the website, and are required to declare any criminal convictions or cautions, or disciplinary proceedings.
The successful applicant must be willing to undergo child protection screening appropriate to the post, including checks with past employers and the Disclosure and Barring Services.
Identification checks and copying of documents such as degree certificates will be required at the second round interview stage.
Equal Opportunities
Kingswood House School Trust is an equal opportunities employer. Candidates will be assessed against relevant criteria only (i.e. skills, qualifications, abilities, experience) in selection and recruitment. In accordance with the Disability Discrimination Act, Kingswood House School seeks to treat those with disabilities as favourably as those without disabilities. It will make reasonable arrangements, wherever practicable, to avoid putting those with disabilities at a disadvantage.
How to apply
Please complete the application form for the post of Head including the names of two referees, with full contact details. Applications are to be emailed to Mrs Sally Witts, Bursar, at the following email address: [email protected].
To support your application applicants may wish to include a covering letter. Please address the letter to Mr Christopher Shipley, Chairman of Governors.
The inclusion of a CV is optional but no other material should be attached in support of applications.
Dates for Selection Process
Closing date for applications: Monday 3rd October 2016 at 4pm First Round Interviews: Monday 10th October 2016 Second Round Interviews: Monday 17th October 2016
References will be requested ahead of the Second Round Interviews.
Interview Expenses
Reasonable interview expenses will be reimbursed. Queries should be sent to the Bursar, Sally Witts, at the email address above.
More Information
For more detailed information on Kingswood House School, please visit the website: www.kingswoodhouse.org.
To discuss the position in more detail, or to arrange a confidential discussion with the Head, please contact Sally Witts, [email protected].