Edge Grove School An independent school for boys and girls Applicant Information Pack for the post of Librarian Monday – Friday 32.5 hours per week Term Time Only Start Date: September 2021 Page 1 | 9 Welcome to our School Edge Grove is a happy, vibrant and successful learning community that is strongly committed to holding in balance the academic ambition necessary to drive high performance and the dedication to providing an inspiring and engaging curriculum that truly prepares pupils for their onward journeys. We are a community that places student wellbeing at the heart of all we do and there is a talented and motivated staff team that is passionate about making a difference to the experience of every child. At Edge Grove we provide an exceptional education, combining academic rigour and ambition with creativity and depth of study. We ensure learning authentically nurtures intellectual curiosity, independence of thought and scholarship through a broad, sharp and innovative curriculum; and pastoral care and pupil wellbeing remains at the core of all we do. There is a palpable sense of school spirit and community here. We value diversity; both in approaches to teaching and learning and through having a culturally diverse staff and student body that brings varied perspectives, new knowledge, different experiences and new ways of thinking. Edge Grove embraces the cultural differences of all of its families and pupils show a high level of respect for each other. Our pupils are principled, open minded, resilient and, above all, kind. As Head, I am unwavering in my belief that every educator has the power and ability to help pupils accomplish great things. I am relentless about maintaining and sustaining a positive culture in school and I am committed to developing and empowering staff to make each day extraordinary for the pupils and themselves. Thank you for your interest in the position of Librarian at Edge Grove. This is an important role supporting the delivery of teaching and learning across the whole school. Our aim is to see reading for pleasure at the heart of Edge Grove and to foster a lifelong love of reading throughout the school community. The successful applicant will need a broad knowledge of children’s literature, vision, enthusiasm and excellent organisation and decision-making skills. Interviews will be on site and you will have an opportunity to see the school environment during an interview. Page 2 | 9 Edge Grove School was founded in 1935 and is a vibrant and successful day and boarding prep school for boys and girls aged between 3 and 13 characterised by a genuine commitment to the pursuit of excellence. We have over 500 pupils with a family style environment for our small boarding house that is utilised by weekly and flexi boarders. We also offer nursery education in our dedicated building located in the nearby village of Aldenham. We are fortunate to be situated within 48 acres of parkland, only 15 miles from central London and conveniently located close to the M1 and M25 motorways. Our wonderful setting and facilities ensure our children are exposed to a wide range of experiences and develop confidence in a challenging, fun and inspirational environment. We encompass the traditional values of good manners and self-discipline coupled with a modern and progressive approach. We offer an education that instils self-assurance and a passion for learning that stays with children for the rest of their lives. Our first class teaching resources, strong academic approach and accessible and enjoyable teaching methods allow pupils to progress individually and reach their true potential in all spheres of school life. Page 3 | 9 Pupils at Edge Grove Pre Prep pupils are class based with specialist teachers for PE and games, art, music and Forest School. Lower School pupils are class based with sets for English and Maths and specialist teachers for PE and games, art, music, drama, computing, D.T/Engineering and Modern Foreign Languages. Upper and Middle School pupils are taught exclusively by specialist teachers and develop their independence through having to move around the School during the day to the separate faculty areas. All pupils have a form tutor who is responsible for their pastoral care. At Edge Grove pupils either take 11+ in Year 6 and move on to a range of local independent schools or remain with the School until 13+ exams, where they study the Edge Grove Baccalaureate alongside the ISEB curriculum. We are proud of our academic performance and children are prepared for a wide range of senior schools across the country, carefully chosen to suit their academic and extra-curricular strengths. Edge Grove pupils characteristically approach the next stage of the educational journey with confidence and distinction and many achieve scholarships across a breadth of subjects at their senior school of choice. Leavers’ Destinations Aldenham School Bedford School Berkhamsted School Eton College Haberdasher’s Askes’ School for Boys Haileybury School Merchant Taylors’ School Mill Hill School Roedean School St Columba’s College St Alban’s High School for Girls St Alban’s Boys’ School Page 4 | 9 The Role The successful candidate will continually promote the value of reading throughout the School and encourage all pupils to read for pleasure. Working alongside the academic staff, the Librarian will support and develop the pupils’ academic reading and research skills in order for everyone to achieve. The Librarian will need a broad knowledge of children’s literature and have vision, enthusiasm and excellent organisation and decision-making skills. The Librarian will therefore need to be flexible, have a keen eye for detail, be a good team colleague, be able to take responsibility when required and have a good rapport with pupils. TASKS AND DUTIES Teaching and Learning ● Develop the library at the heart of learning in school. ● Develop reading for pleasure in the school community. ● Enable pupils to identify, locate and access the information they need. ● Develop pupils’ research skills through library lessons. ● Encourage scholarship and independent learning. ● Help organise special library displays, guest speakers and author visits and other events as appropriate. ● Train and supervise pupil librarians. ● Establish and run pupil break and lunchtime clubs. ● Develop and run an after-school library club. ● Liaise with Heads of Department, including Learning Success, to ensure the effectiveness of the library’s contribution to teaching and learning. ● Work with academic staff to support the development of academic reading. ● Compile age appropriate reading lists in consultation with staff. ● Provide staff with relevant topic books to support curriculum topics. ● Cover for absent colleagues and carry out other supervisory duties as required. Administrative Duties ● Manage the library budget and order new resources in consultation with the Deputy Head Academic, Head of English and Bursar. ● Manage and operate the computerised library system and any associated manual systems. ● Catalogue and process new books, magazines and other resources. ● Register new users, inducting and assisting pupils and staff to use the facilities, referring associated problems to the IT staff. ● Manage routines associated with issue and return of books, reservations, shelving and tidying of all the libraries in the school. ● Attend professional meetings and courses in order to keep up-to-date on developments in librarianship. ● Ensure smooth running of all the library facilities and services. Standards and Quality Assurance ● Set a good example in terms of punctuality and attendance. ● Model acceptable behaviour; supervise and control children, encourage good social skills and adhere to defined standards and policies. ● Attend department meetings and participate in planning sessions where appropriate. ● Attend weekly whole-school staff meetings and training sessions. ● Attend relevant INSET as directed by the Head. Page 5 | 9 ● Be proactive in matters relating to health and safety and general well-being of the children. ● Be familiar with all school policies, both those pertaining to teaching and school life in general, and ensure they are accurately and consistently implemented. ● Participate in the school’s appraisal process and attend review meetings as required Professional Responsibilities ● Support the School in its aims, ethos and objectives ● Promote the academic ethos and life of the school. ● Set high expectations in terms of enthusiasm for learning. ● Dress in a way that is commensurate with the school working environment. Corporate Life ● Take part in the corporate life of the school. ● Contribute to the extra-curricular life of the school e.g. after-school clubs and activities. Page 6 | 9 Person Specification Your application and, if invited, interview will be assessed against the following criteria: ESSENTIAL CRITERIA DESIRABLE CRITERIA Qualifications A Level English and/or English Degree in English or English Literature Literature or equivalent A Librarianship Qualification A thorough knowledge of the role in a similar Experience environment Professional and mature approach to work Ability / skills Enthusiastic, flexible, reliable and conscientious in your care of the children, with the ability to inspire and motivate children. Effective team member with excellent communication skills with peers Show initiative in your dealings with children in different situations. Awareness of the need to follow set policies and guidelines within