SOLIHULL SCHOOL Appointment of CAREERS ADVISOR for August 2013 Information for Applicants Solihull School Warwick Road, Solihull, West Midlands B91 3DJ Tel: 0121 703 2947 Fax: 0121 711 2923 Email: [email protected] Website: www.solsch.org.uk SOLIHULL SCHOOL Solihull School was founded in 1560 from the revenues of the parish chantry chapels of St Mary and St Katherine and it remains a Christian foundation. In 1882 the School moved to its present site in the centre of Solihull. The site and the history of the School have created a very strong link between the School and the local community, although many pupils do come to the School from elsewhere in the West Midlands. The original 19th Century School House survives, but there has been extensive recent development. In January 2002 two major buildings were completed at a total cost of over £5 million: the conversion of the old assembly hall into an extensive library and IT facilities, and the building of a new hall/theatre (the Bushell Hall). This new building has a capacity of 450 as a theatre and 800 as an assembly hall, and contains a drama studio and drama work room. In summer 2002 the original School House was refurbished to provide better facilities for the Sixth Form, and for the Art and Psychology Departments. In August 2003 a new pavilion (the Alan Lee Pavilion) was completed, which provides all the sports changing facilities for the School, as well as a large social area. In addition, the 50-acre site allows excellent provision for games and includes a sports centre with squash courts, astroturf, swimming pool, netball courts and several floodlit playing areas. The School announced in 2003 its intention to become fully co-educational and this process began in September 2005 with 22 girls in Year 7 and 29 in the Junior School. There are now 366 girls in the School, 95 of whom are in the Junior School. At the same time plans were announced for a major refurbishment of the Junior School, at a cost of £1 million, and the building of a large teaching area (the George Hill Building). Both were completed for the arrival of the girls. In addition a new, state of the art Music School, named after a former Director of Music, Mr David Turnbull, has been completed to commemorate the 450th anniversary of the School in 2010. The School at present has 1013 pupils. There are 203 pupils in the Junior School (age 7 to 11), 532 pupils in the years from age 11 to 16 and 278 in the Sixth Form. Of the intake at 11+ into the Lower School, about half come from the Junior School and half come from other schools. The School has the funds to make a very substantial provision of scholarships, including Art and Music scholarships, at different ages, particularly at 11+ and 16+, and funds its own assisted places scheme. Over 200 pupils in the School have some form of financial award or assistance. Solihull has a strong academic record. In 2012 the School achieved a 100% pass rate in all A Level subjects and over 85% at A or B grade, and this year 8 pupils gained places at Oxford and Cambridge. Almost all pupils go on to university. The School offers a very wide range of choices at A Level, including Psychology, Religious Studies, Business Studies, Photography and Theatre Studies. However, extra-curricular activities are also central to the ethos of the School. Music thrives, with a chapel choir, several choral groups, an orchestra and many musical groups. There were 23 different musical groups at the last count. Drama is available in the curriculum and there are productions by different sections of the School, as well as a major musical. Last year there were 7 different plays performed. Sport is also very important, offering rugby, hockey (for boys and girls), cricket, athletics, swimming, netball, badminton, golf, cross country, canoeing, basketball, squash, shooting and chess. Recently there has been national and regional success for school teams in tennis, badminton and cricket. In addition, the School owns a cottage in Snowdonia, which is used by all pupils in their second year in the Lower School, by the School’s Mountain Club and by staff. There are opportunities for pupils to undertake overseas trips and tours, recent expeditions being to Chile, Nepal, South America, Africa, Tibet, Ladakh and Norway. In summer 2009 the 1st XI cricket team took part in the Sir Garfield Sobers International Tournament in Barbados and again in 2011. Many pupils are involved in the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme, the CCF and service in the local community. The School has achieved recent success in the European Youth Parliament, with a team of Sixth Formers becoming UK Champions at the National Forum. The team went on to represent the UK at the International Session of the EYP in Dublin. Solihull School is a member of the Warwick Group of schools, which offers Heads of Department and other senior staff the opportunity to meet and share experiences with staff of seven other similar schools in the Midlands (Warwick, King Edward’s Birmingham, King Henry VIII Coventry, Bablake, Loughborough Grammar, Nottingham High, and Wolverhampton Grammar). Further details about Solihull may be found in the Independent Schools’ Handbook and on the School’s website (http://www.solsch.org.uk). The 2010 Inspection Report is also available on the School’s website. THE ROLE We are seeking to appoint a Careers Advisor from August 2013 to provide an exceptional careers service to pupils throughout the School. The position is full-time, though some flexibility on hours and holidays may be possible for the right candidate. TERMS OF SERVICE Salary is in the region of £30K, commensurate with previous experience and qualifications Final Salary Pension with Warwickshire County Council Free lunch during term time Subsidised tuition fees for own children APPLICATIONS Completed application forms should be sent to Hayley Miles, HR Manager, Solihull School, Warwick Road, Solihull, B91 3DJ, to arrive by no later than 12 noon Wednesday 24 April 2013. Interviews will take place during week commencing 29 April 2013. JOB DESCRIPTION: Full Time Careers Advisor Responsible to: The Headmaster Responsibilities: General To provide an inspiring and best practice careers service throughout the School. To provide engaging and interactive careers advice, guidance and support on subject options and post-school choices. To develop, implement and review a strategic plan which guides the policies, plans, targets and practices of the Careers Department. Specific Working with colleagues and external agencies, the Careers Advisor will be responsible for: Suggesting, developing and maintaining effective partnerships with local, national and international businesses. Developing a network of specialist partners to provide guidance on specific careers. Organising, promoting and coordinating work experience. Organising, promoting and coordinating a structured programme of careers and gap year events for pupils and parents. Attendance at Parents’ Evenings and active promotion of careers in school assemblies and at Information Evenings and Open Mornings. Producing careers information through hard copy literature, e-communications and displays. Innovative and dynamic contributions to the PSHE programme throughout the School. Providing options guidance throughout school, including university/course selection. Providing guidance to pupils on completing application forms, interview technique and presentation skills. Organisation of careers questionnaires and psychometric testing, and provision of feedback. Conducting individual careers interviews with pupils in the Fifth Form and the Sixth Form. Monitoring, recording and communicating leaver destination information to relevant members of the school community. Working closely with the Director of Development and Alumni Relations to foster positive links with the Old Silhillians Association, to include career lunches and briefings, networking opportunities at university and in the workplace, video-conferencing and podcasting, and support with work experience placements. Liaison with external careers services. Organising and hosting regular visits from the Armed Forces Schools Liaison Officers. Supporting the Senior Teacher (Academic) with the UCAS process, for example, disseminating information on industry changes that have an impact on university applications. Supporting the Oxbridge Coordinator, Medics Coordinator and any other relevant careers related provision, as required. Keeping abreast of developments and best practice in careers through research, attendance at training events and conferences, and establishing relationships with peers from other institutions. Other Any other reasonable requests by negotiation with the Headmaster All Job Descriptions are subject to review and update to meet the changing needs of the School Person Specification Full Time Careers Advisor Essential Desirable Method of Assessment Qualifications Educated to degree level Careers qualification Application Form Membership of the Institute of Careers Guidance Experience Recent experience of careers education Previous experience of psychometric Application Form and guidance in an educational setting testing Reference Skills Ability to work collaboratively and to Ability to drive Application Form develop positive relationships with internal Interview and external stakeholders Reference Excellent oral and written communication skills Knowledge Knowledge of universities, subject choices, Application Form non-academic career choices, gap years Interview and volunteering Reference Up-to-date with methods of communicating effectively via ‘e-comms’ i.e. through Social Networking, blogging etc. Sound working knowledge of Microsoft Office Personal Ability to work outside of normal working Interview competencies hours, including occasional evening and Reference weekend work Commitment to personal CPD Enthusiastic, innovative, highly motivated Genuine commitment to delivering positive outcomes for pupils Dedicated to achieving excellence, conscientious and hard working Ability to engage with and relate to pupils Approachable, open and honest Organised, efficient and ability to respond to changing priorities .