SHREWSBURY HOUSE SCHOOL FOUNDED 1865 Brief for the position of DIRECTOR OF FINANCE AND OPERATIONS Shrewsbury House School Candidate Brief n Director of Finance and Operations, Shrewsbury House School shrewsburyhouse.net CONTENTS Background 3 The Role 7 The Person 10 How to Apply 11 odgersberndtson.com 02 Candidate Brief n Director of Finance and Operations, Shrewsbury House School shrewsburyhouse.net BACKGROUND Shrewsbury House School Trust operates three In addition to the wide range of first-class facilities across the independent schools that seek to provide the best three school sites, the Trust also owns a large, dedicated sports possible day school education for children aged ground located on Almshouse Lane in nearby Chessington. between 3 and 13. Across all three schools, the Trust aims to provide both an Established in 1865, Shrewsbury House School is one of outstanding academic and broad education, to draw out pupils’ England’s oldest boys’ preparatory schools. It currently educates abilities and academic potential, awaken and develop wider 340 boys aged 7 to 13 and has a reputation for excellence in all interests in life and motivate pupils for a successful future. areas. The school aims to educate the whole child by providing The ethos and success of the schools have been achieved by unequalled opportunities and support for the ongoing maintaining a consistently low pupil-to-teacher ratio and development of academic, cultural, aesthetic, moral, sporting employing committed and high-quality staff, ensuring that and practical dimensions of the boys’ lives. all pupils are educated to a consistently high standard. The three schools are administered as a charitable trust by a single Shrewsbury House Pre-Prep School joined the Trust in 2009 governing body. and educates boys and girls aged 3 to 7. Based in Esher, the school has capacity for 150 pupils and aims to foster the core The Trust is administered by a Board of Governors whose values of teamwork, resilience, aspiration, care and kindness. members are also Directors of the Company or ‘Trustees’. The Trustees attend relevant sub-committee meetings regularly and The Rowans is a co-educational school for children aged 3 to 7 meet as a full board once a term. The Board aims to recruit based in Wimbledon. The school joined the Trust in 2017 and Trustees who have a range of specialist skills, to maintain a currently has over 120 pupils on roll. At The Rowans, a growth strong balance of expertise. Current members include experts mindset is promoted to encourage children to relish challenges, in education, financial management, law, property development embrace mistakes, respond to feedback and take inspiration and estates, risk and insurance. from others. For more information on the Shrewsbury House School Trust, please visit: Shrewsbury House School Trust. odgersberndtson.com 03 Candidate Brief n Director of Finance and Operations, Shrewsbury House School shrewsburyhouse.net Shrewsbury House School Academic Shrewsbury House School is an exceptional day school for boys A broad-based, eclectic and progressive curriculum allows with a superb academic record, committed staff, small class sizes boys to hone their skills in myriad subject areas while and dedicated pastoral care. The school aims for boys to develop developing lifelong learning habits. Boys develop a healthy their potential to the maximum; expectations are high, and every world view, curiosity and impressive critical thinking, while boy is encouraged to ‘have a go’ across the broad curriculum. having fun in and out of the classroom. The School values are: Many teachers are subject specialists and foster enthusiasm n Respect n Integrity n Aspiration and innovation, helping boys to be as proud of individual n Perseverance n Compassion efforts as well as teamwork, leadership and relationship skills. Shrewsbury House boys emerge at age 13 as intellectually curious Key subjects, such as English, Mathematics and Science, remain young men who have had numerous opportunities to reach their integral but these are enhanced by other subjects including full potential and shine. The school has a national reputation for Classics, Reasoning, Theology, Philosophy and Computing, sending boys to a range of the country’s leading day and boarding Coding and Robotics. In addition, project-based learning is schools (including Brighton, Dulwich, Eton, Harrow, KCS a bespoke and dynamic aspect to the curriculum, providing Wimbledon, Radley, St Paul’s, Tonbridge and Westminster). a pupil-centred teaching approach that can help boys acquire a deeper knowledge through active exploration of real-world Facilities challenges and problems. The school site is set in a beautiful leafy area of Surbiton in Opportunities are provided for the more able to accelerate Surrey. The main school house dates back to Victorian times and reach their potential, including bands of classes that but facilities are modern and well-equipped, providing the operate at a faster pace. Additionally, the Learning Support perfect learning environment for small classes. There is a well- department works closely with staff and parents to provide stocked and welcoming library, two fully equipped science reasonable adjustment and support for all pupils including laboratories and an additional junior laboratory. Creative arts in-class support. are well supported through a high-tech design technology In Years 7 and 8, boys follow one of two exam routes: room, and coding and robotics are encouraged through Lego Common Entrance or Scholarship. The final two years are Mindstorm education sets. about academic and curriculum extension and acceleration, Shrewsbury House remains one of few stand-alone prep allowing boys to polish skills and take on leadership schools with an International Rugby Board certified all-weather opportunities. The best possible route for each child is surface, suitable for rugby, cricket and football. Additionally, identified, allowing them to enjoy themselves, be stretched the large, dedicated off-site sports ground is regarded as one of academically and thrive, achieving the best results of which the premier grass facilities among prep schools in Surrey and they are capable. Southwest London. On site, there is a heated swimming pool with a retractable roof and a full-sized sports hall equipped with four cricket nets and a full-size basketball court. odgersberndtson.com 04 Candidate Brief n Director of Finance and Operations, Shrewsbury House School shrewsburyhouse.net Pastoral Care Shrewsbury House Pre-Preparatory School The well-being and care of the boys is central to everything Founded in 1912 as Milbourne Lodge Junior School, that is done at Shrewsbury House. A nurturing environment Shrewsbury House Pre-Preparatory School is a wonderful, is provided, allowing a focus on the whole child. Every boy friendly, nurturing and caring environment for pupils. has his own Form Tutor who oversees their general well-being The school aims to develop a genuine love for learning in and progress, while a Head of Year maintains an overview on every child and for them to aspire to progress as far as possible. all boys in a year group. In addition, each boy belongs to one The children follow EYFS and Key Stage 1, and the curriculum of four Houses and senior boys are involved in the leadership is designed to allow every child to explore, to think and to and organisation of the Houses. Shrewsbury House also has question for themselves. a School Council, elected annually, consisting of three boys Pastoral care is exceptional and small class sizes help to provide from each year group plus the Head Boy and Deputy Head a calm environment where each child is known and supported. Boys. The School Council meets at least once each half term A wide range of extra-curricular clubs and activities are offered to discuss a variety of matters relating to school life and is an including cookery, engineering, gardening, chess, tennis and important conduit for pupil voice. choir. A wraparound childcare option is also offered at both Co-curricular ends of the day to provide support for families. The school is based around an original Victorian building In addition to the broad opportunities provided in the with a purpose-built extension, providing light-filled and curriculum for creativity, drama, music and sports, Shrewsbury well-equipped classrooms. The facilities are the envy of many, House offers an extensive choice of after-school clubs and including a sports hall, outdoor heated swimming pool activities. Clubs include Building Imagination, Fencing, Judo, and sports field. There is also significant space for children Shooting and Theatre Club. Boys will also experience a rich to explore and play including gardens, Forest School and choice of outings, residential trips and tours. These include a a Reception Explore Zone. The majority of pupils go on to full week residential trip from Year 5 upwards, a pre-season Shrewsbury House, and other pupils go on to a range of football tour to Spain for Years 6, 7 and 8. leading prep schools. For more information on Shrewsbury House School, please For more information on Shrewsbury House Pre-Preparatory visit: Shrewsbury House School School, please visit: Shrewsbury House Pre-Preparatory School odgersberndtson.com 05 Candidate Brief n Director of Finance and Operations, Shrewsbury House School shrewsburyhouse.net The Rowans School The Rowans School opened in 1936 and prides itself on ensuring a nurturing start to school life by providing