HIGHFIELD SCHOOL APPOINTMENT OF DEPUTY HEAD SEPTEMBER 2018

Transcription

1 HIGHFIELD SCHOOL APPOINTMENT OF DEPUTY HEAD SEPTEMBER 2018 We welcome applicants for the above post, to take up the position at Highfield in September The post has become available following the appointment of the current Deputy Head to the Headship of Beaudesert Park School from September The School Highfield is described in the latest edition of The Good Schools Guide as: Exciting country prep school storming its way into the big league. Tradition with a twist. A relaxed environment in 175 acres of glorious countryside on the Hampshire/West Sussex/Surrey borders nothing less than idyllic All in all the school is one of the most innovative (but still with a sense of tradition) boarding and day preps we have visited Highfield and Brookham Schools are highly successful and thriving Prep and Pre-Prep co-ed Schools respectively, catering for 520 children. Brookham is a day school for children from Nursery to Year 3 and Highfield is a day and boarding school for children from Year 4 to Year 8. The majority of Brookham Year 3 children join Highfield in Year 4. Both schools are highly regarded and celebrated for their outstanding pastoral care and very strong academic achievement. They also offer a delightful working environment set in 175 acres of beautiful West Sussex and Hampshire countryside yet only an hour from central London by fast train from Liphook or near-by Haslemere. Approximately twenty members of staff live on site. Brookham caters for up to 220 boys and girls and Highfield 300. Highfield has a thriving boarding community and over 100 pupils choose to board each term. Boarding is optional, but is at the very heart of the school and the overwhelming majority of pupils in Years 7 and 8 opt to board for a minimum of their last four terms, with a large number starting earlier. This is in sharp contrast to the decline in boarding numbers experienced in many similar schools. The Senior Boys and Girls Boarding Houses are accommodated on the top two floors of the main school building, linked to the purpose built Head of Boarding s House. There is also a separate Junior Boarding House run by the Junior Boarding House Parents, which accommodates up to 18 pupils in Years 4 and 5 and this too is buoyant. We are a full boarding school in that we do not currently offer flexi-boarding with the exception of the Steps to Boarding initiative offered throughout Year 6 and to Year 7 pupils in the Autumn and Spring Terms only, that allows them the option to board for a minimum of the same two nights each week for at least half a term. Boarders are currently allowed out every weekend from the end of Saturday school, though a number opt to stay in to enjoy the lively weekend boarding activities programme. Our boarders are predominantly local, but we also have a number of London based boarders, ex-pats and approximately 20

2 international boarders predominantly from China, Spain and Russia. Almost all our 13+ leavers go on to leading Senior Boarding Schools and over 90% of Year 8 are full boarders. Highfield and Brookham are broadly non-selective schools, but pride themselves on the value added they offer all their children. Both schools have a busy, but balanced day that includes a broad spectrum of academic, creative, physical and recreational activities. The criteria for entry to Highfield is the ability to pass Common Entrance at 13+, as almost all of our children enter examinations for the leading independent senior schools at this age and we enjoy an outstanding record of Scholarship and CE success. In recent years we have been averaging 15 major awards annually, including regular Academic Scholarships to Winchester, Wellington, Marlborough, Canford and Bryanston as well as All-Rounder Awards, Art Scholarships, Sports Scholarships and Design Technology Scholarships. The schools provide support for children who have specific learning difficulties and extra tuition in English and Maths, as well as Occupational Therapy for those who would benefit from this. Our extensive and beautiful grounds allow for both a wide range of boys and girls Games as well as a significant number of outward bound activities. The Schools enjoy the use of a fully refurbished and well equipped Theatre. Most children learn at least one musical instrument and the impressive Orr Music School was opened in Our aim is to provide Sport for All and we seek to involve all children in matches against other local prep schools and Pre Preps at some time during each term. Sports provision includes a Sports Hall and a modern indoor Swimming Pool and Changing Room complex. There is also an excellent Science/Mathematics building a fully refurbished DT Department and a purpose-built Art School to similarly inspire learning. Three new IT rooms provide all the necessary networked computer opportunities that a teacher may wish to use and all classrooms are equipped with interactive Whiteboards. There is also a strong programme of extra-curricular activities. Highfield has a six day working week Monday to Saturday inclusive, with lessons on Saturday morning and Games in the afternoon. An exciting and ambitious 10 Year School Development Plan has been agreed which will enhance our existing facilities and includes building a full sized Astro Pitch, a new Classroom Block, a new Sports Hall and a Performing Arts Centre. The Candidates We are looking for candidates whose dynamism, commitment, energy, professional expertise and experience qualify them to take on this exciting and challenging role. The successful candidate will be academically able, an excellent class-room teacher, an excellent communicator, capable of giving effective and inspiring leadership to staff, and will fully understand the commitment required of all staff in this busy school. They should possess the talent, character and professional drive to move on to a Headship in time. The past five Deputy Heads have all gone on to Headships. The Post The Deputy Head will be responsible to the Head for the day to day running of the School and staff management and development. They will also play a key role in school development and raising academic standards, the development of School Policies and the continued review and implementation of the School Development Plan, and the promotion and marketing of the school to the wider world.

3 The Deputy Head will be trained as the Designated Safeguarding Lead at the School and will have responsibility for promoting and safeguarding the welfare of children and young persons for whom they are responsible, or with whom they come into contact. They will be responsible for ensuring all adhere to and comply with the School s Child Protection Policy Statement at all times. If in the course of carrying out the duties of the post the post holder becomes aware of any actual or potential risk to the safety or welfare of children in the school they must report this to the Headmaster. The Deputy Head will: Promote the highest standards of communication both within and outside the School; Promote the highest standards of pupil behaviour and discipline throughout the school; Promote learning and excellence throughout the School, ensuring high levels of academic achievement particularly in Common Entrance and Senior School Scholarship Examinations; Encourage and develop the professional standards of the Staff; Ensure all members of staff fully follow the School s Code of Conduct for Staff, reporting any concerns to the Headmaster; Be an effective member of the Senior Management Team; Be an effective ambassador for the school, playing a constructive part in the promotion and marketing of the school and the recruitment of pupils; Participate fully in the wider life of the school according to his / her talents and interests; Support school events, performances, tournaments and other occasions positively; Work closely with all members of Highfield Staff to help build a cohesive, engaged and enthusiastic working community working to better the school s core ethos and values; Fully support the Boarding life of the school, including offering help in the Boarding House in the evenings and attending all Sunday evening Boarders Chapel Services; Be prepared to liaise with parents on all matters of school routines, health and safety, safeguarding and the care of pupils; Act as a role model for all staff, children and parents, espousing the values and ethos of Highfield School at all times; Be fully supportive of the Headmaster at all times. The role is extremely varied and it is not possible to fully detail every aspect of it. However, specific duties and functions will include: Administrative To take full responsibility for the running of the School in the absence of the Headmaster; To produce organisational weekly plans for colleagues, including events, use of facilities, changes to routines, etc; To lead the organisational element of the School s Daily Briefing, communicating this with the whole staff in a clear and timely manner; To work closely with all necessary members of staff to oversee the shared use of facilities and coordinate events, including coordination with Brookham School, publishing timetables and booking details in advance, as required.

4 To meet the Headmaster and any other members of the management team on a daily basis, when possible; To assist the Headmaster in promoting staff involvement in all aspects of school life; To produce duty rotas and ensure that Staff duties and responsibilities are performed effectively; To be involved in the appraisal, training and development of staff; To assist in the interviewing and hiring of new staff, including the production of interview schedules as necessary; To develop the induction programme, and then administer it, for newly appointed members of staff. To oversee the management of GAP Assistants and Graduate Assistant Teachers in consultation with the Headmaster, the Director of Teaching and Learning, the Head of Boarding, Senior Boys Housemaster, Junior House Parents and the Director of Sport, including the production of the support timetables followed by Teaching Assistants and Assistant Teachers; To advise colleagues in the planning of school trips, including determining appropriate staffing and safety procedures; To act as INSET coordinator for the School, providing a regular and coherent programme for the staff and to keep records of all INSET courses and conferences attended by staff and in co-operation with the Director of Teaching and Learning advising the Headmaster on which courses staff should attend; Ensuring Staff Meetings and Inset Day Meetings are as useful and productive as possible; To maintain and publish a record of all additional responsibilities held by members of staff; To organise cover for absent colleagues and to monitor levels of staff absence; To assist the Board of Directors and Headmaster with any report or information they may require; To oversee the staff in the day-to-day running of the school, e.g. ensuring that duties are done effectively, to be responsible for the administration of the school routines as directed by the Headmaster, e.g. staff duty rotas; Changing Room duty rotas; the organisation of the school day; beginning and end of term timetables; To oversee the seating and organisation at all whole school occasions, including Assemblies and Chapel Services. Organisation of Open Days, Prize Giving, House Competitions, the School Photograph, Concerts, Carol Services and Play evenings etc; Arrangement of seating arrangements for lunch and formal suppers; Organisation of individual photographs of all pupils and staff; To produce the annual rota of Sunday Duties for academic day staff; Review and update The Inside Story each year; To update the Staff Handbook, in consultation with the Headmaster, on an annual basis, including the review of key policies as required. Management and development of Heads of School and all Year 8 to ensure they fulfil their duties and responsibilities effectively, alongside the Head of Year 8. Pastoral and Discipline To play a full role in the provision of pastoral care at the School and Chair the weekly Pastoral Committee;

5 To ensure the effectiveness of the School s pastoral provision, working with Form Tutors, Heads of Year, Boarding Staff, Nurses, and other members of the pastoral team to secure the best possible care of all children at Highfield; To oversee or lead all concerns or investigations into potential bullying, keeping clear and up-to-date records; To produce and keep records of all serious disciplinary incidents and to pass details in full to the Headmaster; To be in charge of the disciplinary system for pupils, as directed by the Headmaster and to liaise with the Heads of Year 4 to Year 8 on matters of pupil discipline in those Years; As Designated Safeguarding Lead, to maintain all child protection records in a safe and secure manner, to work with the Headmaster to ensure policies are updated and implemented, and to keep all staff updated in their training and knowledge of safeguarding, including the safeguarding induction of new staff. To support the Duty Staff and to liaise with the Boarding Duty Staff and Matrons as necessary; To lead and further develop the scope in influence of the School Council for children; To report to and consult with the Headmaster, where appropriate. Sports, Arts and Extra-curricular To take games if required; To participate in the wider life of the school through involvement, depending on the individual s talents and interests, in sports, art, music, outdoor activities, drama or some other sphere; To support matches, performances and other events and occasions. School Development, Marketing and Promotion To embrace the school s commercial and development objectives; To support the schools marketing activities and help promote the school in the wider world; To play a role in pupil recruitment, including, on occasion, touring parents; To play a part, with the Headmaster, Board and others, in reviewing and developing the School s Development Plan. Other Responsibilities To be responsible, with the Estates Bursar and Headmaster, for Health & Safety issues and update the Headmaster on all aspects of School Health & Safety Policy regularly; To develop and maintain with the Finance Bursar, Estates Bursar, Head of Boarding and Senior Boys Housemistress an effective security policy for the whole of the School, in consultation with the Headmaster; To be a member of the School s Finance Committee and Estates Committee. To co-ordinate, with the assistance of the Estates Bursar, Head of Boarding and Senior Boys Housemaster, the School fire drills and fire policies, in consultation with the Headmaster. Pay and Conditions An attractive salary will be determined in accordance with the qualifications and experience of the successful candidate. Attractive accommodation on site will be made available. The

6 school offers reduced fees for children of staff at both Highfield and Brookham, the Pre-Prep School. Method of Application A letter of application and completed Application Form including the names and addresses of two referees should be sent to: The Headmaster, Highfield School, Highfield Lane, Liphook, Hampshire GU30 7LQ. Closing Date for Applications: Friday 20 th October with first round interviews on Thursday 2 nd and Friday 3 rd November and final interviews on Friday 10 th November. applications should be sent to headspa@highfieldschool.org.uk Phillip Evitt Headmaster 2 nd October 2017