17 Kendrick Road, Reading, Berkshire RG1 5DZ Tel:

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1 Assistant Librarian Background The Abbey School is an independent HMC/GSA day school for girls aged 3 to 18 years. Founded in 1887 the school enjoys an enviable reputation of academic excellence, a rich history, a caring pastoral environment and a wide breadth of extra-curricular activity for each individual. With exceptionally high ratings in the national league tables and a thriving International Baccalaureate diploma programme, The Abbey School is the only independent school in the Berkshire area to offer such outstanding opportunities to academically able girls. The girls themselves are motivated, enthusiastic and co-operative and there is a happy, purposeful atmosphere to the school. The staff at The Abbey School form a strong and professional community of highly skilled, dedicated and enthusiastic people. The governors and management team are committed to supporting the continuing development of its staff and maintain a good working environment with the necessary policies and procedures in place to support this. We recruit only high calibre staff who are enthusiastic and committed. In return we aim to provide opportunities for employees to reach their own full potential for their benefit and the benefit of the school as a whole. The Taylor Library and Resource Centre was opened in 1973 and is well used on a daily basis by both pupils and staff. The library is home to some 30,000+ books and in addition has collections of cds, dvds, newspapers and periodicals for research and / or leisure use. Non-fiction stock aims to support pupils learning and interests across the year groups and to this end the library liaises regularly with heads of departments to ensure new topics are resourced. Our fiction stock is separated into three areas, Middle School Fiction designed to appeal to the younger years, Young Adult for the teen readers and Adult/Classic reads. Girls joining the school in Upper III have a library induction session within the first few weeks of term, when they learn about the facilities and are taught how to use the computer catalogue. Classes come during the year in Upper III and Lower IV as part of their Skills 4 Life timetable and learn how the non-fiction is arranged and how to find and use it effectively. The library has 16 networked computers available for pupils to use, along with a colour printer, scanner and photocopier. There is a listening station for pupils who wish to listen to foreign language or the library s Music resources. Research classes from a variety of subjects often visit the library accompanied by their subject teacher. Girls in Upper III attend the library once a week as part of their English curriculum for a reading lesson library staff and their English teacher can recommend and advise on suitable titles and authors. Girls are also given library reading challenges appropriate to their year group. The library hosts several regular Book Clubs and encourages participation in various major book awards, including the Red House Book Award and the Carnegie Medal. During Book Week and World Book Day the library runs promotional events and competitions and we frequently arrange author visits, either in school or nearby.

2 The library is open from 8.00am 5.00pm. During the day sixth form students may use the library during their study periods. Younger girls may visit the library before school, or during break and lunchtime, other than when accompanied by a teacher for research or reading lessons. Cover classes are occasionally sent to the library, usually with a member of staff. Older girls (LV+) use the library after school for private study. A quiet atmosphere is maintained, conducive to studying. General Skills/Qualifications A good communicator and team worker A high standard of spoken and written English General understanding of education Basic ICT skills Able to work to deadlines and on own initiative Proactive, organised, confident, flexible Attitude An enthusiastic team player A friendly, professional and can do approach Genuinely pro-active and helpful to all staff Understanding and supportive of the ethos of The Abbey School A flexible approach is essential as is the ability to deal with changing role requirements Specific Skills Experience of or a good understanding of a School Library environment would be helpful but not essential The post holder is expected to work on their own initiative and at times will be in sole charge of the Library. Role To support the educational purpose of The Abbey School by ensuring the smooth running of the Schools Libraries and Resource Centre. There will also be an expectation that this person will be able to supervise the first hour of homework club in the Library. There will also be an expectation that this person will supervise groups in the library. Accountability The Head has overall responsibility for all employees of The Abbey School and this is delegated to team leaders in charge of departments. The post is within the Taylor Library and Resources Centre and the post-holder is directly accountable to the Librarian. The post-holder is not directly responsible for other members of staff. General Tasks To assist the Librarian in administering, promoting and maintaining a stimulating environment in the school libraries. To support staff and students in the use of the library resources. To help to process and organise materials for loan including label preparation, book covering, photocopying and binding.

3 Day to day administration including filing, book control, entering periodicals, database management etc. To assist with displays and promotional events. To supervise pupils using the library and at homework club. To ensure a quiet working environment. Hours of Work Routinely 10:00 to 17:00 two days per week during term time plus one INSET day per year. Lunch hour to be negotiated with the Librarian. Probationary Period There will be a probationary period of six months during which either party must give one month s notice. Holiday Entitlement Full time employees receive 20 days of paid holiday entitlement per year, with the 8 UK public holidays in addition (a total of 5.6 weeks of holiday per year). This entitlement is pro rata for parttime and term time only employees. Salary and Benefits Salary is 21, FTE, paid monthly in arrears The School has a non-contributory pension scheme worth 8.35% of salary, which is available to all employees. Free Lunches are available to all members of staff. Health and Safety It is a duty of employees: To be familiar with, and conform to, the School s Health and Safety Policy and procedures To take reasonable care of themselves and other persons who may be affected by their acts or omissions at work To co-operate with employers in order to ensure that employers duties can be performed and complied with To report all accidents and damage immediately To report all observed hazards or dangerous occurrences immediately Neither intentionally nor recklessly to interfere with any equipment provided

4 Child Protection The Abbey School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. This post will involve unsupervised contact with children and young people and therefore, the School therefore expects from the successful candidate the level and degree of adult leadership of children and young people expected in a School environment. The Job Description is current but liable to variation to reflect or anticipate the changing needs of the department and the school. The school reserves the right to vary or amend the duties and responsibilities of the post holder at any time according to the School s needs. From time to time, the Postholder will be required to undertake other duties and responsibilities, generally in the same area or of a similar post, especially at times of peak workload. Security All employees are required to remain vigilant on the school premises and to report any security issues to the Head/Bursar immediately. Terms of Employment Under current legislation, we are required to advise colleagues that this appointment will be subject to a satisfactory Disclosure and Barring Service enhanced disclosure. Details of any criminal record (spent or unspent, due to exemption from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974) must be disclosed at interview. Only relevant convictions and other information will be taken into account so disclosure need not necessarily be a bar to obtaining a position at this School. For further information, contact the Disclosure and Barring Service on or visit the Disclosure website at Equal Opportunities The Abbey School aims to promote equality of opportunity for all with the right mix of qualifications and abilities, talent, personal qualities, skills and potential. The Abbey School welcomes applications from candidates of diverse backgrounds and personal circumstances. A detailed Equal Opportunities policy is available on request. For more information on our lively and well-resourced school and for an application form, please visit the Vacancies Page on our website. To apply for this position, please complete an application form in full, including details of suitable referees as instructed, and then send this with your full CV and covering letter by to recruitment@theabbey.co.uk. Interviews will only be arranged following our receipt of a completed application form.

5 Closing Date: 31 July 2018 If your skills and experience are suitable for the role, we will be in touch shortly. If you have not heard from us by the closing date, please consider your application unsuccessful. For enquires please contact