August 2014 Colchester County High School for Girls A Specialist Science College & A Specialist Language College Dear Candidate Norman Way Colchester Essex CO3 3US Telephone: 01206 576973 Fax: 01206 769302 e-mail: office@colchestergirls.essex.sch.uk www.cchsg.com Headteacher: Gillian Marshall MSc UPPER SCHOOL PASTORAL ASSISTANT Thank you for requesting details of the post of Upper School Pastoral Assistant at the school. The hours will be 37 hours a week, 08.00-16.00 term time plus 10 days holiday working. I hope the information below will help you with your application but please contact me if you require further information. The School is very popular with a reputation for excellent results within a caring environment, as evidenced by the following comments taken from our last Ofsted Report in January 2009. Colchester County High School for Girls is an outstanding school. It continues to strive for, and achieves excellence in all it does. Students say they relish the independence teachers give them and appreciate the high levels of encouragement. Students talk positively about the environment and facilities that this new building offers, particularly for music. Students have excellent opportunities to take on additional responsibility and make a positive contribution to the school and the community beyond. Students say they feel safe and supported, both by the school and by each other. Parents stated how the school had balanced study, social development and student happiness extremely well. Leadership and management at all levels of the school are outstanding. Governors remain highly supportive and actively involved in the strategic development of the school. The school s contribution to community cohesion is outstanding and supports students personal development well. The development of students leadership and team working skills is excellent. Colchester County High School for Girls: a charitable company limited by guarantee Registered in England: Company Number: 07755713 Registered Office: Norman Way, Colchester, Essex, CO3 3US
We are looking for a successful applicant who is a committed team player with a can do attitude. Strong communication and interpersonal skills are essential. A working knowledge of a school environment, policies and procedures would be a distinct advantage. Our staff experience the immense satisfaction of working with highlymotivated, able and enthusiastic students. Colchester County High School for Girls is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. The successful applicant will be required to undertake an enhanced criminal record check by the DBS. If you feel that Colchester County High School for Girls can provide the challenges and opportunities you are looking for then please complete the school application form, supported by a covering letter, addressed to the Headteacher. Applications must be returned to school by midday on 17/09/2014. We would be delighted to hear from you. Yours sincerely Gillian Marshall (Mrs) Headteacher 2
Job Description Job Title UPPER SCHOOL PASTORAL ASSISTANT Grade Band 3 Reports to Assistant Headteacher Pastoral (AHP) Liaison with SLT, Teaching Staff, Support Staff, students and parents Job Purpose To provide administrative and practical assistance to the Assistant Head (Upper School) in promoting student well-being in order to improve learning, in conjunction with Form Tutors, subject teachers, Heads of Department/Faculty, the SENCO and Careers Facilitator as appropriate. Duties To support and assist the Assistant Headteacher (Upper School) and other Senior staff with pastoral matters as appropriate. To organise and support the running of events e.g. Parent Consultation Evenings, Sixth Form Open Evening, educational trips and visits etc. To attend and contribute to Parent Information Meetings. To assist the Assistant Headteacher (Upper School) in conducting investigations into student disciplinary issues and/or issues concerning students. To assist with daily monitoring of uniform, attendance and punctuality and to follow up issues. To obtain weekly reports from the Attendance Officer regarding student attendance and punctuality. To support the Assistant Headteacher with the analysis of the attendance and punctuality data and to support the implementation of appropriate strategies for improvement. To arrange meetings with parents and attending as appropriate. To contribute, along with the Assistant Headteacher, to the promotion of the School s corporate identity and a sense of belonging (through assemblies, visits, year events etc). To assist with break and lunch time supervisory duties as necessary. To provide first aid assistance to students and staff To respond to individual students needs by implementing a range of strategies including access to basic counselling. To ensure that Child Protection matters are passed to the Designated Child Protection Officer in accordance with statutory and school policy. To liaise with outside agencies as necessary e.g. Counsellors, EPS, EWS, Health Care professionals e.g. School Nurse. To liaise with the SENCO as appropriate. To provide assistance/support for students with additional needs To continue the development of the anti-bullying programme through liaison, in particular, with Student Voice. To gather feedback and ideas from students that helps to improve procedures. To provide administrative support for and promoting the use of, the Rewards System. To maintain and update displays and information on the Year Group notice boards, celebrating individual and group successes. To complete the day to day administrative tasks including maintaining SIMs records relating to student behaviour/ sanctions/rewards and filing for the Upper School. To aid transition of students between key stages and transfer of data. To assist with the administration of EPQ and General Studies. To maintain a record of extra-curricular activities undertaken across the school, publicise these activities and monitor their impact. 3
General Health and Safety To respect confidentiality at all times. To participate in the performance and development review process, taking personal responsibility for identification of learning, development and training opportunities in discussion with line manager. To comply with individual responsibilities, in accordance with the role, for health & safety in the workplace. Ensure that all duties and services provided are in accordance with the School s Equal Opportunities Policy The Governing Body is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share in this commitment. The duties above are neither exclusive nor exhaustive and the post holder may be required by the Headteacher to carry out appropriate duties within the context of the job, skills and grade. Under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 all employees are responsible for: Looking after their own safety and the safety of others affected by their work. Co-operating with the School, by following safe working practices and carrying out their health and safety responsibilities as detailed in the School s policies, risk assessments and health and safety standards. Reporting to their line manager any hazards they identify and any inadequacies in health and safety procedures. Taking part in any health and safety training and development identified as necessary by the Headteacher or their Line Manager. Using work equipment provided correctly, in accordance with instructions or training. Ensuring that if they organise projects or activities involving pupils or other non-employees, risks are assessed as part of the planning stage and control measures implemented. Reporting health and safety incidents, in accordance with the School s policy. 4
Person Specification General heading Detail Examples Qualifications & Experience Specific qualifications & experience Successful experience working with children in a school/early years environment NVQ Level 3 in learning support/early years or Knowledge of relevant policies and procedures 5 equivalent qualification/experience desirable Knowledge of First Aid Good knowledge of appropriate procedures, regulations and guidance. Literacy Minimum Grade C GCSE English Numeracy Minimum Grade C GCSE Technology Good working knowledge of Microsoft Software, especially Word and Excel. Working knowledge of SIMS Communication Written Ability to write detailed reports, complete Working with children Verbal Languages Negotiating Behaviour Management SEN Curriculum Child Development Health & Well being returns and write complex letters Ability to use clear language to communicate information unambiguously Ability to listen effectively Specialist language/communication skills if appropriate Ability to consult with colleagues and negotiate effectively with adults and children Ability to demonstrate effective implementation of the school s behaviour management policy Successful completion of training to support SEN if appropriate Ability to demonstrate effective strategies to achieve inclusion of pupils at risk of social exclusion Good understanding of the school organisation, timetable and learning and pastoral support systems Good understanding of child development and pastoral issues such as student welfare and transition Understand and support the importance of physical and emotional wellbeing Working with others Working with partners Ability to make a proactive contribution to the work of the team supporting students and their families. Ability to work with parents to improve support for students Relationships Team work Information Ability to establish rapport and respectful and trusting relationships with students, their families and other adults Ability to work effectively with a range of adults Contribute to the development and implementation of effective systems to share information
Responsibilities Organisational skills Good organisational skills Ability to remain calm under pressure Line Management Ability to manage and support the work of others Time Management Ability to manage own time effectively Ability to meet deadlines Creativity Demonstrate creativity and an ability to resolve problems independently General Equalities Awareness of and promotion of equality Health & Safety Good understanding of Health & Safety Child Protection Good understanding and effective implementation of Child Protection procedures Confidentiality/Data Protection Understand and comply with procedures and legislation relating to confidentiality CPD Demonstrate a clear commitment to develop and learn in the role Ability to effectively evaluate own performance 6
ADVANTAGES TO WORKING AT CCHS All students are well motivated to succeed and excellently behaved. Parents are keen to send their daughters here and the School is over subscribed. We are successful but not complacent. The school is always striving to move forward. We encourage our students individuality within the learning environment. Many of our students are highly creative; many have a range of talents outside the curriculum. They all have a wealth of interests and the school runs a huge number of extra-curricular activities, many of which are run by the students themselves. We encourage an extensive range of educational trips and visits nationally and internationally. We work in partnership with a range of local primary, secondary and international schools along with having strong links to universities, particularly Oxford and Cambridge. Classrooms and practical rooms are well-equipped; all classrooms have ICT data projectors and many have interactive white boards. The canteen is exceptionally good with a wide range of excellent hot and cold food available each day for a very modest price. The menu, including a wide range of vegetarian food, changes often and the chef will use recipes given by the staff or students. We also have free coffee and tea in the staff rooms. Staff have free membership of the Benenden Health Scheme. The school is on a pleasant site with ample, safe car parking. Colchester has excellent transport links. The school is close to the A12 and bus stops and is about 20 minutes from the station. 7