Appointment of
Deputy Head (Pastoral)
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Contents The School Pastoral Academic Creative Arts Sport The Role The Person Job Details and How to Apply
6-7 8-9 10-11 12-13 14-15 16-27 28-29 30-31
The School Alton Convent School is a leading independent Catholic day school, located on the outskirts of Alton, Hampshire, welcoming pupils of all faiths. The Preparatory School provides a nurturing yet challenging curriculum to boys and girls from the age of 5 to 11, while the Garden House Day Nursery provides wrap around care from 6 months, 51 weeks a year, 8.00am – 6.00pm. The selective Senior School offers a broadly based academic education for girls from 11 to 18. The school was founded in 1938 by the Sisters of Our Lady of Providence. It is located
in Anstey Manor House on the outer fringes of Alton, a traditional Georgian market town known for its associations with Jane Austen. Nineteen acres of grounds offer extensive playing fields, adventure playground, woodland walks and traditional gardens. Formerly a boarding school, the school now attracts over 550 pupils from the Farnham, Haslemere, Winchester, Petersfield, Midhurst, Hook and Basingstoke areas. Our students are encouraged, enthused and expected to ‘be the best that they can be.’
“Don’t walk in front of me; I may not follow. Don’t walk behind me; I may not lead. Just walk beside me and be my friend.” Albert Camus
Pastoral We are committed to the personal and spiritual growth of all pupils based on Christian values, academic excellence and high quality pastoral care. The life of the school is rooted in the Catholic tradition with an emphasis on personal faith, tolerance, service, friendship and
respect for others. Pupils of all faith backgrounds are welcomed and nurtured within the school’s community. Pupils are actively involved in caring for others and fundraising for numerous charities, looking beyond themselves to the needs of the wider world.
“It is the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it.� Aristotle
Academic Central to the purpose of any school is the vibrancy and diversity of its academic life. Alton Convent School teaches the full range of disciplines delivered by subject specialists and maintains high levels of attainment for all. Small classes foster a confident and independent attitude, ensuring individuals are educated, cultured and have a zest for learning. In the first three years in the senior school girls follow a common curriculum, including modern languages, Latin, and
individual sciences. In year 9 students choose from a range of GCSE options. Our Sixth Form enjoy an experience which fuses the new and traditional. A wide range of courses is offered and taught by specialist teachers within small classes, helping students to achieve the best possible results. Pupils maintain a consistent and very high standard of both GCSE and A level examination results in all subjects. These excellent results reflect the hard work and dedication of its staff.
“Be daring, be different, be impractical, be anything that will assert integrity of purpose and imaginative vision against the play-it-safers, the creatures of the commonplace, the slaves of the ordinary.� Cecil Beaton
Creative Arts A broad and imaginative approach in the arts studio and extensive enrichment programmes ensure that no pupil is untouched by the creative arts. Pupils have every opportunity to be brave and challenged in music, art
and drama. The Creative and Performing Arts building accommodates the expanding provision to foster talent from Nursery to Sixth Form and we currently hold the Gold Artsmark award.
“The difference between a successful person and others is not a lack of strength, not a lack of knowledge, but rather a lack of will.� Vince Lombardi
Sport PE focuses on traditional team and individual sports. Expectations are high with pupils regularly representing their school, county, and in some cases, their country at a host of sporting activities, including cross country and
athletics. Equestrian sport has traditionally played an important role in the annual sporting calendar with regular regional and national success for our teams and individual riders in show jumping and eventing.
The Role Job Summary: • To deputise for the Headmaster as required • To contribute to the teaching of courses within the Department • To contribute to senior management planning • To organise pastoral care and structures to support pastoral care • Contribute to school admissions process • To monitor behaviour, attendance and achievement • To provide personal support for staff • To advise on continuing professional development • To be involved in staff recruitment • To lead the school’s appraisal process Job Content (Main Duties) Teaching • To prepare for and undertake the teaching of courses across the ability range at A Level • To contribute to departmental schemes of work, coursework moderation process • To keep full records of attendance and achievement/ progress of all pupils taught, including formative and summative assessment • To contribute towards the upkeep and updating of curriculum resources • To ensure appropriate course materials are available for pupils • To ensure individual needs are met through appropriate use of differentiation • To take responsibility for classroom/corridor display as appropriate Liaison (in and out of school) • To attend and chair staff, pastoral meetings and other meetings as required
The Role (cont.) • To facilitate INSET meetings and courses as required • To work as part of a subject team • To host school events, parents’ evenings, social functions as requested on behalf of the Headmaster • To take the lead for senior school transition – Entrance Examination, Friendship Day, Taster Day, Induction, in conjunction with the Admissions Registrar • To provide first link with parents on matters of discipline • To consult with health and welfare professionals and school counsellor on matters relating to child protection, health and welfare • To take the lead for prize giving at Presentation Evening • To take the lead for Carol Service, liaising with the Heads of Music and overseeing readings and organisation in conjunction with the Events Officer. Pastoral • To be responsible for day to day management of pastoral matters • To liaise with the Headmaster as appropriate on pastoral matters • To take the lead for Open Mornings and Open Day in conjunction with the Events Officer and Admissions Registrar • To display commitment to the protection and safeguarding of children and young people Other Responsibilities • To review performance annually in discussion with the Senior Management Team • To ensure all equipment is in a safe condition, complying with health and safety regulations and ready for use by the pupils • To attend/contribute to school working parties/review bodies
The Role (cont.) • To adhere to school procedures outlined in the Staff Handbook and Policy documentation • Any other duties as deemed appropriate by the Headmaster Additional Responsibilities • To deputise for the Headmaster as required • To act as the lead Designated Safeguarding lead for Safeguarding • To monitor and evaluate staff performance and manage the peer appraisal process • To attend the Senior Management team Meetings and contribute to the operational and strategic programme for the senior school • To be responsible to the Headmaster for school discipline • To co-ordinate as requested by the Headmaster, senior school curriculum and pastoral events • To chair senior staff forum • To oversee production of newsletter in conjunction with Head of Prep department and Librarian • To brief prefects in conjunction with Yr 11 co-ordinator • To draft references for pupils and staff as requested • To facilitate continuing staff development • To share responsibility for admissions and recruitment interviews • To shortlist, interview and assist in staff recruitment • To manage Transition to year 7 including Induction Day, Entrance Examination and Induction process including production of year 7 Handbook, parents’ Handbook and parents’ briefing in conjunction with the Admissions Registrar • To liaise with prep school in relation to school events • To draft documentation as required in conjunction with the Headmaster/SLT members e.g. Policies, Staff
The Role (cont.) • • • •
Handbook, submissions, prospectus, marketing material, press releases To assist Headmaster with Reports and review pupil targets To induct new staff and pupils To oversee the NQT validation programme To oversee PSME
General Senior Management Team Role • To be accountable to the Headmaster and to perform such duties as he may reasonably direct including duties out of school hours • Support the aims, values and ethos of the school and contribute to the implementation of the school mission • To attend and support school events • Contribute to the production, monitoring and evaluation of the School Development Plan • To ensure the operation and promotion of all school policies Appendices Appendix 1 - Role of the Designated Safeguarding Lead (April 2015) The broad areas of responsibility for the designated safeguarding lead are: Managing referrals Refer all cases of suspected abuse to the local authority children’s social care and: 1. The designated officer(s) for child protection concerns (all cases which concern a staff member), 2. Disclosure and Barring Service (cases where a person dismissed or left due to risk/harm to a child); and/or 3. Police (cases where a crime may have been committed).
The Role (cont.) • Liaise with the headmaster to inform him of issues especially ongoing enquiries under section 47 of the Children Act 1989 and police investigations. • Act as a source of support, advice and expertise to staff on matters of safety and safeguarding and when deciding whether to make a referral by liaising with relevant agencies. Training The designated safeguarding lead should receive appropriate training carried out every two years in order to: 1. Understand the assessment process for providing early help and intervention, for example through locally agreed common and shared assessment processes such as early help assessments. 2. Have a working knowledge of how local authorities conduct a child protection case conference and a child protection review conference and be able to attend and contribute to these effectively when required to do so. 3. Ensure each member of staff has access to and understands the school’s child protection policy and procedures, especially new and part time staff. 4. Be alert to the specific needs of children in need, those with special educational needs and young carers. 62 5. Be able to keep detailed, accurate, secure written records of concerns and referrals. 6. Obtain access to resources and attend any relevant or refresher training courses. 7. Encourage a culture of listening to children and taking account of their wishes and feelings, among all staff, in any measures the school may put in place to protect them.
The Role (cont.) Raising Awareness The designated safeguarding lead should ensure the school’s policies are known and used appropriately: 1. Ensure the school child protection policy is reviewed annually and the procedures and implementation are updated and reviewed regularly, and work with governing bodies or proprietors regarding this. 2. Ensure the child protection policy is available publicly and parents are aware of the fact that referrals about suspected abuse or neglect may be made and the role of the school in this. 3. Link with the local LSCB to make sure staff are aware of training opportunities and the latest local policies on safeguarding. 4. Where children leave the school ensure their child protection file is transferred to the new school as soon as possible. This should be transferred separately from the main pupil file, ensuring secure transit and confirmation of receipt should be obtained. 62. Section 17(10) Children Act 1989: those unlikely to achieve a reasonable standard of health and development without local authority services, those whose health and development is likely to be significantly impaired without the provision of such services, or disabled children.
The Person Qualifications and Experience • A degree, with an additional leadership and/or management qualification as an advantage • A proven track record of success and achievement in academic management obtained at senior management level • Experience of building, developing and leading teams • Experience of prioritising effectively in a busy and demanding environment Knowledge, Skills and Ability • Ability to lead, inspire, motivate and develop a vision • Strong commitment to Child Protection and Safer Recruitment • Commitment to achieving the highest possible academic standards • Understanding the importance of marketing and PR • Ability to relate effectively to all sections of the community Personal • Strong pastoral skills • Commitment to the ethos, values and objectives of Alton Convent School • Strong commitment to the welfare of its students • Excellent judgement and integrity • Charismatic, confident, assured communicator • Strategic and forward looking • Adaptable and decisive • Inspire trust and confidence in all stakeholders: parents, governors, staff and pupils • Robust and enthusiastic • Visible and approachable with good interpersonal skills
Job Details Deputy Head (Pastoral) Date Job starts September 2017 Location Alton, Hampshire Contract type Full-time Contract term Permanent
How to Apply To request an application form please contact the Headmaster’s PA at enquiries@altonconvent.org.uk or 01420 82070. This must be completed and returned with a Curriculum Vitae and a covering letter to Mr Graham Maher either by post or email to headmaster@altonconvent.org.uk Closing date: 9.00am on Friday 10 February Interviews on Thursday 16 February
Alton Convent School, Anstey Lane, Alton, Hampshire, GU34 2NG Tel: 01420 82070 Email: enquiries@altonconvent.org.uk Website: altonconvent.org.uk www.facebook.com/alton.conventschool www.twitter.com/AltonConventSch