Appointment of
Head of Preparatory School
Be the best tha you can be
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Contents 6-7 8-9 10-11 12-13 14-15 16-21 22-23 24-25
The School Pastoral Academic Creative Arts Sport The Role The Person Remuneration and How to Apply
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 our school is the vibrancy and diversity of its academic life. Alton Convent School teaches the full range of disciplines delivered by classroom teachers and specialists. Small classes foster a confident and independent attitude, ensuring individuals are educated, cultured and have a zest for learning. Progress is monitored by a host of diagnostic tools, including INCAS, Rising Stars, and reading and spelling age assessment.
Children are encouraged to be independent learners and to follow their passions. The ESB (English Speaking Board) offered in Upper Prep gives a formal opportunity for pupils to speak in public about a topic which inspires and excites them. A range of extra-curricular activities are an essential part of the academic curriculum, and are utilised to awaken each pupil’s natural curiosity and inclination to explore.
“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 ensure that the ethos and values of the school are sustained and that excellent relationships between staff, students and parents are a continuing priority • To deputise for the Headmaster in his absence • To be a member of the Senior Leadership Team • To work with the Headmaster to develop a clear vision and strategic plan for the future of the school • To work with the Headmaster on all financial matters pertaining to the school • To be responsible for the day to day organisation and administration of the Preparatory School as delegated by the Headmaster • Co-create Preparatory School timetable with Headmaster and Deputy Head Job Content Main Duties General • To be fully abreast of compliance and safeguarding procedures • To review performance annually in discussion with the Senior Leadership Team • To provide leadership and maintain firm discipline in the Preparatory School • To write pupil references for Preparatory School pupils • To be responsible for curriculum development • To be responsible for organising Preparatory Whole School assemblies • To lead the Preparatory School Managing Group, attend meetings and contribute to Preparatory School policy development • To liaise directly with other managers in the Preparatory School
The Role (cont.) • To chair meetings of Preparatory School staff • To oversee the induction of new staff in the Preparatory School • To oversee the mentoring programme for NQTs in the Preparatory School • To attend Senior Leadership Team meetings • To be responsible for Preparatory School attendance and registers Teaching • To prepare fully for and undertake limited teaching of children across the ability range in the Preparatory School • To keep full records of attendance and progress of all pupils taught, including formative and summative assessment and individual pupil targets • To guide staff in ensuring that individual needs are met through appropriate use of differentiation • To support and liaise with specialist teachers as required • To ensure appropriate course materials are available for pupils Pastoral • To uphold the ethos of the school • To be responsible for day-to-day management of pastoral matters • To liaise with the Headmaster and Deputy Headmistress as appropriate on pastoral matters • To display commitment to the protection and safeguarding of children and young people Liaison (in and out of school) • To deputise for the Headmaster at meetings as required
The Role (cont.) • To write reports and to discuss pupils with their parents • To liaise with other members of the Preparatory School staff and keep informed of major changes in the national curriculum • To attend staff meetings and other meetings as required • To liaise with peripatetic teachers • To attend inset meetings, courses and conferences as required • To lead inset as required • To liaise with the Professional Development Co-ordinator to implement an effective staff training programme • To attend/contribute to school working parties/reviews • To take responsibility for Preparatory School events • To co-ordinate educational trips and visits in the Preparatory School • To continue the development of the school’s extracurricular programme • To organise staff cover for absence • To ensure all staff complete risk assessments • To create and monitor a timetable of supervisory duties • To adhere to school procedures outlined in the Staff Handbook and Policy documentation • To assist with Preparatory transition to Secondary education • To assist with classroom observation and contribute to the school’s appraisal process • To oversee the provision of wrap around care in the Preparatory School
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 • Commitment to the ethos, values and objectives of Alton Convent School • Strong commitment to the welfare of its students • Passion for education and a leading voice in the sector • 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
Remuneration Salary
The salary will be commensurate with the significance and importance of the post and the experience of the candidate. In addition health insurance and school fee remission will be made available to the successful candidate.
How to Apply For further details of the school, please visit our website: www.altonconvent.org.uk In order to apply please contact the Headmaster’s PA, Mrs Pigott, at enquiries@altonconvent.org.uk for an application form. This must be completed and returned with a Curriculum Vitae and a covering letter. Please post to: Mr C Hexton Chairman of Governors Alton Convent School Anstey Lane Alton Hampshire GU34 2NG or email to Clerk of the Governors, Mrs K Kavanagh kkavanagh@altonconvent.org.uk Closing Date: Friday 19 February at noon First Interview: Monday 29 February Second Interview: Monday 7 March For a confidential discussion about the role, please contact Mr Graham Maher, Headmaster at headmaster@altonconvent.org.uk
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