Applicant Information Pack Deputy Head
A Foreword from our Principal and Chief People Officer Richard Backhouse - Principal Berkhamsted has led the way in pursuing a ‘foundation structure’. As a group of six schools, it combines scale of resource with individual attention and development of pupils – and staff. We start with our values: we aim for excellence – aiming high with integrity – in all that we do. We are ‘adventurous’, and support development, research, and experimentation in teaching and learning. We ‘serve others’ – at both pupil and staff level: ours is a non-hierarchical school in which the opinions of all matter, and in which we all share in the support and contribution to our local community. Above all, we are committed to developing remarkable people, both our pupils and our staff. We are looking for highly committed, ambitious and adventurous people to join a thriving staff body, whom we can support to flourish here, and whom we can help to grow. Our staff are so important that we have a Chief People Officer as one of our most senior members of staff.
Tracey Evans - Chief People Officer Our staff are our biggest asset at Berkhamsted, and so investing in not only their professional development but also their wellbeing, is a key priority. We foster a working environment that supports staff both professionally and personally. We offer a wide range of staff wellbeing initiatives. Colleagues can easily access financial, physical, emotional and social well-being support from school. We seek to enable all members of the school community to achieve their full potential in an environment characterised by equality respect and opportunity. We work hard at Berkhamsted, but we also know how to come together as a community and enjoy downtime, building relationships which simply last a lifetime.
History of About Berkhamsted Schools Group Heatherton Heatherton is a close-knit, dynamic and forward thinking school and believes that a child’s education should be inspirational, challenging and nurturing. Heatherton Girls belong to a warm, friendly and happy community where they feel secure and able to become independent learners who are willing to explore the unknown. Highly skilled and passionate teachers inspire our girls through a rich and varied curriculum and an array of extra-curricular activities. There are currently 158 pupils at Heatherton (aged 3-11).
Part of the Berkhamsted Schools Group Heatherton is one of six schools that make up Berkhamsted Schools Group. Berkhamsted School is one of the country’s leading independent schools. It has a structure that provides the best in both co-educational and single-sex education, offering small class sizes and appropriate teaching environments for each age group, from age 3 to 18. The School’s ‘diamond’ structure allows boys and girls to be taught together until the age of 11 (at Berkhamsted Pre-Prep and at Berkhamsted Prep), separately from 11-16 (Berkhamsted Boys and Berkhamsted Girls), before coming back together again in a joint Sixth Form (Berkhamsted Sixth). Heatherton Girls are provided with the opportunity of progressing to the Girls Senior School by sitting the Berkhamsted entrance exam six weeks prior to the external applicants. The School curriculum sits alongside the Berkhamsted Prep and Pre-Prep Schools. As Heatherton is located within easy access to local Grammar Schools, girls are also prepared for sitting the 11 plus.
Job Description 1.The Deputy Head reports directly to the Headteacher. 2.The Deputy Head should endeavour to maintain and develop the character of the school in accordance with the directions given by the Governors and, subject thereto, the direction given by the Principal and Headteacher. 3.This job description describes, within the terms of the conditions of employment, the range of professional duties which are attached to the post. It is not a comprehensive definition of those duties. The terms and conditions of employment are referred to in the statement of particulars provided in the contract of employment. 4.The post involves a teaching commitment in KS2, on a reduced timetable, and responsibilities in the following areas of the school: an experience or willingness to teach and lead mathematics
Job Description Strategic Management: To deputise for the Headteacher in their absence and to be fully aware of all school procedures and lines of communication To be a member of Heatherton’s Senior Management Team, attend SMT meetings and participate in policy development and strategic management of the school To be responsible for school curriculum planning and assessment procedures, liaising with the Head and curriculum subject post holders To participate in Whole School strategic planning including Berkhamsted Schools Group Senior Management Team and Governors’ Strategy Days To attend Governors’, Form Representative and Parents’ Association Committee meetings as required Pastoral Management: To have care for the welfare of all the staff and pupils, providing support when necessary To act as the first point of contact at Heatherton in the area of wellbeing, working closely with relevant staff across the Berkhamsted Schools Group To be responsible for all matters pertaining to the House system, including House Point and Star of the Week certificates To monitor and track pupils’ pastoral progress and supporting documentation To ensure high standards of conduct and discipline To take assemblies as required To liaise with colleagues over the appointment of Year 6 pupils to the various positions of responsibility in existence at any given time
Job Description Curriculum Management: To oversee the collation of documentation including policies and schemes of work as appropriate To organise and overview the annual assessments across the school, working with Form Tutors To monitor and track pupils’ academic progress, including value added analysis To lead the continuing improvement in standards of teaching and learning To be responsible for the compilation of curriculum information to parents To lead and oversee the implementation of the 11+ examinations and Berkhamsted Entrance Assessments within school To liaise with colleagues to supply references for Y6 pupils Staff Management: To assist with the recruitment of new staff To assist the Headteacher with the organisation and development of CPD and INSET To deputise for the Headteacher in staff meetings and run staff briefings as needed To be involved with the process of staff appraisal and to carry out specific appraisals where required To liaise with the learning support teachers within BSG to monitor pupils with Individual Education Plans or who are recognised as Able, Gifted and Talented To provide support and advice to subject co-ordinators
Job Description To ensure that the school fulfils its statutory duty to support NQTs and to be involved as a mentor for NQTs and new members of staff entering the school, overseeing the Induction procedure
Operational Management: To devise the school timetable and duties, working closely with the Head and Head of PrePrep To oversee the daily routines of the school including organising cover for staff absences and re-arranging the timetable for special events To ensure Risk Assessments are completed regularly for teaching areas and all trips To ensure that Staff Room notice boards are up to date and general communication in the school is effective Take responsibility for reporting procedures to parents including the format and production of reports on iSAMS for use by staff To liaise with the Head of Learning Support regarding assessment, timetables and provision of additional time To liaise with the Head on the organisation of the school’s termly calendar including major school events such as Leavers’ Service, Carol Services and Open Mornings To liaise with the Head, Year 6 Form Tutor and parents regarding arrangements for Transfer Tests and secondary school choices
Benefits We boast a competitive salary structure, alongside other benefits, which includes access to a comprehensive pension scheme. The wellbeing of our staff is a priority. We have a developed programme for staff with initiatives and support in the areas of Economic, Physical, Emotional and Social wellbeing. Free classes and advisory services. memberships and discounted rates in local establishments, together with cycle to work scheme, free on-site parking, free daily lunch, and fee reduction for staff's children are examples of some of the non-contractual benefits on offer in this programme.
Watch our video Watch our video and hear from our colleagues why they enjoy working at the Berkhamsted Schools Group. Find out more about what it is really like to be a member of the community.
Safeguarding and Protection Berkhamsted is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expects all staff and visitors to adopt a child centred and coordinated approach to child protection and safeguarding. A copy of the School’s Child Protection and Safeguarding Policy can be found HERE The school is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and visitors to adopt a child centred and coordinated approach to child protection and safeguarding. Berkhamsted Schools Group is a registered charity dedicated to education: 310630.
Application and Next Steps The closing date for applications is: 25 April 2022 Interviews will be held week commencing Tuesday 3 May 2022 Applicants should send a completed application form (available on our website) to the HR Department by email to recruitment@berkhamsted.com Please note that CVs without an accompanying application form will not be accepted. It is an offence to apply for this role if you are barred from engaging in regulated activity relevant to children; applicants must be willing to undertake a number of safeguarding checks including an enhanced Disclosure and Barring (DBS). This post is also subject to receipt of written references which must be satisfactory to Berkhamsted Schools Group along with documentary evidence of qualifications. Successful applicants will need to provide confirmation of permission to work in the UK. Please note that under the Immigration Asylum and Nationality Act 2006, the school has an obligation to ensure applicants have the right to work in the UK prior to commencement of employment. (If it is found that those documents do not meet the legal requirement, an offer of employment will be withdrawn).
Application and Next Steps Where the successful candidate has worked or been a resident overseas in the previous five years, such checks and confirmations as the school may require in accordance with statutory guidance. We aim to be an equal opportunities employer and we are determined to ensure that no applicant or employee receives less favourable treatment on the grounds of gender, age, disability, religion, belief, sexual orientation, marital status, or race. Candidates with a disability who are invited to interview should inform the School of any necessary reasonable adjustments or arrangements to assist them in attending the interview. If you have any questions relating to this role please contact the HR department at recruitment@berkhamsted.com Thank you for your interest in this role.