Applicant Information Pack
Director of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (DoEDI)
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
xxxxxxxxx History of Berkhamsted Schools Group
Berkhamsted School is situated in the historic Hertfordshire town of Berkhamsted, a prosperous community surrounded by Chiltern countryside and within easy reach of London. Berkhamsted is a leading Independent School for pupils aged 3 to 18 years, the foundation of which dates back to 1541 (when John Incent, the Dean of St Paul’s Cathedral, successfully applied to King Henry the VIII for a license to purchase a piece of land for a ‘freescole’)
In 1888 a Girls School was founded in Berkhamsted under the same governing body, and the Boys’ and Girls’ Schools merged to form a diamond school in 1997. The Prep School was also integrated at this stage, and the School became Berkhamsted Collegiate School.
In 2011 the School merged with Heatherton House, a small independent day School for girls in Chesham Bois, and became the Berkhamsted Schools Group. Operating as a satellite Prep School, Heatherton provides a feed of Girls to the Berkhamsted Girls School every year. In 2012 Berkhamsted Schools Group acquired Haresfoot, a small proprietary prep school in Berkhamsted This site now houses the Berkhamsted Pre-Prep and Berkhamsted Day Nursery Limited, and Berkhamsted Prep takes children from age 7-11
Berkhamsted is the only School in the Herts, Beds and Bucks region, and one of only a small number of Schools in the country, to offer a ‘diamond’ structure that combines the best of both single-sex and coeducational teaching Boys and Girls are taught together until the age of 11 (Berkhamsted Pre-Prep and Prep), separately from the age of 11-16 (Berkhamsted Boys and Berkhamsted Girls), before coming back together again in a joint sixth form (Berkhamsted Sixth)
Job Description
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Hoursofwork:830am-5pmMondaytoFriday,allyearround
In our ongoing commitment to creating an environment where every member of our school community feels valued, respected, and supported, we are excited to announce our search for a Director of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion.
As a School dedicated to fostering academic excellence and nurturing the holistic development of our students, we recognise the indispensable role that equity, diversity, and inclusion play in achieving these goals. We understand that diversity enriches our educational experience, fosters innovation, and prepares our students to thrive in an increasingly interconnected world.
However, we also acknowledge that creating a truly inclusive environment requires more than just passive acceptance of differences It demands proactive efforts to dismantle barriers, challenge biases, and cultivate a culture of belonging where every individual can fully participate and succeed.
The role of Director of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion is pivotal in guiding our School towards these aspirations. This position will serve as a catalyst for change, working collaboratively with students, staff, and community stakeholders to develop and implement initiatives that promote equity, celebrate diversity, and foster inclusivity at every level of our school community.
Job Description
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Hoursofwork:830am-5pmMondaytoFriday,allyearround
By investing in a dedicated leader for equity, diversity, and inclusion, we affirm our commitment to creating a learning environment where everyone feels empowered to thrive academically, socially, and emotionally. Together, we aspire to cultivate a community that not only embraces differences but actively leverages them as strengths, preparing our students to become compassionate, culturally competent leaders of tomorrow
Join us as we embark on this transformative journey towards a more equitable, diverse, and inclusive future for all members of our school community.
Job Description
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Responsible to: Principal
Purpose of Role:
Hoursofwork:830am-5pmMondaytoFriday,allyearround
The purpose of the DoEDI role is to ensure that the Berkhamsted Schools Group community is diverse and inclusive, presenting equitable opportunities to all its members – pupils, staff, parents, and alumni.
The DoEDI occupies the status in the School of a Naval Chaplain – they are of the same status as the person they are speaking to. Although not a member of the Executive Committee, or any of the Schools’ SMTs, they may table items at the meetings of any of these groups. In addition, they will make an annual report on inclusion, diversity, and equity to the Governors They therefore sit outside the conventional power structures of the school, in order to be able to observe, critique and improve the way that power is held and exercised, to ensure the Group’s schools meet their objective to be places where all can aim high with integrity, be adventurous and serve others.
From a day-to-day perspective, the postholder will report directly to the Principal and work closely with senior colleagues across the Senior, Pre-Prep & Prep schools, and Support staff ensuring a wholesome and healthy culture promoting the IDE ambitions of the Berkhamsted Schools Group.
Job Description
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Principal responsibilities:
Lead on the IDE initiatives across Berkhamsted, developing and fostering allies to ensure broad buy-in.
Hoursofwork:830am-5pmMondaytoFriday,allyearround
Develop the group-wide IDE strategy.
Work with para-school organisations to ensure the best national practice is implemented at Berkhamsted Schools Group.
Ensure all policies and processes support IDE.
Encourage cross institution awareness of IDE issues
Diffuse knowledge about all areas of IDE but not limited to the 9 protected characteristics. Embed a social justice ethos in the Group.
Assist the Chaplain in the coordination of inter-faith work.
Contribute to the pastoral and wellbeing leadership.
Engage with students and staff in all areas of school life, throughout boarding and day communities
Provide counsel to the Heads and other senior leaders
Role model in the community by leading community initiatives in times of crisis.
Supporting the Personal Development teaching and curriculum.
Job Description
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Person Specification:
Qualifications to teach / Experience of teaching.
Hoursofwork:830am-5pmMondaytoFriday,allyearround
Experience / skills relating to pastoral care of young people.
Relevant tertiary qualification.
Evidence of working with young people in the 2–18-year age
Evidence of being involved in EDI initiatives.
Evidence of strong community standing.
Understanding of the perspective of those with each of the protected characteristics.
Personal Attributes: Compassion
Empathy
Outstanding communication skills on paper and in person
Persuasive
Engaging
Strong levels of self-management and productivity
Calmness
Integrity
Authenticity
Kindness
Application and Next Steps
The closing date for applications is 3rd June 2024
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Please note, interviews for this position will be held in September 2024.
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)
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
