Applicant Information Pack Class Teacher (KS1)
A Foreword from our Principal and Chief People Officer
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
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.
Richard Backhouse - Principal Tracey Evans - Chief People OfficerHistory of Berkhamsted Schools Group About 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
Post: Class Teacher
Responsible to: Headteacher
1 The Class Teacher 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.
2. This job description describes, within the terms and 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.
3 The Class Teacher will provide professional leadership and management for the Year 1 curriculum to secure high quality teaching, effective use of resources and improved standards of learning and achievement for all pupils.
Main Responsibilities:
Lead the development of Year 1, linking where necessary with colleagues in the Berkhamsted Schools’ Group so that a shared understanding of expected knowledge and experiences is agreed. Have knowledge and understanding of:
a The school’s aims, priorities, targets and strategic plans
b. In depth understanding of the KS1 curriculum
c Any statutory curriculum requirements and the requirement for assessment, recording of pupils’ attainment and progress
d The characteristics of high quality teaching, learning and achievement for all pupils
Lead planning and organisation in the classroom to ensure all pupils are catered for appropriately Work with the Learning Support coordinator and any other staff with Special Educational Needs expertise, to ensure that plans are used to set subject specific targets and match work well to pupils’ needs Establish, with the involvement of relevant staff, short, medium and long-term plans for the development and resourcing of the department which contribute to whole school aims, policies and practices
Job Description
Establish and implement clear practices for assessing, recording and reporting on pupil achievement using 2Simple and the school’s reporting system
Ensure that there is a safe working and learning environment in which risks are properly assessed
Maintain a tidy, organised and stimulating classroom and a high standard of display
Liaise closely with the Headteacher to ensure all necessary Inspection documents are updated regularly
Coordinate Year 1 events which include sports days, garden party, nativity etc
Support staff in the department with parental concerns
Encourage CPD opportunities within the department
Deal with day to day issues as they arise (behaviour/sickness etc )
Extra-curricular Responsibilities, Duties, Cover
To take a full and active part in the extracurricular life of the school
To run at least one after-school club per term, as directed by the Headteacher
To attend and assist at least four events during the school year that take place on a weekend. These might include:
Sporting events, such as sports days
Musical and cultural events, such as fairs and concerts
Marketing events, such as Open Days
There is an expectation that staff will attend School plays, productions, and other events that take place in the evenings, as required
Plan relevant School Trips and Visits
To participate in parent-teacher and curriculum meetings, which may be after-school or in the evenings, as required by the Headteacher
To undertake additional duties
To register the attendance of pupils
To provide cover for absent colleagues, ensuring staff are in ratio at all times
Benefits
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.
Benefits
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 23 April 2023 for a start date of September 2023.
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
