Applicant Information Pack Visiting Peripatetic Teacher - Piano
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 About the Music Department: Heatherton is a small independent school for girls from Nursery to Year 6 located in Chesham Bois and part of the Berkhamsted School Group. Music plays an important role and the vast majority of our students opt to have 1-1 instrument or singing lessons. The department regularly enters pupils into exams and offers many opportunities for the girls to perform. The role: To teach individual 30 minute piano lessons to approximately 20 pupils a week. Many of our girls are beginners and a holistic, flexible and creative approach is preferred. We follow the ABRSM or Trinity syllabi depending on the needs of each pupil. It is expected that our teachers are proficient players, keep updated with new developments in music education and are also able to accompany exams and concerts. Teachers are expected to set termly and yearly targets for pupils and complete written reports at the end of each academic year. We are a friendly, close-knit school and are looking forward to welcoming the right candidate to join our team. Lunch is provided for those teaching a full day.
Job Description From September 2022 the hourly peripatetic teaching rate is £35.37 and is reviewed each year. Visiting teachers benefit from school contributions to the Teacher’s Pension Scheme (pro rata) as well as all the usual protections and benefits of being an employee including holiday pay.
General Responsibilities Teaching: securing and sustaining effective teaching of music, evaluating the quality of teaching and standards of pupils’ achievements, setting targets for improvement and thoroughly preparing pupils to take regular examinations. Aiming to raise expectations and get the best out of pupils with varying needs and abilities. Ensuring that every pupil receives the best teaching and learning experience. Constantly assess the impact of the teaching delivered and modify it appropriately to maximise effectiveness. Encouraging interest in the subject through participation in extra-curricular productions or other appropriate activities (e.g. orchestra etc). Encouraging high standards of work, drawing attention to achievement through public performances (e.g. musical concerts and other events) as well as through the preparation for graded examinations.
Job Description Designing, setting and managing relevant homework/practice, so that it is a valuable extension of class activities and helps pupils to develop independent learning skills. Contributing to pupils’ spiritual, moral, social and cultural development through the exploration of a range of musical genres and activities. Ensuring reports are individualised and meaningful, providing a valuable form of communication. Annual full reports are currently required for each pupil, as a part of the School’s Reporting System using our database system (iSAMS). A short mid-year report is also required from Music Peris in lieu of the need to participate in the fiveweekly ‘short reports’ and parents’ evenings. All changes to the teacher’s published timetable must be with prior agreement from the line manager (including planned staff absence). A lesson should be provided even if the pupil forgets their instrument.
Subject Knowledge: Music Curriculum (for example, ABRSM, RockSchool, Trinity etc.) Keeping abreast of developments in the Music Syllabi specifications. Making use of any opportunities for inter-departmental or intra-departmental initiatives and co-operation. Keeping abreast of developments in teaching methods and to attend necessary inservice courses. Attendance at an annual meeting.
Job Description Administrative Expectations Liaising with the Head of Music over matters of timetabling and scheduling of lessons. Liaising with the Head of Music over pupil entries and arrangements for public examinations (e.g. Trinity, ABRSM and RockSchool) Providing necessary information to the Administrator to assist in the programming and co-ordination of musical concerts. Keeping up-to-date registers and evidence / records for pupils attendance and following school policy guidelines about any pupil absence Professional Conduct Work within the guidelines of the Job Description and School Policies Not to put the School into disrepute due to their conduct or behaviour Commit to and provide availability so that a termly timetable can be published For reasons of security, wear/display the identity lanyard provided at all times. Work at all times as a supportive and coherent group of professionals Within working time, should put the needs of the School and its clients first – e.g. mobile phones are not to be used for any reason during lesson time. Complete and return paperwork on time and accurately Provide information as requested within the set timetable Be on time and appropriately prepared to do the job
Job Description Follow instructions as appropriate when requested to do so by a line manager Attend a non-discretionary annual peripatetic staff meeting – usually during the afternoon of the Wednesday before term starts in September of each year. Attend mandatory whole staff INSET (e.g. Child Protection) as required. Dress appropriately reflecting the position of a professional teacher, in line with Berkhamsted dress code Take corporate responsibility for the smooth running for the Performing Arts Department and show consideration for others. Keep classrooms and practice rooms clean, tidy and free from litter. Report any instances of poor standards to the Head of Music.
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.
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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: 8 July 2022 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.
Application and Next Steps We aim to be an equal opportunities employer andSans we Font are determined to ensure that no Make sure to use Gills 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. Early applications are encouraged, and interviews may take place on a rolling basis. We reserve the right to extend or close the deadline.