Admissions Manager - Details of Post

AN INDEPENDENT CO-EDUCATIONAL DAY AND BOARDING SCHOOL FOR PUPILS AGED 7 TO 18 IN THE HEART OF SURREY

Admissions Manager Information for prospective staff

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About Freemen's Our mission is to inspire our people to learn, to lead and to make a difference.

We believe that if we can motivate pupils and staff to always give their best, the School will continue to grow and thrive. Community engagement and our impact on the world beyond our walls are at the forefront of everything we do at Freemen’s.

The School was founded in Brixton in 1854 to provide an education for the orphaned children of Freemen of the City of London before moving to the present site, Ashtead Park, in 1926. We have a magnificent site with modern buildings alongside the original Main House set in a stunning 57 acres of parkland. This idyllic setting further supports the wellbeing of our students and staff, as being here, in the park, makes coming to work a pleasure. It looks striking in every season and we are lucky to have a vast array of wildlife living in our woods.

Today, Freemen’s is an independent day and boarding school for students aged 7-18, with a strong ethos of community and service in accordance with the values on which the School

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was founded. We are proudly co-educational and have been since 1854, which was radical at the time, and we continue to push the boundaries of what’s possible with our forward-thinking, progressive approach.

You can expect stellar exam results and academic excellence, but that’s not all. The focus within the School is on every individual finding a path which is appropriate for them, be that in the classroom, on a sports pitch or in one of the many co-curricular activities we encourage our young people to throw themselves into. Our mission is built upon four pillars of the Freemen’s education: pastoral support, House activities, academic achievement, and our varied cocurricular programme (including sport) to ensure every student realises their potential to be able to learn, lead and make a difference. Freemen’s is a place where students are keen to learn and eager to engage in the wider aspects of life at our School.

Teachers at Freemen's embody our principles for excellent classroom practice, offering innovative and forward-thinking approaches, enabling us to be a beacon of learning and teaching. We take risks in the pursuit of excellence by being brave and radical, willing to challenge the status quo. Through our 1-1 iPad programme, we

About Freemen's aim to create discerning users of technology, so that staff and students can thrive in the modern dynamic world. We do all of this, in an environment where staff feel supported, by investing in life-long learning through research-led enquiry and building learning communities. The emphasis in the Junior School is on Kindness, Honesty and Fun and the Senior School picks up that message with a pastoral programme that emphasizes the importance of a strong, supportive community in which every member, staff and student, feels respected, supported and valued. As a result, we are able to support our young people to successfully navigate the tests of life they face every day.

The School is one of four independent schools managed by the City of London Corporation (The City). The City provides financial support in the form of bursaries and scholarships.

Other links with the City of London and the Livery Companies are strong, which presents opportunities for staff to attend events at Guildhall and elsewhere in the City, as well as the possibility of gaining the honour of the Freedom of the City of London.

Transport links are good; the School is a mile from Ashtead station with regular services to Epsom and London and south to Leatherhead and Guildford. The M25 junction 9 is a sevenminute drive from the School.

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External Relations Department This is an exciting time for the External Relations department.

We have worked hard to ensure that we provide the most positive experience to students and their families before, during and after their time at Freemen's. The hard work is paying off as we begin to see record numbers of pupil admissions, as well as significantly increased engagement, donations and community support. Most days bring new opportunities and some challenges, which we face together, usually with a smile, a joke and whenever possible with cake.

The Admissions team forms part of the wider External Relations department, working with the Marketing and Development teams to recruit students and to maximise engagement with both external stakeholders and the current pupil and parent body.

The Admissions team currently comprises the Head of Admissions and two Admissions Officers with responsibility for domestic and international/Sixth Form admissions respectively.

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We are a dedicated and dynamic team, with a commitment to first-class customer service and to providing prospective families with the very best experience possible throughout their admissions journey.

"This friendly, grounded and well-run school takes the pressure off getting academically bright young things into senior schools and seems to a knack of making challenging work seem fun."

The Good Schools Guide WWW.FREEMENS.ORG

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Information about the role Purpose of post • To manage the day-to-day running of the admissions office, with supervisory responsibility for the Admissions Officer and International & Sixth Form Admissions Officer.

• To work with the Head of Admissions on recruiting pupils at all points of entry to the City of London Freemen’s School, in accordance with the School’s Admissions Policy, HMC guidelines and the ISC Code of Conduct and to take responsibility for the whole admissions process from the initial enquiry through to pupils joining the School.

• To actively promote the School, through internal marketing events, feeder school relationships, school fairs and schools shows etc.

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Main duties and responsibilities 1. Working with the Head of Admissions to develop and maintain a data-driven admissions process with clearly identifiable KPIs, developing and reviewing policies and procedures which ensure a positive experience for perspective pupils, parents and other key stakeholders.

2. Working with the Senior Leadership Team and Head of Admissions to maintain and nurture the School’s current feeder school relationships and to identify new potential

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feeder schools and/or geographical outreach areas.

Building and maintaining relationships between the School and prospective families, and maintaining appropriate records of information about prospective families which will be of benefit to the admissions processes for the School, in accordance with GDPR. Managing entrance assessment and interview days for all entry points to the School, including liaising with Heads of Section, Curriculum Leaders, Deputy Head (Academic), Director of Operations and Prefects; ensuring that safeguarding protocols are adhered to and pupils and parents have a positive and engaging experience in line with the School’s ethos.

Managing the Scholarship assessment process for both external and internal candidates, liaising with the Headmaster’s Office, Head of Scholars and relevant Heads of Department.

Liaison with the Chief Operating Officer and Finance team in respect of sponsored Awards and Scholarships Organising and hosting engaging private and group tours for prospective pupils and their parents, including briefing relevant staff and prefects and gathering feedback data to inform the admissions process.

Job description - Admissions Manager

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8. Assisting with the planning and running of all other events associated with admissions, including open events, familiarisation and taster events ensuring all staff are properly briefed and prepared for these events well in advance.

9. Fielding enquires about results, offers and reserve places that need to be progressed further.

10. Preparation and despatch of offer, wait list and rejection letters 11. Preparation and review of content of the online new starter pack to ensure all necessary information is provided to and collected from new starters e.g. payment, medical, data protection, visa requirements etc.

12. Working with the Head of Admissions to organize and administer the new starters’ induction events, allocating houses, classes and buddies.

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13. Working with the Data Manager to ensure accurate transfer of data from the admissions database (currently OpenApply) to the School’s main database.

14. Tracking leavers and maintaining an accurate record of current pupil numbers and vacancies. Data analysis and reporting on trends relating to the Admissions process such as acceptances, declines and other relevant information.

15. Submitting Leavers and Joiners reports to SCC each term, and ad hoc as required, when pupils join or leave the School.

16. Producing lists of pupil numbers for the ISC and DfES census.

17. Attending weekly Junior and Senior School briefings, updating staff on admissions, where necessary.

18. Working with the International Admissions Officer to ensure the suitability of overseas candidates and ensuring the School complies with the latest policy guidance issued by UK Visas and Immigration with regards to overseas students.

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Job description 19. Managing the administrative aspects of the admission of new pupils, supported by the Admissions Officer and International & Sixth Form Admissions Officer, ensuring that enquiries, visits and registrations are administered, reported on, and followed up effectively, regularly and accurately, and in particular to ensure the following: • Proactive and timely communication with families.

• Maintenance of an accurate and up-to-date admissions database.

• Ensuring all relevant information is collected from feeder schools prior to assessment, including references, SEND and EAL information.

• Entry of admissions events on to the School calendar.

• Accurate record-keeping of registration fees and deposits received, issuing of appropriate receipts.

• Organisation and coordination of interviews for prospective pupils, including the provision of necessary information for interviewers.

• Liaising with feeder schools to ensure that all financial obligations have been discharged for new joiners; requesting and tracking the transfer of information from previous schools to include SEND and safeguarding information.

20. Deputising for the Head of Admissions as required.

Other duties • Actively seek to implement the City of London’s Occupational Health and Safety Policy in relation to the duties of the post, and at all times give due regard to the health and safety of both themselves and others when carrying out their duties.

• Actively seek to implement the City of London’s Equal Opportunity Policy and the

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objective to promote equality of opportunity in relation to the duties of the post.

The post-holder is responsible for safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young persons for whom they are responsible for or come into contact with.

They must adhere to and ensure compliance with the School’s Child Protection Policy at all times. If, in the course of carrying out their duties, the post-holder becomes aware of any actual or potential risks to the safety or welfare of children in the School, they must report these concerns to the Assistant Head.

According to the development and requirements of the School, Job Descriptions will need to be revised and updated periodically, after consultation with the Job Holder.

Person Specification

Please find below the qualifications, experience and techincial skills required to undertake this post. Each criterion will be assessed at application (A), interview (I) or test (T) as indicated below.

The qualifications, experience and technical skills will be used in the decision making process for recruitment. Please give examples of how you have exhibited these behaviours in your previous role(s). It is essential you address the criterion marked as (A) on your application form in the section for supporting information. Be as specific as possible, we cannot guess or make assumptions, but will assess your application solely on the information provided. Try to provide evidence, by examples, where possible, of skills, knowledge and experience contained in this person specification.

Professional qualifications / relevant education and training • Educated to degree level or equivalent or relevant alternative experience. (A) • Evidence of continuous professional development (A).

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Experience required • Proven relevant customer service management experience. (A, I)) • Proven track record of leading a team. (A, I) • Previous experience of working in an administrative environment. (A,I) • Successful experience of providing high quality customer service and how to instill that in others. (A, I) • Experience of building and maintaining relationships with internal and external stakeholders. (A, I) • Experience of organizing group events and tours. (A, I) • An appreciation of a school setting and in particular, Freemen’s and its tradition and history. (A, I) • Experience of working with children and a demonstrable commitment to the safety and welfare of children. (A, I) • Demonstrated understanding of equality of opportunity and how to apply this in relation to the duties of the post. (A, I) Technical skills • Ability to present information in a cogent and appropriate manner. (A, I) • Ability to prioritise a busy and varied workload to meet strict deadlines with minimal supervision. (A, I) • Flexible and open to continuous change and a proven ability to bring others along. (A, I) • Effective communication, influencing and persuasion skills together with evidence of success in building and forming teams working flexibly across professional and operational boundaries. (A, I) • Proven ability to build relationships with key stakeholders, both internally and externally.

(A, I) • Ability to use judgement when dealing with

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a wide range of staffing issues to manage conflict and ensure a fair outcome. (A, I) Empathy, loyalty, tact, warmth and goodhumour. (A, I) Ability to provide high quality customer services in person and on the telephone. (A, I) Intermediate level of IT proficiency (Word, Excel, Outlook), including mail merge. (A, I) Ability to quickly familiarise with and learn new IT systems (e.g. data management system).

Ability to contribute to the review and development of administrative systems and procedures in a school setting. (A, I) Excellent oral and written communication skills. (A, I).

Detail-oriented, meticulous in their work, they take the time and effort to ensure that their work is accurate, precise, and of high quality. (A,I) The ability to work independently and exercise initiative, responding to unexpected problems using recognized procedures and policies as a guide. (A, I)

Other relevant information • Prior knowledge of Home Office immigration regulations relating to Child Student Visa sponsorship, and compliance requirements for all students studying at the School who are subject to visa conditions would be an advantage. (A, I) • Prior experience of event or exam management would be an advantage.

• Proven experience in an admissions/ customer service environment would be an advantage. (A, I)

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Professional expectations of staff Safeguarding Staff will be kind, fair and respectful to students and each other, challenge others when they are unkind, unfair or disrespectful and have the highest regard for the students’ safety and their safeguarding duties, whether on or off the school premises.

Appearance Smart professional dress, or appropriate co-curricular clothing, at all times.

Availability Prompt attendance during the School’s operating hours and a commitment to completing School business is expected.

Awareness and use of Freemen’s policies Staff will be able to access and use policies as necessary, and read and act upon them appropriately.

Behaviour Staff will establish Freemen’s as a place of learning and will determine clear boundaries of behaviour, based on mutual respect and trust.

Staff will have high expectations of students and will manage their behaviour effectively.

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Collective responsibility Staff share collective responsibility for Freemen’s standards, reputation and property, should treat them with respect and care, and insist others do likewise.

Communication Staff will expect high standards of communication from students and will, in turn, demonstrate accurate, timely and appropriate communication when dealing with students, parents and colleagues.

Ethics and behaviour Staff will uphold public trust in the profession and the reputation of Freemen’s by maintaining high standards of ethics and behaviour, within and outside School. They will be respectful and tolerant of the rights of others, including colleagues, and not undermine fundamental British values, including democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty and mutual respect, and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs. They will ensure that their personal beliefs are not expressed in ways which exploit pupils’ vulnerability or might lead them to break the law.

Learn, lead and make a difference Leaders Staff will be leaders in the School, exercising good judgement and modelling the behaviour and habits that are expected of the students.

Learners Staff will show and share a passion for their subject or discipline(s). They will seek to develop as professionals and as specialists, will be open to feedback and will seek opportunities to collaborate with colleagues and engage with relevant research.

Planning Teaching staff will have a sense of where the lesson fits within the scheme of work and plan well-structured lessons using an appropriate range of pedagogies.

Use of feedback Staff will seek to use feedback for themselves and if appropriate, their students and will complete assessments and reports in a timely fashion in the appropriate manner and style.

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How to apply Applicants should send a completed application form to the Headmaster via CLFS-Recruitment@ cityoflondon.gov.uk, by 9am on Wednesday 31 January 2024. Interviews will be held on Monday 5 February 2024. Early applications are encouraged and we reserve the right to interview and appoint at any time during the application period.

Freemen’s acknowledges receipt of all applications, if you have not received confirmation of the safe receipt of your application within two working days please call the School or email CLFS-Recruitment@cityoflondon.gov.uk to check on its status.

The successful candidate must be able to satisfy the City of London’s health requirements and a confidential medical assessment by the City of London’s Medical Officer is required.

The City of London Freemen’s School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all employees to share this commitment.

The successful applicant must be willing to undergo child protection screening appropriate to the post, including checks with past employers and the Disclosure and Barring Service (Enhanced Disclosure).

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"Friendly was the single most uttered word used to describe the school by students, while parents report that their offspring are happy. ‘Kind’ and ‘non-judgemental,’ we also heard, with support on tap."

The Good Schools Guide WWW.FREEMENS.ORG

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Your benefits

Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) Contributory defined benefit

City of London benefits:

• CityBenefits - discounts and cashback.

• Wellbeing resources.

• Sponsorship to become a Freeman of the City of London.

Sports and Leisure: Family friendly Significantly enhanced maternity, adoption and shared parental leave entitlement

Free lunch and refreshments The option to join Supper Club at a subsidised rate

Annual Leave 25/29 days (subject to grade) plus bank holidays increasing with service.

Cycle to work scheme Up to £3,000 salary sacrifice

• Discounted gym membership.

• Free use of the fitness suite.

• Staff social and sporting opportunities including pilates, yoga and five-a-side football.

• Free staff swimming and weekend family swimming for staff.

Learning and Development:

• In-house and externally run CPL • Enquiring Schools project • Support for professional development appropriate to the role including Apprenticeships/Masters.

Season Ticket Loan Wellbeing: Free parking on site

Access to on-site facilities

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• Up to 2 days’ paid leave for volunteering.

• Cash back on private health care treatment.

• Access to on-site Medical Centre.

• Staff Wellbeing Committee.

• Confidential Employee Assistance for staff and their families.

• Emergencies-only approach to out of hours email.

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Campus Map

Click here to view 360 Tour of campus 01. Visitor parking 02. Reception 03. Philp House 04. Science and Technology 05. Medical Centre 06. Art and Design 07. Stable Block 08. Ferndale Theatre 09. Dining Hall 10. Haywood Centre 11. Junior School (Kemp House) 12. Boarding (Walbrook House)

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13. Music School and Recital Hall 14. Main House 15. Sports Hall 16. Swimming Pool 17. Cricket Pavilion 18. Tennis and Netball Courts 19. Astro Pitch 20. Cricket Nets 21. Cricket Pitch 22. Italian Garden 23. Rugby and Football Pitches 24. Green Room

25. Fire Assembly Point 26. Bus Stop 27. Upper Car Park 28. Lower Car Park 29. Service Gate (KT21 1JB)

"A down-to-earth, friendly school that’s comfortable in its own skin rather than relentlessly trying to show off its most polished side – and is all the better for it.

Just the ticket for parents after a high-quality, stress-free route for their academically bright sons and daughters from age 7 right through to 18.

Almost unique around here."

The Good Schools Guide WWW.FREEMENS.ORG

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