AN INDEPENDENT CO-EDUCATIONAL DAY AND BOARDING SCHOOL FOR PUPILS AGED 7 TO 18 IN THE HEART OF SURREY
Head of Cricket and Teacher of PE
Information for prospective staff
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 strikinnelg 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
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 co-curricular 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 aim to create discerning users of technology,
About Freemen's
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 seven-minute drive from the School.
The Games and PE Department
Vision
The vision of Freemen’s SPORT is to ‘develop character and change lives through sport’
Mission
Our operational mission is to ‘deliver a meaningful, balanced and competitive sporting education’.
Values
Freemen’s SPORT is a values-based department, that is supported by the following sporting values.
Cricket at Freemen’s
Cricket at Freemen’s has a very successful history, and a programme that is enjoyed by every pupil in the school. Neil Stewart and the Stewart Cricket Centre continue to provide expert coaching for our children, supported by academic and specialist staff. Cricket has been co-educational since 2014, and boasts a number of boys and girls currently participating in elite county pathways. Cricket is a very popular sport, offered to all our pupils, and caters for all abilities from participation game play to bespoke, professional invitation sessions.
Staffing: The Sports Department is under new leadership and has recently restructured. The department currently has 10 PE teachers who are well supported by a number of external coaching staff and staff from the academic faculty. The department is led by a Director of Sport and a strategy team including two Assistant Directors of Sport (Academic and Games & Performance). The department has a passion for learning from each other and a high level of experience in both coaching and teaching. Each of the school’s core sports are led by a Head of Sport, who is responsible for the pathway and direction of pupils throughout the school..
The department is well equipped to be successful in the pursuit of our vision.
Facilities: The sports facilities at the school are fantastic. We are on a 58 acre site, with a large sports hall (6x badminton courts), a state-of-the-art swimming pool, a modern gym, an all-weather pitch, two squash courts, multi-activity room, a PE classroom and 4 cricket pitches that are used by the school, outside clubs and Surrey CCC.
Core PE: The PE curriculum is diverse and progressive, focusing on fundamental movement skills, physical literacy and swimming in Key Stage 2. As pupils progress up the school a broad range of sports and activities are covered with pupils changing activity every four weeks. Character strengths are an important aspect in the teaching of PE, and these are also taught in four-week blocks.
Academic PE: The department regularly achieves strong academic results offering both GCSE and A level PE. .
Games: Every year group has one Games afternoon a week. The major sports are football, rugby and cricket/tennis for boys and hockey, netball and cricket/tennis for girls. The department is currently facilitated by many coaching staff allowing the school to provide outstanding coaching provision in all sports. The staffing for many other sports has increased in recent years, with boys being able to play hockey and girls compete in rugby and football. Whereas squash, athletics, fencing, golf and swimming are part available in the senior school during Games.
Co-curricular Sport: Each year group in the school has access to co-curricular sport throughout the week with a large contribution made by PE, coaching and the wider teaching staff. Some of these focus on the development of teams for weekend and after school fixtures, whilst others focus on giving pupils a different sport to sample. Currently the school plays fixtures in thirteen different sports across the school year.
General
The teacher reports to the Assistant Director of Sport (Games & Performance) and has responsibility for the following:
• Promoting and supporting the School’s aims and policies.
Teaching, learning and assessment
• Preparation and planning of lessons in accordance with departmental schemes of work.
• Demonstrating a range of teaching methods and keeping abreast of developments in the subject area at KS3, GCSE and AS/A level; employing a range of teaching resources including the display of pupils’ work.
• Carrying out assessment according to departmental and School policies. Recording assessment (grades/reports etc) within deadlines set and keeping clear records.
• Setting and marking of class work and homework according to relevant School and departmental policies.
• Reporting to parents on progress at parents’ evenings or on reasonable request from parents.
• Setting and marking/moderating examination coursework where appropriate.
• Providing pupils with appropriate challenges.
• Recognition of the specific needs of each pupil and of classes as a whole. Setting an appropriate pace for lessons and adapting teaching methods to the needs of pupils.
• Establishing a structured learning environment conducive to learning and where pupils know that high standards are always required.
• Managing the classroom effectively with appropriate use of sanctions and rewards in accordance with departmental and School policies.
• Motivating pupils to learn and establishing a rapport with pupils conducive to learning.
• Attending departmental meetings and sharing departmental responsibility; Attending staff meetings and School or departmental INSET; seeking opportunities for professional development; participation in the School Professional Review (appraisal) scheme; participation in induction arrangements.
Other
• Promoting high standards of work and behaviour inside and outside the classroom.
• Contributing to the pastoral and co-curricular life of the School and carrying out the role of form tutor effectively.
• Carrying out the normal supervision duties as laid down in School policies.
Purpose of Post
• The effective administration and delivery of the School’s Sports programme in relation to specified sport.
Main Duties & Responsibilities
• The overall dynamic delivery and driving forwards of the Sports programme in accordance with the School’s aims and policies.
• To ensure the highest standards of coaching are adhered to, as well as developing coaches within the department.
Fixtures Tournaments and Competitions
• Oversee and allocate pupil selection to ensure a balance of participation and excellence across the sports programme
• To work with the Assistant Director of Sport (Games and Performance) and give feedback on an appropriate fixtures list that provides opportunities for pupils to represent the School at every level.
• Organising participation in competitions and tournaments, including hosting events by the School and including House competitions
Sport at Freemen's
• To liaise with the Assistant Director of Sport (Games and Performance) regarding NGB subscriptions, tournaments and appropriate competitions.
• To ensure that the highest standards of Freemen’s sporting values are promoted among pupils, staff and coaches
• The development and delivery of an appropriate and balanced training programme for pupils at every age level in line with the training needs of the school.
• Identifying, mentoring and motivating talented players and assisting them in gaining representative honours at club, academy and national levels.
• Promoting and leading a culture of wholesome and healthy sporting activity
• Ensuring that pupils observe the highest standards of behaviour on and off the field.
• Linking with, and understanding NGB and HMC guidelines and dealing with discipline and safety aspects on or off the field.
• To allocate staff to playing spaces in accordance with the programme and NGB guidance.
• Organising and leading sports tours in the UK or overseas, organising and leading the sports programme in joint Sports Tours overseas, in accordance with School policies and procedures.
Leadership and management
• Liaison with all members of staff, as appropriate, on all matters concerned with the specific sport
• Regular and frequent liaison throughout the department and with the Director of Sport, regarding the success of sports provision at Freemen’s.
• Holding regular meetings with Games/PE staff, coaches and academic staff involved in the specific sport.
• Ensuring professional development among staff involved, especially the updating and upgrading of coaching and other relevant qualifications and arranging a regular internal and external CPL programme.
Administration and Communication
• To liaise with the Assistant Director of Sport (Games and Performance) regarding communication to parents on all sport specific matters, and when required, engaging with concerns of parents relating to the sport
• Dealing promptly with all administrative matters and meeting deadlines
• Ensuring that the relevant sections of the Sports communication and development plan are completed and updated within the deadlines set
• Responsibility for communication with outside bodies, including the NGB marketing cricket within the department’s social media feed and checking photo consent.
• Ensuring an inventory of appropriate kit and equipment is maintained, and all kit is properly stored and maintained
Safeguarding, Health and Safety
• To demonstrate a commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people
• Ensuring that all risk assessments in relation to the sport are reviewed, updated and adhered to by all including Consent for contact sports
• Regular and frequent liaison with the School’s medical staff and other medical staff in attendance at matches
• Ensuring that all health and safety policies in relation to sport are rigorously adhered to in the interests of the safety and welfare of pupils and staff.
• Ensuring that the pitch and playing areas are safe, and generating strong links with grounds staff.
• Ensure all staff have complete the Head Case course and are up to date with concussion protocol.
• Ensure staff are regularly checking Return to Play and that all pupils have relevant consent from parents.
• The Head of Sport will be required to carry out any task in relation to the Sport’s programme as reasonably directed by Headmaster.
Revision of Job Description
• According to the development and requirement of the School, job descriptions may need to be reviewed and updated periodically after consultation with the job holder.
Matches protocol
• Assistant Director of Sport, Games and Performance confirms fixtures in the weeks leading up to matches
• After this time, it is the responsibility of the Head of Sport to communicate any additional changes.
Head of Cricket and Teacher of PE and Games
Person specification
• Staff should demonstrate a passion for, and expertise in, their subject and be able to inspire the students whom them teach.
• Candidates should have experience of leading / managing staff and have worked in a school / Academy / Professional sporting pathway.
• Have experience in talent identification and abilities to grow potential at all levels of cricket.
• They should hold a good honours degree in a relevant subject,
• To either, hold QTS and demonstrate a track record of success, or possess the willingness and ability become a qualified teacher.
• Someone with an awareness of, and a commitment to, the needs of young people in a school setting; someone who shares the School’s commitment to promoting the welfare of and safeguarding children. An enthusiastic and dynamic leader able to motivate and inspire pupils and staff to achieve the highest standards.
• Someone who can build and maintain professional relationships, striking the right balance between formal and informal
channels.
• Someone with good time management skills, able to cope with the demands and life of a busy leading independent school.
• An effective communicator
• Someone with good ICT skills and the ability to deal with the administrative routines.
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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.
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.
How to apply
Applicants should send a covering letter and a completed application form to the Headmaster via CLFS-Recruitment@cityoflondon.gov.uk, by 9am on Monday 30th September. Shortlisted candidates will be invited to interviews that will take place on Wednesday 9th October 2024.
Candidates are asked to note that Freemen’s retains the right to interview and appoint at any time during the application process. Early applications are encouraged.
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).
"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
"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
Your benefits
Teachers’ Pension Scheme (TPS)
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
• 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.
Fee remission
Up to 50% fee remission subject to the normal entry requirements.
Cycle to work scheme
Up to £3,000 salary sacrifice
Season Ticket Loan
Free parking on site
Access to on-site facilities
Learning and Development:
• Funding to obtain QTS/PGCE.
• Tailored CPD for all colleagues that includes a thriving internal CPD programme, as well as a range of external opportunities such as Masters and PhD support, Enquiring Teachers Programme and Chartered College qualifications.
Wellbeing:
• 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.
• Emergency-only approach to out of hours.
Campus Map
Visitor parking
Reception
Philp House
Science and Technology
Medical Centre
Art and Design 07. Stable Block 08. Ferndale Theatre
Dining Hall 10. Haywood Centre 11. Junior School (Kemp House) 12. Boarding (Walbrook House)
13. Music School and Recital Hall
14. Main House
15. Sports Hall
16. Swimming Pool 17. Cricket Pavilion 18. Tennis and Netball Courts
Astro Pitch
Cricket Nets
Cricket Pitch
Italian Garden
Rugby and Football Pitches
Green Room
25. Fire Assembly Point
Bus Stop
Upper Car Park 28. Lower Car Park
29. Service Gate (KT21 1JB)
Click here to view 360 Tour of campus
"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
