CANDIDATE INFORMATION Appointment of a Head of Pre-Prep & EYFS
HEAD OF PRE-PREP & EYFS
We are seeking to recruit a dynamic, empathetic and inspirational Head of Pre-Prep, Nursery and EYFS to join us in September 2023, who will continue the exceptional work of our colleague who will be retiring. We are at an exciting and transformative stage in the development and expansion of our Pre-Prep and Nursery provision. The new Head of Pre-Prep and EYFS will play a leading role in these changes, ensuring the delivery of the mission and values of the School, and working closely with the Senior Leadership team at Junior King’s.
Our successful candidate will be an outstanding teacher with proven success of leading change across the Pre-Prep phase, in a middle or senior management position. They will have strong understanding of child development and knowledge of the most upto-date teaching and learning techniques and approaches that best suit children of this age. They will have experience of providing strategic leadership and setting very high standards of care and education, ensuring that statutory requirements are met.
Our Pre-Prep department enjoys an excellent reputation, with a happy and nurturing atmosphere. The small class sizes offer an excellent opportunity for children to thrive. Our staff build strong, professional and long-lasting relationships with parents. Exceptional pastoral care and safeguarding are central to our success at Junior King’s, alongside our outstanding teaching both in and outside the classroom. We nurture the breadth of opportunities for all our pupils throughout the School, from the creative arts, performance and artistic success to sporting reputation, which we enjoy locally, regionally and nationally.
The Head of Pre-Prep and EYFS will be viewed as a central figure within the School, leading and modelling the School’s values with loyalty and integrity.
THE SCHOOL
Junior King’s is a day and boarding school for children from Nursery to Year 8. We are a thriving IAPS school with approximately 375 pupils on roll, situated two miles outside Canterbury, in a beautiful green, wooded and extensive 80-acre site. The PrePrep currently has seven classes, with a total of 79 pupils from Nursery to Year 2. We have a knowledgeable and supportive staff team of Teachers and Teaching Assistants who support each child to develop their own individual skills. We pride ourselves in providing breadth and challenge to match each child’s abilities and interests, based on discovery and high standards of education and care.
BACKGROUND & RELATIONSHIPS
The Pre-Prep Head will be an experienced and outstanding educationalist, working as a key member of the School’s Senior Management Team. They will lead in the strategic development of all aspects of the School’s Pre-Prep provision, reporting to the Head, SMT and Governors, and will contribute to whole school development.
They will provide a well-run section of the school with happy, enthusiastic children and valued staff.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Vision, Strategic Direction and Operational Planning
• Create a happy, positive and welcoming atmosphere throughout the Nursery and Pre-Prep department, cultivating a culture of equality, diversity, kindness and inclusion
• Promote the vision, ethos, values and aims of the School
• Be responsible for the day-to-day line management of the Pre-Prep and Nursery staff
• Be responsible for the day-to-day management of the whole Pre-Prep and Nursery
• Organise, support and lead staff to work collaboratively, maintaining high professional standards and be a team player
• Contribute to the strategic planning of the School and the School development plans, in particular those which apply to the Pre-Prep and Nursery
• Work together with the Head, and play a key role in the development, management and leadership of the new Nursery development
• Make a positive contribution to the leadership and management of the school, leading by example and promoting excellence in teaching, learning and pastoral care across the Nursery and Pre-Prep
• Lead the Nursery development, oversee recruitment of staff with the Head, and line manage the new Nursery lead teacher when appointed
• Plan and lead the Christmas and Summer shows
• Lead and manage the late clubs and afterschool clubs
• Have exceptional levels of planning, and organisation, with meticulous attention to detail
• Have significant initiative and drive, allied to the ability to work quickly and accurately
• Review and implement key policies relating to the Pre-Prep EYFS and Nursery
• Work closely with HR to ensure all necessary staff policies and procedures are adhered to
• Contribute to the arrangements for staff appraisal and to the safe recruitment of new teaching staff
• Support the Head in preparations for Governance reports and lead/oversee the ISI/OFSTED Inspections for Nursery and Pre-Prep
• Attend one Junior King’s Governors’ Committee meeting, when required
Admissions & Recruitment
• The Head of Pre-Prep will play an active part in the recruitment process in close liaison with the Deputy Head Registrar, including meeting with prospective families, giving tours and overseeing assessments of pupils. This may require being available on occasion in some of the holiday periods and/or weekends
• They will be very involved in the marketing of the Pre-Prep and be responsible for introducing inspirational and creative new ways to recruit pupils
Academic Leadership
• Working with the Deputy Head Academic in leading, monitoring, reviewing and developing both the curriculum offering, assessments and standards of teaching and learning across the Nursery and Pre-Prep, including EYFS
• Monitoring, evaluating and reviewing classroom practice and pupil progress; celebrating excellence; advising and updating the Deputies and SMT on progress and identifying and acting on areas for improvement. Report accurately and regularly on pupils’ progress and attainment
• Ensuring the needs of every child are met, and that rich opportunities are provided for nurturing challenge, creativity and enquiry
• Successfully managing the transition between each year group and phase
• Support the SMT in designing and leading staff CPD based on needs identified through staff observation, appraisal and wider developments in pedagogy
• Be committed to professional development and attend relevant courses/training and keeping up to date with all relevant educational changes and reforms
• Be responsible for new staff induction and oversee students and newly qualified teachers in Pre-Prep
• In conjunction with the Deputy Head Academic, oversee a schedule for lesson observations, book scrutiny, analysis of planning and assessment data to support the development of best classroom practice and report writing
•
Lead, oversee and run the provision and progress of pupils with SEND, and liaise with the Head of Learning Support of the Prep School
• To organise the cover of staff when required and in collaboration with the Deputy Head Academic
• Contribute to the teaching and learning in the Pre-Prep. Teaching allocation will be subject to review in relation to the new Nursery development programme
Pastoral Care
• Ensure that the Pre-Prep Department is a safe, happy, positive, and caring childcentred environment
• Be the DDSL for Nursery and Pre-Prep and work closely with the Deputy Head Pastoral and DSL, to safeguard and promote the welfare of all young people
• Ensure that outstanding pastoral care remains at the heart of the Pre-Prep
• An individual with a genuine commitment to the wellbeing of the staff and pupils in their care
• Organise, support and lead staff to work collaboratively, maintaining high professional standards
Professional Responsibilities
• Command the respect of pupils, staff, parents and governors
• Take responsibility for improving their own professional practice by engaging in independent professional development alongside the School’s formal professional development programme
• Complete any mandatory training related to the job or required to fulfil the School’s statutory or regulatory obligations
• Demonstrate consistently high standards of personal and professional conduct, developing and maintaining effective and positive relationships with colleagues across the School
• Have an appreciation of the whole school perspective on all matters and operate the Pre-Prep as an integral part of the School community
• Establish professional and effective communication and positive professional relationships with all parents
• Strive for the highest standards at all times
• Be calm, positive and measured whilst under pressure
• Be a confident decision maker, identify problems and bring creative solutions
• Communicate the vision enthusiastically and articulately to the staff, parents and pupils
• Lead and manage people to work towards a common goal
• Blend firmness, patience and empathy when dealing with difficult situations
Other Responsibilities
• The Head of Pre-Prep will be a budget holder and have responsibility for the PrePrep and Nursery budget
• To be involved in all aspects of the School life and, as a member of SMT, to attend all events
• To undertake other such reasonable duties from time to time as the School and Head may reasonably require
HOW TO APPLY
The closing date for applications is Wednesday 9th November.
Successful candidates will be invited to have a tour and attend interviews which will take place during week commencing 21st November.
www.junior-kings.co.uk