Applicant Information Pack
Head of Nursery with teaching responsibilities
A Foreword from our Principal and Chief People Officer
Richard Backhouse - PrincipalBerkhamsted 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 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 2-11)
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 2 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 Heatherton is located within easy access to local Grammar Schools.
Job Description
Reporting to: Head Teacher
The Head of Nursery with teaching responsibilities 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
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.
The Head of Nursery with teaching responsibilities will provide professional leadership and management for the Nursery curriculum to secure high quality teaching, effective use of resources and improved standards of learning and achievement for all pupils. The current post involves the teaching of pupils in the age range 2-4 years, although there may be occasions when asked to teach in the Prep or Pre-Prep.
The Head of Nursery with teaching responsibilities will provide professional leadership and management of the Nursery staff team of Teaching Assistants and Nursery Key Workers The Head of Nursery will ensure that the team are compliant with the statutory requirements and are trained and equipped with the knowledge and skill to contribute to a successful and thriving team
Main Responsibilities:
Job Description
Lead the development of the Nursery, 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:
The school’s aims, priorities, targets and strategic plans
In depth understanding of the EYFS Statutory Framework
Any statutory curriculum requirements and the requirement for assessment, recording of pupils’ attainment and progress
The characteristics of high-quality teaching, learning and achievement for all pupils
Lead planning and organisation in the Nursery to ensure all pupils are catered for appropriately.
Offer support, knowledge and expertise of the early years to specialist members of staff who work within the Nursery department
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.
Establish and implement clear practices for assessing, recording and reporting on pupil achievement using the school’s reporting system, for example, Family.
Job Description
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 Head of Pre-Prep to ensure all necessary Inspection documents are updated regularly.
Hold termly supervision meetings with all members of the Nursery staff.
Coordinate Nursery 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 )
Job Description
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
Job Description
Policies and Procedures
To be familiar with the School’s Staff Handbook and general policies for staff including:
To be familiar with the school’s Child Protection policy
To be familiar with the School’s Health and Safety Procedure.
To be familiar with the School’s ICT Acceptable Use Policy
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.
Safeguarding and Protection
Safeguarding and Child 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 15 May 2024
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
Early applications are encouraged, and interviews may take place on a rolling basis We reserve the right to extend or close the deadline.
