Head of Pre-Prep Candidate Pack

HEAD OF PRE-PREP Candidate Information

D U M P TO N S C H O O L

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WELCOME Dear Colleague, My name is Christian Saenger, and it is both a privilege and a joy to serve as Headmaster of Dumpton School.

If you are reading this, you may be considering taking the exciting step of applying to join us. I wanted to share a little more about our school and our community to help you decide whether Dumpton might be the right place for you.

First, a few words about the school itself.

Dumpton is a thriving, coeducational prep school built on a simple but powerful belief: that every child has remarkable potential within them.

Our role is to create an environment in which each individual has the very best opportunity to flourish. Our values – Be Kind and Aim High – are not slogans on a wall; they guide our decisions, shape our culture and define our expectations of one another. We strive to balance academic ambition with character education. Academic outcomes matter, of course – but we are equally committed to developing confident, kind and resilient young people. We often say that we are in the business of “growing great humans”, and we mean it, with our character education recently being awarded a ‘Significant Strength’ by ISI. I would also like to say something about our staff. I am convinced that Dumpton’s success over many years is rooted in the quality, warmth and professionalism of the people who work here. It is a genuinely supportive and welcoming team.

The staff room is a place of laughter, collaboration and encouragement, and new colleagues are embraced wholeheartedly. Schools are defined by the adults within them. It is they who shape the culture, the tone and the daily experience for children and for one another. When I first walked around Dumpton many years ago, I felt there was something distinctive and special about the place.

I very much hope that you would feel that, too.

We also firmly believe that the best way to ensure outstanding care for children is to show outstanding care to the staff who look after them. That is our commitment to you. We will encourage you to have high expectations of yourself and to pursue excellence in your role – whatever that role may be – but you will have our wholehearted support in doing so. There are, of course, practical benefits to working at Dumpton: our beautiful setting, generous holidays, and free food and drink among them. We also provide an Employee Assistance Programme offering professional support and guidance. However, beyond these tangible benefits, our priority is that every member of staff feels valued, respected and genuinely cared for. When we speak about “living our values”, the Be Kind principle applies just as much to how we treat our colleagues as it does to how we guide our pupils.

It is also an exciting time to be joining Dumpton.

The school continues to grow and strengthen, and despite wider political headwinds, we are flourishing. Our recent merger with Canford School to form the Canford Schools Group has further enhanced our position. While Dumpton retains its autonomy, identity and distinctive ethos, the partnership brings significant opportunities – including investment, collaboration and long-term stability. The future is full of promise.

If you are seriously considering applying but would value a visit first, please do get in touch. I, or a member of the team, would be delighted to welcome you and show you around. There is no substitute for experiencing a school in person.

Thank you for considering Dumpton. I hope we may have the opportunity to meet you soon.

Christian Saenger Headmaster

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B A C KG RO U N D Dumpton School is a prep school in the heart of Dorset near the thriving market town of Wimborne, which offers an outstanding education to children aged 2 to 13 years old. Founded in 1903, the school has undergone a prolonged period of stability and success in recent years and boasts superb, modern facilities, strong pupil numbers, and a forward-thinking and ambitious approach to education, recognised by ISI as having a ‘Significant Strength’ in our most recent inspection. Dumpton was also a Finalist in the 2026 TES Prep School of the Year Award.

In January 2026, Dumpton merged with Canford School, and together, both schools have founded the Canford Schools Group, promising a bright future for independent education across the region.

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O U R VA L U E S The education at Dumpton is built upon two clear and simple values which guide all that we do: ‘Be Kind’ and ‘Aim High’.

Be Kind Kindness could not be more important to us. Our main school rule is ‘treat others as you would like to be treated’, and we aim for friendliness and empathy to permeate every classroom and corridor of the school. The atmosphere is nurturing and inclusive, and pupils, staff and parents share strong relationships as a result. Dumpton is more than just a school: it is a home away from home.

At a deeper level, our focus on kindness and empathy aims to build pupils’ emotional intelligence – their ability to understand themselves and those around them. Nobody quite knows what the world of tomorrow will look like for our children, but at Dumpton, we strongly believe that empathy, kindness, and emotional intelligence will lie at the heart of a happy and successful future.

Aim High Our quiet sense of aspiration and ambition is illustrated by our school motto: ‘You can because you think you can’. Inspiring self-belief is key.

Inside the classroom, this means a commitment to small class sizes, high-quality teaching, and academic success for all. It means helping every child realise that with hard work, practice, determination and resilience, anything is possible.

Outside the classroom, this means a broad range of experiences that not only provide huge enjoyment but, crucially, help children further develop their character: an outstanding sports programme, a broad range of performing arts opportunities, outdoor learning through our forest school and the famous Dumpton allotments, a diverse range of clubs and co-curricular activities, and some pretty adventurous and exciting residential trips.

It is, of course, the outcomes that matter most.

Our children are our greatest advert – friendly, personable, energetic, determined, and smiling in all that they do. Our track record of ensuring successful transfer to the finest senior schools – and record numbers of scholarships across the academic, sporting, creative and performing arts domains – suggests we are getting something right, too.

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CHARACTER E D U C AT I O N At Dumpton, we believe that character matters.

Whilst academic success remains a core priority, we ensure our pupils know that it is the person they become – not the grades they achieve – that is most important to us.

framework is built around seven character virtues which we model, teach, seek out and celebrate throughout the school: Empathy, Resilience, Courage, Collaboration, Enthusiasm, Creativity and Global Citizenship.

Our approach to character education at Dumpton is underpinned by ‘The Dumpton Way’. This

Every single child has remarkable potential within them: it is our job to help them discover it.

Empathy

Creativity

Resilience

Global Citizenship

Enthusiasm

Courage Collaboration

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T H E RO L E With the current Head of Pre-Prep departing to join Ofsted as an Early Years Specialist, we are seeking an outstanding candidate to lead our thriving Pre-Prep and Nursery departments from January 2027 (or April 2027 for the right candidate).

Dumpton’s Pre-Prep and Nursery has been flourishing, with around 130–140 pupils on roll.

It is situated in its own purpose-built building on Dumpton’s campus, but pupils benefit from the significant specialist teaching and impressive facilities on offer at Dumpton, including our swimming pool, sports hall, performing arts centre and incredible outdoor learning facilities. In the classroom, small class sizes and our commitment to teaching assistants in each class ensure we can build the very strongest foundations for future success. Dumpton’s Pre-Prep has been shortlisted as Pre-Prep of the Year in the Independent School of the Year Awards 2026.

The successful candidate will hold overall leadership responsibility for the Pre-Prep, reporting directly to the Headmaster but having significant autonomy for the day-to-day running of the Pre-Prep, as well as the Nursery. They will also sit on the school’s Senior Leadership Team, playing a crucial role in shaping whole-school strategy and development.

With the launch of our 2030 Vision in September, this is an exciting opportunity for a kind, caring, dynamic and passionate individual who has the ambition to elevate Dumpton’s Pre-Prep provision further and ensure it offers children the very finest start to their school education.

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MAIN DUTIES The role of Head of Pre-Prep may depend to a certain extent on the individual strengths of the successful candidate; however, the main duties will be as follows:

Academic •

To oversee the academic progress of pupils, ensuring pupil progress is assessed and tracked, and, where necessary, support and intervention are put into place so that all children can fulfil their academic potential

Pastoral •

To help maintain the highest standards of pastoral care in the Pre-Prep and Nursery, leading by example and inspiring colleagues to ensure that every child at Dumpton is given the pastoral support and care they need to ‘be kind, aim high’, and fulfil their personal potential

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To work closely alongside the Deputy Head (Academic) and other members of the Academic Development Team to ensure a thoughtfully planned, carefully sequenced and inspiring curriculum is in place throughout the Nursery and Pre-Prep

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To oversee the wellbeing support systems throughout the Pre-Prep and Nursery, working closely with key staff in this area

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To support the Head of Emotional Literacy in ensuring that RULER is fully embedded throughout the Nursery and Pre-Prep

To organise and oversee the ‘specialist’ lessons, liaising with teachers of Dance, PE, Music, Singing and Swimming and supporting them to ensure these lessons provide outstanding opportunities for the pupils

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To deal with pastoral, wellbeing or behavioural concerns that have been escalated from Pre-Prep class teachers or the Nursery, communicating with and meeting parents as required

To monitor the quality and consistency of teaching and learning throughout the PrePrep and Nursery through learning walks and observations and encourage the highest standards at all times

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To act as a Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead and a member of the school’s Safeguarding Team, supporting the school’s Designated Safeguarding Lead

To work closely with the EdX (SEND) Team as appropriate to ensure our approach is as inclusive and supportive as possible for pupils with additional needs

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To play a key role in deciding curriculum allocation, curriculum loadings and the creation of the school timetable for the Pre-Prep

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To be a member of the school’s Academic Development Team, attending meetings as required, and working closely with the Deputy Head (Academic) on the school’s whole-school academic development, including CPD

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To oversee the character education programme in the Pre-Prep and Nursery, ensuring ‘The Dumpton Way’ is fully embedded into the curriculum and Pre-Prep life

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To build on the successful Pre-Prep Hobbies programme, looking for further opportunities to develop the co-curricular opportunities for the children

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To ensure the school’s approach reflects equality, diversity and inclusivity in all that we do

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Operations •

To oversee all operational elements of the school day for the Pre-Prep and Nursery, including early morning drop-off, the school day, specialist lessons, and then after-school activities in the form of ‘Hobbies’ and After-School Club

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To assist in the maintenance of policies and documentation, in line with ISI requirements, and to support the Headmaster in preparing for inspections

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To identify opportunities for CPD within the Pre-Prep and Nursery to complement the wholeschool CPD programmes in place

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To work closely with the Head of Marketing to ensure that life in the Pre-Prep and Nursery is reflected positively on social media and other marketing content

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To organise the supervision of children and duty rotas for staff in the Pre-Prep

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To organise cover for and oversee staff absence in the Pre-Prep and Nursery, including year-round Nursery provision

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To support the Head of EYFS and Head of Nursery with the operational and day-to-day management of the Nursery

To be a key member of the school’s Senior Leadership Team, attending weekly meetings and playing a key role in whole-school strategy

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To act at all times as an ambassador for the school, representing the school positively both in and outside the school community

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To attend Local School Committee governance meetings as required, advising the Headmaster and Local School Committee members on all matters regarding the Pre-Prep and Nursery

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To work alongside the Senior Deputy Head on the school’s calendar and events, ensuring events in the Pre-Prep and Nursery are well organised and communicated effectively

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To oversee the Pre-Prep programme of trips and activities, ensuring this is both ambitious and balanced

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To manage the Pre-Prep and Nursery budget

Leadership and Management

Teaching •

To play an important role in the Pre-Prep as a class teacher/subject teacher, with significant PPA time provided to enable the Head of Pre-Prep duties to be undertaken alongside this To offer exciting and stimulating co-curricular activities for the pupils as part of the Pre-Prep Hobbies programme

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To support the Headmaster with the day-to-day running of the school and carry out leadership duties as required

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To take responsibility for the key Pre-Prep and Nursery elements of the School Development Plan as we work towards our 2030 Vision

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To lead and manage the Pre-Prep Staff Team and Teaching Assistants and support the Head of EYFS with the leadership and management of the Nursery Team

Safeguarding and Health & Safety

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To organise and chair the Pre-Prep staff meetings, ensuring timely, productive and collaborative meetings

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To become a visible and friendly presence for parents and pupils of Pre-Prep and Nursery children

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To be the first port of call for any teacher in need of advice or support

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To assist the Headmaster with interviewing applicants for Pre-Prep and Nursery teaching posts and to advise on the appointment of staff

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All staff share the responsibility for safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and must adhere to, and comply with, the school’s Safeguarding Policy

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To comply with all Health and Safety procedures as required by the school

This list of responsibilities is not exhaustive, and the employee will be required to perform duties outside of this at the discretion of the Headmaster.

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THE PERSON Qualifications

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Be prepared and able to initiate and manage change where necessary

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Be able to work collaboratively with colleagues within the school and with key contacts in other organisations; have a proven ability to work as a member of a team

QTS or equivalent

Experience/Knowledge Essential •

Significant classroom experience across EYFS/ Key Stage 1

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Experience managing others and leading a team, as well as introducing new initiatives

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Knowledge and experience of EYFS requirements, equal opportunities, health and safety, SEN and safeguarding

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Knowledge and experience of effective curriculum development, planning, monitoring, assessment and strategies to improve teaching and learning

Desirable •

Knowledge and experience of the prep school sector

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Knowledge and experience of the ISI Inspection Framework

Personal Qualities •

Be kind and aim high in all that you do

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Through your integrity, enthusiasm, positivity and aspiration, be a role model to the entire school community

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Be able to be motivational, sympathetic, constructive and, where necessary, challenging with colleagues

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Be passionate about ensuring outstanding pastoral care and have a clear vision for what it looks like and how it is achieved

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Show a strong interest in the latest thinking in education

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Be able to work accurately and calmly and show resilience when under pressure

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Be devoted to the educational needs of the individual pupil and every child’s right to fulfil their potential

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Be committed to personal and professional development

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Be absolutely committed to the highest standards of professional behaviour and, at all times, to promoting the welfare and safeguarding of children

Key Skills •

Be extremely proficient in the use of information technology

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Be able to communicate clearly and persuasively, both orally and in writing, with staff, pupils and parents alike

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Be very well organised

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TERMS & BENEFITS Contract Type:

Permanent

Hours:

47½ hours per week (with some flexibility for the right candidate), working term-time only

Commencing:

January 2027 (or April 2027 for the right candidate)

Salary:

Competitive

Benefits:

Employee Assistance Programme, Health and wellbeing support through a medical expenses cash plan, staff discount on fees, free lunch, cycle-to-work scheme, defined contribution pension scheme

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A P P L I C AT I O N P RO C E S S To apply, please visit Vacancies | Dumpton School, where you’ll be asked to complete our application and upload a covering letter.

Closing date: 9am on Monday, 21st September 2026 Interview date: w/c 28th September 2026 Dumpton School is committed to equity, diversity and inclusion in all areas of our Community and encourages applications from all suitably qualified candidates.

Dumpton School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

All successful job applicants will be required to undergo child protection screening.

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Deans Grove House, Wimborne, Dorset BH21 7AF 01202 883818 . www.dumpton.com

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