AN INDEPENDENT CO-EDUCATIONAL DAY AND BOARDING SCHOOL FOR PUPILS AGED 7 TO 18 IN THE HEART OF SURREY
Assistant Head (Head of Sixth Form)
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 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
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.
Sixth Form at Freemen’s
Although our students’ outstanding A-level results speak for themselves, the Sixth Form is not- and does not aspire to be- an academic hothouse. Freemen’s students are remarkably hard-working and self-motivated, which makes them a pleasure to teach and highly sought-after by leading universities in the UK and across the world. They enjoy studying in what is a state-of-the-art Sixth Form centre- an 18th-century Grade II*-listed manor house refurbished during the pandemic to facilitate cutting-edge pedagogy in inspiring surroundings.
The Sixth Form at Freemen’s is fully coeducational and comprises over 100 students in each year, roughly 15 of whom are boarders. Students can choose from 24 subjects, with the freedom to study either three or four A-levels. Take-up for the voluntary Extended Project Qualification is high, and our in-house Free Minds academic enrichment programme supplements the studies of pupils taking three A-levels. Mathematics and the sciences are particularly popular choices, although we encourage all pupils to play to their strengths and follow their
interests when choosing. Freemen’s has a strong commitment to continuing to offer a broad curriculum in the Sixth Form, including arts, humanities and languages.
We have a strong focus on encouraging students to look ahead to life beyond school rather than just “getting the grades”. Bespoke Future Pathways provision is made on an individual level, be it for medics, Oxbridge candidates, gap years, apprenticeships or applications to international universities. Recognising that university is not just a step up academically, students have the opportunity to spend a week in our dedicated independent living quarters where they can grapple with the more practical challenges of being an undergraduate.
Building on this, we are also determined to hone the skills that our students will need in a modern workplace as the leaders of the future. Accordingly, every Sixth-Former is invited to accept the challenge of being a Prefect, irrespective of whether or not they have presented as a natural leader to date. We encourage them to move into their stretch zone as ambassadors for the school and not to worry if, like all emerging leaders, they have slips and trips along the way. Although we expect all Sixth-Formers to value integrity above all and to set an impeccable example to younger pupils- something cemented through the mentoring programme- we are fortunate that the extraordinarily high standards of behaviour in the Sixth Form are largely selfenforced. As such, they enjoy considerable freedom, trust and independence. Our SixthFormers play a crucial role in making Freemen’s the exceptionally kind, inclusive and supportive school that we are.
"This friendly, grounded and well-run school takes the pressure off getting academically bright young things into senior schools
Information about the role
Reporting to:- Deputy Head
Purpose of Post
• To work closely with the Headmaster and the Senior Leadership Team in the strategic leadership of the School and will promote its aims and policies at every opportunity. He/she will also play a full part in the wider life of the School, including attendance at evening and weekend functions and events. He/she will expect to be given an allocation of eight hours of contact time a week and be involved in the cocurricular and boarding life of the School.
• To be responsible for shaping and sustaining the ethos and day-to-day rhythm of the Sixth Form so that it is an appealing and fulfilling place in which to develop academically and personally.
• In many of the following areas the Head of Sixth Form will work closely with a team of colleagues who hold specific responsibilities to support Sixth Form students at the School.
Leadership and Management
The Head of Sixth Form will be responsible for the following:
• Setting the tone for the Sixth Form as a warm, inclusive and supportive environment with the highest standards of inter-personal behaviour;
• Continuing to develop the Sixth Form as an intellectual community where a drive for
outstanding examination results is complemented by a love of learning for its own sake;
• Preparing students for the experience of higher / further education by extending freedoms and privileges in return for meeting high expectations through self-discipline;
• With the support of the Deputy Head, implementing the School’s Pastoral Strategy in the Sixth Form;
• Communicating a vision for the Sixth Form clearly and compellingly to pupils, colleagues and parents;
• Attend and contribute to the termly Pastoral Heads meetings convened by the Deputy Head;
• Working closely with the External Relations Department to market, promote and celebrate publicly the Sixth Form and its achievements;
• Overseeing a Prefects programme that is creative, inclusive and which takes a ‘growth mindset’ approach to developing young leaders;
• Responsibility, in liaison with other colleagues, for the physical environment of the Sixth Form building, ensuring that it is an inspirational and uplifting place in which to study;
• Development, implementation and review of the Sixth Form Development Plan;
• The effective day to day running and administration of the Sixth Form,;
• Act as staff liaison with the student-led Sixth Form Council, ensuring that its comments and
Information about the role (cont…)
recommendations are given full consideration and are implemented wherever practicable and expedient;
• Line-managing the Heads of Lower and Upper Sixth, holding regular and productive minuted meetings, and holding them accountable for their role;
• Supporting the Heads of Lower and Upper Sixth in their professional development, especially in their leadership of their tutor teams;
• Line managing a number of academic departments;
• Dealing appropriately with staff, student and parental academic concerns in a skillful manner;
• Leading inspirational assemblies;
• Review and oversight of Sixth Form induction;
• Reviewing, updating and publicizing policies;
• Contributing purposefully to the staff CPL prog.
• Writing an annual report for Governors.
Pastoral and Safeguarding
• Take responsibility for pastoral care and discipline of the Sixth Form, working closely with the Sixth Form Team;
• Lead the maintenance of highest standards of attendance, punctuality, behaviour and appearance by Sixth Form students;
• Be trained as a Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead and play a proactive role in the Safeguarding Team, including occasional participation in the delivery of safeguarding training;
• Take overall responsibility for assessing and recording levels of risk in pupils with nonsafeguarding pastoral concerns in the Senior School, monitoring agreed interventions;
• Contribute to the care of pupils with the highest level of pastoral need, as directed by the Designated Safeguarding Lead;
• Work with the Director of Inclusive Learning to maintain and develop the Sixth Form ‘Haven’ for introverted and/or neurodiverse pupils;
• Liaise with and support the Head of PSHE regarding PSHE provision for the Senior School, including the visiting speakers’ programme;
• Fully support the School’s co-curricular, Enrichment, EPQ and Free Minds Programmes, ensuring full
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engagement from students and promoting and supporting leadership opportunities for students;
• Work with the Head of Senior School to ensure good ‘handover’ of pastoral and safeguarding information from Senior School to Sixth Form;
• Take a keen interest in Boarding and fully support Sixth Form boarders and their interests.
• Overseeing and organising social events for Sixth Form pupils;
Academic, Careers and UCAS
• Closely monitor, via Heads of Year, of the academic progress of Sixth Form students, working closely with the Deputy Head Academic in tracking data;
• Co-ordinate, through liaison with Heads of Department and Head of Year, academic interventions for low-performing and underperforming students;
• Contribute to the ‘Curriculum 2030’ project being led by the Deputy Head (Academic);
• Enhance Main House as a purposeful working environment that suits a wide range of learners;
• Line-management of the Head of Future Pathways, as well as contributing personally to UCAS and Careers;
• Work with the Oxbridge Co-ordinator to increase the number of successful applications to the best
universities;
• Liaise with and support the Head of PSHE regarding PSHE provision for the Sixth Form, including the visiting speakers’ programme;
Recruitment and Retention
The Head of Sixth Form plays an important role in promoting the School and will:
• Fully and actively support the recruitment and assessment of applicants to the Sixth Form, including Academic Scholarship applications;
• With the Head of Senior School, maximise the retention of Senior School pupils into the Sixth Form;
• Support the Director of External Relations both strategically and operationally in respect of marketing events at Freemen’s and elsewhere, particularly Sixth Form open events;
• Take an active interest in Development and Outreach activity in the School.
Financial
The successful candidate will:
• Support the Chief Operating Officer in the implementation of the School’s financial and business priorities;
• Manage the Sixth Form resources budget.
"It’s rare in this neck of the woods to find an all-through route that will scoop up your 7-year old and hand them back to you at the end of Year 13 ready for (most likely a Russell Group) university – and this, say parents, makes a place at this semi-rural Surrey prep the most shiny of golden tickets."
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 letter of application and a completed application form to the Headmaster via CLFS-Recruitment@cityoflondon.gov.uk by 9am Friday 15th November.
Longlisted candidates will be invited on 18th November to the first round of interviews which will take place at the school on Thursday 21st November. Shortlisted candidates will then be invited on 22nd November to the final round of interviews on Wednesday 27th November. Candidates are asked to note that Freemen’s retains the right to interview and appoint at any time during the application process.
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."
Your benefits
Teachers’ Pension Scheme (TPS) (Default Scheme)
Contributory defined benefit
APTIS Defined Contribution Scheme as voluntary option with enhanced salary
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
City of London benefits:
CityBenefits - discounts and cashback.
• Wellbeing resources.
• Sponsorship to become a Freeman of the City of London.
Sports and Leisure:
• 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:
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 qualification
Free parking on site
Access to on-site facilities
Campus Map
01. Visitor parking
Reception
Philp House
Science and Technology
Medical Centre
Art and Design 07. Stable Block 08. Ferndale Theatre 09. 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
Swimming Pool
Cricket Pavilion
Tennis and Netball Courts
Astro Pitch
Cricket Nets
Cricket Pitch
Italian Garden
Rugby and Football Pitches
Green Room
25. Fire Assembly Point 26. Bus Stop 27. 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
