Head of Futures Job Pack May 24

Head of Futures

HulmeGrammarSchool

Thank you for your interest in working with us here at Hulme.

This pack will give you plenty of information about the school and about the role. There is no substitute however for coming to visit us and I look forward to welcoming you to Hulme in person should you be successful in being shortlisted. If you think that visiting the school will help you in deciding to apply then please do not hesitate to contact HR to arrange a visit.

If, having read this, and after looking carefully over the job description and person specification, you would be interested in applying for this role then we would love to hear from you.

I honestly think that this is one of the most brilliant schools around, and if you’d like to work with me and the great team here at Hulme, then I encourage you to throw your hat into the ring.

MrTonyOulton Principal

Future focused since 1611

TheHulmeTrustwasgivenpermission tosupportlocaleducationalprojects, andtheOldhamHulmeGrammar Schoolswerefounded

OldhamGrammar Schoolopened

InJune,10,000evacueesfrom GuernseyarrivedinEngland with manybeingwelcomedintothehomes ofOldham withanumbercontinuing theireducationatHulme Theybecame knownasTheGuernseyBoys,and wouldnotreturnhomefor5years

Manyoftheschool’spupils,bothboysand girls,volunteeredtheirservicestoWorld WarI.71studentsand1staffmemberwere recordedtohavelosttheirlives,withthe majoritybeingkilledinactionattheSomme

Thefirstpupilsenteredthenew schoolbuildingson1stMay,with theofficialopeningbeingdoneby EarlSpenceron30th

TheCentenaryLibrarywasopened,and wasbuilttoreflectthechangingneedsof pupils complementingtheadvancesmade throughouttheschooltoequippupilsfor thechallengesofhighereducationand employmentandtopreparethemtobecome adultcitizensinthenewmillennium

A£500,000ScienceCentre wasopenedbyoneofthe world’sleadingsurgeons,and Hulmeoldboy DrDavidNott

Duetotherapidriseofindustryin Oldhamitwasdeemedtheschool wasinanunsuitablepartoftown, anditeventuallyclosedin1867

Theschoolwasflourishingwith numbersgrowing,soalargethree storeyextensionwasconstructed andtheGirls’Schoolwasopened

Theschoolrapidlyexpanded:the Estcourtbuildingwasopenedforuse bytheGirls’JuniorSchool;followed byadedicatedsciencebuilding in1959 andin1969Thornycroft building aspaceforSixthForm studentsandartdepartments

TheBoys’andGirls’Schools weremerged,bringingthem undertheleadershipofone Principal,withNurseryandSixth Formbeingco-educational

January–AnewPrincipal, TonyOulton wasappointed, withanexcitingvisionforthe futureoftheschool

September–OHGSbecomes HulmeGrammarSchool HGS welcomesthefirstcohortof co-educationYear7s

Why choose Hulme

We believe in the power of curiosity, critical thinking, and creativity Our dedicated teachers are passionate about igniting the spark within each student, encouraging them to question, explore, and develop a love for learning that extends far beyond theclassroom

We inspire a passion for life-long learningthroughabroadandbalanced curriculum, designed and led by subjectexperts AsaGoogleReference School, we embrace the advances of technology, acknowledging the opportunities that it presents for the schoolandourstudents

We harness the goodwill, success and experienceofouralumnitobenefitour current students. Our mentorship scheme in the Sixth Form is one way weworkwithpastHulmeians,allowing current students to gain advice, supportandexperience

Ourtoppriorityisnurturingeachpupil, helpingthemsafely,happilyand successfullynavigatetheirwaythrough life.WithateamofPastoralLeads,Heads ofYear,FormTutors,MentalHealthLeads andprofessionalCounsellorsworking together,outstandingpastoralcareisin ourDNA

A staggering array of clubs, societies and volunteering opportunities help students broaden their horizons and build qualities such as leadership, resilience,collaborationandempathy

It’s always the right time to join Hulme Pupils join us at a range of entrypoints,fromstartingPre-Prepat theageof2andstayingwithusright throughtoSixthFormat18,ourdoors arealwaysopentonewstudents Staff benefit from working in a throughschool which takes the very youngest andnurturesthemtomaturitytoSixth Formandbeyond

Hulme stands in the North West of Englandasabeaconofhighacademic standards and exceptional pastoral care, offering a vibrant, inclusive education that nurtures young people as individuals, empowering them to realisetheirpotential

A truly diverse, inclusive and multicultural community of staff and students Everyone is free to be themselvesatHulme

Hulmeisalargeschool,spreadover10 buildingsandfacilities,meaningweare wellequippedtoofferawiderangeof opportunities However, we are small enough to offer personalised support to each and every student, ensuring they are known and treated as an individual

A Hulme education

The education we offer here is deliberately broad and balanced because we believe that balance and breadth will best set students up to be successful in their future studies, the workplace and life generally. We’re unapologetically academic but committed to delivering so much more than good exam results, as important as they are. Hulme Grammar is not your typical independent school and certainly not the sort of school critics of the sector - many of whom have never darkened the doors of an independent school - have in mind when they talk about one.

Our students

Students recognise that they are fortunate enough to have access to a Hulme education but this is no bastion of privilege. Many of our parents are making daily sacrifices to send their children to us because they want the very best quality education for them. We take the responsibility that comes with providing their children’s education very seriously.

The students here are grounded, well-rounded, socially minded, determined to make the most of the opportunities here and ambitious to make the world a better place. They are also huge fun! It’s our role to prepare them for life beyond school, ready to take the big wide world by storm when they leave us. A career in education is by no means a walk in the park.

At Hulme, staff are ambitious for the pupils to be successful and work hard to help them fulfil their full potential. That’s sometimes tiring but is also hugely rewarding and there are a number of benefits to working here.

t a f f

Benefits to working at Hulme include free staff lunches and refreshments throughout the day; free use of the swimming pool for staff, and opportunities for staff to get together socially, for example at end-of-term special lunches. We take teaching and learning seriously and have a staff group that meets regularly to share ideas and explore the latest ideas arising from education research.

And because we recognise that life is sometimes tough and because we are committed to promoting the good mental health and well-being of our employees, we operate policies and procedures that ensure this as well as free access to counselling services.

The role

Head of Futures at Hulme Grammar School

The Head of Futures at Hulme Grammar School is responsible for all aspects of guiding, inspiring and supporting students as they think and plan for their futures beyond school. The Head of Futures will spearhead the school’s university, careers and employability programme, providing expertise to students across the whole school as they navigate their career pathways and future aspirations.

The role will involve strategic planning, student engagement, staff training, partnership development, parental communication and programme development. As the Head of Futures at Hulme Grammar School, you'll play a pivotal role in shaping students' future successes by providing invaluable guidance and support throughout their educational journey and as they look beyond.

The strength of our support for older students in their thinking and planning for the future was recognised as a strength in our recent ISI inspection; our ambition now is that the same outstanding careers and higher education support should be extended to students across the whole school, predominantly though not exclusively in the Senior School. We hope that within the next couple of years, the eight Gatsby Benchmarks will be embedded across the school; the successful candidate will work with Senior Leaders to ensure that our ambition becomes a reality.

The role

The successful candidate will have a strong working knowledge of the universities’ landscape of the United Kingdom and beyond, including in-depth knowledge of the rigours of applying for the most competitive courses such as medicine and dentistry, the very best universities, UCAS and how to maximise students’ chances of making successful applications. They will also have a thorough knowledge of the degree apprenticeships offer, as well as the ability to build strong relationships with employers- locally, nationally and globally - to the benefit of our students. They will be accessible to students across the school, build credibility with colleagues and be a source of support and advice to parents. They will work closely with Senior Leaders to ensure that Hulme pupils have broad horizons, set ambitious but realistic goals, and are given the support they need to develop the personal traits and experiences that will see them fulfil those goals.

We welcome applications from those with experience within the education sector and from outside of it - our priority is the appointment of someone with experience and expertise who will have the vision and drive to work with Senior Leaders to ensure our students receive the very best possible support in thinking and planning for their futures beyond school. We welcome applications from those who have qualified teacher status but also from those who do not. The postholder will not be expected to teach any academic subject so they can focus their attention on the development of our Futures provision for students.

Core Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership:

Develop and implement a comprehensive careers strategy aligned with the school's vision and objectives

With Senior Leaders, develop and implement a rigorous through-school Futures Curriculum

Be an expert in their field, someone students can approach for advice and someone with the gravitas and knowledge to support their colleagues in the delivery of the Futures Curriculum

With Senior Leaders, realise the school’s ambition to implement all eight aspects of the Gatsby Benchmarks within the next couple of years

Continue to develop the school’s use of Unifrog ensuring it is used to its full capacity to support students in their thinking and planning for the future

Student Guidance:

Provide tailored support and guidance to students, assisting in career exploration, goal-setting, and skill development and including students with SEND and those with EHCPs

Be available to students, offering class, small-group and individual support to students

Take the lead in the preparation of Sixth Form students’ personal statements and UCAS applications

Liaise with the Head of Sixth Form to ensure that students are making the most of opportunities within and outside of the classroom that will help them in their chances of making successful university, degree apprenticeship, college courses and job applications

Liaise with the Examinations Officer to ensure that students are entered for necessary entrance examinations where applicable

Parental engagement

Deliver presentations to parents at appropriate points in the calendar

Be available to parents who are seeking advice or support for their children

Attend parents' information evenings as appropriate, especially those for Years 9 and above

Curriculum Integration

Collaborate with colleagues across the school and departments to capture and integrate career-related learning within the curriculum, enhancing students' employability skills

Industry Partnerships

Forge and maintain relationships with local businesses and organisations to enhance students’ career support

Work with the Alumni Relations Manager to utilise the alumni body to create internship opportunities and industry connections for students and to continue the highly successful Year 12 Alumni Mentoring Programme implemented in September 2023

University Support

Assist students in their university applications, offering guidance on personal statements, interviews, and careerspecific advice

Assisting students post-A Level results day in August with advice and communication with universities

Encourage student attendance at Open Days and organise university open day visits for Senior School and Sixth Form students

Events and Workshops

Organise regular career workshops, networking breakfasts, speaker sessions, drop-down events to expose students across the Prep, Senior and Sixth Form to diverse career paths and industry insights

Work with the Marketing, Admissions and Communications team to organise a biennial University Fair and a biennial Careers Fair

Programme Evaluation

Analyse data to assess the effectiveness of career programmes and initiatives, making data-driven improvements

Professional Development

Stay up-to-date on industry trends, employment landscapes, and educational advancements to enhance the careers programme

Keeping up-to-date with national developments in university support and careers provision including attendance at relevant courses to develop skills and knowledge appropriate to the subject

Provide professional development support for colleagues

Be a source of expert knowledge and advice to the school’s Senior Leaders

Child Protection

The School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment and may be expected to carry out the following duties:

Child protection, discipline, health and safety

Promoting and safeguarding the welfare of children and young persons for whom you are responsible and with whom you come into contact

This is a full time role, working term time plus 2 weeks.

The salary is £35,000 - £42,000 per annum.

Completed applications must be emailed to hr@hulmegrammar.org or posted to the HR department, Hulme Grammar School, Chamber Road, Oldham OL8 4BX.

Closing date for applications is 9.00am on Tuesday 7th May 2024 and interviews will take place on either Thursday 9th May 2024 .

We do reserve the right to close this advertisement early if we receive a high volume of suitable applications.

Essential Desirable

Qualifications Bachelor's degree in education, counselling, career development, or a related field; Willingness and ability to undertake further training if required for development in the post

Educated to master's degree level

Experience Proven experience in career guidance, counselling, or educational leadership

Extensive experience of using IT to support in the execution of administrative tasks

Experience of working within the education sector, either maintained or independent Experience of implementation of the Gatsby Benchmarks in a school context

Experience of managing UCAS applications

Familiarity with the Unifrog platform

Experience of Careers curriculum development

Experience of supporting students to make applications for competitive courses e.g. medicine

Experience of supporting students in making applications for overseas universities

Essential

Skills and Knowledge

Familiarity with the Gatsby Benchmarks

Evidence of active continuous professional development

Strong understanding of the UK higher education system, vocational pathways, and employment trends.

Excellent organisational and time management skills

Excellent attention to detail and accuracy

Excellent communication skills, both confident and articulate in conveying a message to all stakeholders

Excellent relationship builder- can build credibility and rapport with stakeholders at all levels, both within and outside of the School

Demonstrable alignment with the school’s values

Desirable

Knowledge of the overseas universities’ landscape and the varying approaches to their applications processes

Personal competencies and qualities

Essential

Strong communication skills, including written and verbal (including public speaking)

Emotional resilience

A positive attitude and a determination to have an impact in the role

The ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment and to prioritise competing demands on time

Commitment to the welfare and development of students in accordance with safeguarding policies.

Specification

Desirable