Information for Candidates applying for the position of Head of Kirkham Grammar Junior School

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EXCELLENCE ACROSS ALL AREAS

INFORMATION FOR CANDIDATES APPLYING FOR THE POSITION OF

HEAD OF JUNIOR, INFANT & PRE-SCHOOL (aged 3 to 11 years)

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WELCOME Dear Applicant The Governors invite applications for the post of Junior, Infant and Pre-School Head which will become vacant from 1 September 2019, on the retirement of the present Head, Mrs Annette Roberts, after 12 years outstanding service.

Kirkham Grammar Junior, Infant and Pre-School is a thriving co-educational day school for children aged rising 3 to 11 years, providing teaching, pastoral care and co-curricular activities, which are designed to give girls and boys the best possible start in life. We aim to bring out the best in all pupils.

To help them build their self-confidence, we provide a wealth of opportunities in a wide variety of areas: academic, artistic, technological and sporting.

The successful candidate will be an inspirational and outstanding practitioner. An academically ambitious Head should be energetic and forward-thinking to lead this successful school through its next exciting stage of development. Building upon the achievements thus far, the Head will maintain the family ethos of the school while developing the continuity of education from 3 to 11 and transferring into the Senior School. The successful applicant will lead a team of staff to ensure the highest standards of

teaching and learning are attained amidst a curriculum emphasising breadth and opportunity. They will promote the school at all times with all stakeholders and will be willing to direct the organisation accordingly, with the opportunity to shape the structure of the school and staffing for the best outcomes for our pupils.

I warmly encourage you to visit our school to see the children and staff in action. Please contact the Bursar’s PA, Miss Sue Felton, on 01772 684462 to make an appointment to view the school.

If you share our aims and ethos, I would be delighted to receive an application form and supporting covering letter.

We very much look forward to hearing from you.

Yours sincerely

Lorraine Wareing (Mrs) Chairman of Governors

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PRE-SCHOOL Our newly refurbished Pre-School is a perfect setting for children at the start of their school life, offering well-planned activities in a stimulating caring environment. Our youngest pupils are encouraged to use their creativity and imagination to learn about the world and their surroundings through a balance of play and structured activities. By learning to interact with others, these young pupils are gently introduced to the routine and discipline of a school day.

The Pre-School provides an ideal ďŹ rst step towards Reception.

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INFANTS In the Infant Department, we build upon the fantastic start children have made in the Pre-School.

Following the Foundation Stage curriculum, life in our beautifully equipped Reception classes is a lot of fun.

The introduction of more formal learning is blended with play-based learning, so that every child cannot wait to come to school. There is a wide range of exciting subjects aimed to inspire and enthuse.

Throughout the Infants we are able to meet the needs of individual children by having smaller class sizes and an excellent adult/child ratio. We see every child as an individual and acknowledge they all have different interests, backgrounds and ways of learning.

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JUNIORS In the Junior Department the well-orchestrated curriculum allows for integrated development of academic, physical and social skills. Small class sizes enable pupils to receive the levels of care and support so crucial at this stage of education. Pupils are taught the majority of subjects by their class teachers, however, they also beneďŹ t from specialist teaching in sport, music, drama and other co-curricular areas.

Our pupils learn to think for themselves and they gradually take responsibility for their own learning as they grow in independence and conďŹ dence in preparation for the next stage of their education. All pupils leaving KGJS feel well prepared to enter into our Senior School.

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JOB DESCRIPTION HEAD OF JUNIOR, INFANT & PRE-SCHOOL (aged 3 to 11 years) Main purpose The Head’s role is: n

To provide inspirational, energetic, forwardthinking, confident and professional leadership and management for our school going forward;

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Effectively manage teaching and learning in order to realise the potential of all our pupils;

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Develop the culture that promotes excellence and high expectations, alongside strong, moral guidance;

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Ability to build strong relationships with children, staff, parents and the wider community;

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Demonstrate the utmost endeavours to promote the interest and reputation of the Foundation.

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KEY RESPONSIBILITIES The Head will be accountable to the Headmaster as our Chief Executive of the Foundation and through him to the Board of Governors for: n

The effective leadership and management of the Junior, Infant and Pre-School;

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Working collaboratively with the Headmaster, Chairman and Board of Governors to help them execute their governance duties, including the determination of the School’s and Foundation’s strategic direction, through regular reporting and discussion;

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The pastoral care and welfare of all pupils and staff including all aspects of safeguarding;

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Maintaining excellent academic standards within the School;

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The overall financial performance of the School, working with the Headmaster and the Bursar within the School’s guidelines, and for meeting the annual budget agreed by the Governors;

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Leading, managing and motivating the Senior Leadership Team, and, in cooperation with them, all of the academic staff;

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In consultation with the Headmaster, the deployment and management of teaching staff at the school;

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The assessment, appraisal, guidance, support and professional development of all teaching staff in order to maximise staff performance;

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Working collaboratively with the Headmaster and Marketing Team to promote the school, including fundraising, the production of publicity, literature and any advertising, the public relations profile, assisting with the Foundation website, and the fostering of positive relations with existing and prospective parents;

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Preparing for EYFS and ISI Inspections;

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Recruiting pupils and overseeing admission and entrance procedures;

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Planning and implementing an effective curriculum, timetabling and the academic and organisational structure of the School and reviewing these as appropriate;

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Promoting music, speech and drama, art and design technology, and sport in the School, as well as a wide range of co-curricular activities;

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Setting an example of continuous personal development, participating in appropriate training in order to maintain an up-to-date professional expertise. The Head should be aware of trends in education, the requirements of transition to the Senior School and of the National Curriculum and, where appropriate, recommend policy changes to the Headmaster and Governors.

TERMS & CONDITIONS Candidates must be honours graduates of a recognised university, whose careers in education have already been demonstrably successful; The Governors are seeking to appoint a person with the ability, energy and enthusiasm to build on the successes of the past decade, and provide strong leadership for the future. The new Head will have the ability and inclination to identify with the school and market it successfully in a competitive area; The terms of appointment will be in accordance with the form of contract recommended by HMC; Initial salary will be competitive and negotiable; A reasonable relocation allowance and removal costs will be paid; The cost of official entertaining and business travel will be borne by the school out of a reasonable head’s allowance; All teaching staff at the school participate in the Teachers’ Superannuation Scheme; Children of staff, who are eligible for the school and for whom places are available, receive a remission of 50% of the school fees whilst attending the school; The school is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. An enhanced DBS clearance will be undertaken by the school; The Governors will provide private medical cover for the Head; Employment is subject to a satisfactory medical examination; The appointment is terminable by two terms’ notice on either side and subject to a probationary first year.

APPLICATION AND APPOINTMENT PROCEDURES Candidates should forward a completed application form, letter of application, including the names, addresses and telephone numbers of three referees to:

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Monitoring pupils’ progress and ensuring that parents are provided with regular and appropriate feedback;

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Creating the appropriate balance between all areas of school life and activity, including art and design technology, speech and drama, music, sport and community involvement;

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Establishing and maintaining good relationships with key stakeholders, including the Friends of KGS, Old Kirkhamians, neighbours, local schools and professional bodies in developing the School’s involvement as well as activities in the local community;

To arrive no later than 12 noon on Monday 4 February 2019.

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Ensuring that the School meets all its legal obligations including compliance with Safeguarding, Prevent, Child Protection, EYFS, Health and Safety, Independent Schools Inspectorate regulations;

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Undertaking further duties involving the general purposes of the post which may from time to time be reasonably assigned by the Headmaster and Governors;

Preliminary interviews will take place on Friday 15 February 2019.

A timetable for the selection process will be forwarded to long-listed candidates. Short list interviews will take place on Thursday 28 February and Friday 1 March 2019.

Miss S L Felton, Bursar’s PA Kirkham Grammar School Ribby Road Kirkham Preston PR4 2BH References may be taken upon application, but should not accompany letters of application.

Should you have any queries please contact Miss Sue Felton on 01772 684462 or sl.felton@kirkhamgrammar.co.uk.

When you apply for a job at Kirkham Grammar School, we collect the following personal data from you: name, address, contact details, educational history and qualifications, employment history, medical history, disabilities, criminal offences, references. Our purpose is for the recruitment and selection of staff. Our legal basis is that our purpose is also legitimate interest, with the exception of medical data for which you will have given your consent. We retain the data in the UK for up to 12 months after the interview process has completed, unless you are successful when we keep the information for 7 years after you leave the school. You have qualified rights to access, rectify and erase your personal data, and to restrict or object to processing and to make your data portable. You have the right to complain to a Supervisory Authority (e.g. the Information Commissioner’s Office).

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www.kirkhamgrammar.co.uk