THE CRYPT SCHOOL
Development Manager
Job Information Pack
THE CRYPT SCHOOL
Dear Applicant,
I am delighted that you are interested in this exciting and important new role at the school. The position of Development Manager, working with myself, other colleagues and with our strategic development board, will ensure that the school can further develop and embed a culture of giving and of philanthropy. This will enable us to significantly scale the ambition for the school’s fundraising and engagement activity.
As we prepare to mark the 500th anniversary of one of the school’s founding benefactors, John Cooke - who died in 1528 - it seems the perfect time to embark on a philanthropic campaign on the sort of visionary scale that our founders would have recognised. This new role at Crypt is designed to help enable us to achieve our aim to raise £6 million over the next three years for the creative and performing arts, with a thriving programme of activity, removing barriers, and developing an inspiring and flexible new space, which will act as the new public ‘gateway’ between school and community. We also wish to strengthen an existing culture of engagement with our community of families, partners and alumnae to build philanthropic success into the longer term to the benefit of the school and those whom it seeks to serves.
I have had the privilege of leading the school since 2015. During this period the school has benefited from significant capital investment as well as the support of its wider community. However, we are now at an important juncture in the development of the school, of its estate and of its ambition of what it wants to offer its students, staff and wider community in the future. This new role will help enable the school to both sustain and build upon the successes of the last decade. Thus ensuring that the school is able to provide for its students, staff and community partners the facilities, resources and supporting partnerships that will allow it to strengthen and sustain its educative and community roles long into the future.
I do hope that you find this information helpful and we look forward to receiving your application.
Nicholas Dyer Headmaster
Contents
◊ Introduction
◊ Job purpose
◊ Role responsibilities
◊ Person specification
◊ Terms of employment
◊ How to apply
About us
The Crypt School is one of the country’s oldest and leading grammar schools, receiving an outstanding Ofsted rating in March 2024.
Founded in 1539 by John and Joan Cooke and set in nearly 30 acres of grounds, The Crypt School’s vision is derived from its Latin motto, “Floreat Schola Cryptiensis”: floreat means “to flourish” and that enduring vision takes its modern form in the work of the school today, which now provides an exceptional education to over 1100 boys and girls from the city of Gloucester and its wider community.
The school strives to create the best possible environment and culture within which our students can learn, develop essential key skills and personal attributes, make friends and enjoy their school lives; equally, we wish for our staff to flourish in their work at school, and always strive to place their welfare at the centre of our work and planning.
The school has grown significantly over the last decade, especially since the admission of girls into the main school in September 2018. Today, The Crypt School is Gloucester’s only co-educational selective school with a student roll of over 1100. The student body is a diverse, caring and enthusiastic one and our staff are a highly professional, caring and generous group of people who commit themselves fully to the academic, pastoral and extra-curricular life of the school. At the centre of our school life, is a powerful sense of community, where students are supported and encouraged to learn and engage with each other. Confident, friendly and respectful, the high quality of our student’s personal development is remarkable and is one of the greatest strengths of the school.
The Crypt School is located just outside of the City of Gloucester in the West of England. Gloucester is known for its 11th century Cathedral and close; for Blackfriars, which is a stunning example of a 13th century mediaeval priory site; the British Waterways Museum which celebrates the city’s industrial past and the vibrant Gloucester Quays which has a selection of shops and restaurants. Gloucester is vibrant and growing city. The school is conveniently located close to the City and close to good road and rail links to Cheltenham and the surrounding region.
About the role
We’re looking for someone who sees the possibilities and is excited about what this could mean for our pupils and the wider community. You will be a self-starter with boundless enthusiasm and a can-do attitude who enjoys being both strategic and operational.
The role would suit an articulate, tenacious and persuasive individual, with a strong track-record of forging longterm relationships and the confidence to make ‘the ask.’
You’ll also have the opportunity to contribute at a strategic level, shaping the future of our school efforts.
Whilst this is a stand-alone role, you will have the support of a proactive Campaign Board who have put in place a development strategy that has been agreed by the Board of Governors and who have have drafted a case of support. A prospect list of key individuals has also been identified.
Role responsibilities
"Pupils receive an exceptional quality of education and benefit from a rich offer to develop their talents and interests."
Ofsted Report March 2024 - ‘Outstanding’
◊ To identify, recruit, manage and support senior volunteers (those on Steering Groups and the Campaign Board) in order to deliver Capital Campaign objectives.
◊ With the support of the Campaign Board, to lead the planning of major cultivation events, both at the school, other venues in Gloucestershire and in London.
◊ To write, and submit high quality funding bids to identified trusts and foundations.
◊ Coordinate events ensuring an exceptional donor experience, with a focus on cultivation and stewardship
◊ Cultivate relationships with major donors, corporates, key individuals from the local community, charitable trusts and foundations.
◊ Build a strong network of key stakeholders from within the school and past pupils who will support the Capital Appeal.
◊ To manage data, ensure that appropriate records are kept and to supervise the maintenance and improvement of relevant data in accordance with GDPR.
◊ To ensure that the school has an agreed gift acceptance policy and donor recognition programme, and that donors are thanked and recognised appropriately.
◊ Provide updates to the Headmaster and Campaign Board/trustees as required.
◊ Gather and record information and feedback to track progress and monitor progress against KPIs with a view to continually improving.
◊ Work with the Campaign Board to plan and deliver processes for prospective donor identification and prospecting.
Ensure work is of the highest standard and in-keeping with fundraising rules, regulations and best Any other duties as may be reasonably required by the Headmaster.
See links to Safeguarding Policy and Recruitment, Selection and Disclosure Policy
Person specification
◊ Experience of seeking and identifying new prospective donors/sales leads.
◊ Experience of working in a target driven environment.
◊ Experience of writing detailed case for support/trust applications/sales proposals.
◊ Background in working with senior volunteer leaders, and recruiting influencers.
◊ Experience of impact reporting against projects, both to internal and external audiences.
◊ An understanding of philanthropy, tax effective giving and donor motivations, and of the importance of maintaining confidentiality at all times.
◊ Outstanding interpersonal skills, project coordination experience, and the ability to work well with all levels of internal management and staff, as well as external partners, donors and supporters.
◊ Experience with budgeting, planning and project administration.
◊ Ability to respond flexibly to emerging circumstances and to make
the most of opportunities.
◊ Be resourceful and have a creative mind.
◊ Willingness and ability to represent the school at events on evenings/ weekends as required in return for time off in lieu.
◊ Understanding of safeguarding requirements and commitment to meeting them fully under the duty of care.
◊ To have: vision, energy and the ability to motivate and persuade others.
◊ Outstanding oral and written communication.
◊ Tact, diplomacy and discretion.
◊ Keen attention to detail, accurate record-keeping and meeting deadlines.
◊ The ability to act independently using initiative.
◊ Proficiency in Microsoft Office/ Google Workspace.
◊ Knowledge of GDPR, and Fundraising Regulator code of practice.
Terms of employment
Position: Development Manager
Reporting to: Headmaster
Direct reports: n/a
Location: The Crypt School, Podsmead Road, Gloucester, GL2 5AE
Hours: Permanent, 21 hours a week (to be taken flexibly to suit the successful candidate, term time only also considered)
Salary: Grade 9.34 - £45,091 (FTE)
Annual leave: 6.72 weeks FTE (will be pro rata for term time working based on hours/weeks)
Pension: Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS), which is a defined benefit scheme
How to apply
We recognise that some of your experience may be from unpaid roles as well as paid employment – please include any voluntary work if it helps to show why you are the right candidate for the job. Please email your supporting statement and CV to info@pollysymondsonrecruitment.co.uk quoting ref: 2535
Shortlisted candidates will need to complete an application form.
Don’t meet every single requirement? We are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive and authentic workplace, so if you’re excited about this role but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly with the job description, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the right candidate.
Any other benefits: https://cryptschool.org/explore-our-school/ work-with-us
"The school motto is, ‘flourish Cryptians,’ and pupils do."
Ofsted Report March 2024 - ‘Outstanding’
Application deadline: 25th August
Initial interviews with Polly Symondson Recruitment will take place online on 27th August
Shortlisted candidates will be invited to an interview on 5th September
As an equal opportunity employer, we welcome applicants from ethnically diverse, LGBTQ+ and disabled communities as well as those with lived experiences of tackling inequalities, as we believe diverse voices are instrumental in creating transformational
The Crypt School, in compliance with the Equality Act 2010, will seek to make reasonable adjustments to overcome barriers to employment caused by disability and/or neurodiversity, and encourages applications from these candidates. If you need any reasonable adjustments, please contact PSR on 01242 691683. We guarantee to offer an interview to those with a disability who meet the minimum criteria.
