Head of Science

Head of Science

The school’s mission is to ‘develop happy, confident and successful children who are well prepared for their future’.

Introduction to the school Founded in 1892, Westbrook Hay is a thriving co-educational independent Prep school with 370 pupils from 3-13 years who enjoy a broad curriculum, achieve excellent results and have the all-important confidence to succeed. There is a strong ethos to be a welcoming, all-inclusive family community that provides the best for, and expects the best from everyone. The school has recently been rated ‘Excellent’ by ISI and has grown to near capacity, waiting lists are in operation in most year groups.

It is a place that inspires much devotion from those who know its ethos and it continues to have an important place in today’s independent sector. It is a school which is clear about its focus on the individual, which places real importance on the value of strong pastoral care and its academic performance.

Westbrook Hay is a place where pupils become confident and assured young people.

Located between Berkhamsted and Hemel Hempstead in Hertfordshire, the school’s beautiful location boasts 26 acres of parkland overlooking the Bourne Valley, an environment within which children explore and enjoy all that childhood has to offer.

The teaching and learning facilities are excellent.

For example, the school has a purpose-built Pre-Prep.

The Performing Arts Centre was added in 2016 and boasts impressive facilities for dance, drama and music. Specialist facilities also include a science laboratory, DT workshop, sports hall, swimming pool, ICT suite and an art studio.

Overview of the Role We are seeking to appoint an outstanding, highly skilled and inspiring Head of Science to lead the Science Department. With expert subject knowledge and passion for learning, the successful candidate should be able to develop our pupils’ confidence and curiosity, enjoying the opportunity to lead and develop practice in this ambitious and successful independent school.

Those applying should prove that they have a passion for Science and for teaching, have a proven track record of success which would enhance Westbrook Hay’s academic culture and have excellent communication skills, possessing the ability to work as part of and lead a team.

The ideal candidate will demonstrate a desire to ensure that the Science curriculum is engaging and exciting, taking responsibility for the delivery of the subject in Years 3-8, whilst working closely with the Head of Pre-Prep in EYFS and KS1.

The position requires a sound understanding of upper KS2 and KS3 Science, knowledge of the Common Entrance and Scholarship curriculum would be advantageous. We would also welcome applications from specialists who have teaching experience in KS3 and KS4 Science.

Applicants will also be expected to show that they have relevant educational leadership and management experience. There are no set criteria for this and potential is important. However,

someone who is Head of Science in a smaller prep school or a key member of a Science Department in a larger senior school would be well placed. A good understanding of, and a commitment to the ethos of, an independent school will be important but it is not essential to have worked in an independent school in the past.

This is an appointment at an exciting time for Westbrook Hay. Learning is at the core of everything that we do, with children receiving teaching in small classes, set by ability and taught by specialists in the older years. The school achieves impressive results academically with a highly successful record of children passing into senior schools of their choice, including success at the 11+.

However, there is always room for improvement and the successful candidate will be at the forefront of planning and implementing that drive forward. You will be welcomed into a team that is energetic, highly motivated and hardworking and the successful candidate will be expected to show the same qualities. This person will be an important role model for our pupils, in whom we aspire to instil a lifelong love of learning.

This is a leadership position and the salary will be competitive. The post is pensionable under the Teachers’ Pension Scheme. A 66% fee remission is offered for children of school staff.

The Head of Science is expected to be:

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1. Personal Qualities

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Able to demonstrate high levels of interpersonal skills and emotional intelligence; Patient and kind, yet determined; Able to demonstrate integrity at all times; Loyal to the school and an embodiment of Westbrook Hay’s values and mission its vision, mission and ethos; A lover of learning who is always willing to learn themselves; Empathetic and flexible, adapting their expectations to support colleagues without compromising the children’s learning; Understanding of the impact of their own behaviours on others, being a personal and professional role model for the community.

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3. Leadership: Vision, Strategy, Improvement and Innovation •

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Committed to putting our children first; A champion of the Westbrook Way Charter; A leader and a manager; Passionate about their subject, inspiring others through their expertise and enthusiasm; An outstanding teacher of their subject who is keen to coach other teachers to reach the highest standards; Courteous, professional and respectful to all, at all times; Discrete and professionally sensitive;

Able to be at the forefront of educational thinking in their subject; Organised, meticulous and a first-rate administrator who has excellent IT literacy; Resilient and able to recover quickly from professional setbacks; Proactive and creative when problem solving; Able to lead others with a flexible approach; Able to meet deadlines; Confident, articulate and willing to offer ideas; Hard working and able and willing to delegate effectively; Able to manage differences of opinion and bring disagreement to an effective, respectful conclusion, being accepting when in the minority; Competent in monitoring and evaluating the performance of individual teachers in their subject.

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Committed to making Westbrook Hay a first-choice school; Open minded to change, new ideas and shifts in strategy; Able to play their part in the completion of a strategic plan; Able to motivate and energise others to achieve the school’s mission; Able to identify operational weaknesses and opportunities and suggest actions for improvement; Be able to lead change and develop a culture of reflection, evaluation and improvement.

The Head of Science will: •

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Put into practice the agenda and standards set for their subject by the Assistant Head (Academic) through their own subject action plan linked to the school development plan; Lead their subject across the school from Years 3-8 and will advise and work closely with the Head of Pre-Prep for development of their subject in from Nursery to Year 2; Ensure that all subject aims and objectives are being met; Work closely with other Heads of Subjects ensuring that, individually and collaboratively, the targets within the school development plan, are being met; Be prepared to teach other subjects if required; Potentially combine the role with other responsibilities from different tiers of the school’s leadership and management structure; Oversee the coordination of part-time or peripatetic teachers/staff within their subject; Actively promote their subject to parents and prospective parents; Attend and contribute positively to all Academic Leadership Team meetings; Chair and organise all aspects of the subject meetings; Be proficient in and supportive of using technology to support learning;

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Have a deep understanding and knowledge of the Key Stage 1, 2 and 3 National Curriculum and other relevant curricula; Be proactive and interested in keeping the school up-to-date over the latest educational issues for their subject, attending courses as appropriate; Hold and manage a budget for the teaching of their subject for Years 3-8, ensuring that teachers have the resources they reasonably require;

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Encourage each pupil to reach their academic potential through enthusiastic and personalised teaching, tailored stretch and challenge and rigorous record keeping; Liaise with the Head of Learning Support to ensure that those pupils requiring support are identified and provided for.

The Head of Science will assist the Assistant Head (Academic) with all aspects of their role, relevant to the subject, but in particular:

The Head of Science will be responsible for:

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Monitoring the standards of teaching and learning taking place in the school from Years 1-8, ensuring that the highest possible standards are being reached.

This will include subject specific work scrutiny; Assisting the Assistant Head (Academic) with ensuring that the learning displays around the school are of the highest quality and are in accordance with the policy; Organising INSET for teachers of their subject; Working with the Director of Studies to organise all internal assessments and examinations; Advising on timetable requirements and staffing of their subject; Ensuring that children are well prepared for all destination senior school examinations and scholarships; Co-ordinating academic data and comments required for senior school references.

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Ensuring that Westbrook Hay pupils reach their academic potential in the subject; The completion of all policies relevant to the role; Planning and structuring exciting and imaginative schemes of work to ensure that pupils are appropriately challenged, make strong progress and are enthused and inspired by their lessons; Ensuring that all schemes of work are in place and up-to-date; Completing any risk assessments required for their subject; Subject reviews and administration; Any events, clubs, competitions and trips linked to the subject; Working with the Marketing Manager to promote and publicise, both internally and externally, the work and achievements of the children through social media and other publications; Managing and organising the facilities that are used for the teaching of the subject.

Application Process The deadline for the receipt of applications is 12:00 on Monday 31st October. To apply for this position, please complete an application via the TES website.

Further information or any enquiries can be requested from our HR Officer, Mrs Rachel Franklin (rachel_franklin@westbrookhay.co.uk). Unfortunately, we are unable to offer pre-application tours of the school.

It is anticipated that interviews will be held on week beginning Monday 7th November. Although the programme is yet to be confirmed it will include an interview, the teaching of a lesson and other tasks. Candidates will be offered a tour of the school and lunch, if the timing is appropriate. Overnight accommodation is available on request.

The appointment is subject to satisfactory pre-employment checks in accordance with DfES guidance, to satisfactory references, satisfactory clearance from the DBS, proof of identity and qualifications and a satisfactory medical report.

Westbrook Hay Prep School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff to share this commitment. All successful applicants will be required to undergo child protection screening including checks with current and previous employers and the Disclosure & Barring Service.

This appointment is for April 2023 but it is possible for the successful candidate to start earlier if appropriate.

Westbrook Hay Prep School London Road, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire HP1 2RF Telephone +44(0)1442 256143 Email rachel_franklin@westbrookhay.co.uk