think freemen’s form... · the successful candidate will be fully committed to the learning and...

Think Freemen’s

Appointment of

Director of Learning, Teaching and Innovation

INFORMATION FOR CANDIDATES

LEARN, LEAD, MAKE A DIFFERENCE www.freemens.org

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Introduction

The introduction of a new senior leadership position at Freemen’s reflects the ambition of the Headmaster and Governors to bring further improvement and advancement to teaching and learning in this highly successful School. The successful candidate will be fully committed to the learning and growth of young people and will model the highest standards of professional practice. He/she will demonstrate and share the importance of emotional intelligence and empathy in building trust and a positive learning atmosphere across the School community. This post will suit an impressive professional with a strong academic track record, holistic educational experience in a senior setting and proven leadership skills. The successful candidate will take great pride in their work; will be able to think strategically; will see clearly whole-School pictures and will have the perseverance to end tasks as well as to start them. He/she will have excellent communication skills – both verbal and written – as well as key core behaviours that will include empathy, integrity, professionalism, resilience and stamina. The Senior Leadership Team at the School is a collegiate unit; colleagues being supple regarding responsibilities that might feature outside of their usual remit in part nurtures this collegiality. The Deputy Head (Academic) and Director of Learning, Teaching and Innovation will work particularly closely and many aspects of their roles are complementary, but close and collaborative relationships with the other Heads of Section (Junior, Upper School and Sixth Form), the Head of Boarding and Co-Curricular, the Bursar and Director of External Relations are essential to the success of the School. The successful applicant will be a strong team player with a passionate interest in the wider educational landscape. This job description outlines the main duties of the post; some of the responsibilities may be adjusted according to qualifications and experience of the successful applicant.


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The School

The School was founded by Warren Hale in Brixton in 1854 to provide a ‘religious and virtuous education’ for the

orphaned children of Freemen of the City of London. The School moved to its present site, Ashtead Park, in 1926,

following expansion, and is today a non-denominational school with a strong ethos of community and service in

accordance with values and wishes of its original founders. It occupies a magnificent site with modern buildings

alongside the original house set in 57 acres of parkland.

Freemen’s today is an independent co-educational day and boarding school for 920 pupils aged 7 – 18. The Junior

School (ages 7 – 13) has 400 pupils on roll; the Senior School (ages 13-18) has 520 pupils on roll, approximately two

hundred and twenty of these are in the Sixth Form. Pupils enter the School at 7, 11, 13 and 16 and the School is

oversubscribed at every level. About fifty-five pupils are boarders, most of whom are international students. The

majority of boarders are in the Sixth Form.

The School is academically selective and is a leading co-educational school in the area. Pupils achieve excellent results.

2017 was a particularly strong year at the School. At A level, 31% of grades were at A* (up 9% on the previous year)

and the same percentage increase yielded 65% of grades at A*/A. 90% of grades were awarded at A*-B. 5% of

students attained all A* grades and 19% achieved all A*/A grades. These results translated very well into places at our

country’s best Universities. 74% of entrants got into their first choice University and 70% of the cohort were admitted

to Russell Group Universities, including four each to Oxford and Cambridge. Popular destinations for the class of 2017

were The University of Nottingham (9); The University of Durham (8); University College London (7) and the

Universities of Bath, Exeter and Warwick (4 a-piece). Bath and Loughborough also ran at 3 each. At GCSE, 64% of

entries were at A* (up 11% on 2016) and 88% at A*/A – both records for the School. 20% of pupils gained ten or more

A* grades; 54% of pupils attained all A*/A grades.

Although the academic is the ‘bread-and-butter’ of life at Freemen’s, we provide a truly holistic education for the

young people in our care and the School is rightly proud of the high standards achieved in sport, music and drama and

by the range of enrichment opportunities available to pupils in the school. All pupils in the lower sixth not taking

further mathematics take an academic enrichment programme that includes the Extended Project Qualification and

participation in the innovative ‘Free Minds’ programme.

The School is one of three 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. In the past ten years, more than £20 million has been invested in facilities at the School, and

the School has embarked on an ambitious improvement plan to further to enhance its teaching, recreational and

boarding facilities. A contemporary Music School, of which any School would be proud, a modern and stylish boarding

house and an impressive new swimming pool complex have already been completed; refurbishment of the Georgian

Mansion house, designed by Sir Thomas Wyatt, into a purpose built Sixth Form Centre to provide innovative learning

environments is at the surveying and planning stage; the successful candidate will be actively engaged with the

Headmaster, Bursar and Head of Sixth Form on this project. Freemen’s is a forward-looking school with an ambitious

agenda to support its pupils’ development.

The staff consists of approximately 100 full and part time colleagues in the Junior and Senior schools and they provide

committed and inspirational support for students at the School. A small number of staff involved in boarding, live on

site. Staff facilities include a modern and well-equipped staff room in both the Senior and Junior Schools. There is

substantial technical support in the Sciences and technical subjects and an up to date media services centre provides

staff with excellent facilities to support teaching and administrative duties.


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Transport links are good; the School is a few minutes from Ashtead station with regular services to Epsom and London

and south to Leatherhead and Guildford. The M25 junction 9 is a seven-minute drive from the School.


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Mission Statement and Aims

Our mission:

We want children at Freemen’s to learn, to lead and to make a difference.

Our aims:

We will do this by:

• nurturing a community of learners – adults and children – who are ambitious about what they might achieve in

and out of the classroom;

• providing relevant opportunities for pupils to expand their horizons intellectually and socially; athletically and

creatively; emotionally and spiritually;

• establishing an environment at Freemen’s where everyone involved in the community is respected, trusted and

supported;

• encouraging responsibility and capability; honesty and reliability; pride and passion;

• promoting determination and innovation; flexibility and adaptability; kindness and consideration; fostering in

our pupils the confidence, curiosity, independence and wisdom to succeed in the next stages of their lives.


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The Role

General

The Director of Teaching and Learning Innovation will be asked to teach up to one third of a normal timetable per

week, in a subject or subjects offered by the School, and will be expected to take part in the co-curricular/enrichment

programme.

The Director of Teaching, Learning and Innovation is required to promote the School’s aims and policies and to play an

active leadership role on the Senior Leadership Team. He/she will work closely with the Headmaster and the Senior

Leadership Team in the strategic leadership of the School. He/she will also play a full part in the life of the School,

including attendance at evening and weekend functions and events, Open Days and exhibitions off-site.

The Director of Teaching, Learning and Innovation will be line-managed by the Deputy Head (Academic).

Key Responsibilities

• To create, communicate and implement a compelling vision of what exceptional teaching and learning looks

like at Freemen’s;

• To enable Freemen’s pupils to feel the benefit of cutting-edge educational research and innovation in the

classroom;

• To develop strategies to ensure educational opportunities for all students, leading working parties to develop

whole school initiatives where appropriate;

• To foster a ‘glass-walls’ culture where all teachers proactively seek to learn from their peers and share their

own excellent practice;

• To develop the skills, confidence and leadership ability of Heads of Department, and to assist them in thinking

innovatively and ambitiously about the future of their Departments;

• To undertake regular ‘learning walks’ and formalise feedback to members of staff;

• To help oversee work scrutiny arrangements throughout the school and monitor key stage and departmental

findings;

• To act as a mentor and role model for colleagues.

Management and Administration

The Director of Teaching, Learning and Innovation attends a number of management and committee meetings

including Heads of Department and Teaching and Learning. In addition, he/she will be responsible for the following:

• Promoting the highest standards of teaching and learning in the School;

• Attending at least once every departmental/KS2 year group meeting per year. To liaise with Head of

Department / Head of Year (KS2) before meeting to facilitate a teaching and learning focus for that meeting;

• Arranging regular meetings with the Deputy Head Academic and the chair of Teaching and Learning committee

to discuss agendas and direction;

• Line management of the Head of Scholars, NQT co-ordinator and the EPQ co-ordinator as well as line

management of a small number of academic departments;


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• Observing every member of teaching staff at least once throughout the year and providing formative and

positive feedback to each member of the teaching staff;

• Encouraging with the Deputy Head (Academic) a positive culture of Continued Professional Development,

lesson observation and self-review in teaching staff;

• Supporting those teachers who may need advice with pedagogy and classroom management;

• In liaison with the Director of Technical Services and VLE Development Manager, taking specific responsibility

for the evaluation, delivery and evolution of the School’s Digital Strategy and promoting and improving the use

of ICT in the classroom;

• Contributing to the safe recruitment of teaching staff, participation on interview panels and influence in the

induction programme;

• Contributing to the ISI school self-evaluation form in support of the Deputy Head (Academic);

• Assisting the Deputy Head (Academic) in collating statistical data for the Department of Education, ISC, the City

of London and other bodies as required;

• Supporting the Deputy Head (Academic) and the timetabling team during the timetabling process;

• In liaison with non-teaching staff and the Director of External Relations, overseeing the timetabling of all

internal examinations, parents’ evenings and entrance day examinations;

• Attending governors’ meetings and governors’ sub-committee meetings when required;

• Contributing to the programme of INSET and CPD run at the School, identifying particular opportunities that

will enhance learning and teaching at the School;

• Fully engaging in the Senior Leadership team including contributing to non-academic decisions such as the

Strategic Intent, Risk Management and Budget setting.

Pastoral Care

All members of the leadership team are strongly engaged with pastoral care at the School and are responsible for

promoting best practice in the safeguarding and welfare of pupils. The Director of Learning, Teaching and Innovation

will:

• Actively promote the welfare of the whole School community at all times;

• Fully engage with the Risk Register, regularly reviewed by the Headmaster and Bursar;

• Engage in regular safeguarding training.

Marketing and Recruitment

The Director of Learning, Teaching and Innovation plays an important role in promoting the School and will:

• Fully and actively support The City of London Corporation and its education policy;

• Work closely with the Headmaster, Deputy Head (Academic), Heads of Section and Director of External

Relations in ensuring that Admissions Assessments provide a challenge sufficient for prospective entrants to

the School;

• Support the Director of External Relations and be proactive in supporting the School via marketing events at

Freemen’s and elsewhere;

• Assist the Headmaster in the recruitment of staff and selection of pupils;

• Work with the Outreach Officer to promote opportunities for connection and partnership.


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This job description is not exhaustive and the successful applicant may be required to take on other duties as

reasonably required by the Headmaster. This may include occasional furniture removal and some light weeding.


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Person Specification

The successful applicant will have enjoyed a successful career as an innovative teaching practitioner and will ideally

have gained experience in academic middle management. He/she will:

• Be educated to Degree level and have a wide-ranging profile in continued professional development;

• Have a genuine passion for education, scholarship and be an advocate for life-long learning;

• Have an excellent knowledge of current and developing pedagogical practice;

• Demonstrate strong and visible leadership skills;

• Be an advocate for change and be able to manage change effectively;

• Be able to build and maintain professional relationships;

• Have the certainty necessary to inspire confidence in others, not least at public occasions;

• Be reflective and have humility, patience and tact;

• Have good levels of physical and emotional resilience;

• Be able to resolve disputes when required;

• Possess a healthy sense of humour.

Remuneration

This post is non-residential. Relocation expenses will be available. The City of London Freemen’s School has its own generous pay scale and City of London Corporation employees are entitled to a number of corporate benefits. Fee remission is available for the children of teachers at the School providing that they pass the relevant entry requirements and that there is space in the year group.

Equal Opportunities and Child Protection.

City of London Freemen’s School is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from all sectors of the community. Freemen’s follows current regulatory Child Protection procedures for the appointment of new staff.

Conditions of Appointment

The appointment of Director of Learning, Teaching and Innovation will be subject to a clear medical check, receipt of

suitable references including one from the current employer and a cleared Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) Check

at Enhanced Level.

The appointment will be subject to a probationary year during which a month’s notice to coincide with the end of term can be given by either party without prejudice.


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Applications

How to apply:

Applicants are asked to complete an application form available from the School’s website and to enclose a full and up to date CV, along with their letter of application addressed to the Headmaster. Applications should be sent to [email protected] to arrive no later than 9.00am on Monday, 29th January 2018. 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). First round interviews will be held at the School during the week commencing Monday, 5th February with the possibility of a second round taking place after Half Term during the week commencing 19th February.

mailto:[email protected]

mailto:[email protected]

Visit www.freemens.org

City of London Freemen’s School, Ashtead Park, Surrey, KT21 1ET

think freemen’s form... · the successful candidate will be fully committed to the learning and...

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