Head of Pre-prep

The Head of Pre-Prep will be directly responsible to the Head for the leadership, management, organisation and curriculum as well as oversight of the Pre-prep pupils and staff. They will work closely with the Head on strategic initiatives. 

The successful candidate will have strong leadership skills, be a wonderful teacher, have excellent subject knowledge, nurture kindness, courage and curiosity and be passionate about supporting staff to achieve the best possible outcome for each child. They will have experience of teaching across both the EYFS and KS1 age ranges.

The Head of Pre-prep will be a member of the Senior Leadership Team (SLT), and will play a central role in the School’s strategic planning. The SLT have collective responsibility for the encouragement and maintenance of high professional standards of the Polwhele House staff. 

The Head of Pre-prep will have a teaching timetable. 

MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES 

Leadership and Management

•Leading the department. 

•Promoting the Pre-prep and School to prospective parents, feeder schools and current parents. 

•Strategic planning in all areas but specifically relating to the structure of the Pre-prep part of the School. 

•Keeping up to date on Inspection and regulatory requirements, with particular regard to EYFS. 

•Overall responsibility for EYFS and meeting regulatory requirements.

•Be a designated person for safeguarding, training provided if needed. 

•Leading by example and being an exemplary practitioner in the classroom and beyond. 

•Instilling the highest standards of teaching and care throughout the Pre-prep. 

•Through very close liaison with the SLT and teaching team, ensuring a smooth and natural transition to Year 3. 

•The continual review of the Department’s schemes of work and policy documentation and the effective management of their implementation across the department. 

•Monitoring and developing the programmes of study which are appropriate to the differentiated needs of children in each age group. 

•Working with the SLT to prioritise new resources.

•At all times promoting Polwhele House as one school, and ensuring that the Pre-prep maintains very close links with the Prep School. 

•Ensuring there is full transfer of information when pupils move from year to year, and very close liaison when pupils transfer to Year 3. 

•Organising regular departmental meetings and professional development for all staff. 

•In conjunction with the SLT, overseeing the department’s record-keeping as well as the setting and marking of internal assessments and the writing of reports and other assessments; analysing and acting upon the results of assessments. 

•Liaising closely with the SENDCo to ensure children with learning difficulties are identified and supported both in and out of mainstream lessons as appropriate. 

•Collaborating as required to ensure effective organisation of the timetable within the Department, which fits within the context of the wider school. 

Staff:

•Overseeing the deployment of teachers and classroom assistants, in conjunction with the SLT. 

•Ensuring each member of the Department shares an understanding of what constitutes effective teaching and that it is implemented, and developing teaching styles and techniques. 

•Formally appraising members of the Department. 

•Organising an ongoing training programme for staff. 

•Assisting the Headteacher and the SLT in the recruitment, selection and induction of Departmental staff. 

OTHER RESPONSIBILITIES: 

•Communicating with the Headteacher, members of the Managing Council (ManCo), Directors, Staff and Parents on the work of the Department. 

•Organising and hosting Departmental events. 

•Liaising with the SLT to provide an annually updated whole school development plan inclusive of the Pre-prep. 

•Overseeing and developing all the department’s educational resources. 

•Taking responsibility for all departmental Risk Assessment and Health and Safety issues. 

•Timetable – liaising with the SLT for cover for absentee teachers. 

•Liaising closely with the SLT and ManCo on admissions and marketing to organise and assist in all events to promote the Pre-prep, including facilitating taster days for prospective pupils. 

•Liaising with the in-house catering team. 

•The post holder should be flexible in their approach to duties. 

•The above is not an exhaustive list and you may be required to undertake other duties as requested by the Headteacher. The job description may be amended to meet the needs of the School, in consultation with the post holder. 

WELLBEING 

Great emphasis is placed on staff wellbeing and morale and we firmly believe in creating the right work/life balance for all at Polwhele House. A culture of mutual support for colleagues is encouraged and fostered. Social events for staff take place throughout the year. 

APPOINTMENT PROCEDURE AND KEY DATES 

Applicants should submit the following: 

•  A one-page letter of application. 

•  Completed Application Form. 

• A recent photograph. 

References will be taken prior to interview unless indicated otherwise.

We reserve the right to interview early for the right candidate.