English and Mathematics Teacher, Years 4-6 (Part Time)

About Holmewood House School

Holmewood House is a prestigious independent Prep School of 470 pupils aged 3-13 years, set amidst 32 acres of the most beautiful Kent countryside, just outside Tunbridge Wells. The School is a happy and supportive working environment, where we pride ourselves on the exceptional provision for our pupils and staff in all areas.

The school wholeheartedly believes that emotional and social well-being, self-esteem, happiness and confidence are of prime importance and are in themselves inextricably linked to academic progress. Staff are excited by the curiosity and thirst for learning that each child, regardless of their ability, naturally displays. They work hard to allow each child to ask why, to query and to have the time to develop their thoughts into fresh discoveries and innovations and, in doing so, overcome the challenges faced. The end result is the celebration of learning – a reward in its own right!

Commitment to safeguarding

Holmewood House is committed to promoting and safeguarding the welfare of children and all staff, volunteers and other third parties are expected to share this commitment. The school adopts a rigorous safer recruitment process which is adhered to in the appointment of all new members of staff. As part of the safer recruitment process, all applicants must be willing to undergo child protection screening appropriate to the post including, but not limited to, checks with past employers and an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.

The role

This is an exciting opportunity to work at a top preparatory school in the country.  The successful candidate will be a welcome member of our excellent team. They would contribute to the shared planning and teaching of English across Years 5 and 6, and the shared planning and teaching of Mathematics in Years 4. They will champion the learning, progress and wellbeing of our pupils and staff. They will assist both the Head of English and the Head of Mathematics to deliver and maintain the departmental vision and the very high standards across the whole school.

More details of our school can be found on our website: www.holmewoodhouse.co.uk

Candidate Description

We seek to appoint a candidate who has:

·        Outstanding subject knowledge

·        A commitment to excellent teaching

·        Excellent knowledge and understanding of pedagogy

·        Excellent and innovative classroom practitioner

·        An eagerness to keep abreast of curriculum developments

·        The ability to teach English in Upper Key Stage Two

·        The ability to teach Mathematics in Lower Key Stage Two

·        An awareness of meeting the needs of more able students, SEND and EAL

·        Excellent verbal and written communication skills

·        Collaborative skills and interest in working as part of a high functioning team

·        Confidence using technology and applying this in lessons to enhance learning

·        High expectations of pupils’ attainment, progress and behaviour 

·        The ability to set tasks which challenge pupils and ensure high levels of interest

·        Experience implementing and overseeing whole school initiatives

·        The ability to think creatively and innovatively

·        Excellent interpersonal skills – confidence liaising with other teachers and parents is essential 

·        Excellent organisational skills and an ability to work to tight deadlines, managing competing priorities

·        Strong analytical and problem-solving skills

·        The ability to make appropriate and measured decisions

·        The ability to lead by example, providing inspiration and motivation, and embody for the pupils, staff, parents and wider community the vision, purpose and leadership of the school

·        The ability to be flexible and adapt plans according to the individual needs of the pupils 

·        A strong rapport with prep school aged children

Candidates would be expected to:

 ·        Mark and monitor pupils’ work and set suitable targets for progress

·        Write reports on pupils’ attainment and progress as required  

·        Use individual and group assessment information to plan, track and set targets  

·        Make frequent, meaningful use of digitally enhanced learning platforms to support pupil learning and assess pupil progress 

·        Support the preparation for the ISEB pre-test and other senior school entry tests

·        Liaise with the Head of Learning Support proactively to aid support of SEND and raise pupils for whom there may be underlying, undiagnosed barriers to learning.

·        Support educational visits and departmental/school wide events as required in order to aid the development of learning across the school.

·        Attend parents’ evening, and initiate communications as needed, to discuss progress with parents   

·        Respond to and embed EP reports where children receive a diagnosis of SEND

·        Share our values and respect our ethos; and play a full part in the wider life of the school

 Key Responsibilities

·        To teach English across Years 5 and 6 and uphold high standards for this

·        To teach Mathematics across Year 4 and uphold high standards for this

·        To take responsibility for a small tutor group

·        To report as expected to main stakeholders and Senior Leadership Team

·        To offer and support extra-curricular clubs

·        To embody the values of our bespoke PSHE provision

·        To complete duties as required of all staff

·        To attend events and trips pertinent to the pupils you teach

For further details, please refer to the attached job specification.