Job Description

YEAR 4 CLASS TEACHER - Required from January 2024 (Maternity Cover)

The Role:

We are seeking to appoint a Lower Key Stage 2 teacher; internal movement of current staff will determine which year group. Preparing children at 11+ in English and/or Maths for senior school transition, would be an advantage though by no means essential. This is an exciting opportunity for a qualified, imaginative, driven teacher who works with equal efficacy independently and as part of a team.

The School:

Pembridge Hall is a dynamic, forward-thinking school where innovative thinking is encouraged and valued. There is a wonderful camaraderie amongst colleagues and girls enjoy warm relationships with their teachers. We believe that an enriching and challenging curriculum is a fundamental right of every child: \xe2\x80\x98challenging learning is fun; fun learning is challenging\xe2\x80\x99. The ability to effectively track the academic attainment and progress of each child and to tailor learning accordingly are essential skills of a Pembridge Hall teacher. Teachers share a holistic vision of individual girls\' progress: recognising and understanding the value of excellent pastoral care, alongside academic attainment. Parents are a valued part of our school community and staff are expected to offer bespoke and regular feedback to parents on their daughters\xe2\x80\x99 learning and personal development.

Pembridge Hall is an independent girls\xe2\x80\x99 preparatory school (ages 4 \xe2\x80\x93 11) of 460 girls set in a tranquil residential square in Notting Hill. Pembridge prepares its pupils for many of the top day and boarding senior schools in the country and therefore works at a level significantly above National Curriculum expectations. It is part of the Alpha Plus Group of Schools.

Pembridge Hall and the Alpha Plus Group are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and employees of Pembridge Hall are expected to share this commitment. The protection of our students\xe2\x80\x99 welfare is the responsibility of all staff within Alpha Plus Group Schools and individuals are expected to conduct themselves in a way that reflects the principles of our organisation. All members of staff must have an enhanced DBS and prohibition order clearance, be aware of and follow the safeguarding, Prevent Duty, anti-bullying and behaviour and discipline policies of the school, and partake in training on safeguarding, prevent duty and personal welfare.

We are committed to equality of opportunity for all staff and applications from individuals are encouraged regardless of age, disability, sex, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief and marriage and civil partnerships.

School Vision: Pembridge Hall places our girls at the heart of everything. By combining traditional values with an innovative education, girls are prepared for life in an ever-evolving world through an ambitious and aspirational prep school experience. Placing emphasis on each girl as an individual, we recognise that happiness, a love of learning and emotional well-being are intrinsic to academic performance. Pembridge Hall girls are nurtured, challenged and empowered to succeed.

JOB DESCRIPTION

The Class Teacher is responsible for the education and welfare of a class, in accordance with school policy, ensuring the safety and welfare of pupils and achieving the highest standards of learning and achievement for all. Additionally, they are expected to promote and support the ethos, aims and vision of the school and maintain its philosophy of education. The Class Teacher is responsible to the Senior Leadership Team (SLT) and ultimately the Head.

Attitudes

• Establish effective relationships with colleagues and set a good example through personal and professional conduct.
• Contribute to the life of the school through effective participation in meetings and school events.
• Provide bespoke communication with parents over all aspects of their children\xe2\x80\x99s education \xe2\x80\x93 academic, social and emotional.

Teaching and Learning

• Contribute to raising standards of attainment by preparing and teaching stimulating and energetic lessons of a high standard and according to pupils\xe2\x80\x99 needs.
• Facilitate and encourage a learning experience which provides pupils with the opportunity to develop self-esteem and interpersonal skills.
• Identify clear learning objectives and outcomes, building on prior attainment, with appropriate challenge.
• Organise and manage groups or individuals, ensuring differentiation and reflecting all abilities.
• Ensure effective deployment of support staff within the classroom to maximise children\xe2\x80\x99s learning.

Pastoral Care

• Establish and maintaining a good standard of discipline through well-focused teaching and positive relationships, safeguarding pupils\xe2\x80\x99 health and safety.
• Plan opportunities to develop the social, emotional, spiritual, moral, economic and cultural aspects of pupils\xe2\x80\x99 development.
• Value the contributions of all pupils and treat everyone with fairness and respect.

Assessment, Recording and Reporting

• Maintain school monitoring, assessment and record-keeping systems.
• In line with school policy, mark, monitor and assess pupils\xe2\x80\x99 work and set targets for progress.
• Assess and record pupils\xe2\x80\x99 progress, monitor strengths and weaknesses, inform planning and recognise the level at which the pupil is achieving.
• Prepare and present informative and accurate reports to parents.

Note: this job description is indicative of the duties and responsibilities of the post but does not form part of any contract of employment. All jobs within the school evolve over time and their features vary from year to year.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Qualifications:

• Essential: Honours degree in a relevant subject
• Teaching qualification together with Qualified Teacher Status (QTS)
• Desirable: Middle leadership professional development courses attended

Experience:

• Essential: Experience of teaching children in the age range appropriate to the post
• Ability to work in a way that promotes the safety and well-being of children
• Desirable: Experience of working with children who have Special Educational Needs
• Experience of working in the Independent sector

Skills

Essential: Able to use an appropriate range of teaching and learning strategies

• An understanding of how assessment for learning can improve pupil performance
• A confident and competent user of ICT
• Ability to use student assessment data to raise standards
• Able to communicate both orally and in writing to students and their parents

Desirable:

• Experience of organising trips

Knowledge

Essential:

• Subject knowledge sufficient to challenge able pupils and achieve high outcomes
• A good understanding of curriculum developments in relevant subjects.
• Knowledge of how ICT can be used in teaching to enhance student learning

Desirable:

• Knowledge of National Curriculum EYFS, Key Stages 1 and 2
• Knowledge/experience of girls only education
• Knowledge of the London Independent day school system

Personal competencies and qualities

Essential:

• Enthusiasm and a positive outlook
• The ability to work independently and collaboratively as a member of a team
• Creativity in problem solving with a willingness to take on new approaches
• A positive attitude towards professional development and their own learning
• Reliability and integrity
• Good personal organisation
• Good attendance record

Desirable:

• Ability to work under pressure
• Sense of humour
• Flexibility
• Motivational leader

*Please note that applications are shortlisted as they come in, as such, the role may be closed before the advertised closing date.

Abbey College