Archivist (2 days per week Term time only)

The Role

The Archive at Magdalen College School is an important part of the modern school. It is the only school archive accredited by the National Archive. The school’s recent inspection report noted that pupils are proud of their school’s history. Materials from the Archive are used in teaching, public events and for a pupil archive club.

This is an exciting time to take up the role of Archivist at MCS. The 550th school anniversary in 2030 provides the opportunity to communicate the history of the school through its historic collections and you will be part of planning for this, working closely with the Master, the Director of the Waynflete Office and distinguished external contacts of the school.

The post holder is required:

• To ensure appropriate current MCS material is kept and catalogued, working closely with the Compliance Officer to ensure archive material is retained in compliance with the MCS information asset and retention schedules when agreed;
• To review archive policies regularly to ensure they are fit for purpose;
• To catalogue appropriate archival material gifted to the school in line with the collecting policy and thank donors;
• To make the archives available to bona fide readers by producing archival material for consultation, supervising its use and providing advice and answer enquiries from pupils, staff and members of the public;
• To contribute to the activities in celebration of the 550th anniversary, fundraising and alumni relations, including photo research for publications, and displays for annual Old Waynflete and donor events;
• To work with the Bursar and Compliance Officer to develop policies on the retention and cataloguing of modern records since 1987;
• To arrange for all preservation and conservation work, liaising with external conservators as part of a rolling conservation programme, prioritising within a ring-fenced budget and bidding for additional funds as appropriate;
• To digitise archive material when necessary, and liaise with external digitisation firms on priority projects within the agreed budget;
• Monitor environmental conditions and integrated pest management in the archive strongroom and storage areas, liaising with colleagues when required;
• Maintain appropriate disaster planning.

Please see the Information Pack for more information.

The Candidate

The successful candidate will:

• Must hold, or be working towards, a recognised postgraduate archives qualification and be a registered member of the Archives and Records Association;
• Be interested in the history of Magdalen College School;
• Be interested in people, their stories and an enthusiasm for explaining the archive for the interest of others;
• Need to work on occasional weekends and published school holidays for particular projects and events, including Old Waynfletes Lunch (November) and Commemoration Day (July);
• Be familiar with cataloguing to ISAD(G) standard and experience of using collections management software, and with standard IT applications;
• Be familiar with cataloguing standards and the application of IT to the cataloguing, interpretation and publicising of archival material;
• Be willing to maintain Archive Accreditation standards;
• Be willing to assist school in projects celebrating its history as the 550th school anniversary in 2030 provides the opportunity to communicate the history of the school through its historic collections;
• Be familiar with legislation affecting archives, including data protection.

Application Process

Candidates should submit the following two documents to the HR Administrator, Miss Yelena Molcanova (recruitment@mcsoxford.org), which can be found on the Job Vacancy link of the website (www.mcsoxford.org). To access Click here.

1. “MCS Application Form for Teaching and Support Staff” Form
2. CV (Curriculum Vitae)

All documentation should be sent no later than Thursday 11 April, at midday; early applications are highly encouraged. Any applicants who submit just a CV will be automatically rejected. The school’s preferred method of communication is by email and it will not be necessary to send a hard copy of the documents by post.

References may be taken up in advance. If you do not wish references to be called for at this stage, please make that clear on the reference section of the application form.

We anticipate holding 1st round interviews Monday 15th April 2024, followed by a 2nd round interview with the Master on Thursday 18th April 2024. We will be in contact with shortlisted candidates by telephone. Please be aware that all shortlisted candidates will be requested to complete a “Self-Disclosure” form before attending their interview.

Safeguarding Policy

Magdalen College School is committed to the safeguarding of pupils, and any offer of employment will be subject to an enhanced DBS disclosure, the receipt of satisfactory references, the school’s pre-employment medical questionnaire, plus sight of relevant original ID documentation and degree certificate(s). This role will be in regulated activity and will require a children’s barred list check as well as an enhanced DBS check. The enhanced DBS check is due to this role being exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.

Remuneration and other benefits

This is a term time only contract with 15.5 working hours per week 08:15-17:00 over 2 days with one hour (unpaid) lunch. The salary is £15,159 per annum.

Non-teaching staff are automatically enrolled in the school’s contributory Group Pension Scheme. This is a defined contribution pension scheme into which the employee contributes 5% of gross salary and the employer contributes 10%.

The school has a fully equipped gym which is available for staff use, and staff may also enjoy access to the University of Oxford’s Rosenblatt Swimming Pool. Tennis courts are available, and there is a comprehensive programme of staff sports clubs, including football, climbing, yoga, Pilates, and badminton. Staff also have the opportunity to join choirs and music groups, and to get involved in drama productions. Staff socials, guest nights and Master’s Drinks are regular features of each term.

There is a wide range of benefits on offer to staff, including a free lunch during term time and school holidays for all year-round staff, free private health insurance, free mortgage advice, complimentary use of school sports facilities as well as free entry into Oxford Botanical Gardens. Head to mcsoxford.org/vacancies to find out more.