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Head of Junior Department (years 3-6)

Head of Junior Department (years 3-6)

Royal Alexandra and Albert School

Reigate, Surrey

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  • Expired
Salary:
Leadership Scale L12-L16 (£52,729 - £58,166 for 17-18)
Job type:
Full Time, Permanent
Start date:
September 2018
Apply by:
7 December 2017

Job overview

As a 7-18 State Boarding School we seek an outstanding candidate for the position of Head of Junior Department.  At present the Junior Department has a population of around 150 pupils, of which 65 are boarders and 85 are more local pupils who are flexi-boarders. Royal Alexandra & Albert School is the only state-maintained boarding school with Key Stage Two provision and as such is very important in providing continuity in education for children whose parents serve abroad, as well as other children whose needs are best served by being in a boarding situation or whose parents have a demand for the holistic education that a boarding school can provide.

The Head of Junior Department is responsible for leading the provision in years 3-6 to secure outstanding student outcomes, including key stage 2 assessments, and for developing a first class curriculum which meets student needs and prepares them well for senior school, and for life.     

We have been very successful in our KS2 SATs over the years. There is good support in the classroom and we have been recognised for the excellent achievement of our students. 

You will work with the Head of Junior Boarding to ensure that the pupils have an excellent and enriched experience whilst in the school as boarder or flexi-boarder, that the best behaviour is supported, and that the welfare and well-being of the pupils is safeguarded.   

The Head of Junior Department is responsible for ensuring the smooth running of the Junior Department and its day to day management, including the resources and facilities of the Junior Department. 

Single or larger rent-free accommodation may be available for the appointee in return for boarding duties. 

To apply please complete the application form with a covering letter or supporting statement by clicking the apply now button.  

Closing Date:  Thursday 7th December at midday  Interview Date: Thursday 14th December    

The Royal Alexandra and Albert School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and applicants must be willing to undergo child protection screening appropriate to the post, including an Enhanced DBS check

Attached documents

About Royal Alexandra and Albert School

The Royal Alexandra and Albert School is a co-educational, comprehensive state boarding school for children aged 7 to 18 years.

We are a lively and purposeful community of approximately 500 Full Boarders, complemented by around 630 Flexi Boarders, who attend an extended day, and together take part in a rich and wide-ranging programme of after-school and weekend activities and trips. A boarding school at our core, we run Saturday morning lessons and, therefore, offer longer extended holidays for our pupils and staff.

What is a state boarding school? In a state boarding school, the education provided between 8.30 am and 3.35 pm is financed by government through the Local Authority - in our case Surrey County Council. Everything else: the boarding provision, meals and the activities that we run, is financed by the charges paid by parents or other organisations and charities supporting our young people. This means that for staff there is the opportunity to be in a boarding environment with all the opportunities that offers, while also being part of the state education system with a genuinely diverse and comprehensive intake of pupils. This diversity means that our pupils grow up with an understanding of what our society is like and how to contribute and play their individual part, as showcased in a quote from our recent Ofsted report “they learn to be respectful and considerate of others and diversity is celebrated”. Working at our school offers a much broader scope of work, and with a strong focus on pastoral care, offers the rewarding opportunity for staff to be more personally involved in the development of our pupils.

Our school maintains a strong focus on academic results and excellent pastoral care, with our latest results proving this. The latest published (DfE 2019) Progress 8 figure is 0.44, i.e. pupils at RAAS are gaining nearly half a grade per subject above similar pupils nationally (with same prior attainment). In 2021, 68% of pupils achieved a grade 5 or above, in both GCSE English and Maths, with 91% of pupils achieving a grade 4 or above in GCSE English and Maths. 41% of all A Levels were graded A*-A 65% of all A Levels were graded A*-B with 23% of students going on to a Russell Group university.

Being a boarding school, many of our staff live on site and form a dynamic and homely community. From the minute you arrive at our beautiful estate you will sense the warmth and enthusiasm which our team exudes, whether in and around the school, out and about on the sports fields, or inside one of our purpose-built boarding houses. Integration into our school culture and community is aided by the support of a mentor, and by having access to great support networks, and excellent facilities, you will find true meaning and personal fulfilment working at our school.

The school dates back to 1949, when an Act of Parliament amalgamated the Royal Alexandra School, founded in 1758, with the Royal Albert School, founded in 1864. Both institutions enjoyed royal patronage for much of their history, and this continues today. Her Majesty the Queen is Patron and the school’s President is Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Gloucester. The underlying charitable purpose of both institutions is enabled through the Foundation which, with support from other charities, funds around 100 bursary pupils, known affectionately as Foundationers. These are pupils for whom the boarding opportunity is genuinely life-changing, as they come from difficult, unstable and / or disadvantaged homes and are often at risk of going into care.  For many of these children, boarding at the school provides the first experience of stability for them and access to positive adult role models. To date, the school and its founding institutions have helped over 20,000 bursary pupils.

The beautiful grounds and community atmosphere of The Royal Alexandra and Albert School offers a unique and rewarding working environment. Set in a landscaped country estate consisting of 260 acres of beautiful parkland, woods and gardens, in Gatton Park near Reigate, Surrey, we are within a short distance of Gatwick and Heathrow airports, with excellent links to London, making us an ideal location for staff to work and live. Our large site provides extensive sporting facilities, including floodlit all-weather sports pitches, a state-of-the-art Fitness Centre, indoor swimming pool and Equestrian Centre.

At The Royal Alexandra and Albert School, we are extremely proud of our rich heritage, yet pride ourselves on being future-focused. We believe that attracting and retaining the best talent in our school is fundamental to drive our school forward towards our future vision. We value the contributions of our team to promote our ethos of collaboration, continuous improvement and high performance. We are a community of lifelong learners and encourage our teams to pursue professional growth by facilitating a rich learning and development culture. Our academic teams are tasked with developing and delivering advanced and creative learning practices to ensure our pupils flourish and achieve academically. Our support staff team is highly skilled, and their expertise is integral to helping our school operate at a high standard across all functions. In addition to the skills required, we welcome prospective team members who will play a full and active role in the pastoral and co-curricular life at our school, which is paramount in ensuring the secure and caring boarding environment we strive to provide for all our pupils.

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Applications closed