Head of Careers

Merchant Taylors’ school has been one of the top ten boys’ schools in the UK since its foundation by the Merchant Taylors’ Company, one of the twelve Great Livery Companies of the City of London, in Suffolk Lane in 1561. One of the nine original ‘Clarendon schools’, its alumni have achieved distinction throughout history. However, the school wears its heritage lightly, its strong sense of tradition very much at the service of the future. Through the Merchant Taylors’ Educational Trust, it retains close links with other Merchant Taylors’ Schools, and with the Merchant Taylors’ Company itself.

Relocated from the City to Sandy Lodge, Northwood in 1933, the school occupies a superb setting: 286 acres of lakes, playing fields, and woodland, all within easy reach of central London, Middlesex, Buckinghamshire, and Hertfordshire.

There are four distinct boys’ day schools on campus. The Nursery, the Pre-Prep, the Prep and the Senior School. The Prep caters for 340 boys from 3 to 13 years of age, while the Senior School has some 890 pupils from 11 – 18, with over 300 in the Sixth Form (The Prep School shares some of its facilities with the Senior School, but is a separate school in its own right).

Competition for places is fierce, and entry is by competitive examination at 11+, 13+, and 16+.

The Person

We are looking for a graduate or equivalent with proven experience either in the Careers field or with a strong professional background. You will be an excellent communicator, able to switch easily from addressing teenage pupils to alumni and parents. You will have a strong interest in education although there is no requirement to have worked in the sector before. You will possess some managerial experience and enjoy working in a team. As well as displaying proficiency in IT you will be innovative, with the ability to ensure the Careers Service continues to adapt its programmes to take account of changes in the world of work.

The successful applicant should be comfortable being the public face of Careers and be adept at both tapping into the School's existing network of alumni and parents and find ways of developing both links yet further. Although not essential, it would be an advantage to be qualified to PG Diploma Level in Careers Guidance or be prepared to study for this and/or hold a Qualification in Career Development (QCD).

The Role

The role of the Careers Service is to help boys build a solid foundation for their future career management. By helping them understand their aptitudes and abilities, skills and interests we aim to support the transition from school to university and the working world. Part of the whole school’s commitment to encouraging breadth of opportunity and motivation to follow his passions, we aim to translate a boy’s time at MTS into career decisions that will be rewarded with fulfilment and success.

We offer a full programme of education and guidance including a wide range of lessons and activities, dedicated career days and events, guest speaker programmes, insights and lectures targeted appropriately, as well as a work experience and inspirations programme. We support the academic team, boys and parents by being available for parent consultations and school information evenings.

The Careers team has three members: the Head of Careers, a Work Experience Coordinator and a Career Coordinator.

The Careers Centre is open from 8.00am until 4.30pm and pupils can meet with us or carry out their own independent research.

Appointment times are before and after school, as well as during the lunch period. Students in Upper School can book meetings during their private study periods, or one of their lessons if urgent and agreed in advance with the Senior Deputy Head (Academic).

We recognise that many of our parents would like to meet with us and we will be flexible in these arrangements, which may be made by emailing or calling direct.

Summary of responsibilities

Part of the whole-school provision of support for pupils, we work closely with all Heads of Year, Tutors and UCAS Advisors and involve the whole school community, as well as Old Merchant Taylors and employers to support long term career choices. This combination of support results in our students making close and more explicit connections between their academic studies and future aspirations.

The closing date for applications is Wednesday 7th November at midday.
Interviews will be held w/c 12th November

Please complete an application form and an accompanying letter (maximum 500 words) outlining your suitability for the post; you may wish to include a brief CV.

Applications to (email, fax, or post):
HR Recruitment Assistant
Merchant Taylors’ School
Sandy Lodge
Northwood
Middlesex HA6 2HT
Fax: +44(0)1923 835110
Email: recruitment@mtsn.org.uk