HMC Education Officer, Primary specialist

Contract: Permanent, Full-Time with consideration given to suitable candidates wishing to work part-time

Location: Home-based with access to Market Harborough and travel across the UK

Salary: c.£40-45,000 depending on the skills and experience of the appointed candidate

Closing date: 09.00 Monday 20th February 2023

HMC – The Heads’ Conference – is a professional association of heads of the world’s leading independent schools.

This is a recently created post within HMC’s Education Team and offers a wonderful opportunity to add to HMC’s capacity to provide specialist support and guidance on Primary education.

The role has been planned to support the Heads of Junior and Preparatory Schools within HMC schools and Foundations. Working closely with the Director of Education and Chair of HMCj (HMC Junior network), the post-holder will support and contribute to the association’s on-going work, whilst focussing on primary education and matters associated with transition to senior school. An HMCj Steering Group has been established to help shape the programme of work, and an HMCj network of Heads has now also been set up, providing an opportunity to share best practice and ideas amongst the community as well as offering a source of data and informed perspectives.

The post-holder will also work as an integral part of the HMC’s team in driving forward the organisation’s development as it reviews its internal infrastructure and operations in a post-Covid world.

Your key responsibilities will include:

· Acting as a source of information and guidance on primary school issues affecting, but not limited to, HMC schools

· Monitoring early years/junior education issues, including safeguarding, pastoral, physical and mental health and wellbeing matters, EYFS framework developments

· Drawing on media coverage, published reports and cross-association meetings to ensure members and primary heads are well-briefed, working across HMC structures as required

· Providing the secretariat for HMCj, (Junior and Preparatory School Heads) ensuring that meetings are supported with appropriate agendas, minutes and an action list, following up actions as required

· Commissioning and leading surveys and research on matters relating to Primary and Early Years education (especially those involving transition and assessment), as well as providing, as appropriate, updates to members of HMC and HMCj

· Supporting HMC Professional Development (HMCPD) events, including the HMC main conference and the Junior Heads conference, by proposing relevant topics and themes and supporting facilitated sessions in related areas.

This role would suit applicants with senior practitioner experience in the primary/junior school sector with a relevant professional qualification and/or registration. Knowledge of HMC schools is not essential but would be advantageous.

The right candidate must have:

· Senior practitioner experience in primary and early years education, and/or experience of and providing relevant guidance to others

· An interest in and enthusiasm for the work of Junior and Preparatory schools and their pupils as well as the flexibility to adapt and support the wider work of the Education team

· Excellent academic or professional qualifications, with current or recent professional registration

· Experience of delivering training within a multidisciplinary environment.

To apply, please submit your CV and an application form including a statement of your suitability for the post, to hr@hmc.org.uk before the closing date.

If you wish to discuss the post, informally, please speak to Kate Howell, Director of Education, who can be contacted by email for an appointment at education@hmc.org.uk

Closing date: 09.00 on Monday 20th February 2023

Interviews: Stage 1 interviews will take place virtually between 9.30 am and 5.00 pm in the week commencing 13th March 2023. Candidates who are successful at stage 1 will progress to a second stage interview, also held virtually.

The start date for the post can be flexible, although we would appreciate early availability.