Library Assistant (two positions available)

A very special library, in a very special community.

Bedales Library often features in lists of the world’s most beautiful libraries. This Grade 1 listed building, with its contemporary furniture and fittings, together make a coherent Arts and Crafts interior of international importance. Built by Bedalians in honour of Bedalians lost in World War I, the library remains in every sense at the heart of the school community. It is open to all from early in the morning to ten o’clock in the evening and is loved and respected by our students.

Our school is a unique educational establishment set in the beautiful Hampshire countryside. Our aim is to create an environment where questioning, divergent thinking, and freedom to learn from mistakes are all encouraged. Central to our success is the sense that each person is a member of our community whose voice is entitled to be heard and treated with respect. Both our staff and students expect of each other the best kind of relationships – co-operative, authentic and trustful.

Experience & Background

To succeed in this role, you will combine a warm, caring, and positive outlook with high standards of professionalism. You will support the library in its aim to inspire young people with a love of reading, helping them develop the information skills they need to be successful and safe in today’s world with the aim of realising our ideal of curious, independent learners.

Assisting the Head Librarian, you will help run all aspects of the Senior School library, from managing and developing the collection and promoting the service through to assisting all members of our community with their information needs, alongside all the routine day-to-day tasks. A key aspect of your role will be to support the Senior Librarian in seeking fresh opportunities for the library to contribute to the goals of the wider organisation. Although we are intensely proud of our library, we are committed to continuous improvement and welcome new ideas. The wider library team also includes colleagues in the Prep and Pre-Prep Schools who you will work with to maintain the positive working links between the three Bedales Schools.

Within this role, there is also the potential to make a valuable contribution to the ongoing development of the Bedales Archive. As a school with a very distinctive history and philosophy, we value our heritage and seek to use it to inspire the present generation. If this is one of your strengths, there would be scope for you to make a significant impact in this area.

This post is Regulated Activity.

Hours of Work

This is a part-time, term-time plus role, working when the school is open and pupils are present and for some additional days during school holidays and closure periods. You will work for three days a week, on a bi-weekly rotational basis, with a working week of 20.5 hours.

Although, at times, you will work with the Head Librarian in the library, there will be working hours spent as the sole member of staff on duty in the library with responsibility for ensuring appropriate standards of student behaviour.

Salary

From £9,919.59 to £10,666.56 actual salary and holiday pay, based on the above hours and weeks of work, which is pro-rata of the full-time equivalent annual salary of £22,682 to £24,390 per annum.

Benefits

• Free on-site parking
• Funded healthcare cash plan
• Pension with Royal London
• Salary Extras benefits platform
• Employee assistance programme
• Life assurance
• Personal accident cover
• Free lunch is provided during term time 

How to Apply

For further details on how to apply, please visit the recruitment portal on the Bedales Schools website via the Apply button.

Closing date: 9.00am on 20 May 2024.

Interviews will be held on a rolling basis during the advertising period. Early application is advised as Bedales reserve the right to make an appointment at any stage of the application process.

Pre-Appointment Checks

All candidates will undergo a Safeguarding Suitability Interview and application for an Enhanced DBS and Barred List check and be asked to provide evidence they are eligible to work in the UK on an on-going basis at the shortlist stage of the selection process.

Safeguarding Statement

The School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

Candidates will be required to undergo child protection screening appropriate to the post, including checks with past employers, the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS), Prohibition from Teaching Checks, and Prohibition from Management Checks.

The safeguarding responsibilities of the post include:

• Safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children
• Fostering a culture of openness, safety, equality and protection
• Providing a safe and welcoming environment where both children and adults feel secure, able to talk and believe that they are being listened to
• Playing a key role in the prevention of harm and an equal responsibility to act on any suspicion or disclosure that may indicate a child is at risk of harm
• When concerned about the welfare of a pupil, acting in the best interests of the pupil

All staff have a key role to play in identifying concerns early and in providing help for children and are expected to act in accordance with the school’s Safeguarding & Child Protection Policies.

The post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974, and the School is therefore permitted to ask job candidates to declare all convictions and cautions (including those which are "spent" unless they are "protected" under the DBS filtering rules) in order to assess their suitability to work with children.