Assistant Head (Co-Curricular)

The King’s School is currently thriving in a competitive local market which features strong Schools in the grammar, maintained and independent systems. The increasing School roll and aspiration to continue to improve all aspects of a balanced King’s education mean that we now require an experienced leader to join the Senior Management Team and to take responsibility for the co-curricular life of the School. The role of AH(CC) will therefore be a key appointment and the Head seeks outstanding candidates to lead this important area of School life. The role will be ideal preparation for a first class, highly motivated teacher who seeks experience at SMT level, perhaps with a view to moving on to a more significant leadership role in the future.

King’s has always prided itself on delivering a genuinely balanced education, where pastoral, academic and co-curricular opportunities and support are offered to all pupils in a supportive and inspiring environment. Our pupils tend to be good all-rounders who are keen to take part in the wider life of the School, as well as playing their part in the School and local community. There is a thriving annual cycle of trips and expeditions to offer enrichment to the pupils, thus ensuring that they are able to discover their talents and explore their passions. King’s also states as a key aim that it aspires to prepare its pupils for the rapidly-changing world which lies ahead. This ensures that pupils have the skills and personal characteristics which they will need in the future and is also an important part of this new role.

The AH(CC) will be required to lead, support and inspire the pupils and staff in all aspects of co-curricular life at King’s, but especially in Performing Arts, Sport, Partnerships and Volunteering, Outdoor Education and trips. The co-curricular elements of School are broadly defined as those which do not take place in the classroom and which are not already covered by the academic curriculum and academic enrichment activities. Inevitably, some overlap of the curricular and co-curricular elements will occur and will require careful, sensible liaison with other staff, including the Deputy Head (Academic), the Head of Academic Enrichment and the Keystones Lead in the Junior School.

The School

The King’s School Gloucester has a rich academic tradition dating back to its founding in 1541. It houses the longest serving classroom in Europe and is held in high esteem amongst the local and wider community, winning Gloucestershire Independent School of the Year in 2020. The School strives for excellence in all areas: the academic results are strong with student value added being equivalent to half a grade at GCSE; there is a wide-ranging sport provision and pupils reach national levels every year; in Music, our links with Gloucester Cathedral provide an ideal location for high quality orchestral and choral music; finally, the creative arts enjoy much success with DT and Art having their own dedicated design spaces.  

Further Information about the Roles and Responsibilities

The Head of Co-Curricular will be a member of the Senior Management Team. S/he will attend longer, fortnightly SMT Meetings to discuss strategy and shorter, weekly SMT meetings to discuss operational matters. In addition, s/he will:

• lead the co-curricular life of the School; that is, all non-academic activities which take place outside of the classroom. 

• support the wider management of the School as part of SMT. S/he will therefore work closely with all other members of SMT and gain valuable whole School leadership experience.

• report directly to the Head whilst working closely with the three Deputies: Academic / Pastoral / Staff.  S/he will therefore be expected to attend, as required, the twice-termly meetings of the Heads of Department and the twice-termly meetings of the Heads of Year.

• establish and maintain strong links and communications with the staff, parents and pupils. This will include the forward planning, effective delivery, and communication afterwards, of all co-curricular activities. However, it should be clear that individual staff responsibility will also be allocated to almost all co-curricular activities; this is a leadership role, requiring strong organisation and people skills.

• work closely with the Registrar and Marketing Manager in establishing a strong co-curricular presence on the website and in the School’s prospectus, social media and promotional literature.

• coordinate the annual and termly Whole School calendar. This involves checking for clashes, best use of facilities, prioritising commitments when required, publication online and sharing with other relevant stakeholders (eg Cathedral, Events Manager etc).

• lead the Partnership, Volunteering and Outreach activities of the School, liaising with other institutions, the Development Office and relevant staff in charge of the specific activities.

• ensure that King’s becomes a force for good in the local community, with pupils of all ages understanding their role in the wider community, ensuring that pupils volunteer regularly and generously.

• in conjunction with the Deputy Head (Academic), oversee the Director of Sport, Director of Drama and Director of Music in the non-academic elements of their roles, also supporting them as required and helping to manage potential clashes of activities with fairness and balance.

• in conjunction with the Senior Deputy Head (Pastoral), oversee the Heads of House in their House roles, as well as to support the delivery of House activities, ensuring that all pupils are encouraged to take part and enjoy participation in a range of events.

• lead as the Educational Visits Coordinator (EVC), and lead the development, management and implementation of outdoor education, the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award and other trips and educational visits.

• work alongside the Keystones Lead in the Junior School to ensure that the Junior School pupils have the opportunity to enjoy a range of activities and opportunities relating to the Senior School, including Peer Mentors and in supportive roles such as reading buddies.

• lead the administration of the weekly programme of activities, clubs and societies which take place during the School day. Encouraging staff participation and ensuring fairness of time commitment is an important element of this role. 

• design, implement and maintain an annual Internal Development Plan (IDP) for the co-curricular areas of the School.

• foster an ethic and culture of high expectations, excellence and participation amongst staff and pupils in the co-curricular programme. It is important to note that the School’s approach is one of encouraging all pupils to participate in one or more co-curricular activities, whilst also ensuring that those who have highly developed or elite talents are also able to develop those to their maximum extent.

• oversee the preparation of the annual budgets for all co-curricular activities.

• oversee the recognition and celebration of co-curricular activities, including the award of colours and prizes, as well as collating and proof-reading the co-curricular aspects of the Speech Day programme.

The Selection Process: 

Applications are to be made using the School’s Application Form, available from the School website.  Any queries regarding the application process should be directed to the Deputy Head (Staff) at j.collins@thekingsschool.co.uk  

Application forms and letters should be emailed to the HR Administrator, Mrs Karen Woodcock:

e-mail: k.woodcock@thekingsschool.co.uk