Library and Literacy Lead Teacher

Library and Literacy Lead Teacher

Crosfields wishes to appoint a Library and Literacy Lead Teacher who will manage and lead the school libraries, including some teaching timetable. The successful candidate should be able to lead, support and promote reading, literacy and research skills for all pupils at Crosfields School. There is a strong reading culture within the school and this role should capitalise on this by widening access and advice to literature for pupils and staff.

About the position 

Applications open until successful candidate found.

Working Pattern: This role is Monday to Friday, Term time only and will need to cover some library duties between the times of 9am to 6pm, and a flexible weekly shift pattern will be discussed at interview, for example, 9am to 4pm/ 10am to 6pm.

Job Purpose

Above all we seek a passionate teacher who will encourage the pupils to develop a lifelong love of reading and literacy. The successful candidate will establish a solid set of research skills that will enable pupils to thrive at school and beyond. They must be knowledgeable, approachable and engaging. The role includes contributing to the duty rota and covering some afternoon prep sessions. 

Objectives

• Ensure that the school libraries support and enhance the key goals and objectives of the whole school as defined in the School’s Development Plan and Strategic Plans.
• Ensure that the libraries and literacy are an integral component of the school’s teaching and learning. 
• Support the promotion and development of critical thinking and effective research/study skills for all pupils so that they can become ethical users of information. 
• Initiate and/or support initiatives that instil a love of reading and learning in all pupils, thereby developing their potential as lifelong and independent learners. 
• Ensure equitable access to information, both physical and virtual, for the whole school community. 
• Implement and support initiatives which create a whole-school environment that encourages reading for pleasure. 
• Work closely with Senior, Junior and Pre-Prep colleagues in supporting processes across the libraries.
• Lead a careers programme to ensure that every pupil is supported in developing the skills and knowledge they need to make successful educational and career choices.
• Confidence in behaviour management in working with groups of pupils aged 11-16. 

 Strategic Planning:  

• Support the educational aims and objectives of the school and monitor the effectiveness of the school libraries. 
• Advise and support on the continued development of the processes and running of the library spaces. 
• Develop and implement library policies and procedures, which includes compliance with data protection, copyright and health and safety legislation in line with the whole-School policies and procedures. 
• Work in collaboration with staff in managing resources, including maintaining subject specific reading lists.
• Manage and promote a wide range of resources in a variety of formats, traditional and electronic, and where appropriate, the equipment to access them. 
• Manage the library budget, ensuring that it provides good value for money and cost-effectiveness. 
• Participate in meetings such as Heads of Department meetings and INSET training.
• Integrate career guidance so that it is delivered collaboratively across the school.

Main functions:  

• Manage a study environment for both curriculum-based and independent learning. This involves the management and integration of both physical spaces and virtual learning environments. 
• Be proactive in maintaining and expanding on available books, including cataloguing, and processing new stock. 
• Coordinate digital resources such as virtual libraries and a pupil portal with links to useful websites. 
• Deliver research and study skills to pupils and staff, including taking a significant role in delivering both in-school and external research projects. 
• Manage the displays within the library
• Organise and host literacy events e.g., author visits, creative writing competitions, feeder school events, book fairs, etc. 
• Host a range of subject specific careers events to encourage pupils to explore areas and fields that are exciting and interesting.
• Participate in local and national library networks, including the Schools Library Association, online forums, professional organisations and publishers. 
• Staff the library effectively when it is open, including break and lunch times. This will include some after school prep sessions. 

Managing Resources  

• To manage the budget; ordering and allocating materials as appropriate and ensuring all resources are well maintained and updated regularly. 
• Maintain an up-to-date inventory of equipment and resources.  
• Ensure, as far as possible, that the library equipment and resources are maintained in good order, that the library spaces are cared for and offers an attractive and educationally stimulating environment for pupils.  

Please see candidate pack attached for further details.

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

This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (ROA) 1974. For further information, please see here Guidance on the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 .

As a result of the Asylum and Immigration Act 1996, employers now have to verify that new recruits who are not British nationals are eligible to work in this country. Therefore, any applicant who is offered an interview will asked to provide official documentation to verify their ID, address and right to work in the UK. It is also normal practice for the School to ask for original qualifications and professional membership documents to be presented at interview as detailed on the application form.

Crosfields School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and applicants must be willing to undergo child protection screening, including checks with past employers, online checks and the Disclosure and Barring Service. Further information on our recruitment processes can be found on our website: Crosfields School Recruitment Policy.