Year 2 Class Teacher

The Oratory Preparatory School (OPS) is an independent day and boarding school providing an enriched education to boys and girls aged 2 to 13. Benefitting from being part of the wider Bellevue Education group, we are committed to delivering exceptional teaching; combining the best of tradition with the latest innovations. Set within 65 acres of Oxfordshire countryside with outstanding facilities, we nurture happy, balanced, confident and inquisitive children. 

The OPS aims to provide the best possible education for its pupils. Staff are expected to maintain a very high standard of teaching and are provided with every support from the Headmaster, the  Deputy Heads and the Head of Junior Prep. The successful candidate must be willing to contribute fully to the life of the school and to participate in such duties as are customary for staff at the OPS. The teacher will be line-managed by the Head of Junior Prep but will be responsible ultimately to the Headmaster or in his absence the Deputy Head. 

Professional Responsibilities:

The responsibilities of a teacher are complex and extensive; catering for a wide range of children’s needs and providing provision and organisation of a variety of learning experiences.

• The teaching and curriculum should;
• Be appropriate to the children’s individual physical, intellectual, creative, emotional and social needs, ensuring it closely matches the stages of development and abilities of each individual child
• Take into account best practice as defined the National Curriculum at Key Stage 1
• Provide an appropriate and stimulating learning environment, including effective classroom organisation
• Monitor the children's work so that learning experiences and children’s progress can be effectively measured to ensure progression
• Ensure display and presentation of children’s work shows the high value placed on all children’s genuine efforts, along with the provision of interactive displays
• Use sensitive and systematic marking of all children’s work.
• Create a lively and challenging environment in which imagination, investigation, questioning and inquiry are apparent so that children can be helped to develop independence of thought.
• Be aware of developments in education so as to continually update and grow in professional expertise. 
• Support, maintain and develop the aims and policies of the school.

The successful candidate will;

• Look for professional development opportunities and to attend courses, training sessions etc. as appropriate, including in all school led training. Where appropriate lead training for other staff in the school
• Work in partnership with parents.
• Be able to differentiate effectively in the classroom working closely with the SENCo to implement learning plans.
• Carry out break duties, lunchtime duties, after school care duties and a Saturday Enrichment module for 12 weeks of the year.
• Provide Long, medium and short term planning to the Head of Junior Prep each term. The short term planning will give more detailed lesson plans based upon the medium term planning and include appropriate differentiation.
• Work in liaison with the other teachers so as to encompass cross-curricular teaching.
• Work in close partnership with the Early Years staff, teachers and teaching assistants. 
• Have respect for the Catholic Ethos of the school.

Person Specification - Skills and Experience:

The post holder needs to be an adaptable, supportive, vigilant, positive and willing member of staff and to enjoy working with children. The skills and attributes that follow are an important part of the role of the teacher. The successful applicant is expected to have experience in, and apply them;

• Hold a relevant teaching qualification 
• Experience of teaching children 
• Be an outstanding teacher 
• Be able to run an extra-curricular activity
• Confident and able in ICT
• Teamwork – be able to work as part of a team, including leading Teaching  Assistants and other adults 
• Communication skills – be able to make points clearly and understand the
• views of others. 
• Self-management – be able to plan time effectively and to organise themselves well.
• Decision making skills - be able to investigate, solve problems and make decisions. 

For the right candidate there would also be the opportunity for some added responsibility helping to lead and coordinate teaching and learning across the Junior Prep.