Assistant Head (Head of Lower School)
Brighton College
Brighton and Hove
- Expired
- Salary:
- Competitive
- Job type:
- Full Time, Permanent
- Start date:
- January 2024 (timing flexible on a case by case basis)
- Apply by:
- 21 June 2023
Job overview
Brighton College is seeking to appoint an Assistant Head (Head of Lower School), with effect from January 2024 (timing flexible on a case by case basis). The successful applicant will be a key member of SMT, responsible for the academic, pastoral and admissions oversight of the thriving Lower School at Brighton College, reporting to the Head of Senior.
An outline of the responsibilities of the post is as follows:
- To be responsible, liaising closely with the Director of Admissions, for pupil recruitment into the Lower School, predominantly into Year 7 (Lower Third), building strong links with local primary schools and using prospective parent visits, taster days, and regular, proactive contact to achieve this.
- To represent the Head Master at Primary School visits and fairs.
- To be answerable to the Head Master for the smooth running of all academic and pastoral aspects of the Lower School (Years 7 and 8, known as Lower Third and Upper Third at Brighton College).
- To have oversight of the behaviour, pastoral requirements and academic progress of all pupils in these years, managing and supporting the work of the Lower School HMM, the Deputy HMMs and the tutors.
- To ensure high standards of behaviour and dress within the Lower School.
- To remain aware of, and up-to-date with, broader educational, academic and pastoral issues affecting Years 7 and 8, and ensure that these inform school practice.
- To liaise with the Deputy Head (Academic) on the design and review of the Lower School curriculum.
- To monitor and review the academic performance of Lower School pupils, including being aware of their performance after leaving the Lower School.
- To manage and chair the Lower School Parents’ Forum.
- To chair the Lower School pupil Council.
- To plan and run regular Lower School assemblies.
- To oversee events and processes for the Lower School, such as pupil induction, parents’ evenings, PSHEE, trips, fixtures, plays and concerts, assisting and working alongside those staff with responsibilities in these areas.
- To ensure opportunities for participation and performance within the co-curricular life of the school via the Lower School ‘Passport’ initiative.
- To attend SMT meetings, advising the Head Master in his decision making.
- To manage the workload of the PA to the Head of Lower School and to manage the LS HMM and team.
- To lead discussions and seminars on Lower School Policy at SMT away days.
- To liaise and share good practice with staff at Brighton College’s international schools and prep schools.
- To support cultural, sporting and other activities in which pupils from these years are involved.
- To support the life and work of the chapel.
- To ensure that pride is taken in the appearance and function of the Lower School Common Room.
- To assist the Head Master and Deputy Heads in such other areas of school administration and discipline as seem reasonable.
- To liaise closely with the Head of PSHEE and careers to ensure excellent provision in these areas.
- To monitor and manage retention of Lower School pupils into the Fourth form.
This role carries a 16-period teaching allowance.
Safeguarding responsibilities:
- This role will involve daily contact with pupils and you will be engaging in regulated activity relevant to children.
- All staff and volunteers have a responsibility for promoting and safeguarding the welfare of children and young persons for who you are responsible and with whom you come into contact.
For more information about the role and to apply, please visit the Brighton College website.
Attached documents
About Brighton College
THE SCHOOL
Brighton College is an inspiring place to work. As the leading co-educational school in the UK it is renowned for its inspirational teaching and innovative education, whilst placing kindness and community at the heart of our approach to education. Named ‘UK School of the Decade’ by The Sunday Times in November 2020, we educate 1,200 pupils between ages 11 and 18.
Established in 1845, the College has grown exponentially in recent years. The Head Master, Richard Cairns, a recent Tatler UK Head of the Year, has been in post since 2006 and under his leadership pupil numbers have doubled. Since 2006, the College moved from 147th in The Sunday Times results table, to 3rd – the best position ever achieved by a co-ed school. The school site in Kemptown has seen the addition of stunning new facilities, sustainably designed by leading international architects, with recent investment well in excess of £100 million. These include the Music School and Sarah Abraham Recital Hall (2015), the Yeoh Building teaching complex (2017), the School of Science and Sport (2020) and the Richard Cairns Building, a stunning new performing arts complex, including a 400-seat theatre (2024). World-class facilities enable us to share a huge variety of opportunities with pupils and allow for innovative and exciting approaches to teaching and learning.
We believe that we are a part of society, not apart from it, and so activism and community involvement are key parts of the curriculum. We have a thriving volunteer programme, driven by pupils, and are proud of our progressive stand on diversity, equality and inclusion. Brighton College also has a family of schools, which includes our three Sussex prep schools – Brighton College Nursery, Pre-Prep & Prep; Handcross Park; and St Christopher’s. Overseas, we have opened schools in Abu Dhabi, Al Ain, Dubai, Bangkok, and Singapore.
Our approach to education is regularly celebrated. We’ve been named ‘School of the Year’ twice by The Sunday Times (most recently in 2019); The Week named us ‘Most forward-thinking school in Britain’ for two years running in 2017 and 2018, and ‘Best in the UK for STEM’ in 2020. Our most recent ISI inspection in November 2021 gave us the highest possible grade (‘Excellent’) in both categories; the quality of pupils’ academic and other achievements, and the quality of pupils’ personal development.
Most importantly, Brighton is a happy school. Staff and pupils feel fulfilled, and our emphasis on kindness lends itself to a thriving intellectual, sporting and performing arts culture. Our location in the city gives us the best of all worlds: we’re 5 minutes from the sea and the city centre, 10 minutes from the South Downs, and in the heart of the local Kemptown community. We hope that you will want to come and join the fantastic group of professionals who work here.
LIVING AND WORKING IN BRIGHTON
The College enjoys its location in Brighton, one of Britain’s youngest cities and one of the most vibrant and progressive in Europe. A recent national survey identified Brighton as the ‘happiest city in the UK’ and it regularly features within the top cities for quality of life nationally. With an extensive beach and seafront, and proximity to beautiful rural areas including the South Downs National Park, the opportunities for recreation and leisure are varied and numerous. Transport links are also excellent, Brighton being within easy travelling distance of London (50 minutes by train), and 30 minutes from Gatwick Airport. Brighton is also a university city, and the College has good links with both the University of Sussex and Brighton University. Our annual involvement in the Pride parade has strengthened existing links with the local community.
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