Examination and Assessment Officer

ABOUT CATS College Canterbury 

CATS College Canterbury is a coeducational independent boarding school catering mainly for international students aged 13+. The College specialises in preparing students for pre-university exams, including I/GCSEs, A Levels, the International Baccalaureate (IBDP) and the University 

Foundation Programme (UFP). We offer our students a ‘home-from-home' experience, with an emphasis on a visibly caring culture across classrooms, boarding houses and extracurricular activities. We set high expectations for ourselves and each other and integrate language learning everywhere to equip our students for their continued education. CATS Canterbury is part of CATS Global Schools, a forward-facing organisation with a strong educational vision and mission. If you are interested in becoming part of our team, we would love to hear from you. For more information about CATS Colleges and our partners, please visit https://catsglobalschools.com/ 

 About CATS Colleges:

In the context of international education, the name CATS is known and loved by generations of learners and is synonymous with excellence. Originally, CATS was an acronym for Cambridge Arts, Technology and Science, representing the focus of the founding colleges based in the city. However, today, CATS Colleges, is part of a much broader group: it brings together a number of schools in four countries (UK, US, Canada and China). Its portfolio includes independent boarding schools, an Arts University College, English language schools and a variety of summer schools all with the common purpose of “inspiring the next generation of world shapers.”

OVERVIEW OF THE JOB

• To manage all examination procedures at the College, including submitting entries to the relevant examination boards; preparing the exam rooms; downloading official examination results and communicating exam timetables and exam results; 

• To ensure the school is compliant regarding all aspects of the invigilation process, the exam room environment and student access requirements; 

• To communicate with the Director of the University Foundation Programme to ensure that all examinations via the online Digiexam platform run smoothly, according to the relevant policies and procedures; 

• To liaise with key staff (e.g. Curriculum Directors) to ensure that key examination deadlines are communicated and adhered to; 

• To organise and administer internal/mock examinations, with the support of the Curriculum Directors;

• To liaise with the SENDCo (Additional learning Support Coordinator, ALSCo) to ensure student access arrangements for examinations are met;

• To communicate to students examination expectations regarding their behaviour and to support them (e.g. with queries concerning their exam results, providing them with the official guidance to request remarks etc.; 

• To keep up-to-date with official regulations (e.g. JCQ and IB) and amend school policies accordingly; disseminating key information to relevant staff.

REPORTS TO

You will be directly responsible to the Assistant Principal Academic.

MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE JOB

 Scheduling and communication of examination timetables and room plans

 Submission of entries, accurately and on time

 To ensure that exam papers are checked and stored safely in accordance with exam board rules;

 Ensuring efficient management and supervision of the exam room environment

 Management of the results communication process

 Liaison with the Academic Officer with regards to exam rooming and timetables 

 Oversight and smooth running of all internal and external school exams 

 Recruitment and management of invigilation team

 Direction and training of staff assisting during exam period (invigilation training)

 Responding to students’, parents’ and staff enquiries with regards to exams

 Managing the examinations budget effectively

 Coordinating with the ALSCo regarding applications for examination Access Arrangements

 Ensuring with the ALSCo that academic staff produce the required “picture of need” evidence 

over the academic year to support the Access Arrangements

 Leading INSET to advise staff of examination procedures and policies

 Entering students for university entrance examinations, including but not exclusively BMAT, TSA, 

STEP

 Liaise with other Exams Officers within the CATS Global Schools; sharing key information and 

good practice

 With the Assistant Principal Academic, reviewing policies pertaining to examinations

 Ensure the school is examination inspection ready, according to JCQ and IB regulations

 Support the Assistant Principal Academic and Data Officer with data analysis if required

 Support the Assistant Principal Academic and Data Officer with school reporting if required.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

The job requires that you be:

 IT literate

 Efficient and organised

 Accurate, analytical and concise

 A skilled communicator and a relationship builder - able to work effectively with colleagues and students

 Good at prioritising your time

 Proactive, flexible, trustworthy, dependable and reliable

 Comfortable working in English

 Internationally aware and culturally sensitive

 A good team player, but also able to work autonomously

 Willing to play a part in the wider life of the College community

 Committed to your own continuing professional development; participating in the school’s performance and development review process, taking personal responsibility for identification of 

learning, development and training opportunities in discussion with your line manager.

And that you have:

 Experience of data analysis (e.g. use of MS365 including Excel)

 The ability to produce clear, helpful reports and make recommendations

 Experience of working within an academic environment

And finally

CATS Global Schools is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects everyone connected with the school/s to share this commitment and to engage with all relevant training