KS1 Teacher - Prep School

ST HELEN'S SCHOOL

St Helen’s is an academically selective independent girls’ day school of more than 1200 students aged 3-18, set in beautiful green space in Northwood, Middlesex.

It draws pupils from a wide area of north-west London, Buckinghamshire, and Hertfordshire with easy access by Underground from central London.

ST HELEN'S PREP SCHOOL

The Prep School caters for approximately 490 girls aged 3-11years.

Structure:

The Head of Prep School is supported by a Deputy and Assistant Head and there are leaders with responsibility for each Phase of the Prep School: EYFS (Nursery & Reception), KS1 (Years 1 & 2), LKS2 (Years 3 & 4), UKS2 (Years 5 & 6).

There are separate Subject Leaders in English and Mathematics with other Subject Leaders having responsibility across the Primary Phase.

The teaching of Music, PE and Speech & Drama is undertaken by specialist staff across the Phases and under the leadership of the Directors of these subjects in Senior School. Our Prep curriculum is constantly reviewed and updated in order to ensure that the girls receive learning which is progressive, stimulating and bespoke to them.  Our formative and summative assessment systems have recently been updated to provide a more holistic picture of each individual’s abilities. This means that teachers, parents and pupils know exactly where each girl is in terms of her learning and what her next steps are. All of the girls enjoy the advantages of being part of a large School and have access to a wide range of sporting facilities including an indoor swimming pool which is used from Nursery onwards.

Our girls are taught by well-qualified primary specialists with additional contributions from some Senior School staff in Years 5 and 6.  Staff are kept up to date with current initiatives through inset meetings and outside educational specialists. All members of staff in the Prep School meet regularly and plan collaboratively, to ensure the best possible learning experience for the pupils. Phase Leaders work with teachers across year groups for this purpose and to promote best practice. Subject Leaders in Prep work with all colleagues to keep teaching programmes up-to-date and develop pupils appropriately. Subject coordinators liaise with their counterparts in Senior School to ensure progression and continuity.

The girls’ educational experience is enhanced by Educational Visits for every year group, and by visiting speakers, complementing school- based activities. In Years 5 and 6 there are residential courses, which are highly popular and very beneficial.

Staff report formally to parents in writing once a year and hold Consultation Evenings during which parents are able to discuss their daughter’s progress. The school values strong partnerships with parents. Throughout the year there are various workshops and curriculum / Meet the Teacher evenings for parents to attend.

Key Stage 1

Years 1 and 2 have three classes each of 20 pupils and they are based in Gables.

Every class in these stages benefit from the support of a full-time Teaching Assistant. There are also Welfare Assistants who are part of Nursery and Reception at St Helen’s. Catering for the girls and staff is provided within St Helen’s by a dedicated team, managed by an experienced chef manager.

In KS1 & KS2,  the teachers follow the National Curriculum as a basis, but extend and broaden this as appropriate in order to provide further challenge. Girls also learn Ballet and French.

THE POST

St Helen’s Prep school is looking to appoint a Full Time permanent Key Stage 1 Teacher to start September 2023. The role will report to: KS1 Phase Leader

MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES

All teachers are expected to ensure the highest standards of teaching and learning by:

·        Preparing and delivering challenging and differentiated lessons.

·        Setting homework in accordance with the school’s homework policy

·        Marking work in accordance with the school’s marking policy

·        Using all available data and information to ensure that each student is provided with

an appropriate programme of study.

·        Having a good understanding of the curriculum they are following.

·        Keeping up to date with developments in the teaching of their Key Stage

·        Keeping up to date on current thinking around child development, teaching

pedagogy and metacognition

·        Take a full and active role in the Co-Curricular programme.

THE PERSON

It is essential for the successful candidate to have the following qualifications, experience, and personal attributes:

·        A 2:2 honours degree or above in a relevant or associated subject with QTS.

·        Experience of working across the KS1 phase

·        A love of teaching and learning and a commitment to further professional

development

·        Be able to work well with others and develop the curriculum through collaborative

planning.

·        Excellent classroom practice

·        Be able to lead learning in their classroom, develop each child and demonstrable

passion for each subject.

 It is desirable for the successful candidate to have the following qualifications, experience, and personal attributes: 

•     A teaching qualification such as PGCE (or equivalent)

•     Evidence of further professional development

•     Knowledge and experience of how technology can be used to support learning.

APPLICATION PROCESS

Closing date: 8am Monday 17th April 2023

Please apply as soon as possible as shortlisting/interviews will progress up until the closing date. Should a suitable candidate be appointed, we reserve the right to close the advert early. 

Due to the volume of applicants, we receive, if you do not hear from us within 4 weeks of the closing date, please assume we will not be progressing your application further on this occasion.

THE SELECTION PROCESS

Shortlisted candidates will be invited to the school where they will be interviewed by members of the Senior Leadership team, be observed teaching a lesson, have a tour of the Prep school and meet other members of the Phase and wider team.

St Helen’s school is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people, as detailed in Part 3 (Safer Recruitment) of the KCSIE 2022 guidance document. Applicants will be asked for proof of right to work in the UK and undergo child protection screening, including checks with past employers and the disclosure and barring service.

If you have any queries about this position, please contact the school at recruitment@sthelens.london