KS2 Prep Teacher

THE POST

St Helen's Prep School is looking to appoint a Full Time KS2 Prep Teacher who is able to start September 2024. 

THE 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. 

THE PREP SCHOOL

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

Structure:

The Head of Prep School is supported by a Deputy Head (Academic) and Assistant Head (Pastoral) 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, 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, linked 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 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.

Pastoral support for all pupils is a key focus in Prep, as we know that happy well supported children learn well. Initiatives such as ‘Zones of Regulation’ are used across the whole of Prep and our Pastoral Support Lead offers a variety of therapies and counselling. 

Our girls are taught by well-qualified primary specialists with additional contributions from some Senior School staff in Years 4, 5 and 6. Staff are kept up to date with current initiatives through inset days, weekly staff meetings and outside educational specialist training providers. 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 Leaders in Prep 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 4, 5 and 6 there are residential courses, which are highly popular and very beneficial. 

Assemblies are utilised as a key element in the girls’ moral education and promote British Values. An awareness of the ethics of community life, the environment and tolerance are celebrated through stories, speech, and drama. Assemblies are also used to celebrate pupil achievements.

Staff report formally to parents in writing each term, there are two short reports in autumn and spring and a full report each summer. Consultation Evenings are held autumn and spring, during which parents are able to discuss their daughter’s progress. Parents are encouraged to visit the school frequently, attending assemblies, presentations, concerts, Christmas productions, Dance Shows and Sports Day. The school values strong partnerships with parents. Throughout the year there are various workshops and curriculum/Meet the Teacher evenings for parents to attend.

EYFS and Key Stage 1

The pre-prep Section of the School is based in two buildings which have been tastefully converted into spacious, age-appropriate accommodation. Girls enter St Helens EYFS at 3+ (which comprises three Nursery classes of 16), with a further 12 girls joining at 4+ (making three Reception classes of 20). They are housed in Little Gables. Years 1 and 2 have three classes each of 20 pupils and they are based in Gables. 

EYFS and KS1 consists of approximately 230 girls aged from three to seven years. The broad and balanced education which we provide caters for each girl as an individual in terms of her personal, social, and emotional development and engenders academic potential through play, exploration, active learning, creativity, and critical thinking. Everyone is encouraged to be self-motivated and independent, and students thrive in this secure and happy environment. 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.

The curriculum provides a firm foundation on which to build in KS2 and beyond. In Nursery and Reception, the teachers follow the principles of the Early Years Foundation stage. 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.

There is a Library in each building, containing an extensive stock of fiction and non-fiction books. We encourage the girls to develop both library skills and an appreciation and love of literature through reading and visiting the library regularly. We have invested in ICT provision and the girls have access to laptops and iPads.

Before and after-school Co-Curricular activities are regarded as an essential part of the girls’ experience from KS1. All teachers are expected to run a club each term. There are also very active School and Eco-School Councils.

Please read the job information pack for a list of responsibilities and person specification.

APPLICATION PROCESS

Closing date: 8:00am Friday 3rd May 2024

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 high 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 Prep Senior Leadership team, be observed teaching a lesson, have a tour of 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 2023 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