Librarian

Ackworth School, a co-educational boarding and day school, was founded in 1779 by the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers). It maintains its ethos and traditions, and is still governed by the Society, although only a small number of pupils are from the Quaker tradition. The school is academically non-selective and provides an excellent range of facilities and extra-curricular opportunities. The school is a member of both HMC and the Society of Heads.

We are looking to recruit a Librarian to work during term time in the Senior school. This is an extremely important role at Ackworth school as we continue to build the profile and programmes that support students to read, develop their literacy skills and become lifelong lovers of reading and literature. The successful candidate(s) will assume responsibility for the management of the library, including managing resources, budget, and stock control. They will work with key Heads of Faculty, Departments and teaching staff to provide a rich and vibrant environment to engage and motivate students both within and outside their curriculum lessons. The library at Ackworth is a place of learning and enjoyment and the successful candidate will play a vital role in maintaining this culture whilst thinking of innovative ways to increase the number of pupils who use and access it.

A key feature of this role will be ensuring the library provides a range of reading and reference materials, ensuring students can access materials to support, enrich and extend their learning, interests, and knowledge. They will establish, maintain, and develop a vibrant learning environment where students can read and study independently and/or in small groups including pre-school pupils from Coram House. Additionally, it is also incredibly important that this includes providing and increasing opportunities for students across the ability range (e.g., SEND, EAL).

The English department at Ackworth use the library as part of their curriculum with all KS3 pupils taking part in a reading lesson once a week. This therefore means that the successful candidate will become an integral part of developing that curriculum using research-informed approaches to support developing or reluctant readers. This will include supporting the English department with running any targeted intervention or small group learning. 

This is a term time only role. There are 34 teaching weeks at Ackworth school. Your working hours will be 37.5 per week and the working day is from 9.30 am to 5.30 pm (Tuesday 10.00 am to 6.00 pm) in order to support with after school clubs and pupil time in the library. We may look for some flexibility on these hours from time to time.

In return we offer:

• a competitive salary and generous fee remission of 50% for the children of our staff.

• all food and refreshments during the working day.

• free on-site parking.

• flexible pension and health benefits.

• a supportive and friendly work-place environment based on the Quaker ethos of the school.

• a committed parent community which plays an active part in the school.

• a beautiful working location in an ideal location within easy travelling distance of the main centres of Sheffield, Leeds, Doncaster and York.

Salary starts from £20,180 (FTE - £26,500) based on 34 teaching weeks plus 5.6 weeks holiday.

Applications must be made on a school application form. CV’s cannot be accepted. They should be sent to: 

Joanne Colley

HR Manager

Ackworth School 

Pontefract Road 

Ackworth 

Pontefract 

WF7 7LT 

Or by email to: jobs@ackworthschool.com 

Closing Date: Thursday 16th November 2023 at 9:00 a.m. We do reserve the right to close the advert early.

Interviews will be held the week after.

For an informal and confidential discussion, please contact Joanne Colley on 01977 233600.

Applicants should read carefully the Recruitment, Selection and Disclosure Policy. Our recruitment privacy notice is also available on our website within “Working For Us”. Please take time to read the school's recruitment process document in order that you are clear about the process and expectations in line with safer recruitment.

Ackworth School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and all applicants will undergo child protection screening, including checks with past employers and an enhanced DBS and Barred list check with Disclosure and Barring Service. Applicants should also be in sympathy with the School’s Quaker ethos.