Librarian

Forest School is a high performing independent day school for approximately 1400 pupils aged 4-18, situated on the edge of Epping Forest in Northeast London.

We are seeking an enthusiastic, inspirational, innovative, and well qualified Librarian/Information Scientist with a strong leaning to information, library systems and research, to join our dynamic, superbly stocked Library. The Library comprises of three qualified librarians and an assistant librarian, and is housed on two floors in our modern Martin Centre for Innovation, and a beautiful, child-friendly space in the adjacent Preparatory School.

The successful candidate will be able to demonstrate knowledge and passion for the power of imagination and information, in developing literate, information aware pupils and teachers who can confidently navigate and effectively harness 21st Century information environments and resources creatively, productively, and responsibly.

Forest School is large, diverse, friendly, and dynamic. Our library services allow each pupil to discover relatable fiction and credible, accessible non-fiction to support their personal and academic development, using media that suit their needs at a given time.

The school has developed modern, relevant library resources and services to support all staff and pupils in their information needs, research, and work. The Librarians must promote, develop, and integrate information literacy and skills across the academic, pastoral and co-curriculum to support informed research and enquiry by pupils and staff, with the library as their first, preferred source.

All GCSE and A-Level pupils complete Project Qualifications. The Librarian must integrate and coordinate library services with the research and development needs of supervisors and over 600 pupils, providing specialised research support to them. All librarians periodically supervise a project group to stay in touch with the needs of pupils and supervisors, and with developments in the subject.

The Librarians are responsible for maintaining and developing our excellent and dynamic collection of relevant, diverse, and up-to-date resources for staff and pupils. Striving to develop a central information hub for all, the library services extend to managing all the senior school textbooks and all online subscriptions in the school, including educational applications and resources, making these visible and accessible to everyone via online catalogue. Librarians work closely with the Digital Education specialist and others in the school to modernise.

Library resources are available to pupils and staff, anywhere and anytime, via online catalogue. Maintaining and developing the catalogue, learning paths, reading lists and other resources, and integrating the catalogue and information literacy supports into every lesson through MS-Teams, will be an important aspect of the role. Conversely, it is equally important to bring classes into the library. At every opportunity, the librarian must be a passionate promoter, facilitator and teacher of information literacy and skills, using the best tools and sources available, to any group, class, teacher, or pupil.

Librarians are responsible for the daily operation of the libraries as welcoming, interesting, and orderly spaces, hosting events and activities that support academic, pastoral, and co-curricular programmes. The Senior School Library is housed on two floors in the school’s modern Martin Centre for Innovation.

Librarians have the support of the Head Librarian, Information Director, Senior Leadership, and other information services, to develop library services, skills, and facilities to the benefit of the whole school community.

Forest is a humane, open-minded school with both feet on the ground, in which the pupils’ all-round personal development is outstanding and academic attainment is high. It is, above all, a happy school which understands the rich inter-relationship between the curricular, the co-curricular and the pastoral. There is boldness in the school’s character, a readiness to be forward-thinking and adaptable, with pride in what we are and excitement for what lies ahead.

As one of the largest day schools in HMC, Forest abounds with opportunities for professional and career development. Staff at Forest are rarely just confined to their subject area and the majority play a full and active role in Forest’s enviable super-curricular and co-curricular programme, with opportunities to lead in clubs and activities as diverse as Model United Nations, Extended Project Qualification, Jedi Warrior Lightsabre Fencing, Chapel Choir, Music Technology and Cricket, to give but a few examples. The ambition, richness, and distinct nature of the integrated curriculum at Forest offers our staff with an unparalleled experience of a modern and holistic education in our beautiful London setting. As our Good Schools Guide Review (2023) suggests Forest is a ‘flourishing, successful and well-led school in a glorious, green setting with consistently strong results that don’t require pupils to sacrifice happiness or wellbeing on the way to achieving them… an education that’s so genuinely rounded you could make hoops from it.’

Forest also invests heavily in staff development, all librarians will be supported to obtain further qualifications, professional status or chartership, training in digital applications and systems, participation in library and education conferences, professional communities.

There are many benefits of working at Forest school as staff are our single most important asset. Key benefits include:    

• Generous CPD budget               
• Comprehensive Professional Development Review system               
• Opportunities to contribute to the wider community via our extensive Outreach Programme       
• Free hot lunch (takeaway sandwich lunch also available) and refreshments throughout the day               
• 20% fee remission (pro-rata for part time staff) for children attending Forest which is applicable Y3-Y13               
• Subsidised membership to the Sylvestrian Leisure Centre             
• Membership of the School's Group Life Assurance scheme and Personal Accident Scheme        
• Contribution towards private medical insurance fees               
• Membership of a pension scheme

Applications will be reviewed on an ongoing basis so early applications are encouraged. The School reserves the right to make an appointment at any stage.

Applications close on 16th April 2023, 17:00pm

Interviews will be on 24th April 2023