School Librarian

Overview:

The successful candidate will run our School library and will have excellent organisational skills, an infectious enthusiasm, an engaging personality and a creative approach to their role.

 Main Responsibilities:

·        Have overall responsibility for the management of the Library, ensuring its smooth running and efficient operation.

·        To provide a safe, secure and welcoming environment where children wish to be.

·        Have extensive knowledge of children’s literature and authors.

·        Have an understanding of how to teach and support reading and research skills developmentally for children from 3-13 years.

·        Promote a whole-school reading culture through innovative and creative approaches.

·        Select, acquire, purchase, promote and organise new stock, in consultation with pupils, the English Department and the wider school community eg Heads of Department and the Head of Pre-prep.

·        Manage a central record of all books in the Library – who has borrowed books, signing in and signing out, what is overdue etc. including through exploring and extending options for digital management systems.

·        Promotion of the School’s wider curriculum and key national events such as careers boards, Black History Month displays etc.

 Library use to support lessons:

·        Liaise with the Head of English and English teachers about use of the Library as part of English lessons.

·        Work with other Heads of Departments, including the Head of Pre-prep, to identify resources that may enhance their provision.

·        Liaise with the Head of Pre-prep and Nursery to Year 2 teachers to determine weekly library sessions, including any key texts or core skills focuses.

·        Develop awareness and availability of the Library as a resource to be used in other curriculum lessons.

·        Maintain the Library primarily as a quiet space where pupils can read or research at breaktimes and lunchtimes.

·        Target different groups of children, eg reluctant readers, to encourage Library use.

 Other:

 ·        Develop Library initiatives such as termly events, termly themed boxes, book clubs, eg the Carnegie Medal book shadowing, author visits.

·        Compile reading recommendations and age-appropriate and regularly updated reading lists.

·        Recommend appropriate books to pupils based on their interests and ability with a knowledge of emerging trends and new authors and books.

·        Involvement with English events, eg World Book Day, National Poetry Day, Book Week, Read for Good.

·        Promote the library and related learning and resources through contributions to The Buzz and other School publications and platforms.

·        Work with the Head of Pre-prep to organise and run the annual Bookfair event.

·        Create and maintain engaging and stimulating displays.

 Terms of Employment (subject to Contract)

·     This is a full-time, term time only appointment to include School INSET days. Core hours are 8:30am to 3:00pm with half an hour for lunch Monday to Friday. The post is salaried and overtime is not paid.

·     The post-holder is entitled to 28 days paid statutory annual leave, which includes Bank Holidays, to be taken during the School holidays. 

·     Staff fee remission is available in accordance with the provision at the time of commencing employment.

·     Lunch and beverages are provided free whilst the School is in session. There is limited but free access to the School’s swimming pool and tennis courts at specified times.

·     Pension: the School operates a Group Personal Pension plan currently with Royal London whereby the School will contribute 7% of your salary if you contribute a minimum 3% of your salary. Staff who do not wish to join the scheme must opt out and will be automatically re-enrolled every three years in line with Government legislation.

·     Life assurance (death in service benefit of three times annual salary)

·     Notice period (following a probationary period of 6 months): 3 months

Person Specification – Essential

·     Experience relevant to the role, eg librarian/book shop/teaching assistant

·     A demonstrable ability to relate well to young people

·     Knowledge of current children’s literature and literacy organisations to assist with the School’s offer to pupils

·     Demonstrable passion for reading and the ability to help children develop the same passion

·     An ability to communicate with children to motivate and support them in their studies and wider reading

·     Well-developed organisational, administrative and IT skills

·     A willingness and enthusiasm to get involved with wider school life – for example with book clubs, World Book Day, Readathon, displays and author visits

·     Demonstrable understanding of the school environment and the requirements of safeguarding, including through monitoring the content of stock for appropriateness

·     To take initiative and to take direction

·     Excellent interpersonal and communication skills

 Person Specification – Desirable

·     Experience of working in a school library (especially Prep or Primary years)

·     Competence in using an automated Library Management System

 This Job Description may be altered to meet changing needs and will be reviewed with the post holder. The Job Description is indicative of the nature and level of responsibilities associated with the post. It is not intended to be exhaustive; other tasks may be allocated as necessary from time to time.

 Safeguarding and pre-employment checks

Beaudesert Park is committed to safeguarding the welfare of children at the School. Therefore this appointment will be subject to a successful Enhanced Disclosure check, including Barred List check, from the Disclosure and Barring Service. This will give details of all spent and unspent convictions, reprimands, warnings, and cautions. The supplied references will be taken up and the School will approach previous employers for information to verify particular experience or qualifications.