Finance and Community Learning Assistant

Transcription

1 Finance and Community Learning Assistant Candidate Information Pack Small enough to care, big enough to deliver a positive impact January 2016

2 Executive Headteacher s welcome Thank you for your interest in this opportunity to join Astley Community High School and Whytrig Middle School as Finance and Community Learning Assistant. This candidate information pack will tell you much more about our schools and the role. This is a new role designed to support the joint Finance function for Astley Community High School and Whytrig Middle School, which are co-located on the same site in Elsdon Avenue in Seaton Delaval, as well as the High School s Community Learning service. These are two of the key functions within the Business Support team, led by our Business Manager who works across all three schools in the Seaton Valley Federation of Schools, the other being Seaton Sluice Middle School. The three schools share a single governing body. I am immensely proud to be Executive Headteacher of all three schools. We strive for excellence in the education we provide for our students and are a focal point for the local community. I strongly believe that the relatively small size of all three schools provides a great environment in which to know our young people well, so that we are able to understand and respond to each individual s needs and enable them to succeed. Our staff are very focused on ensuring students achieve their best without losing sight of those individual needs. We are always keen to learn from other professionals and have developed an excellent relationship with other schools across the north-east to ensure teachers have access to a strong Continuous Professional Development programme. Building up the skills and capacity of support staff is also a key priority. I hope that the information within this pack will encourage you to apply for this opportunity. You are also welcome to arrange an informal visit to our school by contacting Suzanne Hendey, Business Manager on Extension 205. John Barnes Executive Headteacher Seaton Valley Federation of Schools 1

3 Our ethos and values We have three main themes to our ethos: 1. To be a school who knows your child really well both academically and pastorally as a complete young person. 2. Everyone within the school is treated with respect and we expect that respect to be mutual. 3. We expect and strive for everyone associated with the school to be as good as they possibly can in all areas of school life. We do not accept not trying and we are never ashamed of doing well and being proud of doing well. Our schools are small enough to care but big enough to deliver a positive impact. All three schools in the Seaton Valley Federation share a set of core values. We expect that all members of our school community will: develop their self-knowledge, self-esteem and self-confidence respect the laws of England and will know right from wrong and ensure their actions reflect this accept responsibility for their behaviour show initiative and contribute in a positive way to the school community, the local community and society in general show respect for each other and all other people show tolerance and respect for different cultures and traditions and will never act in such a way that these cultures or traditions are abused or attacked show respect for the rule of democracy and respect for the democratic principles of England. 2

4 About our schools School Age range Total number of pupils Number in sixth form Astley Community High School Seaton Sluice Middle School N/A Whytrig Middle School N/A Astley Community High School attracts a number of students from outside the Seaton Valley area. There is a strong sixth form and we typically retain 75% of our Year 11 students for further study. More information about sixth form including our propsectus is available from: About our performance School Overall effectiveness Last Ofsted inspection Astley Community High School To be published on 01/02/16 January 2016 Seaton Sluice Middle School Good February 2013 Whytrig Middle School Good January Key Stage 4 Data % of pupils making expected progress % of pupils making more than expected progress % achieving 5+ A*-C including English and Maths English Maths English Maths 2015# 2014# 2013# Astley 77% 79% 31% 32% 62%^ 51% 38% National average 69% 66% 30% 30% 56% 55% 60% # Data for 2014 and 2015 based on first entry; data for 2013 based on best entry. ^ Includes remarks not yet included in published unvalidated data Key Stage 2 Data Level 4+ Mathematics, Reading and Writing Level 4+ Mathematics Level 4+ Reading Level 4+ Writing L4+ English Grammar, Spelling and Punctuation Whytrig 91% 91% 98% 98% 85% National 80% 87% 89% 87% 80% average 3

5 About our structure Executive Headteacher Seaton Valley Federation of Schools Head of School ACHS Head of School WMS Assistant Head Student Support Assistant Head Curriculum IT and Timetable Assistant Head Post- 16/Teaching and Learning Assistant Head Inclusion SVF Business Manager SVF The Business Support Team is led by the Business Manager, who reports to the Executive Headteacher. Head of School and SLT SSMS About the Business Support Team Over the next few pages you will find the advert, job description and person specification for the post of Finance and Community Learning Assistant but we know that you will want to know more about the Business Support Team. The Business Support team plays a vital role in ensuring that Astley Community High School and Whytrig Middle School run effectively so that our students and staff can succeed. We provide a wide range of support services including Finance, HR, Administration, Marketing and Governance, as well as facilities services such as Caretaking, Cleaning and Catering. Community Learning focuses on providing access to our facilities outside school hours so that the local community can take part in swimming lessons, football coaching and sports camps or hire our premises to organise their own activities. This new role will be crucial in providing administrative support to the Business Support Officer Finance and the Business Support Officer Premises, Community Learning and Health and Safety. We look forward to welcoming a new member to our small but highly motivated team. 4 Suzanne Hendey, Business Manager

6 Astley Community High School and Whytrig Middle School Elsdon Avenue Seaton Delaval Tyne and Wear NE25 0BP Finance and Community Learning Assistant Variable hours of hours per week, either full year or term-time plus 10 days Band 3: 14,300-15,306 per annum (based on 37 hours per week, term-time plus 10 days), pro rata of 16,231-17,372 per annum This new role is an exciting opportunity to join our Business Support team. Your main role will be to undertake all aspects of financial processing, cash handling and maintaining financial records including reconciling accounts and assisting with budget monitoring. You will also provide administrative support for the Community Learning service, ensuring enrolments are processed, registers maintained and income collected. With GCSE level A*-C (or equivalent) in English and Maths and ideally also a Level 3 Business and Finance qualification, you will have previous experience of financial administration including maintaining manual and computerised records, processing orders/invoices and cash handling. We are looking for someone who is self-motivated, efficient and adaptable. You will need to enjoy paying meticulous attention to detail and achieving high standards of accuracy but equally important will be your ability to deal effectively with queries from students, staff, parents and suppliers. The working hours of this post at the start of the appointment are likely to be 37 hours per week worked Monday-Friday with occasional evening work to support school events. The option to work full year or term-time plus 10 days during school holidays will be considered. We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expect all staff to share this commitment. An enhanced criminal records check is required for this post. Interested in applying? A completed application form and criminal records declaration form must be submitted by 12 noon on Tuesday 9 February 2016 by to communityjobs@astleyhigh.org. It is expected that interviews will be held on Wednesday 24 February Further infomation about all of our current vacancies is available at: 5

7 Job Description Post Title: Finance and Community Learning Director/Division Children s Services Office Use Assistant Band: 3 Service/Workplace: Astley Community High School and Whytrig Middle School JE ref: S1289 Responsible to: Business Support Officer- Finance and Date: January 2015 Manager Level: Business Support Officer Premises, Community Learning & Health and Safety Job Purpose: Under the instruction/guidance of senior staff, provide financial/administrative support to the school, maintaining confidentiality at all times. To undertake all aspects of financial processing, cash handling and maintenance of financial records, reconciling accounts and assisting with budget monitoring. To provide administrative support for the community learning service, ensuring enrolments are processed, registers maintained and income collected. Resources Staff None. Finance Physical Clients Duties and key result areas: Handling and accounting for money, ordering and receiving goods, financial transactions. Office equipment and safe, accuracy and security of financial and community learning systems. Internal (Teachers, Support Staff, Pupils) and External (Community Learning Users, Parents, Visitors, Members of the Public and Suppliers). Providing relevant information to Northumberland County Council and Government Agencies. Gerneral Organisation 1. Assist in arrangements for schools trips, events etc 2. Undertake reception duties and hospitality, answering general telephone and face to face enquiries and signing in visitors when required as back up. Financial Administration 1. Deal with a range of student and staff queries including staffing the Finance Office counter. 2. Maintain manual records and computerised records/information systems. 3. Process orders and invoices in accordance with approved financial procedures and regulations. 4. Collection, checking and receipt of monies from students, parents and staff. 5. Raise external invoices for letting charges and reimbursement of certain expenditure. 6. Assist with uniform orders and sales during school hours and during school holidays. 7. Process internal recharges within the school budget e.g. photocopier charges. 8. Receipt, reconcile and prepare for banking all income received through the schools local account and the school funds. 9. Compilation of spreadsheets and processing of financial information, including production of ad-hoc reports. 10. Advise Business Support Officer - Finance of any discrepancies/problems and assist with investigation/solutions. 11. Monthly checking and chasing of outstanding commitments. 12. Assist with procurement processes including obtaining alternative quotes and ensuring value for money. 6

8 13. Opening and receipt of all invoices/delivery notes. 14. Distribution of invoices to appropriate members of staff for checking and payment authorisation. 15. Checking and re-ordering financial stationery stock/supplies as required. 16. Maintenance of finance filing system, checking and archiving financial related documentation to comply with NCC and school procedures. 17. Dealing with suppliers queries. 18. Upkeep of schools asset register. 19. Administration of the School Fund, including monthly reconciliations. Community Learning 1. Work with the Communication and Marketing Assistant to promote Community Learning activities including marketing information, open evenings etc. 2. Prepare and distribute enrolment forms for Community Learning activities and record received enrolment forms in order to prepare registers. 3. Liaise with Community Sports Development Officers and Community Learning Tutors regarding enrolments, operational arrangements and payment queries. 4. Respond to enquiries about letting of school premises, prepare draft lettings agreements and undertake checks of insurance, qualifications etc in liaison with the Business Support Officer Premises, Community Learning & Health and Safety. 5. Maintenance of community learning filing system, checking and archiving learner related documentation to comply with NCC and school procedures. Resources 1. Operate relevant office equipment/ict packages (e.g. FMS, word, excel, SIMS, ) 2. Maintain stock and supplies, cataloguing and distributing as required. 3. Undertake financial, community learning, premises and health and safety administrative procedures as required. Responsibilities 1. Be aware of and comply with policies and procedures relating to child protection; health, safety and security; confidentiality and data protection, reporting all concerns to an appropriate person 2. Be aware of and support difference and ensure equal opportunities for all. 3. Contribute to the overall ethos/work/aims of the schools. 4. Appreciate and support the role of other professionals. 5. Attend and participate in relevant meetings as required. 6. Participate in training and other learning activities and performance development as required. 7. Such other responsibilities allocated which are appropriate to the grade of the post. The duties and responsibilities highlighted in this job description are indicative and may vary over time. Post holders are expected to undertake other duties and responsibilities relevant to the nature, level and extent of the post and the grade has been established on this basis. Work Arrangements Physical requirements: Transport requirements: Working patterns: Working conditions: Lifting and carrying of small-medium parcels e.g. uniform None Normal work patterns, either full year or term-time plus 10 days during school holidays in consultation with the postholder Normally indoors 7

9 PERSON SPECIFICATION Post Title: Finance and Community Learning Assistant Service: Children s Services, Astley Community High School and Ref: S1289 Whytrig Middle School Essential Desirable Assess by Knowledge and Qualifications NVQ 2 level qualification in literacy and numeracy e.g. GCSE A*-C in English and Maths Experience Working with Excel spreadsheets. Experience of undertaking a range of administrative tasks within a Finance department or undertaking a generalist role with some responsibility for financial administration. Skills and competencies Able to work under pressure and with accuracy. Able to work independently with minimum supervision, but also able to work well as part of a team. Ability to use IT software effectively. Good ICT & keyboard skills. Ability to relate effectively to staff, pupils and parents. Effective time management skills Ability to deal with meeting critical deadlines Physical, mental and emotional demands Ability to deal with stressful periods such as the year end and other peak periods through the year. 8 NVQ 3 qualification in finance, business administration or bookkeeping. Awareness of Consistent Financial Reporting (CFR) for schools. Working knowledge of SIMS FMS, School Fund Manager or other financial ICT package. Experience of working in a school or educational environment. Experience of working with cost codes to classify income and expenditure. Experience of educational ICT systems and/or other management information systems e.g. SIMS. (a) (a), (i), (t) (a), (i), (t) (i)

10 Other Willingness to participate in training and personal development. Key to assessment methods; (a) application form, (i) interview, (r) references, (t) ability tests (q) personality questionnaire (g) assessed group work, (p) presentation, (o) others e.g. case studies/visits (i) 9

11 Working in the Seaton Valley Federation of Schools We always look to strengthen our highly dedicated team of staff with people who have high expectations of students and themselves, can work cooperatively and make a positive contribution to the life of the school. In return we can offer: opportunities for continuing professional development membership of the Teachers Pension Scheme (for teachers and tutors) or the Local Government Pension Scheme (for support staff), which the school also contributes to on your behalf between 25 and 30 days annual leave for support staff who work full year good transport connections from the A1 and A19 for easy access to Seaton Delaval and Seaton Sluice ample staff car parking shared premises with Northumberland County Council s Seaton Valley Library Living and working in Northumberland If you are new to the area, we can assure you that south east Northumberland is a great place to live and work. Seaton Delaval has its own National Trust property, Seaton Delaval Hall, and Seaton Sluice overlooks the coast with its beautiful sandy beaches. It is only a short drive from the Seaton Valley area to enjoy the spectacular scenery of the Cheviot and Simonside Hills and the Northumberland National Park beyond. We are also conveniently located within ten miles of both Newcastle City Centre and Newcastle Airport. Take a look at for more information. 10

12 Our commitment to professional development We are committed to the continuing professional development of all of our staff. There is a weekly session for teachers to undertake Continuing Professional Development focused on teaching and learning. These sessions are led by internal and external providers and we expect all teachers to contribute to these sessions to that we can share and build upon good practice and innovative ideas. We hold joint training days for the three schools in the Seaton Valley Federation to facilitate an integrated approach across all phases and stages. Staff are given the opportunity to work in other schools at specific times of the school year to develop their skills and knowledge of other key stages. We provide opportunities for teaching staff to observe at least one other colleague of their choosing during the school year to support staff to reflect on their own practice. North-east teaching schools and Durham County Council provide a range of CPD opportunities so that we can learn from, and develop our professional practice with, other professionals. Each member of staff has a CPD plan to address areas for development identified through the annual appraisal process and we support staff to develop their skills and knowledge. There are many examples of how we have enabled teaching and support staff to undertake courses of further study either through financial assistance or time off. Our commitment to equal opportunities We seek to employ a workforce which reflects the diversity of the communities we serve. We understand and value the added contribution that individuals can make when we recognise and embrace individual differences in age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation. Our recruitment and selection process is designed to be fair and avoid discrimination. Our Equality and Diversity in Employment Policy is available from: 11

13 Our commitment to safeguarding children and young people Keeping our children and young people safe and secure is crucially important. We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and we expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. It is important during the recruitment process that we ensure candidates support this commitment. We will ask all applicants to tell us in confidence about any criminal convictions they have and the successful candidate will also need to obtain an enhanced certificate from the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS). This does not mean that you cannot work here if you have a criminal conviction as we will take into account factors such as the age of the conviction, its relevance to the job and any mitigating factors before making a decision. However we are aware that not everyone who is a risk to children will have a criminal conviction and therefore you should expect at interview that we will explore any gaps in your employment record, your motivations for working with children and young people and your ability to keep them safe from harm. We will also check this information in any references we receive, one of which must be from your current or last employer. How to apply Please read the job description and person specification for the post carefully before completing an application form. Your completed application form including the names and contact details of two referees and your criminal record declaration form must be ed by 12 noon on Tuesday 9 February 2016 to: communityjobs@astleyhigh.org. In exceptional cases we will accept applications by post however please contact us to discuss this in advance. Please note that we do not accept CVs. Contact us Address: Astley Community High School and Whytrig Middle School, Elsdon Avenue, Seaton Delaval NE25 0BP Telephone: / Websites: and 12