Applying for jobs at Strode's College Please note that the application is in two parts the Application Form and the Personal Details Sheet. Your personal details will be separated from the Application Form before the shortlisting process, to ensure that candidates are considered without the shortlisting panel knowing any details of age, gender or ethnic background. If you are invited for interview then the two sections will be joined again. To enable us to match the two sections you must put your National Insurance Number at the top of each page. You are asked not to send CVs or covering letters, as these will not be used in the shortlisting process, but to detail any information in support of your application in section 6 of the form. Completed application forms should be returned to the College either by email to jobs@strodes.ac.uk or post by noon on the closing date stated in the advertisement. Applicants short-listed for interview will be notified within two weeks of the closing date. If you have not been contacted during this period you should assume that your application, on this occasion, has been unsuccessful. In accordance with our usual data procedures, your details will be kept on file for 6 months before being destroyed. Should you have any queries about this, please do not hesitate to contact me. Strode s College is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of young people, and successful applicants will be asked to undertake an Enhanced Disclosure via the Criminal Records Bureau. Thank you for your interest in Strode s College. June 2013 Page 1 of 7
STRODE S COLLEGE EGHAM Strode s has a long history as an educational institution and, in 2004, celebrated the tercentenary of its foundation by Henry Strode, an Egham merchant and Master Cooper. Its origins were as a school for the poor children of Egham. In the twentieth century, it evolved into a boys Grammar School and in 1975 it became a sixth form college which was incorporated as an FE Corporation in 1993. Since April 2010, the College has had a new status as a Sixth Form College Corporation which guarantees a continuing high degree of autonomy. In September 2012, the College had approximately 1500 full-time students (predominately 16-18) and over 2000 part-time (predominately adult) students. Evening course provision has grown very rapidly in recent years. Part time provision in the evening includes courses leading to nationally recognised qualifications, as well as non-accredited courses that people take for personal interest. We also offer part time courses in the day, which are held at the College s Community Learning Centre and in a variety of outreach venues. Our 16-18 students come from a wide area of North West Surrey and outer London including Richmond and Twickenham. In total, students come from over 90 different schools, with around 45% of full-time 16-18 year olds coming from our partner schools: The Magna Carta School, Sunbury Manor, Thamesmead, Thomas Knyvett, The Matthew Arnold School and Jubilee High School. A significant number of students also come from Orleans Park, Waldegrave School and Twickenham Academy. We maintain strong links with our partner and contributory schools through our School Liaison Team and senior staff. Our purpose is to inspire students to fulfil their potential by providing a broad and high quality education in a supportive and dynamic learning environment. We offer over 50 subjects at AS, A2 and Level 3 BTEC as well as a range of courses at Level 2. In recent years we have diversified our provision, encouraging adult enrolments through our evening class provision. Adult education is also provided in a range of outreach centres; 14 different venues were used last year. All full-time 16-18 students are required to follow a tutorial programme and are encouraged to broaden their interests from a range of examined and non-examined options. In addition there is a considerable variety of team and other sporting activities, some of which take place off-site. The aim of our curriculum, which includes student-organised activities, music, drama, pastoral care and careers guidance, is designed to prepare students for adulthood as responsible, selfmanaged young adults, through their experience of study, recreation and community life within the College. Students are encouraged to take responsibility for managing many aspects of College life; they are subject to a minimum of rules and are given every opportunity within a caring community of developing self-discipline and self-awareness. There is a Student Council which is affiliated to the NUS. We place great emphasis on our pastoral work which is organised through a team of Guidance Team Leaders and Tutors, with the Director of Adult Education being responsible for adult enrolments. We also have a College Counsellor and Chaplain. June 2013 Page 2 of 7
We are outward-looking and seek to be an integral part of our local community. Students have the opportunity of committing some time to Community Service, e.g. in play groups, schools, day centres and hospitals. Local expertise in business, industry, higher education and the arts is used by the College in a variety of ways including work shadowing, work experience, staff secondments, lectures and workshops. We take an active part in town twinning and are actively broadening our links with Runnymede Borough Council and local sports clubs and we are a member of the Egham Chamber of Commerce. Our buildings include a blend of the old and the modern, ranging from 1820 s alms houses to a Student Centre and two new classroom blocks - The Tercentenary Building which was completed in 2008, and the Jubilee Building which was completed in 2012. There has been a major refurbishment of some of the older buildings in the College, providing replacement modern and well-equipped classrooms. Our science facilities have just been refurbished, assisted by a recent grant of over half a million pounds from the Education Funding Agency. Transport links to the College are good and enable easy access to staff who choose to live at a distance from the College. Egham railway station, which is a five minute walk from the College, is on the main Waterloo to Reading line and there is a half hourly service to Chertsey, Addlestone and Weybridge. Egham is also near the junction of the M25 and M3, with easy access to the M4 and M40. The River Thames and Windsor Great Park are nearby. Free on-site car parking is available on a first-come first-served basis, and there is a covered rack for staff bicycles. The College currently has 60 full-time and 14 part-time teaching staff, and there are 59 support staff, some of whom work on a part-time basis within service teams. All staff participate in staff development activities which contribute to their professional development and their understanding of the College and the education sector in general. As well as encouraging staff to attend training tailored to their individual professional development, we engage a number of external experts to run sessions each year on topical subjects of interest such as forced marriage, transgender issues etc. Additionally, the College is always happy to consider applications from employees for financial assistance with longer term courses and qualifications. All eligible employees are offered membership of the Teachers Pension Scheme or Local Government Pension Scheme, both of which are final salary scheme pensions. We have an Employee Assistance Programme, which is a resource offering confidential advice and counselling on a range of practical and emotional issues including legal problems, child/elder care and stress. The College also offers a childcare voucher scheme providing tax savings to people who use registered childminders, playschemes and nurseries. Free tea and coffee is available in a recently refurbished staff room, and we have an on-site gym facility. June 2013 Page 3 of 7
COLLEGE OFFICE MANAGER Full time, to start on Monday 12 August 2013 We are seeking to appoint a highly efficient and well organised person to set up and manage our new College Office. The successful candidate will have exceptional customer services skills, be proactive and have a can do mentality. This newly created post offers an exciting opportunity to join a popular and successful sixth form college as it travels on its Journey to Outstanding, an initiative to enable the College to meet the needs, aspirations and interests of students in Egham and the surrounding area. The successful applicant will be line managed by the Director of Finance & Business and will have the following main areas of responsibility: To line manage the Receptionists and Curriculum Assistant To manage the College s Reception service, including the info@strode s email service To set up and manage a centralised administrative support service for Curriculum Managers (Directors and Heads of Curriculum Departments) To provide administrative support for the Assistant Principals and the Director of Finance & Business To provide administrative support for other College processes and events To provide cover for the Principal s PA in his/her absence The post is offered on a permanent contract. The starting salary for the full time post is 24,235 plus 954 London fringe allowance, which is based on point 32 (Grade 6) of the Sixth Form Colleges Support Staff pay spine. The annual holiday entitlement is 22 days (rising to 25 days after five years service) plus three discretionary days which are generally taken between Christmas and New Year when the College is closed, plus bank holidays. The College offers all support staff the option of joining the Local Government Pension Scheme. This is a tax approved, defined benefit occupational pension scheme. The benefits under the scheme are based on the length of your membership and your final salary. Closing Date The closing date for applications to reach the College is midday on Thursday 20 June and interviews will take place in early July. The post starts on Monday 12 August 2013. June 2013 Page 4 of 7
COLLEGE OFFICE MANAGER Job Purpose: To line manage the Receptionists and Curriculum Assistant To manage the College s Reception service To manage a centralised administrative support service for Curriculum Managers (Directors and Heads of Curriculum Departments) To provide administrative support for the Assistant Principals and the Director of Finance & Business To provide administrative support for other College processes and events To provide cover for the Principal s PA in his/her absence Accountable to: Accountable for: Director of Finance & Business Receptionists Curriculum Assistant Key Accountabilities: Centralised Reception and Administrative Support Service Provide and manage an effective and efficient Reception service for the College Provide and manage centralised administrative support for Curriculum Managers (Directors and Heads of Curriculum Departments) Manage the paperwork for College Trips and Visits, including minibus bookings and the risk assessment process Assist the HR department with staff recruitment and staff absence procedures Administrative Support for the Assistant Principals and Director of Finance & Business Provide administrative support for the Assistant Principals and Director of Finance & Business including: a. Organising meetings and maintaining diaries b. Meeting and greeting visitors c. Organising and distributing agendas d. Taking and distributing minutes e. Assisting with the planning and running of events f. Carrying out projects g. Filing Other Administrative Support Oversee the bookings of College rooms and facilities for internal and external (lettings) clients Provide cover for the Principal s PA in his/her absence Such other duties as may be reasonably requested This job description sets out the duties of the post at the time it was drawn up. Such duties may vary from time to time without changing the general character of the duties or the level of responsibility entailed. Such variations are a common occurrence and cannot of themselves justify a reconsideration of the grading of the post. June 2013 June 2013 Page 5 of 7
COLLEGE OFFICE MANAGER Qualifications Person Specification ESSENTIAL DESIRABLE 1 Either: educated to at least A level or equivalent Or: educated to GCSE level or equivalent plus a minimum of five years relevant experience working in an office environment Skills and abilities 2 The ability and confidence to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing. 3 The ability to work quickly and accurately, showing attention to detail, particularly with regard to grammar and spelling. 4 Excellent minute-taking skills or the ability to develop them. 5 Possession of good interpersonal skills, e.g. tact, sensitivity, ability to listen. 6 The ability to prioritise and organise one s own and others workload in an effective and accurate manner. 7 Ability to be discreet and maintain high levels of confidentiality. Knowledge and Experience 8 Highly competent in the use of Microsoft Office applications, especially Word, Excel, Outlook and PowerPoint. 9 Experience of successfully managing others. 10 A minimum of at least three years recent experience of working in an office and/or customer service environment. 11 Previous relevant experience within an educational establishment. Attitudes and Values 12 Flexibility over working hours, including occasional evening work at College events. 13 Commitment to the promotion of equality and diversity and operating in a healthy and safe environment. 14 Commitment to continuous personal and institutional improvement. 15 Commitment to high professional and personal standards of June 2013 Page 6 of 7
work and conduct. June 2013 Page 7 of 7