Chrysalis Partnership Assistant
- Job title: Chrysalis Partnership Assistant
- Job Type: Fixed-term (August 2025-July 2026), term-time only plus 10 days which will fall on weekend days and/or during Highgate School holidays
- Salary: £21,294 per annum (for the period). (£24,701 if the full pension flex benefit is utilised).
- Department: Community Partnerships
- Reporting to: Partnership Teaching Coordinator
- Location: Highgate, North London
- Start: 18th August 2025
- Closing Date: 16 June 2025 at 5:00 pm
Are you interested in teaching, working with children in an educational setting, working in the charity sector or all three?
If the answer is yes, then apply for the position of Chrysalis Partnership Assistant by submitting your application. Some of the skills that you can develop in the role include:
- Communication – you will be required to assist with pupils, staff and members of the public
- Organisation – especially if you are balancing this role alongside other work experiences or studying
- Team work – you will be working with a variety of people across the organisation to achieve shared goals
- Flexibility – no two days are the same!
- Initiative – at times you will work independently so having a proactive approach is essential
- Experience of working with children – a fantastic opportunity if you are considering working in the education or charity sector
If you would like to be part of a vibrant team working across a wide range of projects focused on tackling educational disadvantage, then we would like to hear from you!
PARTNERSHIP TEACHING
‘Chrysalis’ is the name given to our Partnership Teaching programme; it involves our active engagement with more than 35 schools in Haringey, Camden and Islington and is largely concentrated in STEM subjects at Key Stages 2, 3, 4 and 5. Our aim is to inspire able pupils, in maintained schools, to pursue these subjects at all levels, culminating in A-level and university. (For further information on the projects please see below).
Twenty teachers from Highgate have timetabled allocations which range from 4 to 24 periods per fortnight. The equivalent of four full-time Highgate teachers work on Chrysalis partnership projects, providing curriculum support, enrichment and extension opportunities, and some direct teaching.
Other teachers in Design and Technology, Biology, Classics, Drama, Music and Sport and Exercise (SpEx) also participate but do not have timetabled hours.
In addition, in September 2017, Highgate opened an academically selective sixth form, the London Academy of Excellence Tottenham (LAET). LAET won the “Best Sixth Form in the Country 2020” award from The Sunday Times in recognition of its immediate impact on attainment in Tottenham. Housed in state-of-the art facilities, LAET offers 15 facilitating subjects; these are the most academically rigorous A Levels sought by leading universities. The 2024 cohort at LAE Tottenham achieved excellent results: over two thirds achieved places at Russell Group universities, with 86% of all grades at A*-B.
For the past seven years, we have seconded between 5-8 Highgate teachers to LAET for a period of up to two years (with some staff being seconded for longer). From September, we will be adapting our secondment model to a cash donation system; this model will both cement our commitment to LAET and also build in additional staffing flexibility for LAET. In addition, staff in both schools will continue to work collaboratively with each other in a wide range of areas (from whole staff INSET, to departmental specific projects, to student led initiatives and employability mentoring). As the academic sponsor of LAET, Highgate also provides a significant part of the governing body.
Highgate has been systematically expanding its partnership work to provide more opportunities for London’s young people to pursue academic excellence, which will culminate in increased access to the best universities and most competitive graduate employers. Through the exciting ‘Chrysalis East’ programme, LAET itself serves as an additional hub of partnership teaching, working with other schools throughout the local community. It is following in the footsteps of its very successful sister school The London Academy of Excellence, Stratford, previously voted “Best Sixth Form in the Country” by The Sunday Times.
THE ROLE
The Chrysalis Partnership Assistant (formerly Chrysalis Teaching Fellow) programme was established in 2014. The team is line managed by the Partnerships Teaching Coordinator and comprises one Graduate Chrysalis Partnership Assistant and two Chrysalis Partnership Assistants. The assistants have contributed immensely to starting and running various projects and the invaluable experience gained during their time with us has helped them to move on to successful degrees and careers in the Law, Civil Service, Academia, Education and Research Science.
Chrysalis Partnership Assistants are responsible for helping to deliver partnership teaching projects undertaken by Highgate and partner schools, including the London Academy of Excellence, Tottenham. They assist with the administration, planning, running and assessment of partnership projects and report on their progress.
The post would be suitable for someone with a keen interest in education who might be seeking to work for a year in advance of embarking on a higher education degree. It would be a particularly useful opportunity for anyone considering a career in education and/or would be interested in developing their skills of project administration, delivery and management. Candidates should possess strong A Level results and/or be in line to achieve a good honours degree; although this is by no means essential, we especially welcome candidates who have a particular interest in Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Design Technology or a related STEM subject. They should be organised, possess strong interpersonal skills and be highly motivated to meet the projects’ goals.
MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES
Project Delivery
- Assist the Highgate teacher in the delivery of rich educational experiences for pupils in partner schools that will cultivate a long-lasting interest in the subjects taught and encourage pupils to choose these subjects at A-level and beyond.
- Work as a Classroom Assistant in a partner school with a Highgate teacher or partner school teacher
- Assist in the running of Thursday Lunchtime Activities (TLA) and Friday Lunchtime Activities (FLA) that take place in or with partner schools or members of Highgate’s local community—these may be in any area and are not necessarily academic
- Team teach or tutor in partnership events and projects at Highgate and partner schools
- Be an academic, extra-curricular or pastoral mentor to partner school pupils
Examples of Highgate’s Partnership Teaching Projects can be found on our website Partnerships | Highgate School
Project Management and Administration
- Help with the administration, organisation and delivery of Chrysalis partnership teaching, community projects and other related events
- Assist with the collection and analysis of assessment data for all projects
- Report to the Partnership Teaching Coordinator
Community Partnerships
- Assist the Director of Pupil Volunteering and Community Engagement and the Community Partnerships Officer with the organisation and running of the school’s community-facing programmes and events, such as the Year 10 Environment Morning and Y9 Community Day.
- Administer the programme of community-based pupil volunteering, including engaging with local schools and institutions in the local area, liaising with staff members responsible for the Duke of Edinburgh programme and reporting on pupil volunteering to senior members of staff.
- Liaise with staff and pupils responsible for carrying out the school’s charitable objectives.
- Assist with any reasonable request from the School in relation to Community partnership work
- Criteria
- How will these be tested or verified?
- Ability/Skills
- 3 A-Levels A*-C (or equivalent) or if supporting a specific academic subject taught at GCSE or A level then at least a grade B or above in that subject (or equivalent).
- Excellent communication skills both written and verbal
- An aptitude for attention to detail and accuracy
- Superior organisational abilities
- Personal Attributes
- Vision and drive to sustain and build on the success of existing projects. Capacity for industry and initiative in both independent work and as part of a team
- Flexibility and readiness to work in a fast-moving and adaptable environment
- Willingness and ability to liaise effectively and professionally between teaching staff, support staff and individuals in other schools
- Ability and desire to learn quickly and to reflect constructively on work undertaken
- Patience and thoughtfulness to see any issues that may arise with colleagues from a variety of perspectives
- Willingness and enthusiasm for the work that underpins Highgate’s ethos to be part of a reflective community
Benefits
Location | Highgate Village, adjacent to Hampstead Heath, with quaint shops and easy connections across London.
Pension | AVIVA workplace pension scheme offered – 26% employer contribution, with the ability to flex up to 16% of this as additional non-pensionable salary, employees contribute a minimum of 5%.
Personal development | Comprehensive induction support for new staff. Focus on continued professional development for all employees.
Leisure facilities | Free access, at stipulated times, to our sports facilities, including a fitness suite and swimming pool (recently refurbished).
Holidays | Generous holiday allowance of 33 days (including bank holidays) for full-time staff. Most holidays will be taken during school holiday periods.
Lunch | A complimentary lunch including hot meals, sandwiches, salads, fresh fruit and dessert.
Help with sustainable travel | Access to the Cycle to Work Scheme and a Season Ticket Loan scheme for public transport.
Family-friendly policies | Highgate appreciates that employees sometimes have family commitments so we try to be as supportive as possible, for example with enhanced maternity pay (8 weeks’ full pay, then 10 weeks’ half pay) and paid dependant leave.
Working at Highgate
A culture of community, kindness and belonging
Highgate is a caring, open-minded community, where we promote kindness, empathy and friendship. Everyone who works and studies with us deserves to feel they are part of a welcoming environment that enables them to be themselves and to thrive as individuals.
Our community extends beyond the school, through partnerships, charity work and our commitment to equality, inclusion and sustainability. All members of our school community are encouraged to look outwards and play an active role.
Following a visit from the Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI) in September 2024 to assess Highgate’s regulatory compliance and school standards, we are pleased to share the inspection findings, which reports compliance in all five areas and a ‘significant strength’ in our teaching expertise.
Staff wellbeing
Highgate is committed to staff wellbeing, which we promote by encouraging a strong work-life balance; trying our best to support flexible working requests; providing a nutritious complimentary lunch in the dining hall; and offering access to sporting facilities including our recently renovated swimming pool.
The Staff Wellbeing Committee, with representatives across the School, meets regularly to drive forward initiatives, and a selection of staff have been trained as Mental-Health First Aiders.
We encourage an open culture throughout our school, with regular staff surveys, action committees and opportunities to feedback. We strive for continual learning and improvement, and staff training and development is paramount. There are opportunities to participate in the wider life of our school, such as taking part in trips or societies and getting involved in partnership projects.
More details about working at Highgate can be found here:
Charitable work and sustainability
As an independent school, we want to use our position as a charity effectively: to make high-quality education accessible to as many children as possible – through our bursary programme at Highgate and through our work with local state schools. We have partnerships with over 60 state schools across 7 London boroughs, and we are the principal educational sponsor for London Academy of Excellence, Tottenham – an academically-selective state sixth form in a community where such opportunities are lacking.
Alongside this, our staff and pupils undertake charitable activities throughout the year. These range from staff giving up their time to neighbourhood schools and charitable organisations, focused fundraising campaigns, to pupils undertaking community work in the local area or further afield.
As a school, we have a central role to play in educating our pupils, staff and parents about the importance of environmental sustainability. We are taking positive action to adapt our operational performance to tackle the negative effects of climate change. We encourage all our staff to reflect upon their personal and professional practices, to support our environmental agenda and to make positive changes wherever possible.
Application procedure
- Closing Date: 16th June 2025
- Timing of interviews: w/c 23rd June 2025
Contact: Recruitment Team are happy to answer any questions about this post.
Early Application: Applications will be considered ‘as and when’ received and we may close the vacancy if we appoint before the closing date.
Apply hereInclusion
We know that more diverse teams are stronger teams, and that the more inclusive we are, the more our staff and pupils will feel a sense of belonging and will thrive. To enable us to make reasonable adjustments, please let us know of any disabilities (including neuro-divergence) when you submit your application.
Safeguarding
As this role will have regular unsupervised contact with children you must, if appointed, comply with Highgate’s Safeguarding Policy and Staff Code of Conduct. If in the course of carrying out the duties of the post the post holder becomes aware of any actual or potential risks to the safety and welfare of our pupils, these concerns must be reported immediately in accordance with the Safeguarding Policy. If whilst in the post, Highgate becomes aware of any safeguarding concerns to staff, pupils or the community; these will need to be followed up in line with the safeguarding policy and code of conduct which is underpinned by KCSE and other legislation. These concerns may need to be shared with other agencies. A copy of these policies will accompany all offers of employment. Training will also be provided to all staff to support Safeguarding practice.
Please read before you apply
Highgate is committed to the safeguarding and welfare of children and applicants must be willing to undergo child protection screening appropriate to this post, including checks with past employers, the Disclosure and Barring Service and overseas police check if necessary. Candidates from overseas must provide information about their past conduct, for example, by providing documents issued by overseas teaching authorities. DBS Privacy Policy
Please note that this role is ‘exempt’ from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and therefore, you are required to declare any convictions, cautions, reprimands and final warnings that are not ‘protected’ (i.e. filtered out) as defined by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (as amended in 2013). Shortlisted candidates will be asked to provide details of all unspent convictions and those that would not be filtered, prior to the date of the interview. DBS Code of Practice
In accordance with the latest guidance from KCSIE, we shall be conducting online searches on any candidates who are shortlisted.