Key Stage 1 Class Teacher (Maternity Cover)
- Job title: Key Stage 1 Class Teacher (Maternity Cover)
- Job Type: Full time, 1 year contract
- Salary: £37,904 - £63,920 per annum
- Department: Pre-Prep
- Reporting to: Principal of the Pre-Prep School
- Location: Highgate, North London
- Start: December 2024 or January 2025
- Closing Date: 12 September 2024 at 5:00 pm
An enthusiastic, well-qualified class teacher with Key Stage 1 experience is required to join our successful Pre-Preparatory School for 1 year starting in December 2024 or January 2025.
This is an exciting opportunity for a skilled classroom practitioner with experience of teaching in Key Stage 1 wishing to have an opportunity to teach in a vibrant, popular school with a creative curriculum. Applicants should have the flexibility to adapt quickly to a new environment, as well as excellent communication and teamwork skills. An enthusiasm for thoughtful curriculum development and innovation characterises teaching at Highgate.
Highgate Pre-Preparatory School teachers enjoy a collaborative approach to teaching and learning. For all teachers new to Highgate, regardless of experience, there is a strong and supportive framework of induction to the School.
The Pre-Preparatory School
Highgate Pre-Preparatory School is an academically selective, coeducational school with approximately 180 pupils in 9 classes from Reception to Year 2.
The Pre-Preparatory School is housed in its own building in Bishopswood Road, Highgate, adjacent to the School’s playing fields. The Pre-Preparatory building was recently extended to provide additional classrooms, a new library and additional outdoor space.
Visitors invariably remark on our high standards of work and behaviour, and warm and friendly atmosphere. Highgate’s modern teaching and outlook ignites our pupils’ learning within a purposeful and exciting curriculum. Our pupils are happy and confident children who are encouraged to take risks.
In Reception, our curriculum is based on the seven areas of learning in the EYFS. In Year 1, our curriculum is designed to extend pupils academically whilst ensuring breadth and balance in the activities on offer. In Year 2, pupils consolidate all that has been taught before, as well as being introduced to new and challenging experiences to foster independent learning. Recorder lessons are added to the Year 2 curriculum and during the Summer term, Year 2 pupils take part in a week of special visits and outings. Throughout their time in our Pre-Prep, pupils are taught sports and exercise, Forest School, and music and drama by specialist teachers. Swimming is introduced from Year 1.
A variety of co-curricular clubs are offered to our Pre-Preparatory pupils during lunch and after school (for example, Year 2 Science and DT Club, Coding Club, and Music and Drama Club).
We have a trained Forest School leader, and our pupils attend our Forest Classroom, located in the School grounds, on a weekly basis.
Our Pre-Preparatory teachers plan varied and exciting visits and excursions.
Alongside all of this activity, we aim to develop pupils’ understanding and experience of our Pre-Prep as a reflective community through our charitable and voluntary work.
Highgate’s co-curricular offering continues to grow and develop in response to the changing needs of our pupils and the world around us.
We seek to appoint teachers who will have the following proven qualities, or the potential to develop them. At interview, candidates will have the opportunity to demonstrate or give an account of these attributes.
- The energy, dynamism, enthusiasm and stamina to contribute fully to the life of a busy co-educational independent day school
- A passionate and positive approach
- Calmness, kindness and consistency
- Willingness to contribute to the extensive range of activities provided for pupils and to support them in their co-curricular pursuits
- Excellent knowledge of the core curriculum subjects in Key Stage 1, and the ability and willingness to contribute intelligently to a challenging and stimulating curriculum
- Capacity for industry and initiative
- The ability to be reflective in approach, being open to challenge and growth
- The depth of knowledge and agility of mind to allow flexibility in lessons, adapting delivery as appropriate in the light of pupils’ responses
- Empathy with pupils across the age and ability spectrum at Highgate and the ability to implement a range of teaching strategies to cater for each individual pupil
- Awareness and understanding of matters relating to the personal, social, health and emotional development of Highgate pupils
- General knowledge of Child Protection issues and good practice, particularly relating to professional obligations on safeguarding the welfare of each child and avoiding guarantees of confidentiality in any disclosure
- Sympathy with and knowledge of fundamental British values
- Capacity to deal sensitively with problems raised by pupils, in line with Highgate’s pastoral policies and sanctions systems, working in partnership with Highgate’s designated staff responsible for pastoral care
- Ability to create effective rapport and a sound relationship with pupils, earning their respect and trust but maintaining proper professional boundaries by not deliberately courting popularity or friendship
- Willingness and ability to liaise effectively and professionally between pupils, staff and parents when required, making accurate records of these exchanges
- Patience and thoughtfulness to see any issues that may arise with pupils, parents or colleagues from a variety of perspectives
- The ability to defuse difficult situations using different strategies such as careful listening, sensitive use of humour, praise and recognition where due, utilising the School’s reward system
- Retention of a sense of perspective and, on occasion, the invaluable ability to laugh at oneself
- Criteria
- How will these be tested or verified?
- A good honours degree
- Original degree certificate(s).
- Questions about subject specialisation (and course content for more recent graduates).
- Opportunities at interview to discuss techniques for teaching set topics.
- The ability to teach at EYFS Stage and Key Stage 1
- Questions at interview relating to the curriculum and strategies for teaching EYFS
- A 30-minute lesson to be taught to either a EYFS or Key Stage 1 class
- Excellent communication skills
- Panel interviews
- A taught lesson
- The ability to use ICT appropriately to support teaching, or a willingness to learn the skills
- Lesson planning and resources
- Opportunities to recount experience and expertise at interview
- The ability to establish good relations with colleagues and pupils
- Opportunities at interview to recount experiences where these skills have been demonstrated
- Questions which referees will be asked as part of the confidential reference request
- Sympathy with and knowledge of fundamental British values
- Questions at interview to test this
- Awareness and understanding of safeguarding and welfare of children
- Questions at interview to test attitudes towards and knowledge of children’s safeguarding and welfare
- Questions which referees will be asked as part of the confidential reference request
- Criteria
- How will these be tested or verified?
- Knowledge of, and experience of teaching at Early Years Foundation Stage and Key Stage 1
- A taught lesson with a lesson plan and resources
- Questions at interview
- A confidential reference request
- Verification of a candidate’s employment history
- A teaching qualification (eg PGCE, GTP)
- Original certificate
- A good understanding of formative and summative assessment, including AfL
Questions at interview relating to assessment and record keeping
- A willingness to be involved in the wider life of the Pre-Prep School
- Opportunities at interview to recount experience of running or participating in activities or to give ideas for these
- A willingness to be involved in the wider life of the school
- Opportunities at interview to recount experience of running or participating in activities or clubs to give ideas for these
- A knowledge of restorative approaches to behaviour management
- Opportunities at interview to recount
Benefits
Location | Highgate Village, adjacent to Hampstead Heath, with quaint shops and easy connections across London.
Support | A welcoming, comfortable and exceptionally well-resourced environment with significant assistance from a range of support staff.
Pension | The School pays the employer’s contribution to the Teachers’ Pension Scheme
Personal development | Comprehensive induction. Focus on continued professional development for all employees.
Facilities | Free access, at stipulated times, to our sports facilities, including a fitness suite and swimming pool (recently refurbished). Staff can borrow from 1,700 books held in Sir Martin Gilbert Library
Holidays |Terms are shorter than in the maintained sector.
Lunch |Free tea and coffee A complimentary lunch including hot meals, sandwiches, salads, fresh fruit and dessert
Sustainable travel | Access to the Cycle to Work Scheme and a Season Ticket Loan scheme for public transport.
Flexible working | Flexibility for parents, enhanced maternity pay and paid dependent 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.
In a recent ISI inspection (Dec 2021), it was noted that “Pupils show exceptional respect for, and appreciate diversity within the school and wider community, and their own and other cultures, demonstrating sensitivity and tolerance to those from different backgrounds and traditions.”
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:
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: 12th September 2024
- Video Interview: w/c 16 September 2024
- In Person Interview: w/c 23 September 2024
Contact: Please contact the office with any queries (pre-prep@highgateschool.org.uk).
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.
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.
In accordance with the latest guidance from KCSIE, we shall be conducting online searches on any candidates who are shortlisted.