Pre-Preparatory Reception Class Teacher (Maternity Cover)
- Job title: Pre-Preparatory Reception Class Teacher (Maternity Cover)
- Job Type: Full-time, 1 year FTC (maternity cover)
- Salary: £39,000-£62,000
- Department: Pre-Prep
- Reporting to: Principal, Pre-Prep School
- Location: Highgate, North London
- Start: March 2024
- Closing Date: 8 January 2024 at 8:00 am
An enthusiastic, well-qualified class teacher with EYFS and/or Key Stage 1 experience is required to join our successful Pre-Preparatory School for 1 year starting in March 2024.
This is an exciting opportunity for a skilled classroom practitioner with experience of teaching in EYFS and/or 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 Department
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.
Learning at Highgate
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 an 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.
Beyond the Curriculum
Across Highgate’s three schools, we aim to provide as many opportunities as possible in which our pupils develop qualities of self-reliance, endurance and leadership, serve the community, and develop their interests and enthusiasms.
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, Tennis 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.
MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES
Classroom Environment and Resources
- Help to provide a stimulating learning environment for the children under the direction of the teacher
- Welcome the children into the classroom on arrival and assist with settling them in. Relay to the class teacher any messages given by parents
- Change reading books in book folders; prepare record sheets in reading file
- Mount and display the children’s work in accordance with the School’s display policy. Assist with captions and labels for displays
- File learning in children’s books and prepare resources for assembly in accordance with the class teacher’s instructions
- Prepare reading record books, exercise books, homework folders, tray and peg labels in collaboration with the class teacher
- Assist in the clearing up, cleaning and storage of classroom equipment, including clearing display boards and removing staples
- Maintain stocks of paper, exercise books, pencils, art and writing materials in the classroom and advise teacher if stocks run low
- Photocopy worksheets for use in school and for homework
- File homework sheets in children’s files
- Help with preparation and clearing away of art and craft, science and other activities
Care of Children in the School
- Take care of children in the classroom and school building; comfort them when they are sick and distressed; assisting them with washing or cleaning when necessary (e.g. after being sick); encourage independence in dressing; give individual attention when it is needed
- Administer basic first aid when the children are hurt and record such incidents in the School’s accident book
- Encourage good discipline and behaviour both in and out of the classroom, in accordance with the School’s policy
- Observe any children closely, and report any incidences of aggressive or anti-social behaviour, or any other concerns about individuals, to the class teacher
Care of Children in the Dining Hall and Main Playground
- Provide continuity of care for the children throughout the lunch-time breaks and, if required, during mid-morning breaks, too; accompany the class to the dining room, sit with the children at the table and help to serve them
- Organise and supervise a range of activities in the playground, including games and quiet activities; help children acquire strategies for coping with the playground environment; make sure that they are safe, obey the playground rules and learn the arts of co-operation and fair play
The Curriculum and Children’s Learning
- Help with all aspects of the curriculum; work as needed with individual children and groups, encouraging the development of children’s skills particularly in literacy, mathematics
- Together with the class teacher, hear children read individually and in a group on a daily basis and help to monitor their progress, keeping careful records
Assessment and Record Keeping
- Make observations of the children’s play and behaviour and discuss any significant matters with the Teacher
Parents
- Welcome parents who visit the classroom and work closely with them
- Liaise with parents over day-to-day matters and relay messages to the Class Teacher
Accompanying Children
- Take children to the Mallinson Sports Centre and help them to prepare for Sport and Exercise and swimming lessons; accompany small groups of children on walks; develop their interest in their local environment; assist on school visits and outings; all in accordance with the guidelines set out in the School’s health and safety document
Team Work
- Provide reliable support for the Class Teacher at all times; keep them informed of all matters that affect the children; join in professional discussions and staff meetings after-school; be willing to work with other teachers and children
- Assist with plays and productions, Sports Day, concerts, Open Days and other school events
- Accompany classes on outings, staying on occasions beyond the end of the usual working day for this purpose
- If required, undertake to help within the broader context of the School, carrying out other reasonable duties to support its smooth and efficient organisation
These duties and responsibilities are intended as a guide. They are not exhaustive: the Teaching Assistant will be expected to undertake any reasonable task or responsibility as required by the Class Teacher.
- Criteria
- How will these be tested or verified?
- Experience
Essential
- A good honours degree and a teaching qualification.
- The ability to teach at EYFS Stage and Key Stage 1
- Experience of teaching, either when employed as a teacher, as a teaching placement, or as an NQT
Desirable
- An EYFS qualification or degree covering EYFS is desirable. Knowledge of, and experience of teaching at Early Years Foundation Stage and Key Stage 1
- A good understanding of formative and summative assessment, including AfL
- Ability / Skills
Essential
- The ability to establish good relations with colleagues and pupils
- Awareness and understanding of safeguarding and welfare of children
- Knowledge of, and sympathy with, traditional British values
- Awareness and understanding of safeguarding and welfare of children
- Personal Attributes
Essential
- Excellent communication skills
- Committed to providing a quality learning experience for our pupils
- Ability to work collaboratively with colleagues
- Flexible, can-do approach
- A willingness to be involved in the wider life of the Pre-Prep School (if relevant)
Benefits
Location | Highgate Village, adjacent to Hampstead Heath, with quaint shops and easy connections across London.
Pension | AVIVA workplace pension scheme offered – 21% employer contribution, with the ability to flex up to 11% 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
Teachers at Highgate enjoy a welcoming, comfortable and exceptionally well-resourced environment and are provided with significant assistance from a range of support staff. Salaries are competitive and staff have free access to the School’s sports facilities.
Highgate is strongly committed to inclusion and is an equal opportunities employer. We aim to create a welcoming, respectful and safe environment for all members of our community, from every ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, age, ability/disability, religion and background. 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 any reasonable adjustments, please let us know when you submit your application whether you have any special requirements.
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.
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: 8th January 2024
- Timing of interviews: w/c 8th January 2024
Contact: The Recruitment Team is 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 Policies
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.