About Holmewood House School
Holmewood House is a prestigious independent Prep School of 440+ pupils aged 3-13 years, set amidst 30 acres of the most beautiful Kent countryside, just outside Tunbridge Wells. The School is a happy and supportive working environment, where we pride ourselves on the exceptional provision for our pupils and staff in all areas.
Holmewood House provides a broad, well-balanced curriculum with outstanding teachers in what is very much a family school where the positive relationships between the teachers and children allows staff to get to know and understand the individual needs of each and every child. They foster their talents and nurture their growth through a challenging and exciting curriculum.
The school wholeheartedly believes that emotional and social well-being, self-esteem, happiness and confidence are of prime importance and are in themselves inextricably linked to academic progress. Staff are excited by the curiosity and thirst for learning that each child, regardless of their ability, naturally displays. They work hard to allow each child to ask why, to query and to have the time to develop their thoughts into fresh discoveries and innovations and, in doing so, overcome the challenges faced. The end result is the celebration of learning – a reward in its own right!
The wonderful environment and outstanding facilities provide a strong framework upon which the ethos of ‘allowing children to be children’ can be achieved. Childhood is full of exciting new experiences which, parents and teachers relive, through the eyes and laughter of the children.
The relationship between home and school is of fundamental importance in ensuring every child is surrounded by the love, care and guidance which they require as they make their way through their educational journey. In short, the partnership allows the children to enjoy the most important journey of all: childhood.
Commitment to safeguarding
Holmewood House is committed to promoting and safeguarding the welfare of children and all staff, volunteers and other third parties are expected to share this commitment. The school adopts a rigorous safer recruitment process which is adhered to in the appointment of all new members of staff. As part of the safer recruitment process, all applicants must be willing to undergo child protection screening appropriate to the post including, but not limited to, checks with past employers and an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.
The role
This is an exciting opportunity to work at a top preparatory school in the country. We are seeking to appoint an experienced, motivated, inspiring, innovative and emotionally intelligent English teacher. The successful candidate will be a welcome member of our excellent team and teach English across Years 5-8. They will champion the learning, progress and wellbeing of our pupils and staff. They will assist the Head of English to deliver and maintain the departmental vision and the very high standards across the whole school.
More details of our school can be found on our website: www.holmewoodhouse.co.uk
This role reports to the Head of English.
Candidate Description
We seek to appoint a candidate who has:
- Outstanding subject knowledge
- A commitment to excellent teaching
- Excellent knowledge and understanding of pedagogy
- Excellent and innovative classroom practitioner
- An eagerness to keep abreast of curriculum developments
- The ability to teach English at Common Entrance and Scholarship
- An awareness of meeting the needs of more able students, SEND and EAL
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills
- Collaborative skills and interest in working as part of a high functioning team
- Confidence using technology and applying this in lessons to enhance learning
- High expectations of pupils’ attainment, progress and behaviour
- The ability to set tasks which challenge pupils and ensure high levels of interest
- Experience implementing and overseeing whole school initiatives
- The ability to think creatively and innovatively
- Excellent interpersonal skills – confidence liaising with other teachers and parents is essential
- Excellent organisational skills and an ability to work to tight deadlines, managing competing priorities
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
- The ability to make appropriate and measured decisions
- The ability to lead by example, providing inspiration and motivation, and embody for the pupils, staff, parents and wider community the vision, purpose and leadership of the school
- The ability to be flexible and adapt plans according to the individual needs of the pupils
- A strong rapport with prep school aged children
Candidates would be expected to:
- Mark and monitor pupils’ work and set suitable targets for progress
- Write reports on pupils’ attainment and progress as required
- Use individual and group assessment information to plan, track and set targets
- Make frequent, meaningful use of digitally enhanced learning platforms to support pupil learning and assess pupil progress
- Support the preparation for the ISEB pre-test and other senior school entry tests
- Liaise with the Head of Learning Support proactively to aid support of SEND and raise pupils for whom there may be underlying, undiagnosed barriers to learning.
- Support educational visits and departmental/school wide events as required in order to aid the development of learning across the school.
- Attend parents’ evening, and initiate communications as needed, to discuss progress with parents
- Respond to and embed EP reports where children receive a diagnosis of SEND
- Share our values and respect our ethos; and play a full part in the wider life of the school
Key Responsibilities
- To teach English across Years 5 to 8 and uphold high standards for this
- To be a tutor within a form showing excellent pastoral care
- To report as expected to main stakeholders and Senior Leadership Team
- To offer and support extra-curricular clubs
- To follow and embody the content of our bespoke PSHE provision
- To complete duties as required of all staff
- To attend events and trips pertinent to the pupils you teach
- To take boarders on a once termly Saturday outing
Whilst every effort has been made to outline the main duties, responsibilities and requirements of the post, the list is not exhaustive. Employees will be expected to comply with any reasonable request from their direct line manager or other members of the management/leadership team to undertake work of a similar level that is not specified in this job description.
It is understood that areas of responsibility are from time to time subject to review and change in light of the changing needs of the school environment and the professional development of the staff. This job description may therefore be amended from time to time.
Salary
A competitive salary will be offered depending on the skills and experience of the successful candidate.
Pension & School Benefits
The successful candidate will be offered a range of benefits including a generous employer contributory pension, free parking, term-time working and free lunch/refreshments and private healthcare.
Hours of work
Full Time – Monday – Friday whilst the school is in session plus any additional Inset and staff training days.
Start date
September 2023
Offer
The successful applicant will be offered the role subject to the satisfactory completion of a number of background checks including, but not limited to; an enhanced DBS check, the taking up and verification of references, the verification of career history and fitness to undertake the role.
Application
If you wish to be considered for this role, please complete an application form, which can be found on our website at:
Holmewood House Job Opportunities.
The closing date for applications is 9am Thursday 16th March.
Interviews set for the first half of the week beginning 20th March.
