DEPUTY HEAD of KING'S ST. ALBAN'S - The King's School

REGIA SCHOLA
VIGORNIENSIS
Details of the post of
DEPUTY HEAD of KING’S ST. ALBAN’S
at The King’s School, Worcester
www.ksw.org.uk

REGIA SCHOLA
The King’s School, Worcester
The character of the school, and some recent achievements
The Senior School
King’s is an academically selective co-educational school, with two Junior Schools as part of its Foundation. There are 930 pupils in the
Senior School, which is situated next to the Cathedral and the River Severn on a peaceful and attractive site in the centre of Worcester. In
the last few years, entry at 11+ has increased from four to six forms of between 20 and 25. Up to 15 pupils join the school at 13+ and up
to 25 at 16+.
Our two Junior Schools
King’s St Alban’s is adjacent to the main site and has 175 boys and girls from 7-11 with two forms in Years 3 and 4 and three forms in Years
5 and 6. It shares many of the facilities of the Senior School. St. Alban’s celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2002. It has a new library and
reception area. The purchase of a pub opposite the school in 2006 allowed us to build and open a Pre-prep department (Reception, Year
1 and Year 2) for the school in 2009. It has made a very successful start.
King’s Hawford is just north of Worcester in spacious grounds and currently has about 320 children from Kindergarten age up to 11. The
school was acquired by King’s in 1996, at which time it was a free-standing Preparatory School. King’s Hawford has two forms from Years
3 to 6 as well as thriving infant and junior sections. There have been major improvements to the site in recent years. The latest completed
projects have been new classrooms and Music facilities, and a new scheme for the landscaping of the centre of the school. The restoration
of the Droitwich Canal, which runs by the school, has opened up some excellent new opportunities for water-based activities at King’s
Hawford.
The great majority of Year 6 children from both Junior Schools proceed to the Senior School by means of an 11+ entrance exam. They
are joined in Year 7 by between and 40 and 50 children from local Primary Schools. Each of the Junior Schools has its own Head, who is
responsible to the Head of the Senior School.
Some history, ancient and modern
The oldest building at the King’s Senior School is College Hall, once the twelfth
century monks’ refectory, subsequently the School Room and now the Assembly
Hall. It stands for an enduring relationship with the Cathedral and the Dean
and Chapter, from whom we rent it and other buildings around the Green. It
recalls the refounding of the school by Henry VIII in 1541 when the monastery
was closed and there began the grammar school tradition that has been an
important part of the school’s character, particularly in the last hundred years
or so, when the fortunes and size of the school have steadily increased.
Two important decisions in the 1990s have had an important part in shaping
the school into its present form. In 1991, girls were admitted to St Alban’s and
at 11+ in the Senior School (following 20 years of admission of girls to the Sixth
Form). Girls now make up well over 40% of the numbers in all three schools. In
1999, boarding came to an end. This opened up considerable opportunities to
develop some of the school’s finest buildings and offer proper departmental
areas to all subjects.
Development of the school site
A development programme costing more than £10 million over the last 10 years
has produced a new administrative centre, a centre for English and Classics
with a large additional ICT room, a new base for Maths, with three additional PE
rooms in the basement, a new Music School, a new Library and Careers Centre, a new Art School, an expanded and refurbished Design
and Technology Department, the refitting of all 13 science laboratories, a Languages Computer Centre with the latest software for the
teaching of French, German and Spanish, a new Reception area and major improvements to our 306 seat John Moore Theatre. We have
greatly improved our playground provision for all ages. The recent purchase of a second (larger) pub on the perimeter of the senior school
site will enable us to build an additional sports hall with a drama/dance studio and a range of other facilities. Initial work has already
begun on this project. A substantial gift from a former pupil will cover the entire cost of a new Boathouse on site (in the same location as
the current Boathouse) with accompanying social and changing facilities. Work on this building is already underway.
Other facilities on the main site include a sports hall and indoor swimming pool. The school has extensive playing fields across the river
within walking distance.
VIGORNIENSIS

REGIA SCHOLA
Academic provision and success
The school has had considerable (and growing) academic
success in recent years. In summer 2010, 77% of grades at
A level were A*, A or B (with 21.5% at the new A* grade). At
GCSE, 68.5% of grades were A* or A. These results mean that
we maintain our record for some years as being the top school
in Worcester at A Level and in the county as a whole at GCSE.
24 different subjects are offered at A level including a choice of
two different courses in each of Maths, English and Chemistry.
In Year 7, French, German and Spanish taster courses lead to a
free choice of language in the second term. We run language
exchanges and work experience programmes in France,
Spain and Germany and have developed special links with
the Cathedral School in Magdeburg. The school is currently
involved in a two-year EU-funded Comenius project which links our students with students in five other EU countries for a programme of
conferences and activities. All pupils take up a second language in Year 8 which many take on to GCSE as part of an option system that
includes 10 subjects. Pupils choose three of these options in addition to the core curriculum. Most pupils take three separate sciences at
GCSE. We currently enter all pupils for the IGCSE Maths course and have just introduced IGCSE courses in English and Physics as well.
Critical Thinking AS level is taken by a number of our Upper Sixth students. All Lower Sixth students take part in our own ‘King’s Certificate
for Skills and All-Round Achievement’ which we have devised jointly with the University of Worcester and the local Chamber of Commerce.
The pastoral system
The pastoral system in the Senior School is a particular strength, based on Forms (with a Pastoral Head) in Years 7 and 8 and a House
System from Years 9 to 13. There are eight parallel Houses with about 85 pupils and six staff in each. Each year group within a House has
its own tutor but strong emphasis is also placed on the vertical grouping and the mixing of ages within a House. There is a well established
programme of inter-Form and inter-House competitions. The high quality of our pastoral care was noted in the last inspection as was the
strong moral code amongst the pupils.
Sport, outdoor activities and trips
King’s has a proud tradition of breadth in extra-curricular activities. Sport is very
strong among both boys and girls. Our Rugby 1st XV is among the best in the
region and, as in all sports, we have experienced coaches for all ages. Our Rowers,
boys and girls, have, over recent years, won many medals in international events
and at the National Schools Regatta and the National Championships and many
have been chosen to row for their country. Between 2008 and 2010, seven of
our pupils were selected to represent their country (in Rowing, Cricket, Hockey,
Netball and Kayaking). One former King’s pupil played senior international Rugby
for England (Luke Narraway) and another (Zac Purchase) won an Olympic Gold
Medal in Rowing. Two of our Netball teams (U19 and U16) reached the National
Finals in 2010.
Cricket, Netball, Hockey (girls) and Athletics are all currently strong and soccer
(boys) is developing well. Other sports include Tennis, Rounders, Basketball,
Swimming, Sailing, Kayaking, Sub Aqua, Judo, Cross-Country Running and
Fencing. The school achieved the Sport England Sportsmark Gold Award in 2005.
We have just completed the construction of our Astroturf pitch. Outdoor activities
are very popular and often based on our Outdoor Activities Centre in the Black
Mountains which all pupils visit in Years 5, 6 and 9. Duke of Edinburgh Award
and Army and RAF contingents of the CCF are voluntary but well subscribed.
Our Orienteering teams, both boys and girls, are currently national champions.
A Himalayan Club sends a party of between 20 and 40 Lower Sixth students to
the Himalayas, Africa or South America each year. Similar opportunities are on
offer to those in Years 10 and 11. There is a climbing wall in the school. There is a
very large number of trips open to pupils across the whole age range each year.
An Art Trip to China, Classics Trip to Greece, Music tour to Spain, History Trip to
France, Rugby Tour to South Africa and Netball Tour to Australia, Cricket Tour to
the Caribbean and Religious Studies Trip to the Netherlands are just a few recent
highlights. We also make sure that there are many value-for-money trips within
this country each year across a wide range of subjects and activities.
VIGORNIENSIS

REGIA SCHOLA
The creative and performing arts
The creative and performing arts are exceptionally strong. Large numbers of pupils study Art at GCSE and A level and achieve outstanding
results. Music is an historic strength, particularly in the areas of orchestra and choir. We have a distinguished record of producing music
scholars at Oxford and Cambridge and players for the National Youth Orchestra. The Cathedral (boy) choristers are all pupils at King’s
and five members of the new girls’ choir are from this school. There are
many drama productions each year (Noyes’ Fludde, Guys and Dolls,
Les Misérables, King Lear, Pillars of the Community, Me and My Girl,
Oklahoma, West Side Story, The Lion The Witch and the Wardrobe and
Macbeth being recent triumphs) and more than 80 pupils choose to have
speech and drama lessons. One of our pupils recently won a place at the
Bristol Old Vic Theatre School. Dance is popular at all ages. We hold a
major themed week each year in the Autumn which is either ‘Words Alive!’,
‘Arts Alive!’ or ‘Science Alive!’. These, along with an annual ‘Creative and
Performing Arts Day’ for Year 7, are some of the many opportunities each
year to bring experts and professionals (in these areas and many others)
into the school.
Charitable work
There is a Sixth Form Charity committee which
oversees and plans a good variety of fundraising
(and awareness-raising) events each
year. A recent Charity Walk by the whole school
raised £20,000. Three interesting annual events
are a summer garden party for all the children
and staff at a local special school, a Christmas
show and entertainment for residents of
sheltered housing in Worcester and the
collecting of shoe boxes full of presents (almost
200 this year) under the auspices of Operation
Christmas Child. A number of Houses and
Forms have chosen their own particular
charities to support throughout the year. Two
local hospices and a trust for bereaved families
have been a particular focus of our attention.
Our Christian tradition
The school maintains its Christian tradition
through assemblies (many of which are in
the Cathedral), the teaching of RE, a Christian
Union and a weekly Eucharist in the Cathedral crypt for pupils, staff and parents.
Other extra-curricular strengths
These include Young Enterprise, taken up by over 50 pupils in the Lower
Sixth each year (we have had the Best Company in the region in five of the
last seven years and were national finalists in 2000 and 2002), Debating
(Oxford Union finalists), Public Speaking and General Knowledge (national
finalists in 2004, 2005, 2006 and 2007), and producing a newspaper
each year for ‘The Times Newsday’ competition (in which we were
second nationally in two of the last three years). Our ‘Maths Challenge’
team has reached the national finals in five of the last six years, and our
‘Chemistry Quiz’ team reached the regional finals. We enter
‘Model United Nations’ competitions. There are many clubs and other
activities. There is also a Community Service Group. A number of our
pupils volunteer to read with local primary school children or to assist as
scribes at the local school for blind and partially sighted children. We are
developing an interesting partnership with a local maintained secondary
school which includes joint activities in a range of curricular and extracurricular
areas. We put on a number of events each year for children in
local primary schools.
VIGORNIENSIS

REGIA SCHOLA
King’s St. Alban’s Junior School
Head of King’s St. Alban’s
Richard Bellfield
ksa@ksw.org.uk 01905 354 906
King’s St. Alban’s is located on a separate site adjacent to that of the Senior School. In the attractive grounds surrounding a grassed
quadrangle stand the chapel, a modern classroom block and the main building of St. Alban’s. The school has a purpose-built science
laboratory; computer room; art, design and technology room; library and music room. In addition, use is made of Senior School facilities,
including an indoor swimming pool, fully equipped sports hall, playing fields and 300 seat theatre.
King’s St. Alban’s is a happy, friendly place with enthusiastic children and supportive parents. The school is academically selective and
the curriculum offered is broad and balanced, with a strong emphasis on English and mathematics.
The Junior School has two classes in each of Years 3 and 4 and three classes in each of Years 5 and 6.
King’s has recently invested more than a million pounds in a purpose-built and individually designed Pre-preparatory Department on
a site next to the Junior School. This includes three light, airy and spacious classrooms
to accommodate Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 classes as well as a large hall which will
serve as a sports and arts performance centre. The Department opened in September
2009.
A secluded wooded area has been developed on the Junior School site to facilitate play
and learning activities for the younger children.
In the Junior School there are 9 full-time and 9 part-time members of the teaching
staff all of whom are experienced and well qualified. Senior School staff support the
teaching of music, physical education and games. In addition there are visiting music
specialists, a registrar, two secretaries and two school matrons. The Pre-preparatory
Department employs three teachers, including the Head of Pre-Prep, three full-time
teaching assistants and two after-school care assistants (or the equivalent through
job-share arrangements).
The extra-curricular life at King’s is a strong feature. After school clubs and weekend
activities pervade the calendar. Full use is made of the school’s outdoor education
centre in the Black Mountains. Music and drama play an important part in the life of
the school. More than 80% of the children play a musical instrument and there are
regular concerts, both formal and informal, involving the orchestra, string group, flute
choir, wind band, brass group, recorder groups and three choirs where the standard is
high and enthusiasm boundless!
The King’s St. Alban’s Carol and Christingle Services are staged in the Cathedral
and concerts and musical evenings are held in the John Moore Theatre and the St.
Alban’s Chapel. A major creative arts project is undertaken annually, culminating in a
production and exhibition in the theatre. Several smaller drama workshop productions
take place throughout the year.
The sporting life of the school thrives with provision for competitive team games at
both inter-school and inter-House levels. The main sports are cricket, football, hockey,
netball, rounders, rugby, swimming and tennis. Opportunities also exist for athletics,
cross-country, orienteering, judo, sailing and climbing.
VIGORNIENSIS

REGIA SCHOLA
Deputy Head of King’s St. Alban’s
The following job description for the Deputy Head builds upon discussions held during the Spring Term, 2000. It is partly informed by the
Teacher Training Agency’s National Standards for Headteachers. It is envisaged that the rôle will develop in response to the appointee’s
strengths and professional development needs.
The job description was last revised in January 2011.
Introduction
• The Deputy Head will assist the Headteacher in providing professional leadership for the School that secures its success and
improvement, ensuring high quality education for all its pupils and improved standards of learning and achievement. S/he will
play a significant part in creating and maintaining a productive, disciplined learning environment and take key responsibilities in
relation to the day-to-day management, organisation and administration of the School.
• The Deputy Head will be a confident and effective communicator, command the respect of pupils, parents and staff, be an
efficient administrator, uphold the best traditions and ethos of the School and have the imagination and vision to help the School
meet the challenges of a rapidly changing world. S/he will have a key rôle in advising the Head and also in ensuring the School
communicates well with parents.
• To enable the Deputy Head to carry out his/her duties and responsibilities, the School will provide adequate physical, financial and
time resources. The School will also support the professional development of the Deputy Head including, if required, in the skills of
management practice.
The Deputy Head’s main duty is to support the Headteacher in the management of King’s St. Alban’s through:
• Provision of clear leadership to the King’s St. Alban’s community.
• Playing an active part in the pastoral care and discipline of the pupils.
• Advising on staffing issues; playing a full part in the appointment, induction and mentoring of new staff.
• Managing the School’s Staff Review and Development scheme and acting as a lead reviewer within it.
• Managing the School’s Reporting System.
• Acting as the School’s Health and Safety Officer – ensuring appropriate risk assessment, first aid provision and fire safety etc.
• Assisting in ensuring effective liaison with parents.
• Deputising for the Headteacher when necessary.
The Deputy Head’s responsibilities are outlined below.
Organisation and management of:
• Production of the School timetable.
• School Prefect System.
• Pupil travel arrangements, including induction and care of those new to bus/train travel.
• Staff Duties.
• King’s St. Alban’s Open Mornings (for prospective parents) and Open Afternoon (for current parents).
• School stationery budget and supplies.
• Classroom furniture and equipment.
• School photographs.
• King’s St. Alban’s involvement in the King’s Fête.
• King’s St. Alban’s involvement in the King’s Charity Walk.
• Parents v Children end of Year Six Games Evening and Barbecue.
VIGORNIENSIS

REGIA SCHOLA
and play a major rôle in providing assistance with:
• PSHE teaching (2/35 lessons per week to Year 4).
• School Development Planning and associated self-evaluation and monitoring/review strategies.
• Inspection preparation.
• Representing King’s St. Alban’s at Senior School Open Mornings.
• King’s St. Alban’s Day Celebration.
• School assemblies.
• King’s St. Alban’s Calendar Planning.
• King’s St. Alban’s Annual Production, School Concerts and Carol Service.
• All Outdoor Education at King’s St. Alban’s, including Year 5 Activity Day and Year 6 Old Chapel Weeks.
Member of staff in charge of:
• A Key Stage 2 class (pastoral care + 14/35 lessons per week English and maths teaching)
• After-school care – Late Room, Concert Evenings etc.
• King’s St. Alban’s House System and associated competitions (fifteen spread throughout the year).
• Writing the King’s St. Alban’s entry in ‘The Vigornian’.
King’s St. Alban’s representative on:
• Such Foundation working groups and committees as may be required.
Extra-curricular activity:
• Oversight of the School’s programme of extra-curricular activity and holiday camps.
• King’s St. Alban’s Clubs and Activities – programme and pupil allocations.
VIGORNIENSIS

REGIA SCHOLA
VIGORNIENSIS

REGIA SCHOLA
Required Characteristics - Deputy Head
Information for Candidates
Category Essential Desirable
Qualifications/Professional
QTS
Development Graduate of a recognised British Post graduate qualification in education
University or international equivalent
A commitment to develop as a school
leader
Evidence of recent involvement
in professional development
Experience
Proven experience of working
successfully with children of primary
age
Subject or other leadership experience
A strong commitment to inclusive,
pupil-centered education
Experience of pastoral responsibility
Prior membership of a management or
leadership team
Experience of working in a
coeducational school
Experience of dealing with welfare issues
Experience as a reviewer in a staff
development/appraisal scheme
Skills
Excellent communication skills
Excellent classroom practitioner
Good ICT skills
Developed educational philosophy
Competence with a range of
administrative software
Special Knowledge Sound knowledge of the primary Awareness of issues affecting primary
curriculum and of a variety of
education with a clear overview
teaching and learning styles
of related matters
Knowledge of effective pastoral care
strategies
Understanding of regulatory
welfare requirements
Knowledge of staff review and
development and/or appraisal
schemes
Experience in time tabling, budgeting
and/or event management
Personal Attributes
Sensitive to others and able
to work cooperatively
Empathy with a collegiate
approach to management
Enthusiastic and lively with a
commitment to maintaining a
positive attitude
Occasionally inspirational!
Commitment to be fully involved
in school life
Ability to work independently and to
take the initiative – a problem solver
and finisher!
Sympathy with the Christian ethos
of the school
VIGORNIENSIS

REGIA SCHOLA
The school is required to ensure that the successful candidate is checked by the Criminal Records Bureau. Details of the
school’s policies on safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children as well as equal opportunities are available on
request. References will be taken up before the appointment is confirmed.
How to apply
Please download an application form from the “vacancies” section of the school website (www.ksw.org.uk) and send it,
completed, to the Head of King’s St. Alban’s (Richard Bellfield) with a letter of application which outlines your relevant
experience, how you would intend to meet the challenges of this post and the particular qualities and strengths which you
would hope to bring to King’s St. Alban’s. A CV is not needed but feel free to include one if you feel that it would be helpful to
us in assessing your experience and achievements. You should send your application to: King’s St. Alban’s School, Mill Street,
Worcester WR1 2NJ.
Closing Date for applications Monday, 24th January 2011
Interview Dates Tuesday, 1st February AND Wednesday, 2nd February 2011
To include lesson observation and a practical task
VIGORNIENSIS

REGIA SCHOLA
VIGORNIENSIS
www.ksw.org.uk
The King’s School, Worcester: a company limited by guarantee
Registered in England: Company Number 4776324
Registered Office: 5 College Green, Worcester WR1 2LL
Registered Charity Number 1098236
Front page photograph by Chris Dobbs cdobbs44@tiscali.co.uk