INFORMATION FOR THE POST OF
HEAD of JUNIOR SCHOOL
September 2013
“Pupils’ development is excellent throughout the school, fully meeting its aims of
developing confidence by educating the whole person.”
Independent Schools Inspectorate January 2012
A recent independent report commissioned by the College concluded:
“Dover College is rare in terms of the extent to which it fulfils its promise of being a
friendly, caring and welcoming school, offering a child-focused, all-round education
which nurtures the potential, whatever that might be, in every child. Many
independent schools lay claim to these strengths but, in our experience, few deliver to
the extent that Dover College does. We found extremely high endorsements by
parents and pupils for all aspects academic, sporting, creative and pastoral activities.
Uniquely, there is also a strong sense of team with both academic and non-academic
staff working together for the benefit of each child.”
An overview of the College
Fully coeducational since 1975, there are currently 340 pupils aged 3 to 18 years,
about 40% of whom are boarders.
The College divides into four parts: the Infant and Junior School from age 3-11 (in
which there are currently 86 pupils), Priory from 11-13, Lower College from 13-16
and the Sixth Form, in which there are usually over 90 students. Pupils may board
from age 11 onwards when they are part of the senior school.
For Lower College and Sixth Form there are four Houses, two for boys and two for
girls, situated in the very homely atmosphere of the Close and each incorporating day
pupils and boarders. Priory has its own House accommodation close to the heart of
the College and the Junior School is housed in a self-contained building also within
the College grounds. There is an activity programme on Saturdays for the Senior
School.
While most pupils live within 25 miles of the College and use the school’s transport
services, and many live in or near Dover itself, the College has attracted pupils from
Continental Europe and the rest of the world for over 50 years. This brings a most
enriching international dimension to the lives of the students. Overseas pupils
account for about 65 % of the boarding community and 30% of the school population
overall.
Most pupils at Dover College achieve considerably better at GCSE and Advanced
Level than their potential suggests on entry. Indeed, although Dover College is not a
selective school and Kent has retained its grammar schools, results at the College
have rivalled those in the local grammar schools as well as local independent school
competitors in recent years. For many pupils this success is achieved thanks to
excellent individual needs support and high quality pastoral care. Pupils learn and
thrive in a happy atmosphere, with dedicated teachers who know how to challenge
and stimulate them, whilst gaining confidence and being fully supported in their
work. Small class sizes and very close teacher-pupil-parent relations contribute to the
extremely positive ethos and family atmosphere of the College.
Curriculum
The curriculum in Priory and the Lower College includes the traditional academic
disciplines of English, Mathematics, Modern Languages, Science, Humanities,
Creative Arts subjects and PSHE. Pupils take as many subjects as 10 and as few as 5
subjects at GCSE and their choice is guided by their teachers and academic tutor.
Sixth Formers enjoy the use of their own well equipped 6th Form Centre. Once again
the academic programme is flexible and they have a wide range of AS and A2 as well
as some BTEC courses from which to choose; most opt for four subjects to AS and
three to A2 level. Life in the Sixth Form brings new challenges and freedoms,
accompanied by greater personal responsibility and a more independent approach to
study. Pupils go on to gain places in a wide range of UK and overseas universities.
At all stages, the academic progress of individual pupils in the senior school is
monitored carefully through an assessment and tutorial system; in the Junior School
this is achieve through pupil trackers and the form system. Formal grades are given
for attainment and effort on a regular basis and full reports are written twice a year
(once a year in the Junior School). Careers support is given from an early stage to
help with subject choices and individual assistance is given with university
applications; this careful, individualised and knowledgeable advice is a hallmark of
the upper years at Dover College.
Sympathetic to pupils with learning difficulties, the Individual Needs Department
offers one-to-one support for up to four lessons each week. At present, about 1 in 10
pupils use this facility. For those whose mother tongue is not English, the
International Department, with a proud history dating back to 1957, ensures that they
achieve proficiency in the language.
Results in recent years have been increasingly strong with a three year moving
average for A* and B grades at A-level going up from 30% to over 60% over the past
7 years. In the last academic year the value-added at GCSE was almost 0.9 grades per
subject per pupil over the equivalent average for similar pupils at schools in Britain.
Beyond the Classroom
Considerable emphasis is placed on the breadth of education offered and pupils are
encouraged to develop and discover talents and interests, be they intellectual, cultural
or sporting. There is plenty of choice throughout the College from an imaginative list
which includes arts and crafts and gardening for the Infants and Juniors to The Duke
of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme, Young Enterprise or Wine Tasting in the Sixth Form.
Senior pupils are required to participate in a service programme, helping in the
community, and the whole College raises money for charity on a regular basis.
Music plays an important part in College life and the Music Department boasts a new
Music School (the Tallis Music School) opened by Julian Lloyd Webber in January
2011. Extra-curricular musical activities are numerous and the Chapel Choir is the
backbone of the many concerts and services. Popular annual events are the Inter
House Music Competition and the Talent Show.
Menzies Hall, located just outside the main entrance, is currently used for Drama and
plans are in place for a significant refurbishment. The many productions include the
annual College Play (last year an excellent production of the musical The Boy Who
Fell Into A Book), the House Play Competition, Priory Production and Junior Show,
as well as many smaller items from the GCSE and A-level groups. Theatre visits are
frequent with 14 to London last year alone.
A strong emphasis is placed on sport and facilities are impressive. As well as the
main 24 acre site in the centre of Dover, the College has a further 20 acres of playing
fields nearby. On site are tennis courts, an Astroturf and an excellent Sports Hall
with cricket nets, tennis courts and facilities for fitness and dance. Swimming takes
place at a local pool and sailing in the harbour. Fixtures are arranged in all sports,
enabling the vast majority of pupils to represent their school at one level or another.
The Junior School
The Junior School at Dover College is a friendly, nurturing environment founded
upon strong family values and community spirit. Our pupils experience a broad,
adventurous and interesting curriculum where they feel challenged and have the
freedom to explore and be creative. Our ultimate goal is for children to become
confident, well-rounded individuals who have the necessary skills to go on and be
successful in life, whatever they choose to do.
We currently have around 85 pupils on roll but this can fluctuate by approximately
10% above or below this figure. Early Years has been an area of significant growth
and, as a result, some building work was carried out in the summer 2012 to extend
one of the Early Years classrooms. We also opened a ‘Discovery Garden’ last year to
create more learning opportunities outdoors. This is used by pupils of all ages in the
Junior School.
All of our pupils are taught Music and Sports by specialist teachers. From Year 1
onwards, the children are taught Spanish by a specialist teacher with French being
added to the curriculum in Year 3. We share facilities with the Senior School for
subjects including Sports and ICT. We also have a varied after school activity
programme that is run by both internal and external teachers.
Most of our pupils transfer to Year 7 here although there are some who go on to other
schools in the area, particularly local Grammars schools.
Latest ISI Report – January 2012
“Pupils’ development is excellent throughout the school, fully meeting its aims of
developing confidence by educating the whole person.”
“…a rich and varied environment supporting children’s learning and development,
personal welfare and well-being.”
“Children’s needs are exceptionally well met through highly effective partnerships
with parents, carers and others.”
“Excellent assessment procedures, including input from parents and reflective
evaluations, provide a clear record of children’s development.”
“Children’s behaviour is exceptionally good and they understand the need to take
care to be safe.”
“Children are helpful, thoughtful and cooperative, responding well to the
expectations of key people, with whom they develop secure relationships.”
The Role
The School is seeking to appoint an inspirational teacher to take the Junior School to
the next stage of its development. The successful candidate will join a very
supportive team of 13 staff. This post will particularly suit someone with a proven
track record in senior management who is now ready to assume the responsibilities of
dynamic empowered leadership.
Head of Junior School
Directly responsible to – The Headmaster
Overall Responsibilities for the Head of the Junior School
 Endeavour to promote the interests and reputation of the Junior School.
 Be responsible to the Headmaster of Dover College for the overall
management of the Junior School, the maintenance of good discipline, the
setting of the curriculum and the direction of the teaching.
 Advise and assist the Headmaster in the exercise of all functions relating to the
Junior School.
 Keep the Headmaster appraised on all matters relating to the Junior School on
a routine basis via weekly one to one meetings and via the weekly SMT
meetings.
 Be the appointed person for the Early Years Foundation and ensure compliance
with the statutory framework
 Attend weekly meetings with the Leadership Team within the Junior School
which also includes the Key Stage Co-Ordinators.
 Attend weekly Marketing Group meetings
 Attend termly Governors’ meetings (Marketing and Education)
 Advise and work with the Head of Priory to promote a positive partnership
between the two. In particular the transition of pupils into year 7.
Duties and Routine Responsibilities
The Head of the Junior School has the following specific responsibilities:
 The leadership and management of the Junior School teachers
 The planning and implementation of the curriculum for Junior School pupils
 Monitoring the planning, teaching, learning and assessment of Junior School
staff and pupils
 The overall pastoral care of pupils in the Junior School
 Identifying and implementation INSET needs in consultation with the Deputy
Head and the Director of Studies
 Planning parent evenings and other public meetings in consultation with the
Deputy Head and Director of Studies.
 KS1 and KS2 assessment and examination arrangements in consultation with
the Director of Studies.
 Chairing the Departmental meetings.
 Organising and managing the duty rota in the Junior School
 The management of all budgets relating to the Junior School
 Assisting the Headmaster of Dover College with the recruitment of Junior
School staff
 Assisting the Headmaster of Dover College and the Marketing and
Development Officer in the recruitment of pupils and the overall Marketing
strategy of the Junior School
 Identifying and prioritising areas for development in the Junior School and in
particular, contributing to those parts of the School Development which relate
directly to the Junior School
 Administering the system of Continual Professional Development for all staff
in the Junior School
In summary, the Head of the Junior School has responsibility for all matters relating
to both Junior School staff and pupils. The Head of the Junior School reports directly
to the Headmaster of Dover College on all matters relating to the Junior School.
To assist the Head of the Junior School in these various tasks, it is expected that the
Head of the Junior School will have a significant amount of support from the Junior
School secretary and the Key Stage Co-ordinators.
How to Apply
Please complete the Dover College application form and send it, along with a full
CV, letter of application and details of two professional referees, to:
The Headmaster’s Office
Dover College
Effingham Crescent
Dover
Kent CT17 9RH
Or by email to:
HR@dovercollege.org.uk
Closing Date: Friday 15th March 2013 at 12 noon.