Alleyn’s
ALLEYN’S SCHOOL
TOWNLEY ROAD, DULWICH, LONDON SE22 8SU
Independent day school for boys and girls aged 4-18
Co-educational Academic Excellence
IAPS Independent Day School
Appointment of
JUNIOR SCHOOL HEAD
Information for Applicants
Co-educational,
academic excellence
Founded 1619
ALLEYN’S JUNIOR SCHOOL
Appointment of Junior School Head
(Though the term “Head” is used throughout this document
please note that the title of the successful applicant will be
Headmaster or Headmistress.)
Information for Applicants
Introduction and Background
The current Headmaster of the Junior School, Mr Mark O’Donnell, will become Head of St
Martin’s Ampleforth with effect from September 2014. Mr O’Donnell has been in post for
12 years. The Governors and Headmaster wish to appoint his successor to take up the
appointment, ideally at the start of the Lent Term (i.e. January) 2015. In the interim, the
current Deputy Head of the Junior School, Mrs Alison Wright, will be acting Headmistress.
The Governors and Headmaster seek to appoint an outstanding and experienced leader
with preparatory or primary school experience. The ideal candidate will be either a current
Head or a Deputy Head in an appropriately academic school.
The Junior School currently operates with considerable success and has an excellent
reputation in the community as one of London’s very best co-educational day schools. The
new Head will be able to maintain the very positive momentum of the school and support
Alleyn’s unique and much valued ethos of co-educational, academic excellence in a caring,
friendly and welcoming community.
Candidates should read the recent School Inspection report (January 2013) together with
the School Development Plan (for 2013-14) and consequent Action Plan for 2013-14, all of
which are available on the Junior School’s website.
Alleyn's Vision
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Co-educational, academic excellence
A wide-ranging and vibrant curriculum and co-curriculum
Excellence through inclusion at secondary level
A learning community and a community of leaders
Close links with parents, former pupils and the wider community
A progressive place of ‘godliness and good learning’
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Alleyn's is an academically selective, independent, co-educational day school for pupils
aged 4-18, proud of its reputation for being caring and friendly. Its primary aim is to
provide 'co-educational academic excellence with a first class all-round education to those
of high intellectual promise and academic potential, regardless of background, race or
creed'.
Alleyn's aims to be forward-looking and progressive but also greatly values its long-held
traditions. The Founder’s Prayer that Alleyn’s should be a place of ‘godliness and good
learning’ is at the centre of Alleyn’s values. In recognising the importance of the spiritual
dimension of human life, Alleyn’s is ably supported by the Revd. Anthony Buckley, School
Chaplain (who is a full time teacher at the Senior School) together with the Vicar of St.
Barnabas Church (situated next to the School) who is also the Foundation Chaplain.
Alleyn’s respects and is guided by the Christian tradition of its Founder, from which many
important values are derived. Weekly assemblies and other gatherings all support the aim
to foster in pupils an appreciation and understanding of the spiritual dimension of life.
Alleyn’s Junior School
Alleyn's Junior School is the link school for Alleyn’s School, to which there is automatic
entry for pupils at 11+. It is a member of IAPS and currently has approximately 240 pupils.
Inspection reports frequently describe the Junior School as a friendly and happy school. It
has a distinctive atmosphere that couples academic excellence with breadth of
opportunity and respect for variety of achievement. Alleyn’s sets out to provide an
outstanding pastoral environment where pupils are encouraged to achieve their potential.
In its last ISI inspection the school achieved the top rating of ‘Excellent’ in all categories.
The Governors of Alleyn’s School purchased a parcel of land adjacent to the Alleyn’s School
site in 1991 and erected purpose built accommodation for a co-educational day Junior
School for some 200+ boys and girls aged 5 to 11 years. This Junior School opened in 1992
and was extended in 2000 to include a Reception class to offer education from 4+.
While the Junior School opened its doors in 1992 in purpose-built facilities the Senior
School has offered places to girls and boys since 1976 and prides itself on being truly coeducational in the sense that in each school year the aim is to have a 50/50 split between
boys and girls. Both the Senior and Junior Schools select on academic ability. Alleyn’s is
one of the top performing co-educational schools in London, and indeed in the country.
There is a healthy demand for places at every entry point at Alleyn's, from Reception
through the Sixth Form. In the Junior School there are usually some 200 applications for 18
places at 4+, 125-30 applications for 24 places at 7+ and perhaps 40 applications for 8
places at 9+. Places at the school are highly prized in the local South London area.
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The Junior School has some 40 employees of whom 25 are teaching staff. The Junior
School has 8 support staff of its own and also draws on the services of the whole-school
Bursar and his team, including the caretaking, maintenance, security and grounds staff.
Facilities
The Senior and Junior Schools and surrounding playing fields occupy a 30 acre site on
Townley Road between leafy Dulwich Village and popular East Dulwich. In recent years,
Alleyn’s has completed a substantial phase of capital expenditure which has seen the
construction of a theatre complex, a refurbished swimming pool, new pitches for sport and
several smaller capital projects that have directly benefited the Junior School, which shares
the Dining Hall, Music School, playing fields, Pool, Pavilion, Sports Hall, theatre and allweather surface. The Junior School also has its own multi-purpose hall, science laboratory,
art/technology rooms, library, adventure and hard play areas and ICT suite.
There are plans to provide updated accommodation for the infants’ department close to
the main Junior School building in the next two years, which will enable enhancements in
the main building, including an expansion of the Library.
Organisation
There is one EYFS Reception class, two Key Stage 1 classes (Years 1 and 2) and two forms
per year group throughout the primary years 3-6 at Key Stage 2. There are approximately
18 pupils in each form through the infants’ department and in Key Stage 2 there are 40
pupils in two forms in each of Years 3-4 and 48 pupils in two forms in each of Years 5-6.
The school aims to admit equal numbers of boys and girls. There is an automatic transfer
policy to the Senior School for Junior School pupils and the vast majority proceed there at
11+, many having won scholarships or exhibitions (academic, sport, music and art).
The Junior School operates as one school, from Reception to Year 6. While there are
organisational differences between the ways in which school life is structured for EYFS,
infant and junior pupils, there is no physical formal separation of the school into two
sections, though there are several discrete play areas that can be used to separate the age
groups. The philosophy of working and playing under one roof works well here.
The Junior School’s Senior Management Team comprises the Headmaster, the Deputy
Head, the Director of Studies and the Head of Infants. The line manager of the Director of
Studies and the Head of Infants is the Deputy Head.
Pupils
Children enter the Junior School at 4+, 7+ and 9+ following assessments carefully designed
to identify those who will gain most benefit from an Alleyn’s education. It is an aim of the
Junior School that all its pupils will proceed to the Senior School and, to fulfil this aim,
entrants are expected to demonstrate a standardised IQ of at least 115 in Maths, English
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and NVR tests. Pupils have busy, purposeful days and so entrants should have the
potential and enthusiasm to thrive in this rich, busy and stimulating environment.
There is currently no financial support through scholarships or bursary aid for entry to the
Junior School. All pupils are full fee payers, except for those pupils in the Reception class
who qualify for the Nursery Education Grant.
Many of the younger pupils live close to the school, but older pupils travel some distance
to attend. The Junior School attracts approximately 80% of its clientele from a radius of 2
miles and up to 6 miles for the remaining 20%. The school’s catchment area extends from
Wandsworth to Blackheath, as far south as Purley and north to the Thames. Clapham,
Tooting, Streatham and West Norwood are popular areas for families looking to place their
children in a top London Day School. Despite the fact that children are offered places on
individual merit, many are siblings and a strong family ethos pervades the entire school.
Pupils are lively, intelligent and co-operative. They are known for being highly articulate
and self-assured, but at the same time kind and grounded. They work keenly with their
teachers and each other to pursue their many talents to the highest levels. There is a wellestablished program of enrichment and thinking skills, and a vibrant co-curriculum.
Parents
Parents are warmly welcomed at the school and have played an important role in its
development. The Alleyn’s Junior School Association - to which all parents automatically
belong - offers the formal mechanism through which parents can work with the school,
organising parent parties, Christmas and Foundation Day fairs for pupils, end-of-term
parties for pupils and other social gatherings. The AJSA runs the second-hand uniform sales
and produces the parents’ magazine, Heartbeat. In addition, there are many less formal
ways in which parents can become involved: supporting matches and other sporting
events, running club activities, accompanying outings and so forth.
There are currently two formal consultation meetings a year, when parents can discuss
their children’s progress with their teachers. Outside these times, parents are always
welcome to see teachers and the Headmaster by appointment or to make contact by
telephone, letter or through the children’s message books. Formal written reports are
undertaken up to 3 times per year depending on the age group. The school is currently
updating and developing its electronic communications and many messages are sent out
to parents via the management information system.
The new Head will oversee the implementation of a parent portal / VLE and the discrete
use of class-based social media sites that are currently being explored on a trial basis.
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The School Day
The day starts for pupils at 8:30 am, though doors are opened and supervision provided
from 8:15 am. Assembly follows registration at 8:40 am and lesson 1 begins at 9:00 am.
There are appropriate breaks for play and lunch with the day ending at 3.30 pm. A rich
programme of co-curricular activities runs from 3:30 pm till 4:45 pm. and After School Care
extends until 6:00 pm. There are a significant number of evening meetings, concerts, plays
and activities and some Saturday workshops, tournaments, rehearsals and open days.
Teaching Staff
The school benefits from a talented, committed and loyal teaching staff. The ratio of
teachers to pupils is approximately 1:9. In addition to form teachers, there are specialist
teachers for PE, PSHE, Music, Art, MfL (French and German), ICT and Learning Support.
Form Teachers take on co-ordinators’ roles in all subject areas. Staff meetings are held
weekly and may be general as well as considering a particular subject or aspect of
schooling. The current policy is to alternate an academic topic with a pastoral care issue
each week after the main business and pupil news. Pupils are fully and regularly involved.
Support Staff
The school employs one full-time school secretary, a registrar, a receptionist and 2 Gap
Year students. The school office is always attended by a trained paediatric first-aider, who
monitors the sick and fallen. Three full time classroom assistants work with Reception and
Years 1 and 2 classes under the direction of the form teachers. They are also trained firstaiders and supervise play and lunch times alongside teachers. We also have a full time
Learning Support Assistant who works with targeted individuals and groups alongside the
Learning Support Teacher. A part-time librarian looks after the Library.
The School Chaplain, the Bursar and his team, the School Nurses, the reprographics office
and the contract caterers and cleaners are all shared with the Senior School.
Curriculum
The school broadly follows the National Curriculum, culminating in nationally moderated
assessments at 7+ and 11+. However, the pace of learning at AJS is fast and enables pupils
to look well beyond the confines of the National Curriculum, learning French from 4+ and
French and German from 9+. Differentiated learning for children is embedded in teaching
so it is common for year groups to extend and challenge pupils beyond the National
Curriculum requirements. Despite current changes to the National Curriculum the school
maintains an emphasis on medium term planning which is informed by the long term aims
of our Subject Development Plan, which is an internal school document only.
Scholarships and exhibitions to Alleyn’s and to other selective schools are regularly won by
AJS boys and girls. Under the guidance of the Deputy Head and the Director of Studies,
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there is good liaison between Junior School curriculum co-ordinators and Senior School
Heads of Department and SMT.
Music is a particular strength of the school, all pupils being taught to play a stringed
instrument from Years 2 to 4; a brass or woodwind instrument from Year 5 and
culminating in the formation of a Year 6 Orchestra. Musical opportunities abound,
whether through choirs, orchestras, jazz groups, concert bands or chamber ensembles.
Sport is another strength and pupils follow a varied programme of activities, which include
biathlon, cross country running, fives, basketball, soccer, hockey, cricket, tennis, netball,
rounders, swimming, gymnastics, athletics and dance. The school boasts an excellent girls’
football club and mixed hockey is also very strong. Regular fixtures are held against local
schools and excellence is fostered within a whole-school ethos of fair play and sport for all.
Sport is also a focus area of pastoral development of pupils. Self-esteem and confidence
building are a priority so each child has targets for both skill and personal development.
The school offers some 50 clubs per term, so that children are able to engage in a broad
co-curricular programme. The children are busy, stretched and enriched at their school.
Pastoral Care
Pastoral care is at the heart of the Alleyn’s ethos and it is rated as outstanding by
inspectors. In our recent ISI report the school unusually received a 100% level of support
from parents for the work undertaken on behalf of individual children. Responsibility for
pastoral care is primarily in the hands of Form Teachers who are supported by a simple yet
effective system of rewards and sanctions and by a number of important staff, including
the Deputy Head, the PSHE co-ordinator, Learning Support and School Chaplain.
Marketing
All members of staff are expected to support the Head in marketing the school. There are
clear policies for professional expectations of all staff both on and off site.
The Place of Alleyn’s School in Dulwich
Alleyn's is one of three independent Dulwich schools, the other two being Dulwich College,
a boys' school, and James Allen's Girls' School (JAGS), a girls' school. Each of the three
schools has its own linked junior school. These Dulwich schools educate over 4,000 pupils
drawn from a wide catchment area extending north and south of the river Thames. The
schools run a coach service, taking pupils to and from most parts of the catchment area.
The three Dulwich schools are part of the wider Dulwich Foundation, which includes the
Dulwich Estate, the Chapel, an almshouse and four schools outside Dulwich. The
Foundation dates back to 1619 when Edward Alleyn, the actor-manager and contemporary
of Shakespeare, left his land in Dulwich 'for the education of twelve poor scholars'.
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Governance
The Governing Board comprises 14 Governors who are appointed on the basis of the skills
required by the board. Some have links with the school as former pupils or parents. They
have an independent Clerk who manages their business and liaises with the school but is
not involved in management. Details of the Governing Board are on the School’s website.
Finances
The School enjoys a stable financial environment and the Governors believe that the
School is in a strong financial position to meet its future plans and commitments.
The Role of the Head of the Junior School
The Headmaster of the Junior School is responsible to Governors for the academic
performance and pastoral welfare of all pupils within the Junior School, and for the staff.
Management
The Head of the Junior School is appointed by the Board of Governors only after
consultation with the Headmaster of Alleyn’s School and is responsible to them through its
Chairman under the direction and line management of the Headmaster, currently Dr Gary
Savage. The Head of the Junior School is a member of the whole-school Senior
Management Team, attends meetings of the Board of Governors and its sub-committees,
and reports to the full Governing Board each term.
Primarily the Head will:
 Safeguard the welfare, health and safety of pupils and staff;
 Continue to enhance the academic profile of the school;
 Review the curriculum to ensure it best serves the pupils;
 Explore new strategies and technologies to enhance practice and provision;
 Annually review the School’s Development Plan.
The Head of the Junior School will meet weekly with the Headmaster of Alleyn’s School
and, separately, with the Bursar, as well as attending regular meetings of the whole-school
SMT and certain whole-school committees including the regular Capital Projects Group.
Duties & Responsibilities
The Head will lead, motivate and develop the Junior School so that it fulfils the academic,
pastoral and social aspirations and achievements of the pupils, parents and staff by
providing excellent broad-based education in line with the school’s aims, vision and values.
Together with the Headmaster and Chairman, the Head will enable the Governors to fulfil
their duties and responsibilities for the proper governance of the school and to ensure that
the Board receives timely advice and appropriate information on all relevant matters.
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The Head is responsible, directly and by delegation, for the following:
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The leadership and management of the Junior School;
The care, welfare and development of each pupil and for maintaining excellent
academic standards within the Junior School;
The overall financial performance of the Junior School, in which s/he will be
assisted by the Bursar, and for meeting the annual budget agreed by the
Governors;
Leading, managing and motivating the Junior School’s Senior Management Team
and teaching staff, whom the Head appoints;
The assessment, appraisal, guidance, support and professional development of all
Junior School teaching staff;
The promotion of the school, including the production of publicity, literature and
any advertising, the public relations; profile, management of the Junior School
website and the establishment of positive relations with prospective parents;
Some teaching of relevant parts of the curriculum, where appropriate;
Recruiting a full complement of pupils, and overseeing admission and entrance
procedures;
Planning and implementing an effective curriculum, timetabling and the academic
organisation of the Junior School, and reviewing these as appropriate;
Monitoring pupils’ progress and ensuring that parents are provided with regular
and appropriate feedback;
Creating the appropriate balance between all areas of school life and activity,
including art, drama, music, sport and community involvement;
Establishing and maintaining good relationships and regular contact with senior
schools, and advising parents on suitable choices for their children;
Maintaining good communications and relationships within the school and with key
partners including local schools, the local community, professional bodies and
former pupils;
Developing good professional relationships with the parents of the pupils and
ensuring accessibility and good communication with them through personal
interviews, telephone conversations and electronic access.
All of the above will be undertaken in the context of regular and supportive meetings with
the Headmaster of Alleyn’s School.
The Governing Board will further delegate to the Head of the Junior School responsibility
for the following:
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Ensuring that the Junior School meets all its legal obligations including compliance
with Safeguarding and Health and Safety regulations;
Submitting policy proposals for the approval of the Board or assisting in the
development of strategic policies and implementing and monitoring these;
Reporting regularly on progress towards strategic priorities, the implementation of
policies, and the achievements, strengths and weaknesses of the school;
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Ensuring that the Board receive sufficient and timely information and advice in
order to make informed decisions;
Playing a positive role within the whole school community and as a member of the
Senior Management Team chaired by the Headmaster of Alleyn’s School.
General Ad Hoc Duties
The Head will undertake other duties appropriate to the general purpose of the post which
may from time to time be reasonably assigned by the Headmaster or Chairman.
The Head will set an example of continuous professional development, participating in
appropriate training in order to maintain an up-to-date professional expertise. The Head
should be aware of trends in education, the requirements of Junior Schools and of the
National Curriculum and, where appropriate, recommend policy changes to the Governors.
It is expected that the Head of the Junior School will be a member of IAPS and will
represent the School on other bodies which the Governing Board deems suitable.
The Candidate
Applications are welcome from well-qualified men and women who are graduates with a
proven record of excellence in leadership and management in an academic school.
Though it will be essential to have impressive experience and qualifications, the intention
is to appoint the right person and not necessarily the person who best fits a predetermined set of skills.
This is a very important and demanding leadership role, of crucial importance to the whole
school in setting and maintaining the highest standards of academic progress, pastoral
care, commitment and discipline. It will require administrative, communication and
interpersonal skills of the highest order.
The successful candidate will command respect in balancing approachability with natural
authority, through providing academic leadership and by having a strong and positive
presence around the Junior School.
The Head will be compassionate and caring and an able and encouraging communicator.
S/he will be able to lead the Junior School positively, and play a full, collaborative and
fulfilling role in the life and work of the whole school and its Senior Management Team.
Remuneration
The successful applicant will be offered a remuneration package which comprises:
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competitive salary commensurate with the seniority of the post;
a two-thirds fee remission for children attending Alleyn's Senior and Junior
Schools (non-taxable benefit at Alleyn’s), James Allen's Girls' School and
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Dulwich College, subject to meeting the admissions criteria;
suitable accommodation in the vicinity of the school may be available.
Applications
Candidates should complete all sections of the application form. Applications without
the signed declaration on the final page will not be accepted.
Candidates are also requested to send a copy of their own curriculum vitae, including full
details of qualifications and experience, together with a detailed covering letter
explaining why they think they are particularly suited to the role.
The closing date for applications is Wednesday 7 May 2014 at 6 pm.
Arrangements for the Appointment
Interviews and appointment
The appointment of the Head is made by the Governors only after consultation with the
Headmaster of Alleyn’s School.
There will be two rounds of interviews and further details will be sent to the invited
applicants.
The first round of long list interviews will be in Central London on Friday 16 May 2014.
Candidates will have an opportunity to visit the school, view accommodation (where
applicable) and meet the Headmaster and senior staff during the week of Monday 19 May.
The short list interviews will be on Tuesday 3 June.
Candidates will have an hour-long interview with a panel of Governors and the
Headmaster of the Senior School and will be required to give a brief presentation.
Candidates will be free to leave after the interview.
The appointment will be subject to satisfactory references, verification of identity and
proof of qualifications, and to a satisfactory medical screening. All employees of Alleyn's
are required to submit to the checks undertaken by the Disclosure and Barring Service at
the enhanced level of disclosure.
The appointment will be made without regard to age, gender, disability, ethnicity, marital
status, sexual orientation, religion or belief.
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