Job Description
Job Title:
Head of Learning and Participation
Salary:
£30,000-£34,000 gross annual salary
Contract:
Full time permanent
Base:
Rochester House, 42 Pembroke St, Oxford OX1 1BP
Reporting to:
Joint Directors
Responsible for:
Learning & Participation Officer, pool of sessional workers, freelance
practitioners, volunteers (including senior volunteers on Learning
Advisory Panel).
Introduction to organisation
The Story Museum was founded in 2003 with the aim of ‘providing learning
opportunities and promoting literacy and creativity amongst children, young
people and families’. From 2005, we ran pioneering outreach programmes and
public events reaching up to 20,000 people a year - including some of
Oxfordshire’s most deprived schools and communities. Outcomes of this work
included improvements in literacy, language development, overall educational
attainment and increased wellbeing. In 2009, we acquired a 2,000 sqm derelict
site in the centre of Oxford and began planning its transformation into a
permanent home for a Museum of Story. From 2011-2013 we experimented
with pop up exhibitions and events whilst raising funds and completing the first
phase of redevelopment on our buildings. In April 2014 we opened to the
public for a 6 day a week operation. In our first year of opening, the Story
Museum welcomed around 30,000 visitors and delivered 583 different events
and activities across a wide-ranging creative programme.
Vision & Mission
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Our vision is that every child grows up rich in stories. We believe that children
who are lucky enough to experience and create a variety of stories develop vital
knowledge and life skills such as language, reasoning, empathy and imagination;
they discover how stories can help us connect with others, understand our past
and shape our future. Yet many children are not this fortunate, resulting in low
achievement and aspirations. UK statistics on pre-school spoken language,
functional illiteracy, interview skills and work-force readiness point to a
continuing need for services that engage with these children to develop and
embed crucial life skills. The Story Museum uses stories to deliver high impact
learning and literacy programmes in partnership with schools, families and
communities.
Our Mission is to harness the power of stories to inspire learning and improve
wellbeing. We are creating a permanent Story Museum in Oxford as a base for
our creative and learning activity, as a home for our collection of stories and
story objects, and as a place to showcase great ways of engaging with great
stories.
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Background to post
Our first Head of Learning and Participation was appointed in Spring 2013 and has
since established a flourishing programme for schools and community groups
working with a growing base of freelance education and creative practitioners. Since
September 2013 our Learning and Participation team have worked with 13,000
children and young people, from over 120 different schools and organisations. The
team have created a trusted brand of quality and creativity which has been
appreciated by teachers, students and parents.
After two successful years our Head of Learning and Participation is moving on,
opening the opportunity for a new team member. This person joins us at an
exciting and challenging time as we work towards the completion of our Museum
and build on the success of our Learning and participation programme. Over the
coming years we will be creating a world-leading cultural attraction and the post
holder will play a pivotal role in this as well as implementing our Learning and
Participation strategy. They will work closely with the Joint Directors and colleagues
across Programming, Fundraising, Marketing and Operations, as well as freelance
practitioners, volunteers, education, arts and heritage partners, and learners of all
ages.
Main purpose of job
The main purposes of the job are to:
1. Lead the work of the Learning and Participation team to deliver effective,
high quality and sustainable work with schools and community partners.
2. Implement the Learning and Participation Business Plan, achieving
participation and financial targets and contributing to the overall financial
health and sustainability of the Museum.
3. Inform the design and development of The Story Museum’s wider curated
programme of exhibitions and events.
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4. Influence the development of The Story Museum’s capital redevelopment
scheme, ensuring that the spaces, facilities and services are meeting the
needs of our young and family visitors.
5. Develop and manage partnerships with the wider education, cultural and
heritage sectors, our local authority, relevant funders and project deliverers.
6. Play an active role as a Senior Manager, developing the Museum’s overall
policy, strategy and financial planning and promote effective corporate
management across departments.
Main responsibilities
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Strategy and planning

Develop and lead the Learning and Participation strategy of The Story Museum
for all age groups, both inside and outside the building; this will include
sustaining an activity plan across exhibitions, events, special projects and
partnerships.

Ensure that the Learning and Participation programme enables the Museum to
fulfil its educational, financial, audience, social, cultural and heritage ambitions.

Work with the Joint Directors, curatorial and creative teams, freelance
practitioners and advisors to develop an Interpretation Plan alongside the
emerging Collections Strategy.

As a member of the museum’s Senior Management Team, contribute to the
development of overall policy, strategy and financial planning and promote
effective corporate management across departments.

Manage the Learning Advisory Panel - a group of senior volunteers comprising
academics and practitioners - and draw on their expertise and guidance across
the Learning and Participation policy and programme.
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Schools and community partnerships and programmes,
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
Develop and deliver our programme of Open Access and Targeted high quality
story-based learning through our in-house team and through partnerships with
leading educators, artists and organisations. This will embrace formal and
informal learning opportunities for people of all ages and abilities, but will
prioritise children and young people, especially the most disadvantaged.

Work with existing consultants and advisors to manage and develop special
projects in hard to reach communities around Oxford and further afield.

Identify and develop freelance practitioners to deliver our outreach and inhouse programmes. Work with freelance practitioners to devise and deliver
programmes or projects that respond to educational needs and partners’
concerns.

Develop, produce and commission learning resources for our website and
specific programmes.

Monitor, evaluate and communicate the effectiveness of our programmes
internally and externally, commissioning external evaluations where appropriate.

Ensure we and others continually learn from experience, update our resources,
review our understanding of best practice, and encourage information exchange
to support wider adoption.

Develop new and sustain existing partnerships with the formal and informal
education sector, including early years providers, schools, colleges and
universities, cultural organisations, youth and other community organisations in
order to provide opportunities for learners to encounter our story heritage.
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Educational policy, advocacy and advice

Act as a champion for the role of story in education.

Keep abreast of developments in educational theory, policy and practice and
maintain contacts with relevant industry bodies and potential partners.

Work with partners, advisors and colleagues to formulate and communicate
Story Museum policy and best practice with respect to learning through story
and engaging people of all ages and abilities with our story heritage.
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
Represent the museum locally, nationally and internationally on learning and
engagement issues, preparing papers or articles, attending and speaking at
conferences.

Identify, develop and sustain a network of learning and participation advisors,
practitioners and volunteers.

Keep abreast of developments in educational theory and practice, maintain
contacts with the relevant industry bodies and develop partnerships with
leading educational organisations.

Consult with and involve different user groups: children, parents, teachers and
scholars and train volunteers to assist with The Story Museum’s learning and
participation activities.
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Curated programme, Collections and Audience Development

Work with the Joint Directors and curatorial and design teams to inform and
develop the wider Curated programme including projects that enable the
Museum to:
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continue to research, develop and test exhibitions, installations and
activities

o
consult audiences, partners and other stakeholders
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engage a range of people, including volunteers, with our story heritage.
Advise on the educational components of exhibitions and events and on
consultation and participation processes. Ensure that exhibition design and
interpretation are informed by educational best practice and will engage target
audiences.

Engage with the Museum’s Collection Strategy, informing and influencing this
emerging area of work from the perspective of educationalists and target
audiences including children and young people.

Work with curatorial and communications colleagues, to develop marketing and
communications materials and associated learning resources, publications and
merchandise.
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
Work with colleagues to oversee the development of web learning content.

Work with marketing and communications colleagues and freelance
practitioners on delivery of the Audience Development Plan to extend the reach
of the Story Museum programme to sections of the community which have not
traditionally visited arts and heritage venues.
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Systems

Maintain contact management and other records to support the smooth
running of the department and organisation.

Develop processes and procedures that improve departmental effectiveness and
efficiency.
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Reporting, funding and financial controls

Report to the Story Museum Board as required and attend meetings as
necessary.

Prepare departmental budgets in collaboration with the directors and finance
team, monitor spending against budget and authorise and account for
expenditure.

Assist the fundraising team to identify prospects and funding opportunities and
to prepare funding applications to support the learning and participation
programme.

Actively engage with Story Museum donors and supporters through
stewardship activities, attending meetings, events and presentations as required.

In liaison with fundraising colleagues, submit formal reports to funders on
project and programme outcomes as required, and contribute to annual reports
and returns for funding bodies.
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People management
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
Manage the Learning and Participation team including the Officer, sessional
workers, freelance practitioners and volunteers and ensure that - in line with
available resources - they are equipped to deliver the approved learning and
participation programme.

Line-manage team members, complete annual appraisals and interim
performance management where necessary, identifying formal training or
development needs where appropriate.

Ensure that good practice is observed at all times, that appropriate targets and
priorities are set, that budgets and deadlines are met and that everyone is kept
informed and motivated.

Advise museum staff on all aspects of the learning and participation
programme including scheduling, cost and budget implications, design, content
and interpretation.

Ensure adherence to health and safety legislation and to the procedures,
policies, values and legal obligations of The Story Museum.

Ensure adherence to policies and statutory requirements relating to the
supervision and participation of children and vulnerable adults in Story Museum
activities.

Arrange for mandatory policy checks on staff, freelancers and volunteers as
necessary.
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Other

Undertake any other duties as may reasonably be required.

Travel including international travel may be required.
Person specification
The successful candidate will have:

The skills and experience to deliver the role to the highest standards
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
The proven ability to think creatively and strategically, as evidenced in examples
of previous clearly articulated strategies.

A good knowledge of current UK educational policy, theory and practice.

A broad knowledge of children’s literature and storytelling.

An understanding of the learning and participation needs of existing and
potential museum and arts audiences.

Excellent people skills, demonstrating the ability both to work as part of a team
and to lead, develop and motivate others to meet targets and deadlines.

Financially literate and confident with budgets, accounts and processes

A flexible and positive approach and the ability to build collaborative working
relationships at all levels and remain calm under pressure.

Excellent negotiation, social and influencing skills and the ability to
communicate clearly and persuasively when speaking or writing and
representing the Story Museum at all levels.

A bachelor’s or master’s degree or professional equivalent and, ideally, a
teaching, training and/or museum learning qualification.

Excellent organisational skills and attention to detail.

Knowledge and experience of project, people and budget management and of
project evaluation methods.

IT skills ideally including MS Office, Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint and
experience of databases.

Suitability to work with minors and vulnerable adults including relevant formal
checks.

The ability to live or stay in the Oxford area.

Driving licence and own car desirable
Terms and conditions
Period of employment
This is a permanent full time post which carries a 3-month probationary.
Hours of work
This is a full-time post based on a 37.5 hour working week and on occasion will
require working weekends and evenings. In that event though The Story Museum does
not pay overtime, time off in lieu may be given by prior agreement.
Annual leave
The Story Museum offers 25 days annual leave to full time employees, plus the 8 UK
national bank holidays. It has a positive approach to flexible working hours and will
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consider applications for such working on a case-by-case basis under the terms of its
flexible working hours policy (supplied on request). Wherever possible, holiday must be
taken during the financial year it is earned: a maximum of 5 days can be rolled over
from one financial year to the next, unless exceptionally agreed.
Pension
The Story Museum is in the process of setting up a NEST pension scheme which will
be available no later than the staging date of 1st March 2016.
Sickness pay and conditions
There is no contractual sickness/injury payments scheme in addition to SSP. This is
under review at September 2015.
Capability and Disciplinary Procedures
The disciplinary rules that form part of your contract of employment and the
procedures that would apply are detailed in the Employee Handbook. Should you be
dissatisfied with any decision you should apply, either verbally or in writing, to the
Directors within five working days of the decision you are complaining against. Further
information can be found in the Employee Handbook.
Grievance procedure
Should you feel aggrieved at any matter relating to your employment, you should raise
the grievance with your Manager either verbally or in writing. Further information can
be found in the Employee Handbook.
Notice of termination to be given by the employee or employer
During the probationary period:
1 month
After the 3 month probationary period:
3 months
Equal opportunities
The Story Museum is striving to be an equal opportunities employer. We aim to treat
all job applicants and workers equally, irrespective of race, colour, gender orientation,
nationality, religion, ethnic or national origin, age, gender, gender reassignment or
marital status, sexual orientation or disability. All workers have a legal and moral
obligation not to discriminate and to report incidents of discrimination against any
individual or group of individuals. A copy of the Equal Opportunities Policy can be
found in the Employee Handbook.
DBS
Disclosure and barring checks will be made for this role.
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To apply
Please complete the relevant application form and send it to Sarah Fussell, Operations
Manager via email: sarah.fussell@storymuseum.org.uk or via post: The Story
Museum, Rochester House, 42 Pembroke Street, Oxford OX1 1BP. Telephone: 01865
790050.
Deadlines
Completed applications forms to be received by: 10am, Friday 9th October 2015
Notification by email for shortlisted applicants: 6pm, Wednesday 14th October 2015
First round interviews for shortlisted applicants will take place in Oxford: w/c 19th
October 2015
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