Application Pack
For post of Finance Officer
February 2015
BRYMORE ACADEMY
APPLICANT INFORMATION PACK
1. Brymore Academy - Background Information
2. Letter
3. Job Description
4. Person Specification
5. Terms and Conditions
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Brymore is a state boarding academy for boys situated in its own beautiful grounds of 60 acres in
Cannington, near Bridgwater. In 1951 Somerset County Council purchased the estate at Brymore
for £6,600 and following extensive repairs and alterations it was opened as a Secondary Technical
School in September 1952 for boys aged 13-17. Today Brymore is a sponsored academy and is
part of the Bridgwater College Multi-Academy Trust. From this September 2014, the academy has
extended its age range to admit boys from the age of 11.
Brymore is at an exciting period in its history with £6 million going into new buildings - £3 million
into new boarding houses which opened in January 2009 and over £1 million into new classrooms
and laboratories which opened in September 2008 and a further £2 million refurbishment project of
the main boarding house. It is a delightful and special place to work with young people.
The four corner stones to the Brymore experience are the farm, gardens, workshops and sport plus, of course, the fact that it is a boarding school. Brymore has excellent facilities. It has a 110
acre farm including its own dairy herd, beef, pigs, sheep and chickens. It has extensive
horticultural facilities including a one acre walled garden, glasshouses and each boy has access to
his own plot. We have three workshops, a forge and a CAD/CAM room so that boys can work with
a variety of materials. Boys enjoy a wide range of sports including the traditional rugby, hockey,
cricket and athletics. They also have access to an outdoor pool, nine hole golf course and driving
range, activity centre and take part in country sports such as fishing and shooting.
There are currently 194 boys on roll, increasing to over 240 in September 2015. Over 120 of these
are boarders but even the out-boarders board when on a “duty” week. (This involves milking or
feeding at 6.30 am, then School, then duties again at 4.00 pm). All the boys help on the farm and
in the gardens. Half the boys come from farming backgrounds. As a State Boarding School
parents pay modest boarding fees and the state pays for the education. We complete our 190
teaching days within thirty-two weeks by working a full day on a Saturday. This results in twenty
weeks holiday per year.
The pastoral system at Brymore comprises three houses, Galsworthy, Taylor and Walker. Each
has a Head of House and tutors who lead Vertical tutor groups. The rewards system is well
established and is of great importance to the ethos of the school. We have an assembly three
days a week, with two tutorials and the Saturday gathering is chiefly given over to the embodiment
of the reward system - certificates and awards are presented along with sports results and items of
good news. Each term the results of inter-house fixtures are added to merits, commendations,
attendance and other data to produce the result for the FOBSA Trophy (Friends of Brymore School
Association). Through this, and other means, we actively seek to reward each boy for their
endeavour and skill. We do not give rewards for the sake of it, but the system is remarkably good
at finding something to celebrate in each boy.
Exam results in 2013 were the best ever when over 86% of boys achieved 5 or more A*-C grades.
This compares with 54% 4 years ago. The schools progress figures are excellent, placing us in the
top 3% of schools nationally.
Brymore is also about student development as well as academic success, so the context is one of
encouraging the best out of boys who, frequently, have not thought of themselves as successful at
school. We change that by finding out what they are good at, by building self-esteem and
confidence and by encouraging them to live by our own three Rs - Resilience, Resourcefulness
and Responsibility. We expect boys to be polite, courteous, to be able to hold a conversation and
to mix well with people they do not know.
At present there are three classes in each Year Group of approximately 50 students, giving class
sizes of 15-20 boys. All boys study Agriculture, Horticulture and Resistant Materials/Engineering at
Key Stage 4. However, we will also allow boys to meet the requirements of the English
Baccalaureate should they wish. Results have traditionally been high in value added terms, with a
number of departments performing in the top five in Somerset.
The school comprises of three boarding houses, each holding up to 50 students. Two staff are
assigned to, and live in each house, with duty staff and Gap Tutors running activities and Prep in
the evenings. A senior member of staff is always on call, including overnight. The Director of
Boarding oversees the school’s boarding facility. Many activities are run in the evenings, so that
boys are occupied at all times. Saturday afternoons are taken up with activities, including rugby,
hockey, farm, gardens, golf, Duke of Edinburgh, photography and a cookery class. Many boys go
home on Saturday evening, usually leaving a maximum of 40 boys who remain in on a Sunday
before all boys return Sunday night/Monday morning.
The School has also undergone almost a complete change in Senior Leadership Team and is
making significant changes to improve the attainment of the boys. The focus is very much on
Raising Achievement and changes are focused on ensuring the school meets the floor targets so
that at least 40% of our students gain 5 or more GCSE’s A* - C including English and Maths. In
2012, Ofsted graded the school as “satisfactory” with ‘good’ for leadership and management in
recognition of the rapid progress and pace of change. Since then, results at the academy have
improved exponentially, with good data and in many areas, outstanding achievement. The most
recent Boarding inspection graded the school as ‘good’ in three out of four areas and our ambition
is to achieve outstanding before long. The support of parents is exceptional, with 100%
recommending the school in a recent Ofsted survey.
February 2015
Dear Applicant
Thank you for your interest in the position of Finance Officer at Brymore Academy. The position
has arisen due to the retirement of the current post holder. We are looking for someone to take up
post as soon as possible. Brymore really is a fantastic and unique place to work and I hope having
read all of the information, and perhaps visited us, you will feel it is the right place to work for you.
If not, then I wish you luck in any future applications.
I took over as Acting Headteacher in September 2010 following the retirement of Malcolm Lloyd
who had been at the school for seven years. He was responsible for the £6 million development
that has taken place over the past five years so that the boys at Brymore now have excellent
facilities. I was appointed as the permanent Headteacher in March 2011 and I have recently
appointed a completely new Leadership Team. Vicky Davis is the Deputy Headteacher in charge
of Teaching and Learning/Curriculum; Nicola Anstice is the Assistant Headteacher, responsible for
Raising Achievement and is the SENCo. Rob Watts joined the school as Director of Boarding in
April 2012 and Rebecca Jones as Assistant Headteacher in September 2014.
Brymore is about to enter an exciting phase of its development, which I know sounds like spin for
‘It has had a difficult time recently’, which is true, but I genuinely believe it has the potential to
thrive and become one of the most successful schools in the country, as it benefits from becoming
a sponsored academy in September 2013, and extending the age range in 2014. The boys
themselves make the school what it is, and you will find them polite, well mannered, hard-working
and a pleasure to be around. The parents and old boys are fiercely supportive of the school and I
am lucky to have loyal and hard-working staff. The governors and school trustees have a wealth of
experience and play an exceptionally active and supportive role within the school. The grounds,
brand new teaching block and boarding accommodation, 110 acre farm, one acre walled garden,
workshops, forge, outdoor pool and the excellent views of the Quantocks are all added bonuses.
If you have done your research and googled Brymore I am sure you have read about past staff
suspensions and a culture of bullying. The issues with staff are behind us and I can honestly say I
have never worked in a school where the students work so well together and are supportive of
each other. A recent survey revealed 96% of boys felt Brymore was a happy and caring place and
they are incredibly proud of their school. Two recent Ofsted inspections have commented on the
pace of change, strong leadership and management and the positive feedback from parents and
students alike.
As the academy continues to expand so have the demands on the finance team, so we have
recently appointed a new Finance Assistant (Sally Finnis) to work with the Finance Manager
(Jackie Evans) and the Finance Officer. Not only are we taking on additional teaching staff, but we
have recently taken over the catering contract at the school, and have extended our
lettings/income opportunities, which has resulted in the need to setup a trading subsidiary. The
Finance Manager works closely with Gill Warren, the Financial Director of Bridgwater College
Trust.
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February 2015
If you wish to apply for the position of Finance Officer then please complete the application form with
a letter of application and submit to the school office or by email (office@brymore.somerset.sch.uk).
The closing date is Friday 27 February 2015 at 4.00 pm and interviews will take place the week
beginning 9th March 2015. Should you wish to discuss this post, or arrange a visit, please contact
Jackie Evans (Finance Manager) on 01278 652369.
Please note that Brymore Academy is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of
children and young people and expects all staff and visitors to share this commitment. This post
requires a criminal record check via the disclosure procedure.
Yours sincerely
MARK THOMAS
Headteacher
JOB DESCRIPTION
Post:
Finance Officer
Grade:
Grade 12 (£20,253 – £22,937)
With an annual incremental progression to the top of the scale)
Leave:
27 days (to be taken outside term time) plus statutory holidays
Hours:
37hrs per week all year round. (8.00am - 4.30pm Mondays, 8.30 am – 4.30pm
Tuesdays – Thursdays, 8.30am – 3.30pm Fridays during term time to fit in with
Boys Bank, with more flexibility outside term time.)
Plus 6 Saturdays/yr (8.30 am – 4.30pm) and 3 evenings/yr (until 7.00pm) – time
to be taken off in lieu
People looking for part time positions will be considered.
Responsible to:
Finance Manager
Main Purpose

To provide efficient and reliable financial service to the academy under the direction of the
Finance Manager

To adhere to and promote compliance with the Academy’s Financial Regulations

To provide comprehensive clerical and administrative support in Finance office.

To maintain high standards in all areas of work.

To support the ethos, aims and objectives of the academy
Duties and Responsibilities
2.1
To take delivery of orders, and direct to budget holders for checking against delivery notes and
the original order
2.2
To raise orders to suppliers on receipt of appropriately completed and authorised order forms
from Budget Holders
2.3
To create new and amend existing supplier details in FMS.
2.4
To process supplier invoices for payment, including liaising with budget holders and suppliers
over queries and ensuring VAT is appropriately coded.
2.5
To carry out BACs payment runs for approval by the Finance Manager
2.6
To raise cheques as requested by the Finance Manager
2.7
To check supplier statements and resolve any queries.
2.8
To manage the academy’s petty cash account e.g. writing cheques and reconciling accounts.
2.9
To raise invoices to recover monies from other organisations on receipt of appropriately
completed and authorised invoice request forms from Budget Holders, liaising with the
Finance Manager to ensure VAT is charged where appropriate
2.10
To maintain accurate records of invoices raised, credit notes, payments received and
outstanding debts.
2.11
To prepare money for banking and deposit income at the bank once a week
2.12
To produce budgetary monitoring reports and other information from FMS on their budget
when requested by budget holders
2.13
To assist the Finance Manager in updating the capital equipment register.
2.14
Use and maintenance of Excel spreadsheets eg to record income
2.15
To run the boys pocket money accounts, including giving out pocket money and recording it
accurately against the appropriate account.
2.16
To collect day boy dinner money and other income from parents/boys, particularly early on
Monday mornings (or first day of term) during term time and late on any first day of term when
the boarders return.
2.17
Recording of catering and letting income
2.18
Issuing and reconciling of floats on Open Day (last Saturday in June)
2.19
Submission of termly free school meal returns
2.20
Such other duties as may be commensurate with the grade and nature of the job
4 General Duties and Accountabilities
 Developing an understanding of school policies and procedures, complying with their contents
and raising concerns in a timely manner
 Actively participating in the Performance Management processes within the school
 Identifying personal training needs and participating in training and performance development
whenever required
 To undertake any other duties appropriate to the grade of the post
 Comply with the requirements of, and act in accordance with, the school’s policies, not solely
but including:
o Child Protection
o Health & Safety
o Equal Opportunities
o Behaviour for learning
 To comply with any reasonable request from the Finance Manager to undertake work of a
similar level that is not specified in the job description
Job descriptions are subject to annual review
PERSON SPECIFICATION - Finance Officer
Factors
Qualifications
Essential
 Either AAT qualification (or equivalent) or
previous experience of working in a
school/academy or similar finance
position
Professional Experience
 Some experience of budget monitoring
and account reconciliation
 Experience of undertaking a range of
clerical and administrative duties,
including data input and retrieval
 Experience of school finance systems
 A good level of ICT competence
Desirable
 Educated to GCSE grade C in Maths and
English
How identified
Application form
Verification and demonstration
of knowledge at interview
Application form
Selection procedure
Interview questions
Performance in selection
methods
Interview by demonstration of
ability to display knowledge
and skills
References
Skills/Abilities
 Excellent communication skills, both
written
 Ability to show sensitivity and objectivity
in dealing with confidential issues
 Ability to work to deadlines with
minimum supervision
 Display commitment to the protection
and safeguarding of children
 Able to commit to working 6 specific
Saturdays 8.30 – 4.30 and 3 specific
evenings until 7pm per year (boarders
returning to and leaving school, open
day)
Application form
Selection procedure
References
Interview
Performance in related
selection exercises
Specialist Knowledge
 Familiarity with SIMs/FMS or willingness
to learn
 Knowledge of computer systems
including spreadsheets
 A basic knowledge of the financial
workings of a school
 Familiarity with general ledger systems
Other Requirements
 An effective team player but can think
and work independently
 A good health and attendance record
 Able to work under pressure, meet
deadlines
 Ability to communicate effectively with
young people and members of the public
 Can keep calm in a crisis
Application form
Selection procedure
References
Interview
Performance in related
selection exercises
Application form
Selection procedure
References
Interview
Performance in related
selection exercises
BRYMORE ACADEMY
Terms and Conditions
Conditions of Service
Full conditions of employment are set out in a Statement of Terms and Conditions of Employment which
will be issued to the successful candidates.
Fitness for Employment
The successful candidate will be required to complete a medical questionnaire which may result in a
check by the Occupational Health Physician. A criminal record check is also required via the disclosure
procedure.
Salary
Salary is paid on the last working day of each month and averaged out over the full year to provide 12
equal monthly salary payments. The salary for this post is based on FTE Grade 12 which is £20,253 £22,937
Equal Opportunities
Brymore Academy is committed to the promotion of equal opportunities and is dedicated to nondiscriminatory policies and practices and to eliminate unfair discrimination on any basis. Therefore, no
candidates will be discriminated against on the grounds of age, gender, marital status, racial origin,
disability, sexual origin or religious or political beliefs.
Safe Recruitment
The school is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and
expects all staff and visitors to share this commitment. This post requires a criminal record check via the
disclosure procedure.
Any persons residing at the property with you will also be required to undertake a criminal record check
via the disclosure procedure and sign a boarding agreement.
Criminal Record Check
The Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 gives individuals the right not to disclose details of certain old
offences when asked about their criminal record as they may be defined as ‘spent’.
Applications
Applicants for the post need to complete an application form and return to the school office or by email
(office@brymore.somerset.sch.uk) by 4.00pm on Friday 27th February. All applications should be fully
completed. We do not accept CVs. Short listed candidates will be informed after the closing date.
Interviews
Interviews will be held during the week beginning 9th March.