Class Teacher (KS1)Fixed Term for two termsCandidate Information

The King’s Foundation

I am pleased you have expressed an interest in the Key Stage 1 Teacher role at King’s Hawford.

King’s Hawford Prep School is a very special place. There is a huge warmth and vibrancy surrounding the school community, an extremely

effective and creative approach to teaching and learning, and a wide range of varied co-curricular opportunities available to our children, both in and out of the classroom.

King’s Hawford strives to achieve excellence in all areas of the academic and wider curriculum. We firmly believe that each and every member of the school

community has something to offer and the children are given every opportunity to shine, whether in the classroom, through the expressive arts, out at our award winning forest school or on the sports field. Small classes and dedicated teaching staff encourage our children to reach their academic potential, but this is just one aspect of the provision at Hawford. Teaching and learning are structured to encourage all children to build skills such as collaboration, resilience and independent thinking, which will enable them to achieve success in the future.

We are looking for an experienced Key Stage 1 teacher to join our team on a temporary fixed term contract from January. This post would suit someone who can be flexible, is a team player and is keen to become involved in the wider life of our happy school.

Jennie PhillipsHead, King’s Hawford, Worcester

LocationWorcester is an historic, attractive, well-resourced and safe cathedral city with good rail communications into Birmingham and London and easy access to the beautiful countryside of the Malvern Hills. The main School site is right beside the majestic Cathedral and just a few paces from all the shops and restaurants. It runs alongside the River Severn, on the other side of which are the School’s playing fields of over 50 acres.

Most children attending the School live in or near to Worcester itself but some travel from further afield by bus or train, including as far as South Birmingham, Warwickshire, South East Shropshire, Tewkesbury, Hereford and Leominster.

Home to about 100,000 inhabitants, Worcester is famous for its Three Choirs Festival, the oldest music festival in Europe, and for having one of the youngest universities in the UK, widely respected for its vocational courses. Worcester is a most desirable place in which to live.

King’s HawfordKing’s Hawford is nestled in rural north Worcester just off the A449. Its rural environment is inspiring, and is integral to everything the School does. Set in the beautiful Worcestershire countryside with views stretching to the Malvern Hills and with a canal running alongside, the historic and new buildings form a “children’s village” where the outdoor and indoor spaces seamlessly blend together to create an idyllic place to learn and play. The lush, green grounds allow the space for children to experience freedom and fresh air, play sports, and explore the great outdoors in a safe, controlled way.

“The school is just to the north of Worcester and has all the open-air feel of a rural paradise.”Good Schools Guide

History & CampusThere has been a school, or schools, on or near the current Senior School site since the 7th Century. The modern King’s is in linear descent from the monastic School, which was an integral part of the Benedictine Cathedral monastery until the Dissolution in 1540. Links with the Cathedral have always been strong and remain so today. Originally a boarding and day school for boys only, the Sixth Form has been co-educational for almost 50 years and the School became fully co-ed in 1991. Boarding finished in 1999. The King’s St Alban’s site was acquired in 1953 and King’s Hawford was purchased in 1996.

The Senior School is made up of a variety of buildings displaying the very best of ancient and modern architecture. The Classics Department is housed in the medieval Edgar Tower whilst the striking design of the Michael Baker boathouse won the Royal Institute of British Architects West Midlands Award in 2013. Named after former Headmaster, Tim Keyes, The Keyes Building, which opened in June 2015, incorporates a sports hall and fitness centre, a three-storey indoor climbing wall, dance and drama studios, Sixth Form Centre and extensive teaching facilities.

King’s Hawford King’s Hawford, which has a sizeable nursery, was judged ‘outstanding’ in all categories in its last full EYFS inspection. Housed in an elegant Georgian building, the school has impressive facilities, including a sports hall (The Barn), music school, dance studio, outdoor learning facilities, double-decker library bus, heated indoor swimming pool and well-equipped specialist teaching facilities for Science, IT and Art. It is set in 23 acres of parkland, which run alongside the Droitwich canal and provide excellent space for outdoor learning such as the Forest School.

“King’s Hawford is a school where children climb trees and get muddy.”Good Schools Guide

The children embrace the full forest school curriculum, working on real tasks with real tools. They start using the School’s own swimming pool from the age of 3 and from 7 they paddle canoes on the canal. They learn to be confident around water and this relevant life skills approach characterises everything about the School.

The Schools within the King’s Foundation nurture a desire to learn, enabling pupils to achieve remarkable academic success, and this is evident in their outstanding public examination results, placing King’s as one of the leading independent schools in the region.

The vast majority of leavers go on to Higher Education, including a large proportion to Russell Group universities. Over the past four years, 30 pupils have received offers to study at Oxford and Cambridge and every year a significant number receive offers to study Medicine, Dentistry or Veterinary Science.

King’s Hawford is an exciting place to learn and develop. From embracing every academic challenge, dancing, singing and performing or learning a new language to exploring the great outdoors, children embrace every aspect of school life.

King’s Hawford creates a learning environment that fully engages children to become active and independent participants in all lessons. We value the pride our children show in their learning tasks.

Academic LifeThe School actively encourages questioning, experimentation and independent enquiry, using the children’s unbounded natural curiosity to help them seek and find answers for themselves. A broad, dynamic curriculum and a skills afternoon introduced from Year 3 give the children the opportunity for even greater discovery. The activities are incredibly varied, from cookery to producing a weekly radio show, allowing pupils to experiment and broaden their horizons.

At King’s Hawford children develop a lifelong love of learning and enjoy each day with a determination to maximise every minute, going home exhausted but exhilarated. The School’s ethos enables children to be to children, whilst also instilling the traditional Christian values that are fundamental to our Foundation. Pupils have impeccable manners and are respectful of themselves and others. Staff celebrate individuality and encourage all children to make the most of their talents and never give up, believing that nothing is impossible. Above all, when children leave King’s Hawford it is with many treasured memories that last a lifetime.

Pastoral CareExcellent pastoral care is integral to life at all three Schools in the King’s Foundation. The quality of relationships and the focus on every pupil as an individual are key to the warm and supportive atmosphere. This caring approach extends throughout the Foundation and into its engagement with the wider community. The ISI inspectors selected empathy as a quality particularly displayed by King’s pupils.

King’s Hawford provides a strong and caring family, where the achievements of all are encouraged and celebrated. Teachers work hard to ensure that King’s Hawford children feel they are a valued part of a broad and supportive community.

The school council is run by pupils with representatives from across the School. They own and champion the school rules, which focus on kindness, encouragement, celebration, honesty and pride in the School.

The house system is an important part of school life at King’s Hawford because it promotes a sense of community, belonging and pride. Children find themselves in one of our four Houses from Reception through to Year 6. The House system offers opportunities to take on additional areas of responsibility, as well as regular House competitions throughout the year, with a prize for the winning House at the end of the year.

Strong relationships with our pupils’ families are also valued and many are closely involved in the life of the School.

“Children have a real sense of belonging and develop positive self-esteem because staff are kind, reassuring and interested in them. Their efforts and achievements are acknowledged and praised by adults with many opportunities for children to share in each other’s successes.” The Good Schools Guide

Co-curricularAt the heart of the King’s approach is the desire to instil confidence in children and young people by encouraging them to explore their talents and to take seriously their responsibility to the school community and the wider world. Through a range of exciting and varied opportunities, pupils develop skills and qualities from leadership and empathy to insight and tenacity.

King’s Hawford believes in giving children many opportunities. To ensure that they are eager and willing to try things out, the co-curricular programme is extensive, with over 30 clubs such as construction, karate, string group, radio club, sewing, musical theatre, cartoon drawing and chess. This is in addition to the wide variety of sports on offer after School, including athletics, rugby, football, hockey, netball, cricket, swimming, rounders and tennis.

The arts play a central role in life at King’s Hawford, with all pupils enjoying music, art, drama, and dance

as part of the curriculum, with specialist music lessons also available. The School has an orchestra and there is also a wind band, a guitar group and a jazz band, as well as a junior and senior choir. All children are taught to read music by the time they leave. They all learn an instrument, with over 65% taking private instrumental music lessons, and over 80 pupils sing in the School choir that takes part in local festivals as well as school events.

Regular informal concerts take place throughout the school year and these are supplemented by a Summer Concert. All children are involved in the school’s drama provision, with separate productions for Years 5 and 6, and Years 3 and 4. Younger children take part in Christmas productions each year.

At King’s Hawford, school life is not defined by regular hours. Education takes place before, during and after school to make sure that no opportunity to expand children’s minds is lost.

SportSport at King’s Hawford plays a pivotal role in the life of the School and one for which the School has a strong reputation. The children benefit from outstanding on-site facilities, including a multi-purpose sports hall, two large fields, indoor heated swimming pool, dance studio, traversing wall and netball courts. The School also takes advantage of its stunning location on the banks of the canal with lessons often being delivered on the School’s katakanu boats. Additionally, the School has regular use of the King’s Foundation full-size AstroTurf facility.

A great emphasis is placed on the development of the whole child, and pupils are encouraged to challenge themselves in a variety of sporting activities. All children in Years 3 to 6 enjoy three and a half hours of timetabled sport per week that include two Games afternoons and a morning PE lesson. In Pre-Prep, children are encouraged to develop their key fundamental movement skills with one hour and forty-five minutes of Games, PE and swimming lessons every week. In addition, all year groups benefit from a full range of co-curricular sports clubs throughout the year.

King’s Hawford has a passion for competition at the correct level to enable each child to express themselves and enjoy their sports. The School offers a full schedule of sporting fixtures for all children in Year 3 to 6, including local, regional and national competitions and events.

Sport at King’s Hawford encourages the children to develop their vital interpersonal skills. The resilience, teamwork, co-operation and care for others which children learn out on the sports field shape the positive and supportive environment that can be found in every corner of the School.

All sports at King’s Hawford are delivered by a team of highly competent, enthusiastic and experienced teachers led by the specialist Director of Sport and Head of Girls’ Games. It is a priority of the School to enable all children to find their passion in sport, whether that be out on the fields giving their all in team sports such as rugby, hockey, netball and football or enjoying the more individual challenges presented through athletics, trampolining, swimming, gymnastics and dance.

CommunityKing’s Hawford is often described as “one big happy family” and the School works very hard to ensure that everyone is welcome from day one in a safe, secure and nurturing environment.

The School values children for who they are and champions working together to create an optimistic, caring and successful community. Every child is treated as an individual. Strong relationships with pupils’ families are forged and they are closely involved in the life of the School. Regular events for children, parents and grandparents create a fantastic family atmosphere and a powerful sense of belonging.

Alongside this, King’s Hawford has an active parent group, organising social events and raising money for charity and the School. Popular events include the Christmas Fayre, the Summer Ball, Race and Quiz Nights and the Fireworks Extravaganza Nights.

Community engagement and helping local charities are key elements in the life of pupils at all three King’s Schools. There is a number of well-established partnerships with local maintained schools and activities have included school quizzes, Maths challenges and workshops in music, sports and drama. Local schools, charities and community groups use the school facilities. Every year pupils are involved in a wide range of fundraising activities for local and national charities.

Everyone who has ever been involved with King’s, whether as a pupil, parent, member of staff or friend, is a lifelong member of the community. The alumni association is called The Old Vigornian Club, named after the Latin word for Worcester, ‘Vigornia’. There are events throughout the year and Old Vigornians are involved in careers advice and networking as well as important fundraising work. The King’s Community is overseen by the School’s Foundation Development and Alumni Relations Team.

The successful candidate will take responsibility for a Key Stage 1 class, teaching most subjects.

As a teacher, the following will constitute your duties and responsibilities:

Job Description

• Overseeing the work undertaken by teachingassistants and volunteers supporting the children

• Meeting with parents to discuss pupil welfare andprogress

• Participating in any arrangements for the appraisalof your performance and that of other teachers

• Attending CPD as organised by the School

• Participating in administrative and organisationaltasks related to duties as outlined above.

Experience • Proven experience of working successfully with

children of primary age or of training successfullyto teach this age range.

• Experienced in Early Years and/or Key Stage 1teaching

• A strong commitment to coeducational schooling

• Experience of ICT use in teaching

Roles and Responsibilities• Planning and preparing lessons appropriate to the

educational needs of the children

• Teaching classes as assigned by the Head

• Conducting assessments, marking and recordingpupil progress

• Reporting pupil progress to parents

• Communicating and consulting with parents

• Undertaking all duties as are reasonably assignedby the School

• Covering for absent colleagues as requested

• Assisting with the School’s co-curricularprogramme (this is an essential aspect of the postas all staff are expected to offer activities)

• Attending and participating in staff meetings

• Maintaining a close liaison with year group partners

Qualifications The successful candidate will:

• Hold a good honours graduate qualification

• Have Qualified Teacher Status

• Be able to provide evidence of continuingprofessional development

KnowledgeThe Successful candidate will have:

• Knowledge of the National Curriculum

• A good understanding of related schemes of work

• Understanding of recent/key educational issues inprimary education

• Knowledge of effective pastoral care

• Knowledge of the nature of independent education

• Knowledge of a range of phonics, literacy andnumeracy strategies

Personal Characteristics A candidate who displays the following personal characteristics is likely to be well suited to the role:

• Excellent written and verbal communication

• Hard-working, with drive and determination

• Innovative and imaginative

• Inspirational and dedicated

• Displaying honesty, integrity and compassion

• Ability to act sensitively and to work cooperativelywith others

• Ability to work independently and to take theinitiative when needed as well as an understandingof the benefits of team work

• Passionate about nurturing and developing the‘whole child’

• Willing and able to go the extra mile to buildrelationships with children, parents and staff

• Ambitious for the children they teach, settingand planning learning with high expectations forexcellent outcomes

• Committed to maintaining a positive attitude

• Is personally interested in a wide range of arts,sports and other extra-curricular activity

• Committed to supporting the King’s Foundationethos and values

• We promote the values of mutual respect andintegrity at every level in the Foundation, and weare an equal opportunities employer.

• You will be joining a highly successful, well-resourced School with a warm welcomingatmosphere and a positive outlook.

• Remuneration - A competitive salary that willbe commensurate with the importance of the postand with the experience and qualities of thesuccessful candidate.

• Pension Scheme - King’s is an accepted school forthe purposes of Teachers’ Pensions.

• School Fees - There is a generous 50% feeremission for children of employees who attendSchools in the King’s Foundation (pro-rata for parttime staff).

• Development – You can look forward to agenuinely rewarding role as well as careerdevelopment and support for professional studies,if appropriate. Whatever the role we offer excellentstaff training and development. We are alsocommitted to promoting from within whenever wecan, giving the chance to build a great future atKing’s.

• Wellbeing - Employees have access to the School’soutstanding sports facilities including the gym andswimming pool at agreed times.

• Private Medical Insurance – staff are able topurchase private medical insurance through theschool in order to benefit from group premiumrates.

• Lunch is provided for employees during the schoolday.

• Flu vaccination is offered.

• Yoga and Pilates classes available.

• Use of School library books and DVDs.

• Complimentary tickets offered for some localevents i.e. sports matches, theatre tickets.

• Free access to Employee Assistance Programme.

• iPads issued to all teaching staff.

Benefits of working at the King’s Foundation

All applications will be acknowledged. The closing date for this post is 9am Friday 24th September. We reserve the right to interview and appoint before the closing date. All applicants will be notified after the closing date whether or not they have been invited to an interview. Successful applicants will be advised of the date and time of the interview. References will normally be taken up prior to interview and candidates should be aware that referees will be asked to comment on a candidate’s disciplinary record and whether or not the candidate has been subject to any child protection concerns. Qualification certificates (originals not copies) will be required at interview, as will proof of identity. Candidates unsuccessful at interview will receive written notification.

The School is required to ensure that the successful candidate is checked by the Disclosure and Barring Service. 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 obtained and verified prior to the appointment being confirmed.

How to apply Candidates should complete the King’s Hawford Teaching staff application form available on the careers page of the School website www.ksw.org.uk/careers and email it to the Head’s PA, Laura Crowe at lcrowe@ksw.org.uk together, with a covering letter, detailing your relevant experience, how you would intend to meet the challenges of the role and the particular qualities and strengths which you would hope to bring to the post.

Please also include a separate CV in addition to your application form.

Closing date for applications:

Interview date:

Start date:

9am Friday 24th September

Friday 1st October

January 2022

Application Process