Graduate Chrysalis Teaching Fellows
- Job title: Graduate Chrysalis Teaching Fellows
- Job Type: Contract, Full time
- Salary: £21,500
- Department: Community Partnerships
- Reporting to: Partnership Teaching Coordinator
- Location: Highgate, North London, Junior School
- Start: ASAP
- Closing Date: 2 October 2023 at 5:00 pm
Are you interested in teaching, working with children in an educational setting, working in the charity sector or all three?
If the answer is yes, then apply for the position of Graduate Chrysalis Teaching Fellow by submitting your application to the Human Resources team. Some of the skills that you can develop in the role include:
- Communication – you will be required to assist with pupils, staff and members of the public
- Organisation – especially if you are balancing this role alongside other work experiences or studying
- Team work – you will be working with a variety of people across the organisation to achieve shared goals
- Flexibility – no two days are the same!
- Initiative – at times you will work independently so having a proactive approach is essential
- Experience of working with children – a fantastic opportunity if you are considering working in the education or charity sector
If you would like to be part of a vibrant team working across a wide range of projects focused on tackling educational disadvantage, then we would like to hear from you!
The Department
Highgate is proud to lead many community and partnership teaching projects and initiatives delivered by pupils and colleagues across the foundation. The work of the Community and Partnership team is instrumental in realising Highgate’s School’s charitable objectives. Our Community and Partnership projects and initiatives provide educational and academic excellence to pupils and staff at state schools neighbouring and partnered to Highgate School, to the benefit of the public, and enriches the school offer to Highgate pupils and staff across the Foundation from Pre-Prep to Senior school. In addition, the provision and sharing of activities, resources, and expertise, staff and pupil fundraising, and staff and pupil in-kind donations contributes to the easing of the financial burdens felt by partner schools and communities. The four principles that govern our Community and Partnerships work are impact, sustainability, tackling disadvantage, and mutuality. The four streams of Community and Partnerships work are our flagship partnership with the London Academy of Excellence Tottenham, Partnership Teaching and Summer Schools (Chrysalis), Wider Community Partnerships: local, London, national, and global, and Highgate Community: pupil volunteering and pupil fundraising.
Graduate Chrysalis Teaching Fellows are responsible for helping to deliver partnership teaching projects undertaken by Highgate and partner schools, including the London Academy of Excellence, Tottenham. They assist with the administration, planning, running and assessment of partnership projects and report on their progress.
We are seeking to appoint three fellows and the post would be suitable for someone with a keen interest in education who may be thinking of a career in education and/or would be interested in developing their skills of project administration, delivery and management. Candidates should be planning to pursue or should already possess a good honours degree, and we especially welcome candidates who expect to have a degree in Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Design Technology or a related STEM subject. They should be well-organised, possess strong interpersonal skills and be highly motivated to meet the projects’ goals.
Project Delivery
Examples of Highgate’s Partnership Teaching Projects can be found in the ‘Community’ section of the School website
- Assist the Highgate Teacher in the delivery of rich educational experiences for pupils in partner schools that will cultivate a long-lasting interest in the subjects taught and encourage pupils to choose these subjects at A-level and beyond.
- Work as a Classroom Assistant in a partner school with a Highgate teacher or partner school teacher
- Assist in the running of Tuesday Afternoon Activities (TAA) and Thursday Lunchtime Activities (TLA) that take place in or with partner schools or members of Highgate’s local community—these may be in any area and are not necessarily academic
- Team teach or tutor in partnership events and projects at Highgate and partner schools
- Be an academic, extra-curricular or pastoral mentor to partner school pupils
Project Management and Administration
- Help with the co-ordination of Chrysalis partnership teaching and community projects
- Assist with administration of Chrysalis partnership teaching and Community projects and events
- Assist with the collection and analysis of assessment data for all projects
- Report to the Partnership Teaching Coordinator and through him to the Director of Community Partnerships and through her to the Head and Governors on the impact of the partnership teaching projects the school has undertaken
Communication and Marketing
- Assist with devising and developing communication material to promote partnership teaching and community activities and evaluate the success of this material
- Collaborate with the School’s Communications department to develop insightful and innovative digital content to communicate the impact of what we do
Community Partnerships (one Chrysalis Fellow will have a special responsibility in this area)
- Assist the Director of Pupil Volunteering and Community Engagement and the Community Partnerships Director with the expansion, organisation and running of the school’s community-facing programmes and events, such as the Year 10 Environmental Day of Action.
- Administer the programme of community-based pupil volunteering, including engaging with local schools and institutions in the local area, liaising with staff members responsible for the Duke of Edinburgh programme and reporting on pupil volunteering to senior members of staff.
- Liaise with staff and pupils responsible for carrying out the school’s charitable objectives and report on such charitable activity.
- Criteria
- How will these be tested or verified?
- Ability/Skills
Essential:
- 3 A-Levels A*-C (or equivalent) or if supporting a specific academic subject taught at GCSE or A level then at least a grade B or above in that subject (or equivalent).
- Good honours degree or the expectation to pursue and obtain such a degree if you are joining as a Y14 Chrysalis Fellow
- Excellent communication skills both written and verbal
- An aptitude for attention to detail and accuracy
- Superior organisational abilities
- Personal Attributes
Essential:
- Vision and drive to sustain and build on the success of existing projects. Capacity for industry and initiative in both independent work and as part of a team
- Flexibility and readiness to work in a fast-moving and adaptable environment
- Willingness and ability to liaise effectively and professionally between teaching staff, support staff and individuals in other schools
- Ability and desire to learn quickly and to reflect constructively on work undertaken
- Patience and thoughtfulness to see any issues that may arise with colleagues from a variety of perspective
Benefits
CHILD PROTECTION
This role will not normally involve unsupervised contact with pupils; however in the context of his/her employment the member of staff will frequently be in the presence of children and will therefore have to have appropriate levels of training in child protection.
TERMS & CONDITIONS
The terms and conditions below do not form part of a contract and are for information only. Should you be offered and accept employment with Highgate School you will receive a contract setting out in full your terms and conditions. All offers of employment are subject to the receipt of references satisfactory to us, proof of eligibility to work in the UK and DBS checks.
Hours of Work
Normal working hours for this role are term time only, 35 hours per week. There is a need to be flexible about hours in order to carry out these duties and responsibilities effectively and no additional payment is made in this respect. Attendance at all concerts and other music events is required. These hours must be agreed in advance with the Head of Music and time off in lieu may be given at your line manager’s discretion.
Probationary Period
This appointment will be subject to the completion of a probationary period of six months to the satisfaction of the Governors.
Lunch Period
The lunch break is unpaid and does not form part of your working hours. A complimentary lunch is available when the Dining Hall is in operation.
Holidays
Academic holidays as they occur during the duration of the contract. The salary for this role includes an element of holiday pay in respect of statutory annual holiday.
Pension The School currently offers participation in the Pension Trust’s Independent Schools’ Pension Scheme (“the Pension Scheme”). The School will be offering membership of the APTIS Pension Scheme from 1 December 2022.
Leisure Facilities
Subject always to the needs of pupils and School’s operations, staff are offered free access at stipulated times to the School’s sports facilities.
Confidentiality
The need for absolute confidentiality and discretion, both within Highgate and the wider community, must be understood.
Dress Code
Teachers and support staff are expected to set an example to pupils and should dress appropriately at all times.
Smoking
Smoking, including vaping, is not allowed on or immediately outside any School premises (the footprint of the buildings and the grounds) or in areas where smoking might be seen by parents or pupils during working hours.
Health and Safety
Highgate takes its obligations under the Health & Safety at Work Act seriously and the postholder will be required to comply with all aspects of Highgate’s Health and Safety Policy, particularly in relation to safe working practices. All staff must keep up to date with Highgate’s Health and Safety Policies which are regularly updated and posted on the Staff Intranet.
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
Highgate is strongly committed to inclusion and is an equal opportunities employer. We aim to create a welcoming, respectful and safe environment for all members of our community, from every ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, age, ability/disability, religion and background. We know that more diverse teams are stronger teams, and that the more inclusive we are, the more our staff and pupils will feel a sense of belonging and will thrive. To enable us to make any reasonable adjustments, please let us know what you would require when you submit your application.
Data Protection
Highgate staff are expected to adhere to the Data Protection legislation at all times. Our Privacy Notice is available on the recruitment portal
Working at Highgate
A culture of community, kindness and belonging
Highgate is a caring, open-minded community, where we promote kindness, empathy and friendship. Everyone who works and studies with us deserves to feel they are part of a welcoming environment that enables them to be themselves and to thrive as individuals.
Our community extends beyond the school, through partnerships, charity work and our commitment to equality, inclusion and sustainability. All members of our school community are encouraged to look outwards and play an active role.
In a recent ISI inspection (Dec 2021), it was noted that “Pupils show exceptional respect for, and appreciate diversity within the school and wider community, and their own and other cultures, demonstrating sensitivity and tolerance to those from different backgrounds and traditions.”
Staff wellbeing
Highgate is committed to staff wellbeing, which we promote by encouraging a strong work-life balance; trying our best to support flexible working requests; providing a nutritious complimentary lunch in the dining hall; and offering access to sporting facilities including our recently renovated swimming pool.
The Staff Wellbeing Committee, with representatives across the School, meets regularly to drive forward initiatives, and a selection of staff have been trained as Mental-Health First Aiders.
We encourage an open culture throughout our school, with regular staff surveys, action committees and opportunities to feedback. We strive for continual learning and improvement, and staff training and development is paramount. There are opportunities to participate in the wider life of our school, such as taking part in trips or societies and getting involved in partnership projects.
More details about working at Highgate can be found here:
Charitable work and sustainability
As an independent school, we want to use our position as a charity effectively: to make high-quality education accessible to as many children as possible – through our bursary programme at Highgate and through our work with local state schools. We have partnerships with over 60 state schools across 7 London boroughs, and we are the principal educational sponsor for London Academy of Excellence, Tottenham – an academically-selective state sixth form in a community where such opportunities are lacking.
Alongside this, our staff and pupils undertake charitable activities throughout the year. These range from staff giving up their time to neighbourhood schools and charitable organisations, focused fundraising campaigns, to pupils undertaking community work in the local area or further afield.
As a school, we have a central role to play in educating our pupils, staff and parents about the importance of environmental sustainability. We are taking positive action to adapt our operational performance to tackle the negative effects of climate change. We encourage all our staff to reflect upon their personal and professional practices, to support our environmental agenda and to make positive changes wherever possible.
Application procedure
- Closing Date: 2nd October 2023
- Timing of interviews: w/c 12th June, 2023
Contact: Recruitment Team are happy to answer any questions about this post.
Early Application: Applications will be considered ‘as and when’ received and we may close the vacancy if we appoint before the closing date.
Inclusion
We know that more diverse teams are stronger teams, and that the more inclusive we are, the more our staff and pupils will feel a sense of belonging and will thrive. To enable us to make reasonable adjustments, please let us know of any disabilities (including neuro-divergence) when you submit your application.
Safeguarding
As this role will have regular unsupervised contact with children you must, if appointed, comply with Highgate’s Safeguarding Policy and Staff Code of Conduct. If in the course of carrying out the duties of the post the post holder becomes aware of any actual or potential risks to the safety and welfare of our pupils, these concerns must be reported immediately in accordance with the Safeguarding Policy. If whilst in the post, Highgate becomes aware of any safeguarding concerns to staff, pupils or the community; these will need to be followed up in line with the safeguarding policy and code of conduct which is underpinned by KCSE and other legislation. These concerns may need to be shared with other agencies. A copy of these policies will accompany all offers of employment. Training will also be provided to all staff to support Safeguarding practice.
Please read before you apply
Highgate is committed to the safeguarding and welfare of children and applicants must be willing to undergo child protection screening appropriate to this post, including checks with past employers, the Disclosure and Barring Service and overseas police check if necessary. Candidates from overseas must provide information about their past conduct, for example, by providing documents issued by overseas teaching authorities.
Please note that this role is ‘exempt’ from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and therefore, you are required to declare any convictions, cautions, reprimands and final warnings that are not ‘protected’ (i.e. filtered out) as defined by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (as amended in 2013). Shortlisted candidates will be asked to provide details of all unspent convictions and those that would not be filtered, prior to the date of the interview.
In accordance with the latest guidance from KCSIE, we shall be conducting online searches on any candidates who are shortlisted.