school business manager application pack · you may have a background that includes experience of...
TRANSCRIPT
School Business ManagerApplication Pack
Contents
Welcome Letter from the Headteacher
Job Description
Person Specification
Information for Applicants
About our School
Useful Links
Welcome Letter
Dear Applicant
Thank you for expressing interest in the post of School Business Manager at Highbury Fields School. This is a new post which will provide School Business Leadership to the Leadership Team and the Governing Body.
The successful candidate will join the school at an exceptionally exciting time. A refurbishment programme begins at Highbury Fields School in November of this year under the Building Schools for the Future scheme. This refurbishment work will upgrade our facilities for learning and teaching and provide a new entrance and reception. The School Business Manager will play a key role in introducing new systems to improve the efficient management of resources to ensure that these new facilities have the greatest impact.
The School Business Manager will be a full member of the school’s leadership team contributing to strategic decision making and whole school improvement. The Governing Body recognises that the appointment of a highly skilled and effective Business Manager will be crucial to the school as we move on from being judged ‘Good’ by Ofsted to a judgement of Outstanding in all aspects. The successful candidate is expected to bring a new level of professionalism to the business management of aspects of the school through strategic financial planning, dynamic marketing and excellent human resource management.
You may have a background that includes experience of work within an edcuational en-vironment. Equally you may have experience of working in the private sector or another area of the public sector. If you have the combination of skill, motivation and integrity that means you can make a difference, then Highbury Fields welcomes your application.
Highbury Fields School is on trajectory of significant school improvement with the ambi-tion and vision to be a truly Outstanding organisation. Come and be part of the team that makes it happen.
Yours sincerley
Gladys BerryHeadteacher
Job Description
Highbury Fields School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the safety and welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commit-ment.
POST TITLE: Business ManagerGRADE: PO6HOURS: Full Time/All year roundRESPONSIBLE TO: HeadteacherRESPONSIBLE FOR: All Support Staff
Purpose of the job
To make a major contribution to the successful management and administration of the school and its day to day efficiency by:
• Supporting the Senior Leadership Team in attainings its aims and objectives by ensuring the effective operation of all aspects of school resourcing; attending meetings as required and providing appropriate information.• Providing profressional leadership and management of the support services, to enhance educational standards in the school and the achievement of the students.• Supporting the efficient development, maintenance and use of the school site and buildings. Ensuring that legal and safety requirements to people, property and function of the school are maintained.• Taking a proactive role in seeking funding from external sources to support school development.• Influencing strategic decision making and plan and manage change in accordance with the school’s improvement plan.
Main responsibilities
Leadership and Strategy• To attend Senior Leadership Team meeting, full Governing Body meetings and sub committee meetings as appropriate.• To be responsible for aspects of strategic planning to meet the school’s objectives and to ensure the best possible use of resources.• To manage the administrative function of the school and to ensure its efficiency.• To act as clerk to the Governing Body.• To be responsible for the effective ‘Risk Management’, for example, in Health and Safety and in the managmeent of any third party service contracts.
Resource Management• Maintain a strategic financial plan that will indicate the trends and requirements of the school’s improvement plan and will forecast future year budgets.• Seek and make use of specialist financial expertise.• To be responsible for overseeing the school accounting function, ensuring its efficient operation according to agreed procedures.• To maximise income generation within the ethos of the school, including securing bid-based competitive funds and maximising sponsorship opportunities.• To negotiate, manage and monitor contracts, tenders, and agreements for the provision of support services and supplies.• Present timely and fully costed proposals, recommendations or bids.• Put formal finance agreements in place with suitable providers for agreed amounts, at agreed times and appropriate agreed costs and repayments schedules.• To be responsible for seeking professional advice on insurance and advising the Governors on the appropriate insurances for the school. Implementing the approved insurances and handling any claims that arise.
Personnel Management• To provide leadership and guidance for support staff, including direct line management responsibility where appropriate.• To be responsible, in conjunction with the Headteacher and other managers, for the recruitment and appointment of all staff.• To give advice to Governors on assessment of salaries, contracts, expenses, sickness and maternity procedures, redundancy and other matters of dismissal. To attend Employment Tribunals as necessary. To maintain confidential staff records and to ensure that staff records held in school by others are kept confidential.• To plan for, arrange and report on Staff Development/Performance Management aspects for all support staff.• Ensure annual salary statements are produced for all staff.• To act as correspondent for the DfE and to be responsible for the records and returns required.• To be responsible for obtaining necessary licenses and permissions and ensuring their relevance and timeliness.• To be responsible for the systems and general management of the school’s administrative and financial computer network and the implementation of appropriate Management Information Systems.• To advise Governors on policies and implement such policies related to personnel matters.• Seek and make use of specialist expertise in relation to HR issues, where necessary.• Evaluate the school’s strategic objectives and obtain information for workforce planning.• Identify the types of skills, knowledge, understanding and experience required to undertake existing and future planned activities.• Motivating and facilitating teamwork and good practice in order to achieve excellent standards of service delivery.
Estate Management• To be responsible for overseeing the maintenance of the school site and buildings, the preparation of maintenance schedules and the efficient operatio of all faciliites on the property in order to ensure an attractive and purposeful working environment.• To appoint arhitects, surveyors and contractors as required.• Project-manage all major premises refurbishments, alterations and new buildings• Ensure the supervision of relevant planning and construction processes is undertaken in line with contractual obligations, monitoring the work of on-site contractors and ensuring best-value is secured.• Ensure the safe maintenance and security operation of all school premises.• Ensure the continuing availability of utilities, site services and equipment.• Follow sound practices in estate management and grounds maintenance.• Monitor, assess and review contractual obligations for outsourced school services.• Ensure a safe environment for the stakeholders of the school to provide a secure environment in which due learning processes can be provided.• Ensure ancillary services e.g. catering, cleaning etc., are monitored and managed effectively.• Manage the letting of school premises to external organisations, for the development of the extended services and local community requirements. The school is undergoing refurbishment under the Building Schools for the Future programme. Works commence in November 2011. As part of this programme some or all Facilities Management functions will be transferred to a third party. From this timetheSchoolBusinessManager’srolewillbemodifiedtoprovidedaytoday liaison with this third party.
Management Information Systems & ICT• Consider approaches for existing use and future plans to introduce or discard technology in the school.• Consult with relevant people and other parties to introduce new technology or improve existing technology for different purposes.• Ensure that the school has a strategy for using technology alligned to the overall vision and plans for the school ensuring value for money.• Communicate the strategy and relevant policies, including Data Protection for use of technology across the school.• Establish systems to monitor and report on the performance of technology within the school.• Ensure resources, support and training are provided to enable work colleagues to make the best use of available ICT including teaching, learning and assessment systems.• Ensure contingency plans are in place in the case of technology failure.• Ensure data collection systems providing information to stakeholders are streamlined to maximise efficiency of the data supplied.
HEALTH & SAFETY• Act as the school’s Health & Safety Officer and Fire Officer.• Formulate, implement and review the shool’s Health & Safety Policy.• In co-operation with the Fire Service and Site Manager, be responsible for the installation and maintenance of equipment for protection against and escape from fire. To keep records of and to initiate further fire practices and alarm tests. To ensure that emergency procedure are current and timely.• To know what elements of fire safety are and the associated risks to the school through the process of risk assessment.• To know about the main health and safety issues specific to the school and how they relate to students, staff, visitors and contractors.• To be aware of the importance of a disaster recovery plan and its place within the management procedures of the school.• To know about risk assessment tools and how to use them to establish hazards within the school and the associated risk involved and implement in order to reduce insurance costs.• To promote the safeguarding of children.
OTHER• Deal with parental, community and business enquiries and concerns during the school closure periods if required.• To promote the school to different audiences and raise the profile within the local community.• Liaise with local businesses for fundraising opportunities.• Attend school events as required including Open Evenings and whole school productions.
The duties of this post may vary from time to time, as required by the Headteacher, without changing the general character or level of responsibility.
Highbury Fields is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. This post is subject to a CRB enhanced disclosure check.
Person Specification
Criteria(E = Essential, D = Desirable)
E D How Identified
QualificationsDegree or equivalent (qualifications below degree level will be considered if applicants demonstrate solid experience and evidence of continuing professional development)
E Application
Recognised school business manager qualification i.e. DSBM, CSBM, ADSBM, or MSc School Business Management
D Application
Recognised personnel qualification i.e. CIPD D ApplicationLeadershipSupport and demonstrate commitment to the vision for the further development and improvement of the school
E Interview
Support the Headteacher in the management of change and improvement in pursuit of strategic objectives.
E Interview
Prioritise, plan, organise, direct and co-ordinate the work of others
E Application
Build, support and work with high performing teams. E ApplicationDevolve responsibilities, delegate tasks and monitor practice to see that they are carried out, set standard and provide a role model for pupils and staff.
E Interview
Deal sensitively with people and resolve conflicts. E InterviewSkillsExcellent communication and interpersonal skills E Application/InterviewAbility to work independently, demonstrating initiative. E InterviewAbility to develop and maintain efficient record keeping/management information systems, producing accurate records and reports as required.
E Application/Interview
Ability to communicate with a wide range of audiences, including other employees within the school, governors, parents, LA Officers, contractors and suppliers.
E Interview
Ability to lead and manage staff effectively, sensitively and to lead by example.
E Application/Interview
Ability to negotiate best value E Application/InterviewAbility to reconcile priorities, work to tight deadlines and problem solve
E Application/Interview
Receptive to new ideas, approaches and challenges E Interview
ExperienceConsideratble experience of strategic planning, budget monitoring, procurement and personnel management
E Application
Significant experience of producing a variety of financial/management report
E Application
Management of teams and change projects E ApplicationKnowledgeA sound knowledge of the services and systems required to support effective school management
E Application
A sound knowledge of budget management E Application/InterviewA sound knowledge of a range of computer applications including financial/personnel management systems
E Application/Interview
Understanding effective business management and how to promote it
E Interview
GeneralCommitted to high standards of customer service E InterviewAbility to form and maintain appropriate relationship andpersonal boundaries with children and young people
E Interview
Committed to equality and diversity E InterviewCommitted to own continuing professional development E ApplicationSafeguardingAbility to safeguard and promote the welfare of children and young people
E Interview
Appreciates the significance of safeguarding and interprets this for all individual children and young people whatever their life circumstances
E Interview
Has a good understanding of the safeguarding agenda E InterviewCan demonstrate an ability to contribute towards a safe environment
E Interview
Shows a personal commitment to safeguarding E Interview
Highbury Fields is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. This post is subject to a CRB enhanced disclosure check.
Information for Applicants
CLOSING DATE: Monday 30th April 2012INTERVIEWS: Friday 4th May 2012VISITS TO THE SCHOOL: Opportunity to visit the school will take place on Wednesday 25th April 2012. Please contact the Headteacher’s PA, Laura Young [email protected]
How to Apply
If you decide to apply for this post would you please download and complete the applica-tion form from the school website.
Your formal letter of application (supporting statement) should be no longer than 3 sides of A4 and should address the selection criteria detailed in the Person Specification. Please return your completed application by email to:
The application form plays a crucial part in the selection process, both in deciding whether you will be invited to an interview and at the interview itself. It is vital that you complete this form as fully and accurately as possible. We will not make any assumptions about your experience, knowledge, skills and abilities to do the job. Please ensure you read the Advertisement, Job Description, Person Specification and other accompanying information carefully before you start. All parts of the application form must be completed.
We hope you find the information in this pack useful. Should you have any further enquiries, please do not hesitate to contact Gladys Berry, Headteacher on 0207 288 1888.
About our School
Highbury Fields School will challenge young women to be resourceful and creative. Every girl will be supported to achieve the highest standards and make the most of the opportunities our society offers them. We are committed to genuine respect and responsibility within both the school and the wider community - Highbury Fields School Vision Statement.
Our young women face a rapidly changing world of exciting opportunities and challenges.Highbury Fields School opens up this world to them. The School is unique in that it provides a secure and supportive environment in which every student develops as an individual. Highbury Fields’ studnets go on to build themselves successful careers through further study and employment based training and education.
The school is a Specialist College for Science and Mathematics with a track record of academic excellence in Art, Drama, Music and Technology, which match our succeses in Science and Mathematics. Highbury Fields’ students demonstrate creativity and flair through a rich and varied guidance of a talented and enthusiastic staff, we encourage our young women to become independent learners, capable and confident of creating their futures as active and responsible members of society.
Through a wide programme of after school clubs and activities, enrichment visits and events, our students are given the chance to enhance and progress their learning interests further. Beyond the classroom and their everyday experiences they are encouraged to broaden their horizons through the school’s links with other organisations and groups such as the City of London, law firms, theatres, universities and the media. Students thrive in an environment that combines their school learning experiences with the wider world on their doorstep.
Student Learning
Life at Highbury Fields is focused on effective, meaningful and enjoyable learning. Our girls learn to think critically and creatively, to ask questions and to find answers, supported by incredibly hard working staff who are committed to ongoing professional development and the sharing of good practice.
Our classrooms are orderly and productive working environments, in which we use a variety of teaching approaches and activities to make sure that each pupil is fully engaged with her learning and working to the best of her abilties. Highbury Fields has a serious commitment to continual investment in ICT resources and we use state of the art technology across the whole of our curriculum as an importat tool for teaching and interactive learning.
We have a thriving mixed Sixth Form with a long tradition of academic success and high rates of progression to university. As a member of the Islington Consortium of I Sixth Forms, we provide a huge range of study options, includeing vocational courses and our
students are able to make use of the facilities in other schools. Whilst they have many extra freedoms and responsibilities, our Sixth Formers remain very much a part of the whole school community and are important role models for younger pupils.
This building is much loved by our pupils, whose creativity is inspired by its peaceful atmosphere and beautiful surroundings.
OFSTED 2012
“The high levels of tolerance and respect that students show each other and staff are an exemplary feature of the school”.
“High expectations and a clear focus on developing the knowledge and skills students need to move on to the next level of attainment were key features of the learning observed during lessons”.
“A strong commitment to promoting equality and tackling discrimination is at the heart of the school’s work. The school is a harmonious environment where students from a wide range of religious, ethnic and cultural backgrounds work together and respect each other”.
Useful LInks
School Website
http://highburyfields.islington.sch.uk
Cambridge Education @ Islington
http://islington.camb-ed.com
London Borough of Islington
http://www.islington.gov.uk
2012 School Ofsted Report
http://www.highburyfields.islington.sch.uk/
