Prep School Teacher

The principal responsibilities of a Prep School teacher at West Buckland come under the following headings: 

Teaching and Learning   

• Instill a love of learning using a wide range of creative teaching styles and to facilitate a learning experience that provides all children with the opportunity to achieve their individual potential both in and beyond the classroom. 
• To teach subjects as agreed by the Headmistress and to work as a team with fellow teachers  
• To teach children according to their individual needs, including the effective setting and marking of work (including homework) in line with the school’s policy  
• Maintain a well-organized, pupil friendly and interactive learning environment  
• To use IT and digital resources as part of daily teaching and develop the use of iPads so that this resource can be fully utilized within the classroom.  
• To use a variety of delivery methods, which will stimulate learning, appropriate to pupil needs and the demands of subject specifications. 
• To contribute to raising standards of pupil attainment in your class/subject and to help monitor and support the overall progress and development of pupils, including those with learning needs, and the gifted and talented. To liaise with the SENCo where appropriate. 
• To undertake assessment of pupils, monitor and track pupil progress and use the available information to inform teaching, learning and reporting. To complete the relevant documentation to assist in the tracking of pupils. 
• To maintain discipline within the classroom in accordance with the school’s policies and procedures, and to insist upon punctuality, courtesy and consideration for others, good behaviour, high standards of work and compliance with deadlines. 
• To assist in the development of resources, schemes of work and teaching and learning strategies in your curriculum/year group area. To prepare and up-date teaching materials. 
• To prepare displays of work and other material to ensure the classroom is a stimulating and interesting environment with clear and appropriate notices. 
• Control and oversee the use of books and other teaching materials provided for the pupils taught. 
•  To attend all Parents’ Evenings and to write comprehensive reports, grades and targets at various points in the year. 

Pastoral and Pupils’ Welfare 

• Be a Form teacher (if applicable) and undertake the associated pastoral and administrative duties in respect of the pupils allocated to you.  
• To promote the general progress and well-being of individual pupils and of the Form as a whole.  
• To communicate regularly with parents. 
• To comply with the school’s rewards and sanctions policy so that a consistent approach is adopted across the school 
• Be vigilant in preventing bullying and work swiftly to resolve incidents of bullying following the school’s policy  
• To register pupils promptly, accompany them to assemblies and lunch and encourage their full attendance and participation in other aspects of the school’s life. 
• To play a full part in promoting high standards of behaviour and to maintain pupil discipline throughout all areas of school life within the agreed framework of the school 
• To contribute to the PSHE ethos in accordance with the school’s policy. 
• Promote and safeguard the welfare the pupils maintaining a constant awareness of all issues relating to child protection 
• To help to monitor and support the overall progress and development of children within the school and to work closely with other staff to ensure the general welfare of the pupils 

Contribution to the extracurricular life of the school 

• To run after-school clubs and activities during the academic year 
• To participate in school visits and trips as required 
• To participate fully in the extra-curricular life of the school 
• Contribute fully to Form, House and school assemblies. 
• Lead school assemblies as requested by the Head Teacher. 

Personal Management and Behaviour  

• To be courteous to parents and colleagues, and to provide a welcoming environment for all visitors to the school. Communicating to achieve positive results with parents, pupils and staff and working to meet (and exceed) expectations. 
• To act as a positive role model, to promote teamwork and to ensure high quality teaching and effective working relations. 
• Liaise with other members of the School staff in order to ensure continuity and progression of planning in line with the school's current policies and practices. 
• To take responsibility for Personal Professional Development. To act upon advice and feedback, to identify training priorities and needs, and to undertake appropriate courses, development sessions and qualifications as appropriate.  
• To maintain a professional appearance at all times 
• To maintain high standards in their own attendance and punctuality. 
• To maintain a high standard of professionalism and to use initiative as appropriate, treating pupils with dignity, building relationships rooted in mutual respect, and at all times observing proper boundaries appropriate to a teacher’s professional position 
• Having regard for the need to safeguard pupils’ well-being, in accordance with statutory provisions 

Other Duties 

• To comply with the School’s Health and Safety policy and to complete risk assessments for your classrooms/areas 
• To contribute to the School Development Plan and School Evaluation Form  
• Share in the necessary supervisory duties of the school. 
• To cover lessons as required
• To prepare cover work in the case of absence 
• To contribute to all school marketing and liaison activities, including Open/ Induction/Taster Days, and other events. 
• To attend staff briefings, staff meetings and other meetings as required 
• Attend school functions as are deemed part of the annual cycle of the school year  
• To contribute to the school newsletter and the school magazine  
• Respond promptly to all school correspondence and to follow the school’s policy on emails and internet use 
• Have a good knowledge of the whole school policies in place within the school and to read and comply with the ‘staff routines and procedures’ document annually 
• To comply with any reasonable request from the Headmistress to undertake work not specified in this job description. 

Hours of work

This is either a part-time or full-time appointment. The school operates Monday to Friday between the hours of 08:30am and 5:30pm. The incumbent is expected to be flexible in his or her attitude to hours of work and will be expected to manage working hours in line with the needs of the school which will include some evening and weekend work.