St. Luke’s School

Special Educational Needs

Application Pack for the post of School Bursar

Introduction

St Luke’s School is part of a formal association of schools with The Collett School and Forest House Education Centre. Across the three schools, the Executive Headteacher leads the combined provisions, based in Hemel Hempstead, Redbourn and Radlett.

St Luke’s School occupies a large site and was originally built as a secondary comprehensive school in the village of Redbourn. It has suffered fluctuating numbers in the past, though as a result of the high demand and changes in local authority designation of the school, we are looking to regrow in size and, in the age range of pupils we provide for. Moving from a Year 5 to Year 11 provision for children with complex needs including SLCN, MLD and ASD, we are now a provision from Year 3 upwards. We will be consulting to become an all through age school from 0-19 years, supporting children with complex needs including MLD, ASD, SLCN as well as more pupils with SLD, PD and PNI as an area special school.

The school is faced this year with an overspend of £150K and has to reduce staffing to comply with statutory funding requirements. As such, the school is in a complex situation where the restructuring of staffing is meaning some staff are facing redundancy to reduce staffing costs, but seeks to accommodate a small growth in classroom provision, where this is critically needed.

The changes in the staffing restructure have increased the accountabilities of middle leadership including line management and the focus on raising standards. Supported by the governing body, the Executive Headteacher and the Head of Operations, the role of School Bursar will play a significant role in the management of HR, finances, IT and Administration. The school’s determination to reduce unnecessary teacher bureaucracy is also shifting some of the jobs typically held of senior teachers to non-teaching staff. The postholder will also work closely with the administration team of The Collett School and support the finance and HR work of Forest House Education Centre.

This is a challenging, but exciting time to be a Middle Leader in St Luke’s School, where the impact of the work by the post holder will shape the school for the next generation of pupils. Visionary development, a keen focus on standards, a sharp understanding of procedures, systems and data analysis will support the school effectively in what we’re needing to do and what’s required for where we’re heading.

Best wishes,

Stephen Hoult-Allen

Executive Headteacher

Job Title:School Bursar

Reports to:Head of Operations

Salary RangeSt Luke’s School Pay Scale:H7: Term-time Plus Two Weeks, 37 hours per week

Hours:Negotiable

Job context

St Luke’s School is a special educational needs school for children with cognitive disabilities. These include complex learning difficulties including MLD, SLCN and ASD. Many children of the school have additional needs including medical needs. The school welcomes staff withhigh skills and standards, who have a commitment to their continued professional development.

Purpose of the job

The school bursar will provide professional leadership for the school to secure continual success and improvement in the areas of Finance, HR, Administration, Information sharing and GDPR compliance, Premises and H&S management. By motivating and supporting the staff, managing operational aspects of the school and working with the Head of Operations and senior leaders, the Bursar will ensure systems and procedures are effective and well managed to support school improvement, compliancy and best practices.

To assist the Headteacher in the leadership and management of the school by:

  • Keeping children safe
  • Fulfilling the expectations of your paid position
  • Being a strong advocate for change and champion school improvement
  • Conveying a positive ‘can do’ attitude and presenting a ‘united front’ to secure successful outcomes for pupils and the school
  • Supporting the development and achievement of the school’s vision to secure success and improvement
  • Working in partnerships to promote the continuity of the school’s provision
  • Helping to secure the commitment of the wider community to improve our young peoples’ prospects in the mainstream world by developing, nurturing and maintaining effective networks
  • Ensuring compliance with School policies and, other statutory requirements of schools, employment and the law

Key Responsibilities

The School Bursar is one of the school’s more senior professional members of the Administration Team and works to assist the Head in his/her duty to ensure that the school meets its educational aims.

The Bursar is responsible for providing professional leadership and management of school support staff in partnership with teaching staff, to enhance their effectiveness in order to achieve improved standards of learning and achievement in the school.

The Bursar promotes the highest standards of business ethos within the administrative function of the school and strategically ensures the most effective use of resources in support of the school’s learning objectives.

The Bursar is responsible for Management of areas within;

  • The Financial Resources,
  • Fundraising
  • Administration,
  • Information,
  • ICT,
  • Human Resources,
  • Facility & Property and
  • Health & Safety Management

Management

  • Attend Governing Body meetings and Governors’ sub committee meetings as appropriate
  • To devise and influence systems and strategy in pursuit of school improvement
  • To plan, facilitate and manage change in accordance with the School Improvement and Development Plan
  • To line manage staff within the administrative function of the school
  • To ensure compliance with legal, regulatory, ethical and social requirements
  • To identify and manage safeguarding and hazardous risks
  • To hold accountability for aspects of premises issues relating to the site including resources and Health and Safety, ensuring that inventories are maintained.

People and Relationships

  • To allocate and monitor the progress of work in all areas of responsibility
  • To develop effective relationships with colleagues and all stakeholders
  • To manage the professional development of the team through performance appraisal and training
  • To build and develop effective teams to meet the needs and objectives of the school
  • To promote collaboration and develop effective partnerships within the wider community

Managing Own Performance and Development

  • Demonstrate resilience
  • Abide by the school’s Code of Conduct
  • Take responsibility for your own professional development
  • Use effective ICT skills for teaching, learning and management
  • Prioritise and manage your own time effectively
  • Work calmly under pressure and to deadlines
  • Sustain personal motivation and that of your colleagues
  • Work collaboratively to support yourself and colleagues in achieving Performance Appraisal objectives
  • Motivate and help to enable all staff in the school to carry out their respective roles to the highest standards
  • Contribute to the professional development of staff through example, induction, mentoring and in service training

Outcomes and Results

  • To ensure statutory and good practice compliance across HR, Finances, Budgeting, Health and Safety, Safeguarding
  • To report as required on the areas of responsibility
  • To manage projects towards achieving successful completion
  • To maintain, monitor and develop effective school processes
  • To actively support the fundraising aims of the school by working closely with the Head of Operations

Knowledge, experience and skillsets

The postholder must be able to demonstrate the:

  • Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing across a wide range of audiences
  • Ability to complete work to a high standard of accuracy and presentation
  • Strong numeracy skills and literacy skills (minimum of GCSE grade C in English and Maths)
  • Evidence of computer proficiency, including Word and Excel
  • Experienced knowledge of computerized systems including SIMS
  • Enjoyment of working in a school environment
  • Experience of secretarial and administrative work
  • Experience of financial administrative tasks
  • Attention to detail with accurate record keeping
  • Ability to use standard office software
  • Ability to work in a team
  • Ability to read, comprehend and be able to apply policies consistently over time
  • Ability to understand the curricular requirements of the school, including statutory requirements
  • Ability to work with a minimum of supervision and within a team
  • Ability to work with initiative and to tight deadlines
  • Good organizational skills

Resources

  • To manage the financial functions (working with external agencies, Head of School, Executive Headteacher and Governing Body F&R Committee) to include:
  • budget setting and monitoring,
  • achieving best value in procurement,
  • benchmarking,
  • identifying and maximizing income sources,
  • negotiating contracts and
  • ensuring financial sustainability
  • undertake monthly reconciliations of the school finance system
  • ensure an accurate and effective payroll system is maintained
  • To be responsible for managing the safety, security and effective operation of the school building, its contents and grounds to maintain an optimal environment for teaching and learning, assuming delegated responsibilities for adherence to all relevant legislative requirements, oversight of school construction and maintenance and sustainability of school premises.Manage and monitor the Health and Safety Policy and day to day practice, reporting to the Head
  • To be responsible for co‐ordinating the IT function to support the delivery of the strategic vision for the effective use of technology in supporting business processes and enhancing teaching and learning and ensuring the sustainability of ICT for the school
  • To ensure the efficient use of staff and administrative resources to provide a complete administrative service meeting the current and future needs of the school, maintaining effective communication with all stakeholders, robust induction for all new staff and governors and effective operation of payroll and other associated services
  • Lead delegated Fire Safety and Risk Management

Safeguarding children

  • In accordance with the school’s commitment to follow and adhere to the Department for Education’s child protection guidance and all relevant guidance and legislation in respect of safeguarding children, the Head of School is required to demonstrate commitment to promoting and safeguarding the welfare of children and young people in the school.
  • All staff are required to maintain appropriate professional boundaries in relationships with children and with all members of the school community and outside agencies, and exercise sound professional judgement which always focuses upon the best interests of the pupils and the school.
  • The Head of School is also required to know and comply with the DfE document ‘Keeping Children Safe in Education’ (April 2014).
  • The Head of School is required to have satisfactory Enhanced DBS clearance.
  • The role requires the Head of School to observe and maintain appropriate professional boundaries at all times and avoid behaviour that might be misinterpreted by others.
  • The Head of School must understand and carry out duties in accordance with the responsibilities of being in a position of trust and must show a duty of care appropriately at all times.
  • The Head of School is expected to present a consistently positive image of the school and uphold public trust and confidence at all times.

Equalities

Be aware of and support difference and ensure that pupils and colleagues have equality of access to opportunities to participate, learn and develop. The school does not tolerate exploitation, prejudice or bullying with regards to learning or physical disability/difficulty, age, gender, sexual orientation, transgender, mental health, religion, nationality or ethnicity.

Health and Safety

  • Be aware of and comply with policies and procedures relating to child protection, health, safety and security, confidentiality and data protection; and report all concerns to an appropriate person.
  • Follow school procedures for moving and safe handling, first aid and Hertfordshire Steps behaviourprogramme.
    Make the team aware of situations where it is not safe for you to intervene and hand over to another member of staff ensuring the child(ren)’s safety and others’ well being.

DBS – Disclosure and Baring Service

  • This post is classed as having a high degree of contact with children or vulnerable adults and is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.
  • An enhanced disclosure will be sought through the Hertfordshire County Council’s pre-employment checks.
  • Further information is available from the Hertfordshire ‘grid’ for education.

Additional Information

  • The jobholder is required to contribute to and support the overall aims and ethos of the school
  • All staff are required to participate in training and other learning activities, and in performance appraisal in line with the school's policies and practice. All policies, guidance and procedures are located on the school website
  • The duties and responsibilities listed above describe the post as it is at present. The post holder is expected to accept any reasonable alterations that may from time to time be necessary.

Supervision

The frequency of meetings is determined by the school's performance appraisal policies and practice. Where performance is poor or unsafe, that member of staff will be informed and consideration of the school’s competencies policies may be undertaken.

The postholder is line managed by the Head of Operations

The postholder will line manage other staff

Physical Effort

To what extent does the job involve physical effort/strain over and above what would normally be incurred in a day-to-day office environment?

  • The job is likely to involve supporting children after falls or accidents
  • The use of Hertfordshire Steps behaviour support procedures, which involves guiding pupils in Stepon and within Stepup the moving and where directed, the physical restraint of pupils
  • Moving and handling children and young people
  • In order to undertake the post effectively, adults will be regularly moving around the school, requiring a degree of physical stamina over the course of a day

Working Environment

The jobholder works directly with teachers and pupils and has routine and regular contact with parents and carers and with external agencies and professionals. Training and CPD opportunities are led by all groups of postholders within the school as well as external providers.

To what extent is the job exposed to objectionable, uncomfortable or noxious conditions over and above what would normally be experienced in a day-to-day office environment?

The job may likely involve adults being in situations that children and young people hit out, kick, spit, slap, punch, throw missiles, pull clothing/hair, scream, use extreme language and swearing. The job may likely include clearing up blood or other bodily fluids of children after accident or sudden illness.

Person specification – Bursar

St Luke’s School / School Bursar
PERSON SPECIFICATION
Reviewed February 2018
Essential/ Desirable person specifications: / Evidence Sought
Quals / ESSENTIAL: /
  • English and Maths GCSE grade C or above
/ Certificates at selection event
DESIRABLE: /
  • Relevant professional qualification

Training / ESSENTIAL: /
  • Evidence of continuing professional development
  • Evidence of training in safeguarding including child protection
/ Application form
Selection event
DESIRABLE: /
  • School information management systems training and proficiency

Experience / ESSENTIAL: /
  • Work in a school office, working with adults and children on a daily basis
  • Prioritising needs of individuals and the wider school as part of daily planning and crisis management
  • Effective management experiences within a team
  • Managing financial plans
  • Managing budgets, financial reporting
  • Managing change projects
  • Managing aspects of Health and Safety
  • Holding difficult conversations within a HR context
  • Management of confidential materials and understanding of data protection
  • Peformance appraisal of team members
  • Comittment to wider school events
  • Effective timekeeping
  • High attendance rates
/ Application form
Selection event
DESIRABLE: /
  • Experience at a managerial levelin a school
  • Networking

Knowledge and Skills / ESSENTIAL: /
  • A comittment to keeping children safe
  • Strong literacy and numeracy skills
  • Computer literacy across a range of ICT packages
  • Able to deliver services and systems applicable for effective school management
  • Able to deliver value for money initiatives
  • Abe to understand national and regional educational services and deliver appropriate strategies
  • Understanding of promoting positive relationships with the wider school community
  • Able to work under pressure, to deadlines and to be able to prioritise workload, work streams and support others to effectively deliver outcomes, on time
  • Comittment to wider school events
/ Application form
Selection event
DESIRABLE: /
  • Understanding of educational enterprise issues
  • Coaching and mentoring skills

Personal
characteristics / ESSENTIAL: /
  • Highly developed interpersonal skills with children and adults, including influencing skills
  • Resilience and a positive attitude
  • Willingness to constructively challenge the work of self and others to continually improve own and team performance
  • Enjoyment of working in a school environment
  • Has a determination to improve the outcomes and experiences for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities
  • Able to hold accountability and take responsibility for self and others
  • Adaptability to learn new skills and respond effectively to changes imposed and created by the school
  • Solution focused
  • Understand the impact of each individual in a team
  • Commitment to driving up standards and self-improvement
/ Application form
Selection event
DESIRABLE:

Recruitment and Selection Policy Statement

The safe recruitment of staff in schools is the first step to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children in education. The school is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff, volunteers and other workers in the school to share this commitment. It is recognised that this can only be achieved through sound procedures, good inter-agency co-operation and the recruitment and retention of competent, motivated employees who are suited to, and fulfilled in the roles they undertake.