Situated in the heart of the Kent countryside in Cranbrook town itself, we are blessed with superb

facilities, a 75 acre campus and a truly dedicated teaching staff.

As a selective grammar school we challenge the brightest boys and girls in the local area (along with boarders from further afield) to fulfil their true potential in the classroom and broader walks of life. Happily, our academic results and outstanding Ofsted rating suggest that we are managing to meet that aim without ever betraying our ‘frescole’ roots. Indeed, in our view, no other school blends the traditions of the State and Independent sectors so successfully.

Our key facilities include a dedicated Sixth Form centre, performing arts centre, science block, lecture theatre, library, observatory, medical centre, dining hall and stand-alone theatre. All subjects are served by modern, well-equipped teaching rooms. Our main sports are rugby, hockey (boys and girls), cricket, rounders, netball, basketball, swimming, athletics and tennis. On-site facilities include an outdoor heated swimming pool, squash courts, 50 acres of playing fields, an all-weather Astro Turf centre, and a superb sports hall equipped with multi-gym, dance studio and climbing wall. The majority of students participate in our busy sports programme during the week and most Saturdays with fixtures against top grammar and independent schools. Our extra-curricular programme includes CCF, Duke of Edinburgh, community and charity initiatives, public speaking, music and performing arts. Additionally, over 40 clubs and societies cater for student interests outside teaching hours. In the belief that travel genuinely broadens the mind, we are committed to organising trips to cater for a variety of interests. Every two years a group of older students travels to Tanzania to work alongside local people. We also have an exchange partnership with a school in India. In recent years there have been classics trips to Italy and Greece, food trips to Spain, sports tours to Australia, Fiji and the Caribbean, and diving trips to Egypt. Our community is built upon an established House system which ensures that every student can find fun, friendship, personal mentoring and an essential team spirit outside the confines of the classroom. We have 12 Houses – seven for boys and five for girls. And because we are careful to integrate boarders with their day student counterparts, a true sense of belonging infuses the whole school.

Academic

Although we do not believe in hot-house methods, our success in this sphere withstands scrutiny alongside the best in the country. The high standard of achievement of our pupils and the inspirational teaching by our staff mean that our exam results are exceptionally high. We are proud of the fact that Cranbrook is consistently placed among the best schools in England. Such success is based on: a thorough understanding of the National Curriculum; the enthusiasm and experience of our teaching staff; monitoring of pupils’ performance on an individual basis and not least the curiosity and commitment of our students themselves. As a selective school, entry to Cranbrook is subject to academic ability for both day students and boarders alike. In Years 10/11 students follow courses leading to GSCE in ten or more subjects. Mathematics, English Language and Literature, one Modern Language and the Sciences are compulsory at this stage. In addition, students then choose three optional courses from History, Geography, Latin, Spanish, Food Science, Art & Design, Drama, and RE. All students are closely monitored and mentored by their subject teachers during these years. Additional guidance and support is also provided by their House tutors who will liaise with parents regarding performance and the best blend of subject choices for Year 10 and beyond. AS and A Level choices are planned well in advance of GCSE exams and confirmed after results are published. Cranbrook School has enjoyed consistent, top-tier success at GCSE and A Level in recent years.

Safeguarding

Safeguarding and Child Protection are high priorities at Cranbrook School. All staff at Cranbrook School, both academic and support staff, are DBS checked and receive regular safeguarding training and are aware of the need to be vigilant in their duty of care towards the students. All staff and pupils receive e-safety training to raise awareness of internet safety

Sixth Form

Academic study is central to life in the Cranbrook Sixth Form. We have the highest expectations of our sixth formers as we look to prepare them for success in the professional world. But learning here is also enjoyable and fun. Teachers will always look to promote knowledge, and understanding that takes the students beyond the confines of the examination specification. The pace of learning is brisk, with our students encouraged to take on increasing responsibility for their work. They have to be ambitious, self-motivated and organised. When they leave, they will be prepared for the independent study required at university. We have a large Sixth Form of over 300 students. Our pastoral system ensures that students always have someone whom they know well to turn to, both for academic and personal support. Students receive high quality advice and guidance about UCAS and Oxbridge entry, together with effective careers guidance and alternative pathways. This enables our students to make an informed choice about their future before they leave Cranbrook.

Most sixth formers at Cranbrook School study four or five AS Levels in the first year, continuing at least three of these through to A Level (A2) in Year 13. Students, tutors and parents work together during the GCSE years to select the most appropriate subjects. A wide choice of courses are available: Art and Design, Biology, Chemistry, Classical Civilisation, Economics, English Literature, French, Maths, Further Maths, Geography, History (Early and Later Modern), History of Art, Performing Arts, Physics, Politics, Philosophy and Ethics and Spanish. Virtually all our students go on to university after Cranbrook and the range of colleges and courses chosen by our leavers is very broad. A high proportion go onto prestigious universities such as those in the Russell Group. Gap years are extremely popular as pupils extend the spirit of adventure and opportunities we offer.

Boarding

We at Cranbrook School want each of our boarders to think of their Boarding House as a home from home – a safe and secure environment founded on trust and respect. Our top priority is that your children are happy, healthy and well cared for - allowing them to achieve their full potential academically, socially and physically. We are careful to integrate our boarders with their day-student counterparts, ensuring that they feel part of the Cranbrook community from day one. When your child joins the school, he or she will be in the care of a resident Head of House, overseen by the Director of Boarding, assisted by tutors and matrons. The House team monitors all aspects of a student’s progress throughout their career and will liaise with you closely during this time. Boarders benefit from supervised homework time as well as increased access to the School’s resources out of class hours, including evening SEN support. Each House has a unique feel and established traditions, of which the boarders feel extremely proud. Inter-House competitions are enjoyable, hard-fought affairs which reflect the passion of the boarders. We offer excellent facilities, maintained and enhanced by the school estates team. Your child’s welfare is of paramount importance of which good food is certainly a significant part. We have an excellent school catering team, which provides a variety of options, three times a day in the school dining hall. Menus are published in the boarders’ bulletin each week. In short we hope that our students will look forward to returning to their boarding houses almost or as much as they look forward to returning to their family homes,

We have six boarding Houses at Cranbrook School: Cornwallis, Crowden and Rammell for boys,

and Blubery and Scott for girls. In addition, School Lodge provides a Year 9 settling-in House for all boys entering Cranbrook aged 13. Each House has its own Head of House, matron and roster of duty staff made up of teachers and classroom assistants. In addition, each student is assigned a personal tutor who will play a pivotal role in assessing academic progress, course choices, sports participation and social interaction.

Younger boarders sleep in small dormitories and share comfy communal areas equipped with TVs, PCs, games equipment and kitchenettes for those all-important snacks! Older boarders move on to shared bedsits or individual bed/study rooms. Many participate in the School’s sports programmes on Saturday mornings or afternoons. On Sundays, the School runs a series of staffed excursions to London and other more local attractions such as ice skating, bowling, theme parks and water sports. Exeats are very flexible and can be taken from Friday evenings and Saturday or Sunday mornings, dependent upon the student’s commitments in school.

Job Description

Job Title:Tuition Cleaner

Reports to:Site Team Manager

Accountable to:Bursar

Location:Cranbrook School

Job Purpose:

To maintain the school to a high standard of cleanliness. To perform a variety of manual tasks associated with the upkeep and cleaning of the school.

Job Summary and Key Tasks:

Cleaning and clearing of delegated areas including polishing, dusting, sweeping and washing; including toilets as appropriate.

Disinfecting areas as required.

Removal of rubbish.

Using appropriate products for delegated areas, adhering to manufacturers recommendations.

Assist with the preparation and service of special functions.

Reporting of damage/broken equipment to the Estates Department.

Treat all staff and students helpfully and courteously.

Person Specification:

Reliability

Experience of working successfully with a diverse range of people

Ability to work independently

Flexibility and adaptability

Knowledge and Experience:

Previous knowledge of using various cleaning machines desirable but not essential as training will be given.

This job description is not intended to be an exhaustive list of responsibilities and activities within the post but is intended to reflect the major elements envisaged. The duties may change in consultation with the post holder, in line with service needs.

Conditions of Service
  • Hours of work to be agreed during these times:
  • Either : 05:00-08:00/16:00-20:00
  • £7.20 per hour, pay scale A6 £13,891 per annum (pro rata £8,124.80)
  • Term time only plus six weeks to be worked during the school holidays to accommodate a ‘deep clean’ at the commencement of each academic year.
  • Contractual sick pay is dependent upon years of service. After five years’ service entitlement to six months’ full pay and six months’ half pay.
  • An entitlement to join the Kent County Council Local Government Pension Scheme.
  • Other conditions of Service will be detailed in the contract of employment.

Cranbrook School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. All staff appointed will be required to pass a DBS check before commencing employment.

Cranbrook School welcomes applications from people with disabilities.

(A copy of our recruitment policy is available on request)

The Application and Appointment Arrangements

We look forward to receiving your application completed as fully as possible and returned to Ms Karen Radford, Bursar.

Please also send a hand written letter stating reasons why you would be particularly interested and suitable for this position in support of your application.

If you wish your application to be acknowledged, please enclose a stamped addressed envelope for this purpose.

Closing Date: Friday 21 October 2016

Interviews to be held week commencing Monday 24 October 2016