Line Manager: Deputy Head (Academic)

Salary: £20,340 per annum (FTE £33,900)

Working Pattern: 3 days per week, term-time only (+2 weeks)

Closing date: 7th January 2025, 12:00 noon

Interview date: 13th January 2025

The Role

We are seeking to appoint an exceptionally pro-active and organised individual as Examinations Officer at The King’s School, Gloucester. This is an exciting opportunity to make a significant contribution to the examination success of one of the country’s leading HMC Independent Schools, and the future prospects of its pupils.

Working closely with the Deputy Head (Academic) and leading the School’s team of Exam Invigilators, the successful candidate will assume responsibility for the efficient and effective administration of trial and public examinations including GCSEs and A-Levels, as well as University entrance examinations.

The role may be under-taken by a part-time teacher if there is also a requirement for classroom teaching in their subject, but the role is offered presently as a stand-alone role.

The School

The King’s School, Gloucester has a rich academic tradition dating back to its founding in 1541. It houses the longest-serving classroom in Europe and is held in high esteem amongst the local and wider community, winning Gloucestershire Independent School of the Year in 2020 and 2021, and being Highly Commended again in 2022 and 2023. Following the 2022 ISI Inspection, King’s was proud to be declared ‘excellent in all areas’.

Main Duties

• Oversee the administration daily running of all examinations in School (public examinations, trials and re-sits) including supply of stationery materials and papers;
• Liaise with awarding bodies and Heads of Departments to oversee examination entries, coursework, and controlled assessments;
• Ensure correct entries are made for university entrance examinations, organise and oversee their efficient running, and be available during October half term when they take place;
• Encourage a positive examination attitude in School on the part of staff and pupils;
• Maintain all relevant School policies to reflect updates in practice and JCQ / CIE guidance;
• Draw up examination timetables in accordance with the regulations laid down by the examination boards and the JCQ;
• Disseminate all relevant examination information efficiently and in good time to staff, pupils and parents;
• Line manage the School’s team of Invigilators including induction, training, timesheets and rotas;
• Liaise with the Head of Learning Skills to ensure any necessary accessibility arrangements are actioned appropriately;
• Liaise with Facilities staff to ensure appropriate and timely set-up of examination rooms;
• Take responsibility for the delivery and strict safekeeping of examination papers;
• Receive examination certificates and make arrangements for their issue;
• Provide accurate statistics for the Department for Education (DfE), Independent Schools' Inspectorate (ISI), Centre for Evaluation and Monitoring (CEM) and other external bodies;
• Check all examination fees and charges from each examination board and liaise with the Finance Department on the payment of examination fees;
• Liaise with other schools in order to follow up missing data;
• Provide training for staff and pupils relating to assessment and examination protocols;
• Monitor the opportunities and challenges offered by online examinations, advising the Deputy Head (Academic) on latest developments;
• Any other duties that may reasonably be assigned by the Deputy Head (Academic).

Personal Profile

• Outstanding organisational and administrative skills with a meticulous eye for detail;
• Able to work calmly under pressure and to tight deadlines, planning and prioritising own workload with minimal direction and remaining professional at all times;
• Proficiency in IT, particularly Excel (knowledge of School MIS, e.g. iSAMS, would be advantageous);
• Friendly and approachable, with excellent communication and interpersonal skills and the ability to put staff, pupils and parents at ease;
• Experience of working in a School or data-driven environment;
• Capable of showing initiative and adapting to rapidly changing or unforeseen scenarios;
• A willingness to work flexibly according to the needs of the examination timetable;
• Experience of team leadership would be advantageous;
• Prior knowledge of JCQ regulations would be beneficial.

Hours of Work

The Examinations Officer will work 22.5 hours per week, from 08:00 to 16:30 (including a one-hour lunch break), three days per week.

The Examinations Officer will work term-time only, plus two weeks of the School holidays; the additional weeks will usually be spread between some of October half-term, and days of particular importance to the examination calendar, such as restricted results days and the lead up to them during the summer holidays.

During examination seasons, extra hours of work will be necessary; these will be managed through overtime, TOIL and/or the management of contracted hours. Remuneration will be given for any extra additional hours worked.

Holiday

5 weeks per annum (pro-rata) rising to 6 weeks (pro rata) after 5 years' service, plus Bank Holidays. Given the term-time only nature of the role, payment in lieu of this entitlement is included in the salary.

Salary

Base salary is pro-rata-ed to £20,340 per annum. Additional remuneration or TOIL will be given for additional hours worked during examination seasons.

Benefits

• A contributory pension through Aviva APTIS;
• Generous fee remission for children at King’s;
• Before / After School Care for children at King’s;
• Access to a Doctor for advice and short consultations;
• Staff Wellbeing Programme;
• Cycle to Work Scheme;
• Lunches;
• Parking.

Applications

Candidates should apply through TES or by sending a completed School Application Form and Covering Letter via email to recruitment@thekingsschool.co.uk. A CV is not required. Closing date for applications is Tuesday 7th January 2025 at 12:00 noon, with interviews taking place on Monday 13th January 2025.

For further information, please contact Mr Harry Fuller on 01452 337337 or via email to recruitment@thekingsschool.co.uk.

Please note that candidates applying between 20th December 2024 and 2nd January 2025 may experience a delay in response; thank you for your patience.