BURSAR CANDIDATE INFORMATION PACK
HEADTEACHER’S WELCOME ETHOS, VALUES & AIMS WORK & PASTORAL CARE JOB DESCRIPTION PERSON SPECIFICATION APPLICATION PROCESS
“WHATSOEVER THY HAND FINDETH TO DO, DO IT WITH THY MIGHT.”
Park School was established in 1928 and has grown into a vibrant, thriving and very happy school of over 295 boys and girls. We have two classes in each year group from Reception to Year 6, with a maximum of 21 children in each class. Below this, we have an extremely popular Nursery with the large majority of our Nursery pupils moving up into our Reception classes at the age of four. The school enjoys a
reputation for excellence in many fields. At the heart of all that we do is the belief that children will achieve their best when they are happy. What we care about most is producing well-rounded and complete young people; children who will move on from us with confidence, prepared for life’s challenges.
ETHOS, VALUES & AIMS
HEADTEACHER’S WELCOME
At Park School we live by our values to inspire our young people to become responsible, reflective and successful adults. The children love our system of daily reward stickers for demonstrating these values, and they especially look forward to our end of year Speech Day, when the best role models from each year group receive the accolade of being appointed P.A.R.K. Ambassadors. Amongst our community, being described as “Park” is a great compliment.
We have built a very strong reputation for excellence in the education of young children. Our carefully differentiated teaching and individual support means that all of our children progress quickly at their own level, whether they are academic high fliers or pupils benefiting from a steadier pace. Many of our children pass the test to one of our local Grammar schools, or gain scholarships to local independent secondary schools. As well as our commitment to inspiring excellent academic progress, we are passionate about providing a broad curriculum, including a wide range of high quality opportunities in things such as sport, music, drama, art and design. It is our job to nurture the skills, abilities and talents of each individual, wherever these may lie. Our children understand that if they are Polite, Ambitious, Resilient and Kind, they will achieve their full potential in all areas of education and life. What more can we ask of them as they develop into well- rounded individuals with a joy for learning? “Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might.” Words and pictures can only give you a flavour of the Park School ethos. Please do come and visit, to meet our enthusiastic learners and staff in their happy school environment.
AMBITIOUS At Park we look for the skills and talents in every child and set high expectations for their achievements. In class, on the sports field, in the arts, technology and in extracurricular activities, children are challenged to complete tasks that extend their knowledge and understanding and help them develop the skills to improve the world they will inherit. KIND Kindness and empathy are modelled daily by the staff here at Park, and children quickly learn to emulate their behaviour. They soon experience the pleasure of giving joy to others, and the happiness of having many friends with whom to work and play. They learn to express their feelings in an atmosphere of trust, which improves communication and makes for a happy school!
POLITE Good manners are the hallmark of all great communicators, and Park School pupils are expected to show respect for others at all times. We remind children to put others’ needs before their own and to share what they have. They are taught, through practice and example, to overcome any shyness they feel in favour of confident, considerate communication.
RESILIENT The world can be a tough and
complicated place. At Park, we help children to manage their insecurities and fears, and to face their problems head on. In a safe and nurturing environment, children are supported to try again when things go wrong. In this way they develop the positive mental attitude that will strengthen and sustain them throughout their lives.
Melanie Dowler Headteacher
JOB DESCRIPTION - BURSAR
Responsible to:
Headteacher and Forfar Education CFO
Line Management Responsibility:
All non-academic teams including Finance, Human Resources, Admin, Cleaning, Site Manager, Transport, and Catering
Job Overview The Bursar is a key member of the School’s Senior Leadership Team. The Bursar leads all operational areas for the School & Nursery and works closely with the Headteacher and Forfar Board of Governance to determine the strategic direction of the school. The incumbent will be accountable for ensuring excellence in the operational and business functions of the school and that the school operates in an efficient and cost-effective way to offer high quality and value for money. The role will advise the Head (and Forfar Education where required) on all financial, premises related, employment, HR, catering, cleaning and health and safety matters and to assist in developing and implementing future policy for the school in these areas. The appointee will support the Head and Forfar Education with the business and financial side of strategic planning, supporting the delivery of the next phase of the school’s development. To ensure the school is fully compliant with all statutory and regulatory requirements. Leadership and support to all members of the support staff team The Role Finance • Accountable for the finance function providing support for the school. • Line management responsibility for the Accounts Assistant, Payroll Officer and the outsourced accounting service provider, as well as any other school accounting personnel
• Regular reporting of the financial position to the Heads, SLTs and Forfar Education • Preparation of monthly management accounts including Profit & Loss and Balance Sheets with supporting schedules • Monitoring income and expenditure against budget, ensuring that there is a system of regular reporting to the Head and budget-holders. • Maintaining cash flow projections for current and future years to accurately and effectively advise the Head, SLTs and Forfar Education • Coordinating the annual preparation of capital and revenue estimates and collating and evaluating bids from the school’s spending departments • Being responsible for the management of the procedures and controls for the authorisation of expenditure • Oversee the reconciliation of the accounts and other funds regularly. • Managing the tendering process for contracts, ensuring that the specification is based on the highest standards for fee-paying parents and provides a cost-effective service of high quality and that any contracts are approved by Forfar Education. • Managing inventory checks and ensuring that the school’s equipment is properly managed and insured. • Working with Forfar Education and their external auditors to prepare the annual accounts. • Ensuring that the school has adequate insurance cover at all times, to include employer’s liability, buildings and equipment cover, travel insurance and other relevant
WORK AND PASTORAL CARE
Within the context of a broad multi-faceted curriculum, the school aims to provide a sound academic education for young people setting out on their acadmeic, learning journey. We hope to encourage in every one of our pupils the qualities of an enquiring mind, respect for others, self self-discipline and a commitment to hard work. We use the National Curriculum as a base for study in school, developing a wide range of skills across all subject areas. Emphasis is placed on the core subjects of English, Mathematics and Science. In addition, the school timetable offers History, Geography, Religious Education, PSHE & Time to Thrive, ICT , PE & Games, Music, Art and Design, Dramarama, Reasoning and Technology. French is taught in Year Years 1 to 4 with the upper key stage 2 children learning Spanish.
Thinking skills, personal and social education and citizenship topics are also an important part of our curriculum . The development of the whole child underpins all our work at the school. Teachers focus on the needs of each individual, catering for all pupils from academic high flyers to those who benefit from a steadier pace. Learning support is provided for all those who need it and the progress of each child is monitored carefully. Every opportunity is taken to promote special academic ability and members of staff encourage each girl and boy to reach the highest possible standards. The school is an open community whose ethos is founded on Christian principles and where children of all faiths and backgrounds are welcome. The
school is structured to offer pupils excellent pastoral care and careful guidance. Small classes, a flourishing house system and, above all, a committed and enthusiastic team of staff, ensure that the needs of the individual are always to the fore. We celebrate our pupils’ successes in all aspects of their lives. Success builds upon success. All this takes place in an environment of care, support, good manners and fair discipline. “The pupils’ personal development throughout the school, including in the EYFS, is excellent. They develop into confident and considerate young people who are very well prepared for the next stage in their lives.” 2015 ISI Inspection Report.
• Maintain and improve systems for training records for staff CPD to develop growth mindset culture. • Ensure that employee recruitment is in accordance with Safer Recruitment processes • Check monthly overtime/absence data to submit to payroll ensuring that any proposed payments or deductions are in accordance with contractual terms and Forfar guidelines. • Take part in all interviews for Park School staff. • Oversee annual appraisal process / CPD meetings for all staff. • Responsible for ensuring that the Single Central Register is fully compliant with ISI standards at all times. • Report to the Forfar Board of Governance in relation to HR matters and issues. IT • Support staff with all aspects of computer assisted administration as the key point of contact with service providers as appropriate. • Work with the Group IT Director to analyse existing systems and recommend changes or improvements in line with IT life cycle. • Organising and recommending staff training in line with Group best practice Health & Safety. • School SLT lead for Health and Safety (H&S) including the H&S policy, procedures, and risk assessments across the school. • Ensure systems are in place for effective monitoring, measuring and reporting of H&S issues to the Safety Officer, Medical Officer, SLT, and Governance Board as appropriate. • Working with the Health & Safety Officer to complete all Health and Safety requirements including INSET training, induction and fire evacuation tests. Catering • Through line management of the Operations Manager, oversee the catering team to provide high quality food provision for both the school and it’s nursery. • Oversight of Chef’s menu planning; budgets; Health and Safety compliance and any special events.
cover by seeking professional advice at least annually and liaising with the Forfar Board of Governance. Site Management • Working with the Site Manager, ensuring planned and emergency maintenance, Health and Safety compliance, water testing, fire safety and liaising with contractors are up to date. • Ensure that the site is kept secure at all times. • Working with the Transport Manager / Site Manager to ensure that any required transport is planned and that mini-buses are properly maintained and in line with best practise and PSV licensing requirements. Compliance • Assist the Head with inspection readiness for all non-academic, operational areas, leading on H&S, overseeing the policy updates cycle through management of the admin team and maintaining the Inspection SharePoint • Ensure that pupil records including medical data lists, allergy cards and in-school emergency folders are kept updated at all times. • Through line management of the Office Manager, to ensure that the school is GDPR compliant. • Oversight of complaints and the provision of information in accordance with the Independent School Standards and reporting to Forfar Education. • Ensure all areas of work are compliant with Forfar Group policy and ISI regulations. Human Resources • Through line management of the Operations Manager, accountable for overseeing the Human Resources function • Ensure compliance with all relevant aspects of employment law, including employment protection, equal pay, minimum wage, working time directive or discrimination on the grounds of sex, race or disability or other protected characteristics. • Advise the Head on employment matters including disciplinary procedures. Ensure that the school follows appropriate disciplinary and grievance procedures and staff contracts in accordance with Forfar Education guidance. • Lead HR oversight and management for the school including any staff issues.
PERSON SPECIFICATION
Candidates must be able to demonstrate financial acumen, strong managerial capabilities, sound judgement and excellent communication skills. Ideally, the successful candidate will:
Education & Qualifications
• Be qualified to degree level or equivalent with a professional qualification in finance or business management. • Ideally be a qualified accountant.
• A working knowledge of financial and Health and Safety legislation. • Possess a working knowledge of the law with regards to contracting, leasing of school proper - ties, employment legislation and commercial law including data protection and contracts. • Knowledge of law and practice relating to corpo - ration tax, Income Tax, PAYE, VAT etc.
Experience
• Have demonstrated successful leadership in a senior position and ideally managed a multi-disci - plinary team. • Have the skills to manage and deploy resources effectively and efficiently. • Have significant previous experience in financial management, including end of year accounts and external liaison with auditors. • Relish the challenge of and have proven experi - ence of leading change programmes. • Have budgetary experience and strong IT skills. • Be committed to continuous professional devel - opment. • Demonstrate the highest levels of integrity and ability to maintain strict confidentiality. • Be committed to child welfare and safeguarding and equality of opportunities. • Ideally have familiarity with conducting business in the educational world. • Able to manage the school’s administrative and financial systems.
Personal Attributes
• Able to establish and develop positive working relationships with all members of the school com - munity including staff, parents, and pupils. • Have excellent interpersonal skills, be a natural relationship builder and motivational leader. • Be a strategic thinker with proven ability to for- mulate and present ideas effectively and take a long-term view. • Be highly motivated and able to meet objectives through own initiative. • Experience of managing competing priorities and deadlines and able to adapt to the changing and challenging circumstances. • Able to formulate ideas and solutions and present them effectively to the Head and Forfar Education • Able to persuade, negotiate and influence oth - ers and work in a professional and confidential manner. • Possess the ability to evaluate own development needs and those of others and encourage them.
APPLICATION PROCESS Schools Leadership has been retained as our exclusive advisor for this appointment and any third party or direct applications will be forwarded to them. For a confidential discussion please contact: Melanie Pye E: melanie.pye@schoolsleadership.com
M: 07530 734 568 Eshe Muhammad E: eshe.muhammad@schoolsleadership.com M: 07335 093 391
Applications should consist of a CV and Supporting statement and sent to Melanie Pye.
Closing date for applications: Sunday 31st December 2023
First Stage Interviews: w/c 8th January 2024
Park School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and applicants must be willing to undergo child protection screening appropriate to the post, including checks with past employers and the Disclosure and Barring Service. Park School is. an equal opportunities employer.
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