Appointment of BURSAR Briefing for candidates

Transcription

1 IAPS Preparatory Day School for Boys and Girls 3-11 Appointment of BURSAR Briefing for candidates KEY DATES May 8th : Closing date for applications May 21st : First interviews 1st June : Final interviews Starting date by agreement, ideally in time for September 2018 Advising consultant: Simon Shneerson / info@simonshneerson.com

2 Welcome from Sophie Banks, Head-Elect Eton End is truly a family school, a school where children run in with a smile in the mornings and just about have the energy to bounce out at the end of a happy and stimulating day. This is a time of change and epansion at Eton End and pupil numbers have already risen by some 15% since we announced our move to full co-education. There is strong parental demand and the first group of boys is moving happily up the school. Sophie Banks takes over the Headship from Sarah Stokes in September and our very capable Bursar, Steve Newell, is also retiring this year. That creates an eceptional opportunity for a new Bursar to join Eton End and to help steer the school through the net stages of its change and epansion. We are quite fleible about our new Bursar and his/her precise role. You must of course be capable of providing sound general management and commercial and strategic wisdom, as well as being a supportive critical friend to Sophie and the Governors. But within that remit we can shape things to suit the individual, creating a broad and interesting role with plenty of scope, in a relatively small school that is going through eciting times. If the idea of this appeals, you ll enjoy being Bursar here at Eton End. Sarah Stokes, Retiring Head Further information about the School can be found on our website Our advising consultant, Simon Shneerson, is very happy to answer any questions and to discuss possible applications in the strictest of confidence. Please feel free to call him 7 days a week on , either during the day or in the evening. Sophie Banks, Head Elect 2

3 Overview of the School Eton End was founded in 1936, originally to educate the younger children of teaching staff at Eton College. It has of course evolved since then and now caters for approimately 220 children aged 3 to 11. For the last 60 years it has been located in the village of Datchet, alongside the banks of the River Thames between Eton and Windsor, and just a few minutes from the M4 and M25 motorways. Eton End has a solid local reputation as an etremely happy school with high academic and pastoral standards, set in a spacious campus with all the usual facilities. Although the school is not owned by Eton College the strong and long-established partnership continues, giving wonderful opportunities to share facilities, resources and epertise. The last few years have seen significant structural improvements made to the school, stimulated by major flood damage when the River Thames burst its banks in The insurance payment allowed the premises to be etensively refurbished and the full works took over two years to complete. The school moved to full co-education from last September; previously boys could only stay to age 7. This change was in response to many parental requests and its announcement has led to a huge increase in interest in the school. The site offers scope for further epansion and development. 3

4 The Bursar s position The Bursar reports to the Head and is responsible for the business and physical infrastructure of the school and for supporting the Head as her key colleague and trusted adviser / critical friend. The Bursar is also Clerk to the Governors, reporting directly in this role to the Chairman of Governors and acting as his trusted adviser too. In every school it is vital to have the right three-way relationships between the Chairman, the Head and the Bursar. At Eton End both the current Head and the Bursar are retiring in 2018, so the opportunity is to create a new dynamic where the new Head, Sophie Banks, and the new Bursar join at around the same time and, together, give the School new leadership in its new format as a fully coed school. The net few years will be eciting, busy, and different, with a larger pupil roll, the challenges of epansion, and the challenges of change. A full job description appears later but essentially we are looking for a friendly, enthusiastic and reliable senior manager with broad people and strategic skills, who can make things happen and manage the school s business affairs. This is true general management. Given the breadth of the role, we recognise we may not find one person who has the background, eperience and capacity to do everything. We can adjust or rebalance the role to suit your own skills as long as you can provide the core strengths that we need. For eample, although you must have good financial appreciation, it would be possible to outsource the more comple finance work to the school s accountants. A starting date will be agreed with the new Bursar to fit their current commitments. We hope it would be between July and September, but later is possible. 4

5 Scale and staffing In total we currently have just over 220 pupils aged 3 to 11. At present the main part of the school caters for 174 pupils, while the Nursery has 47 very young children. The school campus amounts to si acres, including a spacious playing field and some ecellent outdoor facilities. The main building houses the Early Years unit and the rest of the school is spread between this building too and a modern purpose-built classroom block. There are plenty of specialist facilities for subjects such as science, art and music, including a large multi-purpose hall. As mentioned, the school also has access to staff and facilities at Eton College, and works closely with Eton College Collections. In terms of staffing, there are 21 teachers, 9 Early Years Practitioners and 7 teaching assistants, together with an admin team of 3 who run the school office and the admissions and marketing function, and the IT administrator. One of the office team works as the Bursar s finance assistant. There are also 3 lunchtime play supervisors and 21 other staff including peripatetic music teachers, sports coaches etc. The Bursar s direct reports include the caretaker and his assistant, the IT administrator, the eternal Sodeo Catering team of five and four cleaners who are employed by the school. 5

6 Business health As potential Bursar, you will be interested in the School s business as well as its structure, educational provision and pastoral care. Eton End is in a sound catchment area containing affluent and ambitious commuter-type families. There are a number of competitor schools but the school has some distinctive USPs, including its particular location. The school has historically been commercially as well as educationally successful. However, in 2014 the River Thames burst its banks and the school was flooded. This forced a temporary relocation while repairs were undertaken and new pupil admissions dipped during this time. The 2016 annual accounts showed a deficit as a result, but by August 2017 the school was back at breakeven and 2018 will show a good surplus. Looking forward, there is strong interest in the school and, with the move to co-education, numbers are higher than ever. It is fair to say, too, that the school could market itself more assertively like many other small schools, it is still something of a secret. This is, of course, still a relatively small business, with annual turnover of around 2.5 million. Operating costs are well controlled and with even greater pupil numbers there is scope to increase revenue and margins. Future projections show an increasingly healthy surplus which can be used to further epand and upgrade the premises and facilities. In addition there are net assets of 4.2 million, far beyond those of most other schools, so there is an immensely solid base for future initiatives. 6

7 Legal structure and governance Eton End is a registered charity in its own right (no ), and also a company limited by guarantee. This means that it has no commercial shareholders and that all surpluses are re-invested. The Board of Governors are the trustees of the Charity as well as non-eecutive directors of the company, and the Bursar is Clerk to the Governors and Company Secretary. There are currently nine governors, who together have a wide range of skills and epertise. The Chairman has a strong business and management background and other governors bring specialist eperience from the main professional disciplines. The Board as a whole works as a team and is well run with good strategy and oversight. As evidenced by recent initiatives, they are not afraid of change or of taking adventurous strategic decisions. The full Board meets once a term and has subcommittees for Education, Safeguarding, Disability, Finance and General Purposes, and Marketing. Each governor has individual responsibilities appropriate to their background, skills and interests. The Bursar acts as Clerk to the main Board and some of the sub-committees and also sits on the Health & Safety Committee. Governors have ecellent relationships with the Head, the Bursar and the staff and are active and supportive but without over-interfering. Most of them have a family connection with the school and this supports its overall sense of community. 7

8 Leadership and management Having steered through the change to co-education, the present Head, Sarah Stokes, is retiring this summer and her replacement will be Sophie Banks, who is moving from Beachborough School in Northamptonshire where she was Head of Junior School. Sarah Stokes has been Head since 2013 and a member of the school staff since Pupil numbers have grown during her headship and the most recent ISI inspection report (2016) said that academic results were eceptional. The Bursar, Stephen Newell, is also retiring this year after some ten very good years in post. Sophie Banks will bring her own style and ideas to the school. She has worked very closely with three Bursars at her previous school and views her Bursar at Eton End as a valued senior leader, an epert adviser, and her critical friend. Her Senior Leadership Team (SLT) will consist of the Bursar, the Assistant Head, the Head of Nursery and Pre Prep, and the Director of Studies. Relationships among all the staff are happy and collaborative. The size of the school and its ethos mean that people know and have time for one another, teaching and admin staff have mutual respect, and everyone is motivated and ambitious for the children to be happy, stimulated and successful. Many staff are longserving. 8

9 Challenges and priorities Eton End is in very good shape, is once again financially healthy and is providing an ecellent education and outstanding pastoral care. The local market is competitive but solid, and Eton End has a distinctive position with opportunities to grow further following the move to coeducation. The principal challenges now facing the leadership team are to cement the move into full co-education, adapting the provision and facilities to reflect the growing number of older boys and developing new partnerships with additional senior schools take advantage of the epanded market potential, building greater awareness and ecitement across the local area further strengthen the business base of the School through an upward cycle of success, profitability, reinvestment and epansion ensure that the new Bursar is quickly able to fit in and make a full contribution at all levels ensure that the transition to the headship of Sophie Banks is smooth and seamless and as successful as possible. 9

10 Summary This is an ecellent opening for someone who is keen to take on a Bursar s role in a small high-quality school that is very actively moving forward. You might already be working in a school, or you might have one of a number of other possible backgrounds. Personality, attitude, and some basic abilities will be fundamental and, as mentioned, there is scope to tailor the role to suit the successful candidate s skills and eperience. Above all, the appointment of a new Head and a new Bursar means that there will be two fresh senior viewpoints coming in at the same time. This makes both roles very eciting so the key requirement is to appoint a Bursar who will be successful and effective as a key partner to Sophie Banks. Every day is different for a Bursar and that s especially so in a small school. The person we are looking for will relish the scope they will be given, will enjoy variety, and will be able to cope with strategic ideas as well as everyday tasks. Please read on for a job description, person profile, and details of the application process. 10

11 JOB DESCRIPTION Overall purpose of the job The Bursar is a senior manager who has a broad leadership role with responsibility for the school s physical infrastructure and its business health. The Bursar manages the school s finances and all its premises, facilities and support services so that they meet the school's needs and operate smoothly, efficiently and legally. He or she ensures that adequate support functions, controls, reporting and day-to-day management are in place and alerts the Head and Governors to issues, recommending solutions as appropriate. The role provides strategic input on all matters relating to business and commercial policy, and is generally responsible for developing the school s business interests and finances. All the non-teaching staff report (directly or indirectly) to the Bursar who is responsible for managing and motivating them. The Bursar is a key member of the Senior Leadership Team (SLT) and contributes to broader debate about the school. He or she also acts as Company Secretary. It is important for the Bursar to have good professional and personal relationships at all levels. The academic staff need the school infrastructure to be fleible, efficient and supportive, while parents epect efficient and friendly service with good customer focus. On occasions it may be necessary for the Bursar to be firm but fair in setting out the School's position. Out of hours working is epected as necessary. Reporting line The job reports primarily to the Head for the day to day running of the School, and to the Chairman of Governors as Clerk to the Governors and Company Secretary. Key contacts Head Governors SLT All staff (teaching and non-teaching) Parents Main eternal suppliers 11

12 JOB DESCRIPTION Key Responsibilities Business leadership General management of non-teaching functions and non-teaching staff Business oversight General business input to SLT and Governors, guidance on commercial implications Recommendations on business and financial strategy and policies; ensure compliance with agreed policies Strategic business planning, school development plan and budget process Customer relationships oversight, with Head Market awareness Marketing awareness and strategy with Head Risk management and disaster planning 12

13 JOB DESCRIPTION Key Responsibilities Infrastructure and support functions Appointing, directing, motivating, training and enabling non-teaching staff so that they can achieve and eceed the school s goals Overall responsibility for the school site, its security and safe and efficient operation Estate management buildings, grounds, utilities and domestics: Caretaker and assistant, and cleaning team maintenance, minor works and repairs, cleaning and laundry energy and water purchase, use and conservation telecoms refuse/waste management Catering, and the Catering team (Sodeo) Security, fire precautions Reception, secretarial, general office Asset and equipment management: Planning and purchasing Inventories and efficient usage IT infrastructure, equipment and systems strategy, management and development, and managing the IT Administrator Insurance Logistic support to special events and functions, including personal attendance as requested by Head or Governors. Building projects and facilities development, from planning to completion 13

14 JOB DESCRIPTION Key Responsibilities Finance Financial management and controls, records and reporting including supervision of the Finance Officer including relationships with auditors, banks and other outside bodies including credit control and payment policy Budget setting and management Treasury strategy and management Payroll management (including PAYE, NI and pensions) School fees invoicing and collection Security of monies held within the school and elsewhere HR Overall HR management function for the School, including Administration of staff records including Central Register Performance review and management systems Training and development for non-teaching staff Employment law advise Governors, Head and SLT Compliance all employment laws etc DBS checks 14

15 JOB DESCRIPTION Key Responsibilities Health and Safety Health & Safety lead responsibility, manage the H&S Coordinator and work with Governor responsible for H&S to determine policy Undertake fire and other risk assessments in accordance with H&S policy Fire Prevention Officer Company Secretary / Clerk to the Governors Point of contact for eternal bodies (eg Charity Commission, Companies House, ICO, local government, etc). Compliance general, charity and company legal requirements, and GDPR Clerk to the Governors (reporting to Chairman of Governors) Support and advise the Board and individual Governors Plan and attend meetings (inc. committees) and prepare agendas, papers, minutes etc. Bursarial office management Commercial management Revenue development events, lettings, commercial venture Negotiation with eternal parties (customers or suppliers) Parental contracts and terms and conditions General Any other duties as deemed appropriate by the Chair of Governors and/or the Head 15

16 Personal profile Management eperience Broad business, management and admin eperience Have managed office admin staff and/or business systems Have managed eternal contractors and/or suppliers Awareness of HR legislation and good practice Awareness of property, copyright and general business legislation Financial appreciation Understand finance, and accounting principles Ability to present financial implications within a business case Able to produce and manage budgets, reports and analyses Working knowledge of Sage or other accounting package Understand income ta, NI and pensions from an employer s perspective Property and facilities management Working knowledge of premises and facilities management Have planned and managed projects Awareness of Health & Safety law and good practice Schools and charities Eperienced Bursar, Business Manager or similar Professional or personal eposure to independent schools Understanding of school and/or small charity governance Personal characteristics Degree level education or equivalent High levels of personal integrity Good general education and demonstrable business acumen A lively sense of humour Ecellent verbal and written communication skills Collaborative team player, with ecellent interpersonal skills Computer literate Ability to prioritise and meet deadlines Willingness to seek advice from a variety of sources Able to appreciate the big picture and also manage detail Fleible, with a can-do mentality Customer focus and marketing awareness Can empathise with teachers and educate on business matters Can operate in a small organisation Happy with a broad and varied role Essential Desirable 16

17 Remuneration package and terms of employment The reward package will be in line with the seniority of the position. Subject to detailed contract, it will include: Attractive salary and pension contributions Staff discount on school fees at Eton End School, if relevant 25 days holiday per annum (term-time absence allowed), plus statutory holidays Free lunches during term-time Free parking on site The following terms apply: Any appointment will be subject to satisfactory references and medical clearance. Employment will be subject to three months' notice of termination by either side and during the initial probationary period of twelve months a shorter notice period of si weeks will apply. The School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. Applicants must be prepared to undergo appropriate child protection screening, including checks with past employers and the Disclosure and Barring Service. 17

18 How to apply We are keen to make the application process as simple as possible. A straightforward Application Form is available for download from the ISBA website and from the School s website. Once you have completed it we ask you to it to our advising consultant, Simon Shneerson, at info@simonshneerson.com. There is no need to write a lengthy covering letter but, if you would like to attach any additional information or a copy of your cv, please feel free to do so. The deadline for receiving applications is 12 noon on Tuesday, 8th May. All applications will be acknowledged and we currently plan to hold first interviews on Monday, 21st May, followed by final interviews on Friday, 1st June. If you have any questions or would like to discuss the role further before applying, please feel free to contact Simon Shneerson via the address above or on He is available seven days a week between 8 am and 10 pm. Please note that it is the School s policy to employ the most suitable person for each appointment and not to discriminate against any person because of their age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion and belief, se and seual orientation. 18

19 Our Mission Statement We recognise the individual needs of each child and promote every pupil s intellectual, physical, social, moral and spiritual development. We strive to enable all children to be happy and therefore to reach their full potential. The school: Provides a learning environment that encourages the development of each child within a broad and balanced curriculum Recognises each child s strengths and weaknesses and challenges or addresses them accordingly Develops a child s self-esteem in order to promote and foster independent learning Employs well qualified staff who are personally committed to the ethos of our school Encourages a close liaison with parents and the wider community P.N.E.U The roots of the School s ethos are embedded in the philosophy of the Victorian educationalist Charlotte Mason and the work of the Parents National Education Union. Advising consultant: Simon Shneerson / info@simonshneerson.com