Appointment of BURSAR Briefing for Candidates. Beachborough

Transcription

1 Appointment of BURSAR Briefing for Candidates Beachborough

2 Introduction Beachborough 3 Key Dates Closing date 13th March 2017 First interviews 20th March 2017 Final interviews To be confirmed Welcome to Beachborough Start date April September Advising Consultant Simon Shneerson / info@simonshneerson.com 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. Further information about the School can be found on our website We are one of the friendliest prep schools in the country and are known both for the very high quality of our education and for the perceptible family feel that runs through everything we do. We are looking for a new Bursar who will truly enjoy being a part of this very vibrant school community. Beachborough has been extremely successful in the last few years and is in the fortunate position of having a large waiting list, (unlike many other country prep schools). Our success reflects the high level of enthusiasm and professionalism of our teaching staff, support staff and parents. This is a genuinely, inspirational school, a family school, a place where everyone has passion and deep commitment to deliver the best all round educational experience. Our new Bursar will have very broad responsibility for our business side and for our premises, resources and operations, so if you join us you will have a critical role with a really interesting and stimulating range of responsibilities. No two days will be the same and there will be strategic challenges and major projects as well as all the day-to-day activities of a busy school. The successful candidate may or may not be currently in a similar role at another school. Personality, skills and adaptability are far more important to us than direct experience, and the right person will positively relish the scope we offer for wide involvement, professional achievement and personal satisfaction. We very much hope you will wish to apply for the role and we look forward to hearing from you soon. Jeremy Banks, Headmaster

3 4 Beachborough The School Our overall goal is to develop happy, rounded and confident children who are really well prepared for the challenges of the 21st century world in which they will live and work The School Beachborough is a friendly, energetic and successful independent prep school situated at Westbury Manor, in 30 acres of leafy grounds on the borders of Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and Northamptonshire. We provide education for approximately 360 boys and girls aged 2½ to 13 in our Nursery, Pre-Prep and Prep sections. Although we are primarily a local day school, about a quarter of our pupils take advantage of our flexible boarding provision. The size of the School means it is large enough to have a diverse and lively community and to provide a wide range of specialist staff and facilities. At the same time, it is small enough for each individual to be really well known and nurtured. Everyone knows everyone else and we are a family school where people have time for one another. This creates a wonderfully positive atmosphere and the result is that children are happy to explore and to learn, staff are happy to give of their best, and parents are delighted with the experiences that their children receive. Our ethos is one of caring support and encouragement, of challenge and stimulation, and we believe that the children should have the widest possible opportunities to find and develop their interests and talents. The academic curriculum and extra-curricular programme are unashamedly broad and creative, making the best use of technology and our modern facilities. The children are encouraged to have no fear of making mistakes and we encourage them to step out of their comfort zone and embrace risk taking. At the same time we place a strong emphasis on the time-honoured virtues of good manners, self-discipline and respect for others. Our overall goal is to develop happy, rounded and confident children who are really well prepared for the challenges of the 21st-century world in which they will live and work, and also for the next stages of their education which will help them succeed. On average half of our children who leave at 13 are awarded scholarships at their senior schools, across a range of academic, sporting and cultural disciplines, which is an outstanding achievement for a school that goes out of its way to avoid being regarded as a hot-house of any kind. As you would expect, a busy school relies on great teamwork from staff in all areas and at all levels. Day-to-day operations are quite complicated as there is so much going on, and the teaching, pastoral, catering, domestic and administrative functions all mesh together to ensure that the children can take part in so many lessons and activities as smoothly as they do. A hallmark of the school is the visible passion that staff display. Everyone really cares, and people collaborate willingly with one another.

4 The Business Beachborough 7 The business context The Bursar s position Our catchment area is buoyant (unlike many other parts of the country), with strong economic development from Milton Keynes across to the M40 at Banbury and then down to Bicester. We are of course in a competitive market, but have clear differences and advantages which help us stand out. The business side is extremely healthy. Thanks to further increases in pupil numbers, our turnover in 2016 was 4.5 million, up 9.5% from Our working margin is both healthy and delivers the flexibility for reinvestment both on revenue items and on major capital projects. We have robust reserves and have recently spent almost 2 million on new and upgraded facilities, winning awards along the way. Plans for the future are confident and wide-ranging. Our business situation reflects not just the great work of our teaching staff, but also our excellent administrative and support teams, along with prudent business and financial management. Decision-making, business processes and review mechanisms are sound. Behind the scenes we have an increasingly complex operation, with all the challenges that every other relatively small organisation also faces. Compliance, best practice, forward planning and performance monitoring are important tasks, while the finance function has to oversee relationships with numerous suppliers of goods and services, as well as managing our money and paying the staff. The Bursar reports to the Headmaster and is responsible for providing the business and physical infrastructure of the School, as well as supporting him as a key colleague and trusted adviser and critical friend. The Bursar is also Clerk to the Governors and Company Secretary, reporting directly to the Chair of Governors and acting as her trusted adviser too. This dual role has a lot of strengths but also demands high levels of personal integrity, confidentiality, and the ability to work closely with the Headmaster and the Chair, both individually and as a close-knit team of three. The key areas in the Bursar s role include: Business strategy Financial management and planning HR and legal, including regulatory compliance Health and Safety ICT and Network Development The premises and infrastructure of the school, including supplies of good and services and planning and executing projects. In addition, the Headmaster, management team and Board of Governors will all rely on you for timely information, for expert guidance, and for support with strategy and decision-making. The Bursar s team includes a very experienced Deputy Bursar, who handles most aspects of the school finances, along with a Bursar s Assistant and an HR Manager. Statutory compliance, including the single central register falls within this area. Other direct reports include the Catering Manager (7 staff), the Estates Manager (4 staff) and the IT Manager. This is in addition to the team of administrative and housekeeping staff. The current Bursar joined last summer but is leaving for family reasons. Her replacement will be able to start as soon as their current commitments allow. Our business situation reflects not just the great work of our teaching staff, but also our excellent administrative and support teams, along with prudent business and financial management.

5 Leadership Beachborough 9 Governance and Leadership Beachborough School Trust is a registered charity (no ). This structure allows the school to be run benevolently and the absence of shareholders means that all surpluses are re-invested. Overall responsibility lies with the Governing Body, who are also the trustees of the charity as well as unpaid non-executive directors. They leave the day to day running of the school to the Headmaster but exercise oversight by setting broad policies and controls and then by reviewing activities and plans. The governing body is made up of a broad range of professionals, chosen from within the educational, finance and corporate sectors, who are passionate about the health and well-being of the school. The Governors hold full meetings once a term and also take part in various specialist committees, covering topics such as Finance; Marketing and Parent Liaison; Health & Safety; and Estates. Jeremy Banks took over as Headmaster in September 2013 after several years as Deputy Head. He embarked on an energetic strategy which has already increased pupil numbers by some 25%. He has ambitious plans for further enhancing the Beachborough experience and building on the sense of family community that is so palpable throughout the school. The senior management team is keen and very capable, both at strategic and operational levels, and of course enthused by the success they have achieved in the last few years. Relationships within the team are warm and mutually supportive and everyone enjoys being at Beachborough. There is real passion and educational dynamism within the school. The management style in the school is one of openness, honesty, and mutual respect, along with a willingness to challenge and a strong desire for continual improvement. Expectations of staff generally are that high quality performance is the norm, along with aspiration for the school and the children. The principal challenges now facing the team are to: continue the School s success ensure that the incoming Bursar is quickly able to fit into the team and make a full contribution continue to update and enhance the School s facilities, resources and practices continue to develop staff so that they remain highly motivated and at the forefront of best practice Summary For the right person, this would be a wonderful position where you would have huge scope, broad responsibilities, plenty of variety, the chance to really play a significant part in everything the school does, and a great working environment with a can-do culture that is largely free from office politics. Tasks range from highly strategic, highly commercial and highly complex to regular jobs that are routine and often very operational. Inevitably in a prep school there are times when everyone knuckles down and helps with whatever needs doing. That is all part of joining the Beachborough Community. Please read on for an outline job description and further details of the sort of person we re looking for.

6 Responsibilities Beachborough 11 Main responsibilities The Bursar reports to the Headmaster but has the right of direct access to the Chair and the Board as a whole. Finance Keep the School s accounts and ensure all systems are effective; prepare budgets and short and long term financial projections, monitor expenditure and report accordingly Advise the Headmaster and Governors on financial policy and liaise with the School s accountants Everyday financial operations including pupils bills, fee collection, staff payroll and pensions, supplier payments etc Evaluate new opportunities and arrange financing as necessary Resources management Oversee premises management, including maintenance, repairs and refurbishment, site security and property administration Lead and manage new projects (small and large) Source utilities, services, resources and materials for all the School s activities Manage IT planning, provision, and development (in conjunction with ICT Manager) Manage health & safety, catering and cleaning, school transport and all site services and domestic operations Clerk to the Governors / Company Secretary Provide the Board with papers, minutes and general support Ensure compliance with all statutory requirements for charities, schools and organisations generally, and act as point of contact Business direction and HR management Active and leading role in all strategic planning, giving specialist business and financial input Input to the School s marketing strategy and activities Commercial development rentals, revenue streams, bursary policy etc Risk management Act as the Headmaster s Adviser on all HR and disciplinary matters, ensuring policies and practices are correct and dealing with ad hoc situations as necessary Oversee all HR systems, including safer recruitment, pay and pensions, and performance management Obtain specialist legal and other advice as needed General management Line manage all support staff (approx.25 people) Lead change projects across the School

7 12 Beachborough Skills and Experience Your skills and experience Strategic thinking, business understanding, and common sense As leader of the School s business functions, you must be able to play a full role in steering our long and short-term strategies and managing our day-to-day operations. It will be important to be able to assess the wider implications of a particular situation, decision or recommendation. You must have imagination and the ability to plan as well as to think. Common sense and a practical, can-do attitude are also essential. Educational empathy It is not necessary for candidates to have worked in a school previously, but it is critical that you fully appreciate the School s educational focus and its aspirations for the future. At least some knowledge of the education sector would clearly be an advantage. You must fully support the concept of independent education and empathise with hard-working parents who make sacrifices to pay school fees. Leadership and senior management experience Strong, and effective leadership skills are essential, which must be balanced by solid team working skills. Candidates should be able to demonstrate how they have achieved high performance from staff, along with experience of balancing resources and priorities to attain goals. Financial Experience You do not need to hold a professional accounting qualification. We are very happy to consider candidates with good financial awareness who are used to setting and/or managing budgets and who understand the financial drivers of a business. Technological Savvy Whilst not necessarily an IT expert, you must understand enough to improve business administration processes, communications and deliver high quality technological educational services, and be able to oversee the ICT Manager. Operational Experience Whatever your background, you must have experience of managing daily operations at a senior level. Communication Skills You must be capable of communicating effectively with all members of the School community staff, parents, children and governors. Empathy, tact and diplomacy will be vital. You should be able to show evidence of having persuaded others to buy into your ideas or decisions. Involvement in School life You must be prepared to be a full participant in all aspects of School life indeed, excited by the prospect. You must be prepared to be a full participant in all aspects of School life indeed, excited by the prospect.

8 Contact Us Beachborough 15 Remuneration package Terms and conditions of employment Starting date How to apply Contact us This is a very senior appointment within the School and a significant salary will be offered to the successful candidate. Other elements include: generous holiday entitlement, which can be taken during term-time as well as in school holidays (subject to agreement with the Headmaster) private medical insurance contributions to a private pension scheme of your choice free lunches a 50% discount on fees for your child(ren) if they join the School If you are new to working in a school, we will arrange a comprehensive training programme for you, and in any event a full induction will be personalised for you. Any offer of employment will be subject to the following conditions: Receipt of at least three satisfactory references (one of which must be your most recent employer) Verification of identity and qualifications Verification of your right to work in the UK A satisfactory DBS Disclosure at the Enhanced level Completion of a satisfactory medical carried out by Washington House Occupational Health Ltd Where the successful candidate has worked or been resident overseas in the previous five years, such additional checks and confirmations as the School may require in accordance with statutory guidance Prohibition from Management check Completion of a Staff Suitability Declaration (Disqualification by Association) A clear check of the Children s Barred List All appointments are subject to a probationary period of one year during which either side may terminate the employment contract with one month s notice. After a successful probationary period, the notice period will be extended to four months. Please note that if appointed you would be expected to work such hours as are necessary to discharge properly your responsibilities and duties. This may include evening and weekend work because the School offers boarding and has various activities and events at weekends. 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, sex and sexual orientation. We would like the new person to be in post as soon as possible. The actual starting date can be negotiated to suit you. Further information on Beachborough School can be obtained from the School website: 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 site. 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 covering letter but, if you would like to attach any additional information or a copy of your cv, please feel free to do so. A reminder that Simon Shneerson is happy to discuss the position further, in strict confidence. He can be contacted on , seven days a week. There is no need to visit the School before applying, but you are very welcome to do so if you wish. Please call Laura Wrench, the HR Manager at Beachborough, on The deadline for receiving applications is noon on Monday 13th March All applications will be acknowledged and we plan to hold first interviews on Monday 20 March 2017.

9 Beachborough School Westbury, Brackley North Bucks, NN13 5LB t: Registered Charity No