Badminton School is an independent day and boarding school for girls aged 3-18 years in Westbury-on-Trym.

The school consistently achieves impressive academic results, and in a recently published Sunday Times “Parent Power” report, Badminton was once again in the top 20 Independent Schools for girls in the country and was ranked third best Independent School of any type in the South West.

In the Junior School there are approximately 130 girls, most of whom are day pupils; in the Senior School there are over 375 girls of whom approximately half are boarders.

Aim of the role

The Head of the Junior School (HJS) is a member of the senior Leadership Team and is responsible for the smooth, safe and effective day-to-day operation of the Junior School and the Nursery/EYFS setting and, more generally, to actively and positively promote the Junior School and Senior School within the current school community and to prospective or potential parents.

The HJS must be an effective, active and mutually supportive member of the school’s SLT and lead by example by displaying high moral standards, creating a visible team spirit amongst staff and sustaining a pioneering approach to education as set out by the school’s founder, Mrs Miriam Badock.

The HJS is responsible for the development of pupils’ potential to the full, academically and pastorally, through inspirational and well-executed teaching and learning opportunities in the School and beyond.

They are also responsible for the recruitment, development and stewardship of staff and promotion of Badminton School (Juiors, including EYFS, particularly).

The HJS has a key strategic role as a member of the SLT in ensuring that the Headmistress and also the SLT are updated and aware of all factors affecting it, as well as being the School’s expert in matters relating to this age and stage of education and pastoral care.

The HJS will play a key role in advising the Headmistress on strategic plans for the Junior School, which complement and support the whole School’s vision and values.

As part of the SLT, the HJS has a wider role in assuming responsibility for the School’s reputation, for positively marketing the School, playing a role accordingly in the local community and wider professional community and for actively facilitating the School’s vision and policy.

Key Responsibilities

The Head of Junior School will:

• use his/her utmost endeavours to promote the interests and reputation of the School;
• lead the implementation of an innovative, relevant and ambitious curriculum and timetable;
• plan and oversee the Junior School staffing;
• actively manage the recruitment of pupils into the Junior School and lead marketing activities as necessary;
• ensure Junior School planning is integrated into School planning for the smooth running and better management of Badminton School;
• keep the headmistress informed and updated about all matters relating to the Junior School in a timely manner;
• ensure other members of the SLT are included in Junior School events and activities to create an inclusive school atmosphere;
• advise and assist the Headmistress, including attending meetings of the Governors (as requested) and preparing reports for them (both orally and in writing);
• act as a Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead (DDSL) for the school;
• be available at all reasonable hours for Bartlett (the Junior Girls’ Boarding House) Housemistress and teaching staff;
• work such hours as shall be necessary to properly discharge the HJS duties whether such hours be within or out of normal school hours;
• be available as required for SLT business and similar meetings;
• ensure good order and discipline at all times;
• uphold the School’s vision and values, policies and practices.

Management Responsibilities

The Head of Junior School will:

• line manage members of the Junior Management Team, the Junior School Administrator, a share of JS Teachers and any other staff that are allocated from time to time as a part of the SLT;
• plan and manage the JS budget and work with the JS staff to ensure optimum stewardship of the charitable funds for best pupil outcomes;
• be responsible for drafting to a high level of documentation, internal (handbooks, policies, etc) and external (reports, publications, press briefings), pertaining to the JS (including EYFS);
• oversee all matters pertaining to compliance and regulation in JS (including EYFS) ensuring compliance is maintained, shared with relevant authorities and paperwork is completed in a timely manner;
• identifying and implementing mandatory/regulatory change and championing appropriate educational options for the JS.

Click here for a candidate information brochure

Closing date for applications: 9am, Monday 1st February