Course Manager

An Outline Description of the Work - Course Manager (This post has been filled for 2024)

Are you a Boarding School Housemaster/Housemistress/Deputy Head or similar? We are looking for someone who is enthusiastic, charismatic, enjoys the company of young people, likes sport, is willing to enter into the spirit of a fun and active residential Course – and is also organised and a leader.

In General

The Course Manager is responsible for the day-to-day running of the Course in a similar way to a Head Teacher/Housemaster/mistress running a School/House.  Our Statement on Vacational Studies' Goals and Values is here.

Accommodation

The post is resident with accommodation provided in the school. Generally, single accommodation only is available. Accommodation is provided at no charge, as are all meals.

Duties

Duties involve overseeing the academic, social and domestic well-being of the children and organising the staff in such a way that the Course runs efficiently and in a friendly and co-operative atmosphere.

The Course Manager will also have discussions with the Director of Studies and Senior Teacher who place students in graded teaching groups, advises staff, inspects classes and advises on teaching methods. Familiarity with boarding education and pastoral care is essential.

The Course Manager is responsible for the pastoral care of the students. These responsibilities include ensuring the safety, welfare, and well-being of all students. Acting as a point of contact for parents, addressing their concerns and providing updates on their children’s progress. Monitoring students’ social behaviour and provide guidance and support as needed. Establishing and maintaining a supportive And positive environment, addressing any behavioural issues in line with the Course’s ethos of good behaviour. Working with the Matron to ensure students’ health and welfare needs are met, including oversees medical matters and providing support on Matron’s day off. Being available to students for emotional support, offering advice, and resolving conflicts or issues that may arise

The Course Manager is assisted by an Assistant Course Manager.

A regular sports and social programme is agreed with the Senior Sports/Social Organiser with staff assistance on a rota basis. Venues for excursions, the grouping of students on excursions and the rota for accompanying staff will be the responsibility of the Course Manager. The various sporting and social events are mentioned in the brochure. In addition, visits to the theatre, cinema and additional excursions are arranged for those students wishing to go. The Course Manager attends Sports Day.

The Course Manager keeps petty cash and authorises and records its use by staff. The Course Manager operates students' pocket money.

The Course Manager will be a point of contact between the school and the parents. Parents are invited to find out about their children's progress, so a check must be kept on how each student is performing.

With the Course's established tradition of good behaviour and the implementation of standard practices set out in the 'Notes for Staff', there should not be many problems of a disciplinary nature. The tradition needs to be re-established each year, however. Problems that do arise are dealt with by the Course Manager in the first place, but may be referred to the Directors if this is appropriate. In any case, the Directors need to be kept informed of all developments on the Course. Students and their parents are given clear, written 'rules' before the start of the Course so they know just what is expected of them. The domestic side of the Course is handled by Matron who deals with laundry and linen changing as well as medical matters. The cleaners answer to Matron in the first place. On Matron's days off, the Course Manager or Assistant Course Manager provide cover.

Progress reports on each student are written (in multiple-choice format) by the teaching staff after the first ten days and, at the end, they write an academic report. The Course Manager writes a report on each student's general progress and social behaviour.

Dates, Duration and Pay

The post is from 8 July to 5 August. The duration of the appointment is from the morning of the day before the students arrive until, if all is well, the evening of 5 August. There are two full 'days off' when the Assistant Course Manager (ACM) assumes responsibility. The ACM will stand in for the Course Manager on other occasions by arrangement.

Pay is negotiable for a candidate with proven CM skills and experience. Payment is by bank transfer at the end of the Course. On request, the Course Manager can be paid a 25% advance by cheque at the end of the first week, to be deducted from the final balance. As employment is temporary, if you affirm that the following is correct - 'this is my first job IN THE UK since 6 April 2023 and I have not been receiving taxable Jobseeker's Allowance, Employment and Support Allowance, taxable Incapacity Benefit, State or Occupational Pension', we are not required to deduct PAYE from staff at source. NI is deducted at the prevailing rate.

The next step

If you wish to take your application further, do not use the application form. We shall require a letter of application, a description of how you see the post, your CV,a recent photograph and the names and e-mail addresses of two UK-based referees. If we wish to take your application further, we shall contact your referees. As is standard procedure for British Council accredited schools, referees are asked specifically if there is any impediment to a prospective staff member being employed in a situation where there is responsibility for and substantial access to children; standard DfEE and Police checks are made; proof of qualifications is requested – as is an explanation for any gaps in CVs. When you have read the 'Notes for Staff 2023' which describes the post in more detail, we shall invite you here for interview or arrange an interview via skype. We pay your rail fare at the 'saver' day-return rate. If appointed, there is a standard Contract of Employment and your acceptance of the contents of this information sheet and the 'Notes' are part of it.

The EU Working Hours Regulations 1998 Opt-Out Agreement

As this is a boarding school and hours are irregular, all staff are asked to sign this document. It is also in the Contract.

Safer Recruitment

We are committed to ensuring a safe and secure environment for everyone. We prioritise and adhere to safer recruitment practices. This involves running an enhanced DBS background check on all staff, checking the ‘barring list’, requesting proof of qualifications (if required for the role), and a minimum of two references per staff member. All staff are required to provide a CV and complete the application form before any employment offer.

Before arrival, staff complete an online Safeguarding/’Prevent’ course. On arrival, all staff are required to sign a declaration that they are not unfit to be working with children and young people aged 10-18+. 

Our Safeguarding Policy can be found here. Safeguarding is a priority for us. Designated Safeguarding Leads will re-enforce training and safeguarding values throughout the Course.

All staff must provide a copy of their ‘Right to Work’ in the UK before an offer of employment is made and bring their original documents to be verified on the first day of employment.

In the above ways, we aim to safeguard the well-being of our community and maintain the highest standards of integrity in our recruitment process.

The EU Working Hours Regulations 1998 Opt-Out Agreement

As this is a boarding school and hours are irregular, all staff are asked to sign this document. It is also in the Contract.

Finally

The Course Manager holds a most responsible position, ensuring that the reputation of the Course is maintained and that the Governors of The Mary Hare School are satisfied that the Course is properly run. At our suggestion, the appointment of a Course Manager must be approved by the Head and Governors before it can be confirmed.