Head Librarian

At Claires Court, we are seeking a Head Librarian across our School.
This is a term-time role for 35 hours per week from 8.30 am to 4.00 pm.
Head Librarian
Maidenhead, SL6 6AW
*    Permanent position
*    Competitive salary dependent on experience
*    Required for September 2024
*    Term time only (35 hours per week, 8.30 am – 4.00 pm)
Please Note: Applicants must be authorised to work in the UK
The Role:
As Head Librarian the focus of your role will be to continuously develop, and align, the library team and library facilities and resources across all divisions at Claires Court, from Junior through to Sixth Form. A primary focus for this role is to foster a love of learning and literacy in students, in partnerships with the English Department.
Key responsibilities include:
*    Co-creating a strategic vision for library services across all divisions
*    Development of librarians and library assistants across all divisions
*    Enhancement of library facilities and resources (Physical and Digital)
*    Financial management of the Library budget across all divisions
*    Partnering with the English Department across Sixth Form, Seniors and Juniors
*    Library Management: organisation and management of library spaces and resources
*    Information Skills and User Education: teaching of lessons and activities relating to literacy and information and research skills to ensure all pupils and staff use library resources confidently and effectively
*    Reading Promotion: development, planning and management of reading promotions to encourage reading for pleasure
The Head Librarian has an essential and unique specialist role to play in supporting pupils’ learning and their development into effective, independent learners and readers.
Our ideal candidate will be:
*    Professionally qualified with experience as a Librarian with a desire to apply this knowledge and skill within a school environment. Educated to a good standard with good English grades.
*    An inspirational influencer, a team builder, a partner, a coach and a manager of this essential resource for Claires Court School.
*    Able to encourage a love for reading to our pupils and relate well to children of all ages.
*    Have the necessary interpersonal skills to support pupils and collaborate with colleagues.
*    Highly organised with good IT skills. Familiar with a Library Management System (LMS) and library classification and organisation schemes.
*    An enthusiastic team player, with the ability to adapt to a variety of situations.
*    Engaged with the School's ethos, thinking creatively and reflectively.
Benefits:
As well as the opportunity to join a supportive and positive working environment, we can also offer you:
*    A flexible pension scheme
*    Regular opportunities for career progression and development
*    Provision of meals and refreshments during the school day (when the kitchen is operational)
*    Death in service cover
*    Personal accident insurance
*    Cycle to work scheme
The Library:
The Library is a central resource for information in our School, not just because of the range and quantity of books, but because our knowledgeable and experienced librarians play a key part in developing cross-curricular learning skills.  
The Library team is responsible for the acquisition, organisation, dissemination and exploitation of resources appropriate to the learning needs of the full age and ability range within the school.  The Library makes a significant impact on teaching and learning in numerous ways.
How to apply for the role:
If you have the skills and experience required for this position, click “apply” today and check your inbox for an email providing more information on how to tailor your application and provide a cover letter or any supporting documents.
You must be authorised to work in the UK. No agencies please.
Equal Opportunities
It is the policy of Claires Court Schools to ensure equality of opportunity for all members of staff, both teaching and non-teaching.
Safeguarding Statement
We are 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.
In addition to an assessment of their ability to perform the duties of the post applied for, candidates invited to attend for interview should expect further discussion relating to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children.
Pre-Employment Checks
In accordance with our Recruitment of Ex-offenders Policy, you are advised that all posts within the School will have the opportunity for unsupervised contact with children and therefore all shortlisted candidates will be required to complete a self-declaration form to declare any convictions, cautions, reprimands or final warnings that are not “protected” as defined by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (as amended in 2013).  This is regardless of whether any such convictions, caution, reprimand or final warning is considered ‘spent’ or ‘unspent’.
The amendments to the Exceptions Order 1975 (2013) provide that certain spent convictions and cautions are “protected” and not subject to disclosure to employers and cannot be taken into account.  Guidance and criteria on the filtering of these cautions and convictions can be found on the Disclosure and Barring Service website.  Having a criminal record will not necessarily bar you from working with us: this will depend on the nature of the position and the circumstances and background of your offence(s).
Other suitable skills and experience include Library, Librarian, Head Librarian, School Librarian, Libraries, Term Time Only, Education.