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Head of Pre-Prep

Department: Teaching

Employment Type: Permanent

Working Hours: Variable hours Monday to Friday, term time only

Commencement: January 2027

Salary: Competitive

Pension Scheme: Eligible to job the Schools Defined Pension Scheme

Holiday: Dumpton school holidays

Fringe Benefits: Employee Assistance Programme, Health Plan, staff discount on fees, free lunch, cycle to work scheme

Probationary Period: To be confirmed

Selection Process: Interview

Closing Date: 02 October 2026

Head of Pre-Prep

Overall Purpose

The Head of Pre-Prep will hold overall leadership responsibility for the Pre-Prep, reporting directly to the Headmaster but having significant autonomy for the day-to-day running of the Pre-Prep, as well as the Nursery. The role is part of the School’s Senior Leadership Team, playing a crucial role in shaping whole-school strategy and development.

Key Responsibilities

These may depend to a certain extent on the individual strengths of the successful candidate; however, the main duties will be as follows:

Pastoral

  • To help maintain the highest standards of pastoral care in the Pre-Prep and Nursery, leading by example and inspiring colleagues to ensure that every child at Dumpton is given the pastoral support and care they need to ‘be kind, aim high’, and fulfil their personal potential
  • To oversee the wellbeing support systems throughout the Pre-Prep and Nursery, working closely with key staff in this area
  • To support the Head of Emotional Literacy in ensuring that RULER is fully embedded throughout the Nursery and Pre-Prep
  • To deal with pastoral, wellbeing or behavioural concerns that have been escalated from Pre-Prep class teachers or the Nursery, communicating with and meeting parents as required
  • To act as a Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead and a member of the school’s Safeguarding Team, supporting the school’s Designated Safeguarding Lead
  • To oversee the character education programme in the Pre-Prep and Nursery, ensuring ‘The Dumpton Way’ is fully embedded into the curriculum and Pre-Prep life
  • To build on the successful Pre-Prep Hobbies programme, looking for further opportunities to develop the co-curricular opportunities for the children
  • To ensure the school’s approach reflects equality, diversity and inclusivity in all that we do

 

Academic

  • To oversee the academic progress of pupils, ensuring pupil progress is assessed and tracked, and where necessary, support and intervention is put into place so that all children can fulfil their academic potential
  • To work closely alongside the Deputy Head (Academic) and other members of the Academic Development Team to ensure a thoughtfully planned, carefully sequenced and inspiring curriculum is in place throughout the Nursery and Pre-Prep
  • To organise and oversee the ‘specialist’ lessons, liaising with teachers of Dance, PE, Music, Singing and Swimming and supporting them to ensure these lessons provide outstanding opportunities for the pupils
  • To monitor the quality and consistency of teaching and learning throughout the Pre-Prep and Nursery through learning walks and observations, and encourage the highest standards at all times
  • To work closely with the EdX (SEND) team as appropriate to ensure are approach is as inclusive and supportive as possible for pupils with additional needs
  • To play a key role in deciding curriculum allocation, curriculum loadings and the creation of the school timetable for the Pre-Prep
  • To be a member of the school’s Academic Development Team, attending meetings as required, and working closely with the Deputy Head (Academic) on the school’s whole school academic development, including CPD.

 

Operations

  • To oversee all operational elements of the school day for the Pre-Prep and Nursery, including early morning drop-off, the school day, specialist lessons, and then after school activities in the form of ‘Hobbies’ and After School Club
  • To organise the supervision of children and duty rotas for staff in the Pre-Prep
  • To organise cover for and oversee staff absence in the Pre-Prep and Nursery, including year round Nursery provision.
  • To support the Head of EYFS and Head of Nursery with the operational and day to day management of the Nursery
  • To work alongside the Senior Deputy Head on the school’s calendar and events, ensuring events in the Pre-Prep and Nursery are well organised and communicated effectively
  • To oversee the Pre-Prep programme of trips and activities ensuring this is both ambitious and balanced
  • To manage the Pre-Prep and Nursery budget

 

Leadership and Management 

  • To support the Headmaster with the day to day running of the school, and carry out leadership duties as required
  • To take responsibility for the key Pre-Prep and Nursery elements of the School Development Plan as we work towards our 2030 Vision
  • To lead and manage the Pre-Prep Staff Team and Teaching Assistants, and support the Head of EYFS with the leadership and management of the Nursery team
  • To organise and chair the Pre-Prep staff meetings, ensuring timely, productive and collaborative meetings
  • To become a visible and friendly presence for parents and pupils of Pre-Prep and Nursery children
  • To be the first port of call for any teacher in need of advice or support
  • To assist the Headmaster with interviewing applicants for Pre-Prep and Nursery teaching posts and to advise on the appointment of staff
  • To assist in the maintenance of policies and documentation, in line with ISI requirements, and to support the Headmaster in preparing for Inspection
  • To identify opportunities for CPD within the Pre-Prep and Nursery to complement the whole school CPD programmes in place
  • To work closely with the Head of Marketing to ensure that life in the Pre-Prep and Nursery is reflected positively on social media and other marketing content
  • To be a key member of the School’s Senior Leadership Team, attending weekly meetings and playing a key role in whole school strategy
  • Act at all times as an ambassador for the school, representing the school positively both in and outside the school community
  • To attend Local School Committee governance meetings as required, advising the Headmaster and Local School Committee members on all matters regarding the Pre-Prep and Nursery

 

Teaching

  • To play an important role in the Pre-Prep as a class teacher/subject teacher, with significant PPA time provided to enable the Head of Pre-Prep duties to be undertaken alongside this
  • To offer an exciting and stimulating co-curricular activity for the pupils as part of the Pre-Prep Hobbies programme

 

Safeguarding and Health & Safety:

  • All staff share the responsibility for safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and must adhere to, and comply with, the School’s Safeguarding Policy
  • To comply with all Health and Safety procedures as required by the School

This list of responsibilities is not exhaustive and the employee will be required to perform duties outside of this at the discretion of the Headmaster

 

Knowledge/Experience

  • QTS or equivalent
  • Significant classroom experience across EYFS/Key Stage 1
  • Experience managing others and leading a team, as well as introducing new initiatives
  • Knowledge and experience of EYFS requirements, Equal Opportunities, Health and Safety, SEN and Safeguarding
  • Knowledge and experience of effective curriculum development, planning, monitoring, assessment and strategies to improve teaching and learning
  • Knowledge and experience of the Prep School sector
  • Knowledge and experience of the ISI Inspection Framework
  • Be extremely proficient in the use of information technology
  • Be able to communicate clearly and persuasively, both orally and in writing, with staff, pupils and parents alike
  • Be very well organised
  • Be prepared and able to initiate and manage change, where necessary
  • Be able to work collaboratively with colleagues within the school and with key contacts in other organisations; have a proven ability to work as a member of a team
  • Be kind and aim high in all that they do
  • Through their integrity, enthusiasm, positivity and aspiration, be a role model to the entire school community
  • Be able to be motivational, sympathetic, constructive and, where necessary, challenging with colleagues
  • Be passionate about ensuring outstanding pastoral care, and have a clear vision for what that looks like and how it is achieved
  • Show a strong interest in the latest thinking in education
  • Be able to work accurately and calmly, and show resilience when under pressure
  • Be devoted to the educational needs of the individual pupil, and every child’s right to fulfil their potential
  • Be committed to personal and professional development
  • Be absolutely committed to the highest standards of professional behaviour and, at all times, to promoting the welfare and safeguarding of children

 

Dumpton School is committed to equity, diversity and inclusion in all areas of our Community and encourages applications from all suitably qualified candidates.

Dumpton School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

All successful job applicants will be required to undergo child protection screening.

Apply now