Newton Prep
Job Description – Assistant School Librarian
The School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
Summary of the role: / Key responsibilities include :
  1. To support the School Librarian with the operation, development, promotion and maintenance of the School Library
  2. Undertaking all routines and duties connected with the daily operation of the Library
  3. Under the direction of the School Librarian ensure that pupils have access to a broad range of resources

Line management responsibility for: / The post holder will not be responsible for managing the workload of anyone else but will assist the School Librarian with the management of pupil monitors and parent volunteers.
Reporting /
  • Report on a day-to-day basis to the School Librarian

Main duties and responsibilities: /
  • Management of the Library
  • Help maintain the smooth running of the Library and assist
  • Use the School’s Library Management system (Elipse) andto issue books and catalogue library resources
  • Under the direction of the School Librarian ensure that new books are catalogued and ready for shelving
  • Help set up library displays and assist with Book Week and other events
  • Implement the library policy and assist the School Librarian to ensure that Schemes of Work of all departments are supported by up to date materials which will develop and complement teaching and learning.
  • Under the direction of the School Librarian organise the space and routines of the library in order to make it accessible to all ages and reading abilities.
  • In conjunction with the School Librarian assist in the promotion of reading and enjoyment of books, through competitions, visiting authors, notice boards, book displays, Book Week and other events.
  • Liaise with all staff, particularly about children of concern but also about developments in the library.
  • Assist class teachers in EYFS/KS1 with reading lessons
  • Maintain order and good discipline among children using the library.
  • Liaise with parents to provide guidance for leisure reading and support them in developing their child’s reading interests.
  • Provide guidance and support to library monitorsto that they can assist with the shelving and issuing of books, and keeping the library running smoothly.
  • To Keep any other reasonable tasks requested by the School Librarian

Other duties and responsibilities /
  • Attend staff meetings to discuss curriculum, pastoral and other matters.
  • Attend weekly staff briefings.
  • Attend assemblies when possible.
  • To look after the children in your care during lessons
  • Attend courses to develop professional skills.
  • Work in a manner which is safe and healthy for both yourself and others with whom you come into contact;
  • Comply with safety instructions and regulations;
  • Promptly report all safety hazards and unsafe working practices;
  • Be familiar with the school’s Health & Safety Policy and comply with it at all times;
  • Read and be familiar with the staff handbook, and employment manual and follow the procedures therein;
  • Be familiar with and to follow guidelines as set out in the school staff policy documents;
  • Work in a co-operative, diplomatic and flexible manner;
  • Foster and maintain good working relationships, acting as a courteous, friendly and business like member of the school team;
  • Undertake such additional duties as might be reasonably requested by the Headmistress, or other authorised person.
  • The posts holder’s responsibility for promoting and safeguarding the welfare of children and young persons for whom s/he comes into contact will be to adhere to and ensure compliance with the school’s Child Protection Policy Statement at all times. If in the course of carrying out the duties of the post the post holder becomes aware of any actual or potential risks to the safety or welfare or children in the school s/he must report any concerns to the school’s child protection officers (Deputy Head Lower or Upper School) or to the Headmistress

Newton Prep
Person Specification – Assistant School Librarian
The School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
Essential
These are qualities without which the Applicant could not be appointed / Desirable
These are extra qualities which can be used to choose between applicants who meet all of the essential criteria / Method of
assessment
Qualifications / The professional, technical or academic qualifications that the Applicant must have to undertake the role or the training that they must have received
  • A good standard of general education including GCSE English A*-C.
/ The professional, technical or academic qualifications that the Applicant would ideally have to undertake the role or the training that they should ideally have received
  • Chartered Librarian (MCLIP or equivalent)
  • NVQ3 Library, Archives & Information Services or Customer Service
/ Production of the Applicant’s certificates
Experience / The categories of work or organisations, types of achievements and activities that would be likely to predict success in the role.
  • Relevant experience of working in a school library or in a bookshop
/
  • The categories of work or organisations, types of achievements and activities that would be likely to contribute to success in the role.
  • Experience of working in a school or children’s library
  • Experience of library management systems
  • Experience of Elipse
/ Contents of the Application Form
Interview
Professional references
Skills / The skills required by the Applicant to perform effectively in the role.
  • Ability to work with children from 4-13and encourage reading and enjoyment of literature
  • Ability and interest in developing the reading skills of pupils in EYFS/KS1
  • Ability to effectively manage groups and promote and encourage positive behaviour
  • Good ICT skills including the ability to maintain databases and records
  • Ability to supervise pupil helpers and parent volunteers
  • Ability to deliver a high standard of customer service and promote a welcoming and helpful image of the library
  • Be capable of producing attractive displays in order to make the library a welcoming and inviting environment
/ The skills that would enable the Applicant to perform effectively in the role. / Contents of the Application Form
Interview
Professional references
Knowledge / The knowledge required by the Applicant to perform effectively in the role.
  • Knowledge of children’s literature
/ The knowledge that would enable the Applicant to perform effectively in the role.
  • Knowledge of initiatives and developments in education and library management to support learning
  • Awareness of the
Primary and KS3 curriculum / Contents of the Application Form
Interview
Professional references
Personal competencies and qualities / The personal qualities that the Applicant requires to perform effectively in the role and to ensure that the Applicant safeguards and promotes the welfare of children and young people
  • Excellent interpersonal skills
  • Excellent oral and written communication skills
  • Excellent organisational skills
  • Ability to work on own initiative
  • An ability to plan strategically and prioritise workload
  • A team player who is able to work flexibly and under pressure
  • Strength and physical ability to move and shelve quantities of books
  • Eye for detail
  • Quick learner and a willingness to go on learning
  • Honest
  • Loyal
  • Conscientious – goes the extra mile
  • Punctual
  • Gets on well with people
  • Smart, presentable with a confident and friendly manner
  • Prove their suitability to work with children
  • Loyal to the school and supportive of its aims and objectives
  • Willing to abide by the School’s Terms & Conditions of Employment
  • Ability to form and maintain appropriate relationships and personal boundaries with children and young people
/ The personal qualities that would assist the Applicant to perform effectively in the role. / Contents of the Application Form
Interview
Professional references

TERMS & CONDITIONS

This position is permanent, 27.5 hours per week during term time only, plus five days during school holidays (35 weeks). Hours of work areideally 08.30- 2.00 although there is some flexibility in this regard.

Salary is the pro-rated equivalent of NS9 on the Newton pay scale (pro rated salary £10,638 with effect from September 2016) Contributory staff pension scheme; pro-rated equivalent to 30 days holiday per annum; staff gym and free school lunch during term time.

Offer is subject to receipt of references, health declaration and a satisfactory disclosure from the Disclosure and Barring Service being satisfactory to Newton Prep.

APPLICATIONS

Application packs are available from Please ensure that you include the names of two referees and details of employment since leaving school. As the position involves working with children the successful applicant must be willing to undergo child protection screening appropriate to the post (including checks with past employees) and will be subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service check (DBS). Completed applications should be returned to the HR Manager, Newton Prep, 149 Battersea Park Road, London SW8 4BX.

BACKGROUND TO THE SCHOOL

Newton Prep is a successful and dynamic independent school, offering a challenging education for boys and girls between the ages of 3 and 13. Although a relatively new school, having been set up in 1991, it has grown from strength to strength (current role is 642). Newton Prep’s excellent reputation is enhanced by its fine modern facilities and a dynamic curriculum which provides opportunities that benefit both its pupils and staff.

The school premises are bright and spacious with plenty of outside space including an all-weather pitch, used for tennis, cricket, netball and football and a garden. Newton has expanded above and around the original Edwardian building to include; three gymnasiums; two art studios; a 300 seat auditorium (with professional sound and lighting systems) three state-of-the-art science labs and ICT suites; a warm, welcoming library filled with over 16,000 books; plus a new lower school building and new music school which includes a recital hall and high-tech music technology room. There are plans to create a bespoke Lower School Library in the future.

Privately-owned and founded in 1991, Newton Prep’s excellent reputation is enhanced by its fine modern facilities and a dynamic curriculum which provides opportunities which benefit both its pupils and staff. Our School Council and School Executive are made up of many eminent educationalists which meet once a term to challenge and inspire the senior management team.

The Newton Scholarship Fund is administrated by a panel of volunteers from the School Council, Executive and PTA. The scholarship fund is a registered charity and successfully places a number of new scholarships each academic year and sustains a number of scholarships already in place

Pauline Hourigan
HR Manager10.5.16