May 2015
Dear Candidate,
Supplementary School Project Worker
My name is Rachel Carr and I am one of the founders of IntoUniversity and its current CEO. We’re an award-winning
charity that provides an education programme addressing underachievement and social exclusion. We target children and
young people most at risk of failing to meet their potential to go to university due to economic, social, cultural, or
linguistic disadvantage. IntoUniversity provides practical learning support and motivational and confidence-building
activities for children and young people aged 7-18. We currently have eighteen centres across the UK. We have ambitious
future plans to scale-up our service provision further by opening new centres, this autumn we will be opening centres in
Southampton, Bristol and Leeds.
At this exciting time in our evolution we are looking for a high-calibre candidate to deliver the IntoUniversity
Supplementary School Project, a new and innovative widening participation project which is run in partnership with the
Paul Hamlyn Foundation: www.phf.org.uk
This project specifically supports supplementary schools that are not currently able to provide specialist advice for
students who could progress to Higher Education. Through a combination of referrals to the IntoUniversity programme,
delivering local training, support, networking and the creation of new projects and partnerships with universities,
supplementary schools and mainstream schools; the Supplementary School Project Worker is an integral part in raising
awareness and stimulating activity in the university sector about working with supplementary schools.
This is a 2-year fixed-term post and on completion of the project there will be a guaranteed role within IntoUniversity for
the successful candidate.
You will have a minimum 2.1 honours degree and paid or voluntary experience working with children and young people as
much of this role involves delivering services to young people who attend supplementary schools. You must be ambitious
to progress within our charity, have excellent written and verbal communication skills, and have passion for the mission of
our charity. This is a graduate-entry post, ideal for someone who is seeking to gain a broad range of experience in the
charity and education sectors. You will need to show a keen interest in Widening Participation and be especially mindful
of the challenges currently facing the supplementary school sector.
The role will be fast-paced and challenging. Each day you will be contributing directly to the success of the charity and
transforming the fortunes of young people from disadvantaged backgrounds. You will need to have a genuine passion
and enthusiasm for working with young people including leading a class of 30 from the front, working with small teams of
children and providing one-to-one support. Flexibility, attention to detail and the ability to multi-task are all necessary for
your day-to-day routine. You will be proactive and able to use your initiative at all times. You will also have a genuine
passion for the mission of IntoUniversity.
We welcome all applications and all those that are sent on time will be read and carefully considered. We particularly
welcome applications from male and black and minority ethnic candidates as they are currently under-represented within
IntoUniversity at this level.
And finally, our aim as a charity is to become the pre-eminent provider of widening-participation services in the UK and
we are looking for someone who will be committed to helping us to achieve that goal. You will need to have a genuine
passion for the mission and values of IntoUniversity. If you believe that all young people deserve the chance to achieve
their potential regardless of their background and want to play a part in helping them succeed then we would be
delighted to hear from you.
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If you wish to apply for this post please email your application to [email protected] by 9am on Monday 15 June
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2015. If you are shortlisted, you will be invited to a selection day, which will take place on the 6 July 2015 in London.
Shortlisted candidates will be required to complete one or more online assessments prior to this day. This post begins on
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10 August 2015. Please do not apply if you are unable to start on this date.
Thank you very much for your interest in this post and our charity.
Dr Rachel Carr
Chief Executive
IntoUniversity
This job description does not constitute a 'term and condition of employment'. It is provided only as a guide to assist the employee in
the performance of his/her job. IntoUniversity and The ClementJames Centre are evolving organisations and therefore changes to the
employee’s duties may be necessary from time to time. The Job Description is not intended to be inflexible or a finite list of tasks and
may be varied from time to time after consultation/discussion with the post holder.
IntoUniversity Supplementary School Project Worker
This is a 2-year fixed-term post and on completion of the project there will be a guaranteed role within
IntoUniversity for the successful candidate, subject to continued successful annual appraisals.
PLACE OF WORK: London, with travel to other areas necessary
START DATE: 10th August 2015 Please do not apply for this post if you are unable to start on this date.
RATE OF PAY: £20,400 per annum and employer’s pension contribution at 5% (following enrolment in the
charity’s pension scheme). In addition, from 1st September 2015 a contribution of £600 towards the costs of
living and working in London. There will be a pay increase after 6 months (subject to satisfactory performance)
and an annual pay review.
HOURS OF WORK: 37.5 hours, Monday to Friday. The successful candidate must be prepared to work 25
Saturdays a year (non-consecutive) with time off in lieu awarded, some of which might be a Sunday/Monday
weekend or (in consultation with your line manager) blocks of time off in lieu.
HOLIDAY: 25 days per annum + 8 Bank Holidays + a discretionary 3 days over Christmas + additional length-ofservice entitlement.
MANAGEMENT: The IntoUniversity Supplementary School Project Worker will be line managed by the
IntoUniversity Supplementary School Project Manager with support from the Director of Operations.
TRAINING: There will be an intensive training period starting on 10th August 2015.
Find out here what it’s like to work for IntoUniversity
“With only 5 weeks under my belt I have met so many positive, hardworking and genuine people”
- Becky Kendall (Education Worker, IntoUniversity Brixton)
Watch a video here about our innovative programme of support
“University has always been something I wanted to do, but it’s only really happened because of IntoUniversity”
- Ayisha Adedeji, student on the IU programme
www.intouniversity.org
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What will your main duties be?
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To assist the Project Manager in the implementation of IntoUniversity’s Supplementary School Project
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To assist the Project Manager in liaising with schools, IntoUniversity centres and university widening
participation teams
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To assist the Project Manager in planning training sessions for supplementary school teachers and parents
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To deliver a variety of bespoke training sessions alongside IntoUniversity activities to a wide audience, including
young people, parents, supplementary school staff and volunteers
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To carry out all basic administrative duties, including managing the supplementary school database
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To work with the Project Manager to consult with the project’s partner schools and beneficiaries to ensure that
the programme is meeting their needs
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To work with the Project Manager to prepare educational and training materials designed to meet the particular
needs of the supplementary school sector
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To assist in the development of a strategy to raise awareness within the HE sector of supplementary schools
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To ensure that the ethos and values of IntoUniversity are maintained across the project
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To undertake any task that may be requested from time to time that may be consistent with the nature and
scope of this post
Who are we looking for?
The applicant must:
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Have completed an undergraduate degree (or equivalent) to a 2.1 or higher
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Have achieved a grade C or higher in GCSE Maths and English (or equivalent)
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Have some previous experience (voluntary or paid) of delivering programmes to children or young people
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Have a genuine commitment to IntoUniversity’s mission and values
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Have some experience of project administration
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Have some experience of working with a range of community groups
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Have good organisational abilities
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Have highly effective and efficient research skills, and be able quickly to identify patterns and issues which are of
significance
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Be able to analyse and summarise information clearly and accurately and have the ability to present information
effectively
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Be highly resourceful and able to learn very quickly
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Be sensitive and respectful to people of all cultures, religions and lifestyles
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Have exceptional written communication skills and be an excellent proof-reader
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Be someone who is actively able to contribute their own ideas and seek solutions to problems
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Be self-motivated with a positive attitude and able to work flexibly
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Have excellent interpersonal skills and be able to communicate effectively with a broad range of people with
demonstrable experience of establishing productive professional relationships
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Be prepared to roll up her/his sleeves as part of a small team
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Be able to work very effectively under pressure, meet tight deadlines and pay excellent attention to detail
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Be able to demonstrate flexibility and commitment to taking a full and active part in the life of IntoUniversity
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Have discretion and tact in dealing with confidential information
www.intouniversity.org
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Training and Career Development
What support will you receive?
Our staff are supported from the moment they are appointed. If you are successful, you’ll embark upon a programme of
support from day one. You’ll be invited to meet the team and other successful candidates ahead of joining us. You’ll also
receive an IntoUniversity ‘Buddy’ who will be a point of contact should you have any questions via email or phone, and
who will keep in touch to tell you more about the charity and the role which you will be settling into when you join us. You
will also take part in an intensive training programme.
What will the training programme involve?
There is an initial, intensive training programme, which includes:
 A weekly review meeting for the first six weeks;
 Classroom-based training on topics including the aims and ethos of the IU education programme and how our
unique programme is delivered
 Practical workshops, e.g. planning a FOCUS Week and using the database;
 ‘On the job’ training with children and young people - observing, then shadowing and team teaching
At the end of the intensive training period there is then an on-going training programme over the following 12 months
which includes:
 Phase one and two of Investment in Excellence (total of five days); a course designed by the Pacific Institute
 Further in-house training on behaviour management, charity governance etc.
 In-house whole team training workshops for example on fundraising and budgeting;
 A 3 day in-house Leadership training programme for aspiring Senior Education Workers/Centre Leaders;
 An annual whole team challenge.
Continuing training opportunities are then provided as appropriate whilst you are in your full time role.
All staff are required to have some experience of working with children and/or young people. The training programme is
for all delivery staff regardless of their experience.
www.intouniversity.org
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Further Information about IntoUniversity
What are the distinctive features of our IntoUniversity model?
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We offer a centre-based service away from school
We are a ‘home-from-home’ rather than a ‘school-from-school’
We use a pastoral model
We maintain a high staff/student ratio
We have excellent existing educational partnerships at local and national level
We start working with young people from age 8 and work with them over the long term until university access
We provide a positive aspirational ethos
We take a multi-stranded approach
What does IntoUniversity’s programme of support include?
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Primary & Secondary Academic Support: After school tutored help with homework as well as one-to-one
support with: GSCE, AS Level, A Level and degree options, coursework, revision, exam techniques; UCAS forms,
interview techniques, gap years.
Secondary FOCUS Workshops: An innovative series of workshops designed to give students a clear
understanding of what a university is and why they should aspire to enter Higher Education.
Primary FOCUS Workshops, Weeks & Days: Themed weeks and days of out-of-school experiential learning for
Years 5 and 6. Workshops include ‘What is a University?’ and ‘Going to Secondary School’ FOCUS Days and Weeks
include, WW2, Science and Performing Arts.
Leadership in FOCUS: Training days to encourage and motivate young people.
Extending Horizons FOCUS Weekends: Educational weekends which help to raise aspirations and motivation to
achieve at school and promote the importance of team building.
Mentoring: We work with top-tier universities, pairing undergraduates with our users. We also run a corporate
mentoring scheme to support students from Year 13 through to their first year at university. The programme
promotes self-worth, social development, responsibility and aspiration.
What do Experts in the Charity Sector think about IntoUniversity?
NPC's research reports dig deep into social issues ... exploring which approaches work and which don't,
what government is doing to tackle the issue and what difference private donations can make.
‘IntoUniversity is a charity that demonstrates excellent optimisation of resources, and is one of the bestrun charities that NPC has come across. There has been impressive growth at IntoUniversity since NPC
wrote the long analysis two years ago, though the fundamentals of the charity’s vision, strategy and
approach remain constant.’
Research Report on IntoUniversity available from NPC’s website http://www.philanthropycapital.org/
The Impetus Trust is a leader in Venture Philanthropy in the UK, and one of our key partners.
‘The Impetus portfolio consists of 14 high-performing charities, with IntoUniversity, which inspires and
engages young people from disadvantaged backgrounds to attain either a university place or another
chosen aspiration, showing the highest performance in the portfolio this year. IntoUniversity has been
able to grow its average number of children helped by 177% a year, since it obtained Impetus backing.’
Awards
www.intouniversity.org
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Online Information about IntoUniversity
Please visit www.intouniversity.org for further information
Read the IU Blog
Follow us on Twitter
Join us on Facebook
Follow this link to find out what it’s like to work for IntoUniversity
This is the sort of place where any idea you have, the whole team will listen to it and help you put it
into practice. Therefore it’s a great place to be creative, innovative and dynamic.
Watch a video here about our innovative programme of support
University has always been something I wanted to do, but it’s only really happened because of
IntoUniversity.
Watch a video here from our Centre for Social Justice Award
Read here the National Foundation for Education Research evaluation of IntoUniversity
The evidence in this report supports the conclusion that the IntoUniversity programme has a
positive, transformational impact on children and young people in terms of their academic success,
attitudes to learning and social skills; all of which are key elements of helping children and young
people to aspire and achieve.
Read here the Evaluation Report on IntoUniversity by charity analysts NPC
IntoUniversity is ... one of the best-run organisations that NPC has seen: it has an effective model,
impressive management, strong finances, and increasing evidence of its impact.
Click here for media coverage of IntoUniversity
www.intouniversity.org
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