DIRECTOR OF S TUDIES
FOR SEPTEMBER 2015
BARNARD CASTLE SCHOO L | BARNARD CASTLE | COUNTY DURHAM DL12 8UN | UNITED KINGDOM
The History of Barnard Castle School
Barnard Castle School has its roots in the medieval past and its
eyes set firmly on the future of its children. The School traces its
origins back to the nearby Hospital of St John, which was an
educational and religious community established by John
Balliol in 1229. John Balliol also established Balliol College in
Oxford and his passion for learning remains central to our
philosophy today. In 1883 with a gift from Benjamin Flounders,
a Victorian philanthropist, and the proceeds of St John’s
Hospital, the present main School building was constructed.
BARNARD CASTLE SCHOO L | BARNARD CASTLE | COUNTY DURHAM DL12 8UN | UNITED KINGDOM
The School
Barnard Castle School is a warm, friendly, busy and purposeful School
which fosters strong senses of community and endeavour. A coeducational school for pupils aged 11-18, it has its own Preparatory
School for boys and girls aged 4-11, situated on an adjacent site. There
are 525 pupils in the Senior School and a further 200 in the Prep
School. The Sixth Form currently numbers 150 pupils.
While academic achievement lies at the heart of what we do, as a
Christian foundation we never forget the importance of fostering mutual respect and decency amongst our pupils. We believe that all our
children have something to offer, and we are driven by a desire to find
areas where each of them can excel. Every week we offer an extensive
programme of around 100 extra-curricular activities, and we are as
proud of those who play chess for their House as those who play rugby
for their country.
The School accepts both day pupils and boarders, the latter currently
numbering around 17o. Boarding is largely British with a small number of overseas students, particularly in the Sixth Form.
The School is situated in its own extensive grounds on the outskirts of
an historic market town in an area of outstanding natural beauty. It is
well-resourced and enjoys an enviable reputation for its pupils’
achievements on a broad variety of fronts. It is also in proximity to and
enjoys close relationships with departments in the universities of
Durham, York and Newcastle.
The School was inspected by ISI in March 2011. The overall summary
acknowledged:
“a well-managed and well-resourced school which is professional and
forward-looking in outlook and which has high aims for all its pupils,
but which still encapsulates the traditionally unpretentious ethos of
this immensely busy, friendly and happy boarding and day school.”
Further details about Barnard Castle School may be found on the
School’s web-site www.barnardcastleschool.org.uk .
BARNARD CASTLE SCHOO L | BARNARD CASTLE | COUNTY DURHAM DL12 8UN | UNITED KINGDOM
The Senior Management Team
The day to day leadership and running of the School is devolved by
the Governing Body to the Headmaster and his Senior Management
Team.
Effective, easy and constant communication and collaboration between members of the SMT is highly valued and regarded as essential to the effective achievement of the aims of each member and to
the success of the School.
The SMT consists of five senior colleagues in addition to the Director
of Studies and the Headmaster:

The Director of Operations who manages all matters pertaining to
finance, buildings, grounds and support staff;

The Second Master who undertakes the lion’s share of the daily
running of the School, is in overall charge of boarding and deputises for the Headmaster;

The Head of Prep who manages a very successful and popular
Prep School which contains 200 boys and girls aged 4-11;

The Head of Sixth Form who manages all aspects an attractive
and highly successful Sixth Form Programme for approximately
150 Sixth Form students;

The Assistant Head Pastoral who leads all aspects of pastoral
care, behaviour and child protection.
BARNARD CASTLE SCHOO L | BARNARD CASTLE | COUNTY DURHAM DL12 8UN | UNITED KINGDOM
The School benefits from a self-contained large site in the well-kept secret that is Teesdale,
the perfect place for children to grow up.
BARNARD CASTLE SCHOO L | BARNARD CASTLE | COUNTY DURHAM DL12 8UN | UNITED KINGDOM
The Academic Profile
The School operates its own entrance tests at each point of entry
to the Prep and Senior Schools.
However, its ethos is to be broadly inclusive, rather than narrowly
exclusive and strong overall external exam results typically mask
individual stories of outstanding achievement both among Oxbridge candidates and among others who have excelled all reasonable expectations.
In August 2014 Upper Sixth pass rates were (with Pre-U grades being converted to A’Level equivalents):
A-E: 100%
A*-B: 59%
GCSE and iGCSE grades were:
A*-C: 90%
A*-A: 40%
Value-added, measured by CEM at Durham University, is often
significant and a number of departments have received Good
Schools Award Certificates this year and in the recent past.
BARNARD CASTLE SCHOO L | BARNARD CASTLE | COUNTY DURHAM DL12 8UN | UNITED KINGDOM
The Curriculum
The School follows a largely traditional academic curriculum, with
nuances such as computing and engineering bringing important
opportunities for practical development.
During Years 10-11 children normally study for 10 external qualifications which include a GCSE and iGCSE core of English Language, English Literature, Maths, Biology, Chemistry, Physics and
a modern language (mainly from French, German or Spanish, but
others are viable).
A choice of four further subjects is then made from:
Ancient History, Art, Business Studies, Engineering, Geography,
History, ICT, Latin, Music, Physical Education and Religious Studies.
In the Sixth Form A’Levels are mainly studied, but several departments have opted for Cambridge Pre-U or International A’Level
where those specifications bring clear benefits.
The options in the Sixth Form are:
Art, Biology, Business Studies, Chemistry, Classics, Computing,
Theatre Studies, Design technology, Economics, English Language,
English Literature, Geography, History, ICT, Latin, Maths, Modern Foreign Languages (French, Spanish and German), Music, Philosophy and Ethics, Physical Education, Physics, Politics and Psychology.
In addition, a significant number of Sixth Form candidates also
complete the Extended Project Qualification with a track record of
great success. In 2014 all EPQ candidates achieved an A* grade.
BARNARD CASTLE SCHOO L | BARNARD CASTLE | COUNTY DURHAM DL12 8UN | UNITED KINGDOM
Job Description for Director of Studies
REPORTING TO: THE HEADMASTER
Expectations as a member of the Senior Management Team
Overall expectation
1. To support the Headmaster and deputise for him as required.
2. To play a full and active part in all aspects of School life.
3. To undertake a full strategic role in the Senior Management of the
School
4. To ensure that, through appropriate rewards and recognition, we
establish a positive culture throughout the School.
5. To contribute toward whole School improvement.
6. To establish and maintain an effective framework for monitoring
the quality of education we provide.
7. To play a part in the marketing of the School.
8. To ensure that students play a significant role in School improvement.
9. To support the Heads of Department in maintaining high standards of classroom conduct in their areas at all times.
10. To ensure that our School Rules support positive behaviour which
promote learning, and are clearly understood by staff and pupils.
11. To contribute to the INSET programme so that it addresses the
principal needs of the School and the staff.
12. To ensure that Barnard Castle School maintains good links with the
community and delivers a tangible benefit to it.
13. To set high standards of communication with pupils, staff and parents.
14. To maintain a high-profile presence around the campus during the
day and at major calendared events
15. To promote the School to prospective pupils and their parents.
1.
To set the strategic direction for academic development and to
lead the School in the promotion of both academic success and
a culture of learning.
2.
To provide a broad and balanced academic curriculum in order
to give our students the best possible preparation for their future lives.
3.
To support the Headmaster.
BARNARD CASTLE SCHOO L | BARNARD CASTLE | COUNTY DURHAM DL12 8UN | UNITED KINGDOM
Key Responsibilities
1. To lead all academic staff so that they feel personally valued and
believe in the importance of their role.
2. To ensure that the teaching delivered to all pupils within the School
is of a consistently high standard.
3. To brief, liaise with and present proposals to the Senior Management Team and, when required, to Governors regarding academic
matters.
4. To ensure that academic expectations at Barnard Castle School are
high for pupils and staff, and that academic achievement is rewarded and recognised appropriately.
5. To ensure that the academic attainment of students is monitored
and developed through the appropriate use of data and testing by
pupils and staff. This includes the overall leadership of the compilation and use of pupil information.
6. To lead a flourishing academic curriculum within the School, leading to the recruitment of appropriate staff in accordance with all
relevant safeguarding and safer recruitment policies, legislation
and good practice.
7. To support Heads of Department in leading their teachers, ensuring a focus on raising the quality of teaching and learning.
8. To contribute to the effective appraisal of academic staff.
9. To ensure that we have effective policies and a procedural framework that support the curriculum.
10. To ensure that all teaching staff consider and engage in continuous
professional development with regard to their teaching practice,
and take responsibility for their own classroom performance.
11. To work with HoDs and the Head of Sixth Form to ensure the effective and efficient organisation of the academic life of Barnard
Castle School, and the effective communication of all academic
matters to relevant parties.
12. To produce an equitable and constructive Prep Timetable for the
beginning of each academic year.
13. To promote and oversee the implementation of an Assessment
Policy which is consistent with good practice and with the GCSE
and A-Level frameworks.
14. To manage the Timetabler to ensure that the timetable is fairly,
accurately and efficiently prepared in a timely manner each year.
15. To manage the Examinations Officers to ensure that all public
and internal examinations are conducted securely, efficiently and
effectively.
16. To ensure that the School is “inspection ready” in its academic
culture and administration.
17. To promote and maintain links with the Prep School and other
feeder Schools in order to recruit appropriate students, and to
ease their academic transition.
18. To maintain productive links with the Prep School to the benefit
of both schools and their pupils, especially in the deployment of
shared staff and resources and to ensure that a coherent and appropriate curriculum runs throughout the whole School.
19. To manage the finances of those budgets which fall under the
specific area of responsibility of the Director of Studies.
BARNARD CASTLE SCHOO L | BARNARD CASTLE | COUNTY DURHAM DL12 8UN | UNITED KINGDOM

In order to meet the high standards expected of a leading
professional in our School, the Headmaster is seeking to employ a person with the following qualities, experience, skills
and abilities.
Essential Criteria:

A good honours degree in subject relevant to the Barnard Castle
School curriculum

Evidence of being an excellent teacher

Leadership qualities, including energy, resilience and the ability to
enthuse and motivate others

Sympathy with the Christian values of the School and the nature of
working in a boarding environment

A record of and commitment to continuing professional development

The ability to develop and maintain effective team working relationships

The ability to positively manage parental, student and colleague
expectations

Excellent written and verbal communication skills appropriate to
senior level management in an educational environment

A thorough understanding of effective teaching, learning and assessment in relation to raising pupils’ attainment

An ability and willingness to make a significant contribution to the
extra-curricular life of the School

High levels of organisation

Ability to make effective use of data and analyses

Ability to evaluate and improve the performance of self and others
BARNARD CASTLE SCHOO L | BARNARD CASTLE | COUNTY DURHAM DL12 8UN | UNITED KINGDOM
Desirable Criteria

A higher degree or experience of educational or subject-specific research

Experience of external examination

Knowledge of the requirements and operation of ISI in terms of
teaching, learning and assessment

Evidence of successful leadership and management of people, resources, innovation and improvement

Evidence of good management, which incorporates detailed planning, successful implementation and effective monitoring and evaluation of strategies

Experience in timetabling, curriculum design or whole school direction

Highly developed ICT use and skills

Expertise in the application of mobile devices to enhance classroom
practice
BARNARD CASTLE SCHOO L | BARNARD CASTLE | COUNTY DURHAM DL12 8UN | UNITED KINGDOM
Applications
If you feel that you can meet these requirements then please submit a letter of application along with the Barnard Castle School Application
Form and a CV, if desired, to the Headmaster by Friday 30th January 2015.
Interviews will take place during the week beginning 9th February 2015. Applicants may telephone to discuss matters relating to the
advertised post with the Headmaster. Applications should be sent to the address overleaf.
BARNARD CASTLE SCHOO L | BARNARD CASTLE | COUNTY DURHAM DL12 8UN | UNITED KINGDOM
Contact
The Headmaster
Barnard Castle School
Barnard Castle
Co Durham
DL12 8UN
Phone: 01833 696067
Fax:
01833 696062
e-mail: [email protected]
Telephone: +44 (0)1833 696067
www.barnardcastleschool.org.uk
BARNARD CASTLE SCHOO L | BARNARD CASTLE | COUNTY DURHAM DL12 8UN | UNITED KINGDOM