THE POSITION
We have a unique and exciting opportunity for an enthusiastic, efficient, and organised individual to lead the school’s Careers Team.
Are you a passionate careers professional with a vision for guiding young people towards meaningful futures? The RGS is seeking an innovative Head of Futures who will inspire, support, and strategically develop our students' career pathways and aspirations. Responsible for coordinating the work of our wider Careers Team, we are looking for an experienced professional who can:
* Create a comprehensive careers education and guidance program that empowers our students.
* Build strong links with universities, employers, and industry professionals.
* Provide personalised career counselling and support.
* Develop robust work experience and networking opportunities.
* Help students make informed decisions about their future education and career trajectories.
* Support and encourage development of entrepreneurial skills amongst the student body and part of the curricular or co-curricular function of the school.
MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Reporting to the Deputy Head Academic, the Head of Futures' overall responsibilities will include but are not limited to:
* Line management of the Careers Administrator.
* The role will have a full-time focus on our Careers Program, which aims to help students make appropriate and informed choices of GCSE and A-Level subjects and supporting students from an in-depth knowledge of the UCAS process.
* Planning, implementing, and reviewing the careers provision in our Senior School including delivering careers and financial education as part of the PSHE program, supporting colleagues to deliver this program when necessary.
* Driving entrepreneurship in the school and incorporating it into the wider school curriculum by creating a scheme of work.
* Advising on progression routes into higher education, apprenticeships, employment, and courses beyond RGS; comprising of UCAS applications and university preparation, as well as both international and UK degree apprenticeships.
* Lead on UCAS applications, regularly liaising with referees and the Head of Sixth Form as appropriate over student progress, support, and guidance.
* Co-ordinating the work of Heads of Veterinary and Medical, Oxbridge, and international applications.
* Leading on the organisation of programs to support students with the preparation for selective entry tests for university, such as the TMUA, ESAT and UCAT, including running simulation interviews.
* Supporting and advising students on exam results and beyond school options on and following results day.
* Keeping informed on labour market changes and tailoring advice and support to reflect emerging opportunities and provide training to staff on developments.
* Building links with universities, business, and industry, and to arrange regular input from these sectors to help provide key information to students.
* Establishing and developing links with employers, ensuring effective communication with the school, and through these networks to organise regular year group career events.
* Regular updates and communication to students and parents on the range and breadth of opportunities for relevant work experience, placements, or courses.
* Delivering presentations to parents at GCSE and A-Level events.
* Coordinating work experience opportunities for our students.
PERSONAL QUALITIES & QUALIFICATIONS
Essential
* Level 6 Qualification in Careers Guidance or other recognised and relevant qualification.
* Excellent communication skills.
* Being well organised, being flexible and respond quickly to changing demands.
* A thorough understanding of the university application process for the UK.
* Enthusiastic and motivated.
* A customer-orientated approach to all stakeholders.
* An understanding of, and commitment to, the special needs of working with young people. These include safeguarding, health and safety, security and handling confidential information at times.
* Very good administrative skills and a good working knowledge of basic IT applications (e.g., email, internet, Office 365, and databases).
* A personal commitment to professional development.
Desirable
* Ideally, an understanding of the workings of a school or college.
* Knowledge of iSAMS, our school management information system, and digital careers tools such as Morrisby or Unifrog.
* An understanding of university application process abroad.
MAIN TERMS AND CONDITIONS
* The start date for this role will be Thursday 21st August 2025 to coincide with the key exam results periods.
* The post will report to the Deputy Head Academic and sit within the Operational team.
* This is a full-time, term time only (+ 10 days) permanent role with the school. The additional 10 days will be partly worked during the summer holiday period to support the GCSE and A-Level results preparations and student queries, with the remaining days to be used for staff training days (of which there are 4 across the year).
* The successful candidate will also be expected to work the annual safeguarding training day in September each year, which is compulsory for all staff (date varies each year).
* The successful candidate may also be required to work limited special events e.g., RGS Day and Open Day, with advance notice being given by the school.
* The normal working hours will be 37.5 hours per week, Monday to Friday, 8.30am until 4.30pm (7.5 hours per day) with a 30-minute unpaid lunch break.
* The salary will be in the range of 48-52k gross per annum (FTE), approximately 39.5-42.7k pro rata for term time only. The actual salary will reflect the experience and skills offered by the successful applicant.
* RGS staff salaries are reviewed on 1st August each year.
* The employee will be required to comply with a range of RGS policies, in particular, those regarding Data protection, use of ICT facilities, Child Protection, Staff Code and Health and Safety, a copy of which will be made available.
WHAT WE OFFER
* During term-time, staff are provided with a free lunch, if on site.
* For non-teaching staff we offer a support staff pension scheme, The Aviva Pension Trust for Independent Schools (APTIS). On receipt of a 6% employee contribution the school makes an employer contribution of 10%. There is also the option of a 3% employee and 5% employer contribution if preferred. This scheme is administered via Salary Exchange (also known as Salary Sacrifice) for those who are eligible. You can opt out of the Salary Exchange arrangement whilst remaining in the pension scheme. Further details of the scheme and salary exchange will be provided on appointment.
* Membership to life assurance scheme through Aviva which pays out 5x annual salary in the event of death in service.
* The employee will become eligible for sick pay under the RGS Support Staff Sick Pay Scheme after a qualifying period. Details of the scheme will be provided on appointment.
* The school offers an optional healthcare plan for all staff which includes optical, dental and physio cover, access to telephone GP consultations and a host of other benefits (terms and conditions apply). Further information will be available to the employee once in post.
* As with all RGS employees, the employee will be encouraged to become involved in the wider life of the RGS community.
* It is the school’s policy is to allow all eligible members of staff to educate their children at the school at concessionary rates, subject to their children meeting the academic entry requirements and subject to a place being available.
* Ongoing educational support and development of all staff with the provision of external and internal training courses, and our middle leaders training program for existing and aspiring managers.
* We offer an interest free travel loan for a corporate Metro travel pass after a qualifying period. Further information will be available upon starting in post.
* We offer a Bike to Work scheme for qualifying members of staff. Terms and conditions apply. Details will be shared upon starting.
* Opportunity to see free school productions in the Miller Theatre located in our Performing Arts Centre.
* Access to our onsite confidential counselling service.
* We offer access to the school medical team (1 doctor and 2 nurses) for triage medical advice and free flu vaccinations.
* Free use of a well-equipped gym, fitness suite and swimming pool at permitted times.
* Supportive and friendly community.
* Invitation to join staff clubs and wellbeing activities during term-time.
* Staff social events throughout the year.
* Access to the school’s library service and a wide range of reading materials.
HOW TO APPLY
Candidates are advised to read the ‘Information for Applicants’ with particular care before applying.
Enquiries about this post should be made in the first instance to Chris Quayle (Deputy Head Academic) in the first instance. For an informal chat about the post, contact Chris Quayle on 0191 281 5711 or email c.quayle@rgs.newcastle.sch.uk.
Please visit www.rgs.newcastle.sch.uk/join-us/work-with-us to access our application form and further information for applicants.
To apply for this post please submit the following to jobs@rgs.newcastle.sch.uk by the closing date.
1. A covering letter and
2. A fully completed RGS application form.
Note: You must complete the application form, even if you want to also attach a CV.
Interviews will be held shortly after the closing date. We will hope to make the appointment as soon as possible following interview, offering the post and gaining acceptance, so applicants should arrive for interview with a clear idea of what would be involved in moving to the area (if necessary) and working at the RGS.
Reasonable travel expenses will be considered to attend an interview if candidates live outside the local area. This is normally up to a maximum contribution of £100 on provision of receipts. If your expenses will be significantly higher than £100 and an overnight stay is required, please note all expenses will need to be booked and approved in advance. If you plan to claim expenses, please contact the Head’s Secretary, Sandra Ellis S.Ellis@rgs.newcastle.sch.uk in advance of your interview, who will talk you through the policy and advise on eligibility for reimbursement.
Safeguarding and Safer Recruitment
RGS is committed to the safeguarding of children and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff, volunteers and those working in school to share this commitment. The school applies the Government’s Keeping Children Safe in Education Safer Recruitment procedures to all candidates including appropriate pre-interview checks on shortlisted candidates and pre-employment checks pending any offer. More information regarding the checks can be found in our Information for Applicants here, and ‘Keeping Children Safe in Education’ (September 2024)
Equal Opportunities
We are looking to appoint staff from a wide variety of backgrounds. Not just because it is the right thing to do but because at the RGS we recognise that those different experiences provide fresh perspectives, opportunities to challenge existing beliefs and provide opportunities to act as excellent role models for our diverse student body. We are committed to creating an inclusive and diverse school culture and our staff are at the heart of this. We are proud to be an equal opportunities employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment regardless of neurodivergence, age, disability, sex, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief and marriage and civil partnerships.
We strive to achieve a diverse workforce, fully representative of our pluralistic society and the ethnic make-up of the student population in the UK. People of colour are under-represented on our staff team. We are keen to attract applicants from a diverse pool of candidates and determined to be a fully inclusive employer, and a great workplace for people of Black, Asian, and ethnic minority heritage as well as White heritage.
We encourage all candidates to complete an ‘equal opportunities’ form with your application. This will be sent directly to the HR team for monitoring purposes.
CONTACT DETAILS
Royal Grammar School, Eskdale Terrace, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE2 4DX
Tel: 0191 281 5711
General enquiries: communications@rgs.newcastle.sch.uk
www.rgs.newcastle.sch.uk
Job Types: Full-time, Permanent
Pay: £48,000.00-£52,000.00 per year
Benefits:
* Canteen
* Company events
* Company pension
* Cycle to work scheme
* Discounted or free food
* Employee discount
* Enhanced maternity leave
* Free flu jabs
* Health & wellbeing programme
* On-site gym
* Sick pay
Schedule:
* Monday to Friday
Work Location: In person
Application deadline: 31/01/2025
Expected start date: 19/08/2025
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