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THE MANOR PREPARATORY SCHOOL TRUST
Abingdon
Part-time
APPLICATION PACK

PERIPATETIC SINGING TEACHER

APPLICATIONS WILL BE CONSIDERED UPON RECEIPT

THE ADVERT WILL CLOSE WHEN A SUITABLE
CANDIDATE IS SOURCED

Application Pack

Dear Applicant

Welcome to The Manor!

Thank you for your interest in The Manor Preparatory School. This information pack is
designed to give you more information about the school and the post you are interested in and
we hope that we are able to convey the qualities that make The Manor an exceptional place,
not only for our pupils, but also for our fulfilled and happy staff that work hard to create the
school’s spirit, warmth and dynamism.

Founded in 1907 and situated in Abingdon, the Manor Preparatory School is an outstanding
independent co-educational day school that welcomes boys and girls aged 2-11. The Manor
has a wonderfully happy, creative atmosphere where each individual is challenged, cherished
and inspired to reach their potential. Every child is encouraged to do their best, resulting in
outstanding results academically, on the sports field, and in creative and performing arts.

In the Early Years Department, our purpose-built Pre-Nursery and Nursery gives children the
best start in bright, airy facilities together with a team of enthusiastic, qualified and dedicated
staff. Children in Reception, Years 1 and 2 are exposed to a stimulating and enriching
curriculum supported by a team of exceptional Teachers and a full-time Teaching Assistant in
each class.

From the age of 7 to 11, the pupils in our Prep Department enjoy increased specialised
teaching in a rich, warm-hearted environment where all pupils are encouraged to fulfil their
potential. The school has outstanding facilities for Music, Science, ICT, Food Technology, Art,
DT, Sport and Drama and offers an extensive range of extra-curricular activities but retains a
primary school ethos, focusing on the happiness and well-being of each child.

Each member of our staff contributes to the unique identity of The Manor, providing a network
of support and teamwork which has become a characteristic of the School.  Children are
“challenged, cherished and inspired”.

We hope that on reading our application pack, we are able to convey a sense of the school’s
spirit, warmth and dynamism that have made it thrive over the years. Naturally if you have any
questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us by email (hr@manorprep.org) or by phone
(01235 858 478). You are welcome to telephone to arrange for an informal tour at any point.

May we take this opportunity to thank you for the time and thought that we recognise goes into
preparing a job application.

With very best wishes

Rachel Hamlyn
Head

Application Pack

JOB DESCRIPTION

PERIPATETIC SINGING TEACHER

School Contact: Head of Music

Overall Responsibility

●  To arrange and deliver individual singing tuition to pupils introduced to you by the

school and to support and promote music within the school;

●  To maintain a professional standard, adhering to statutory and school requirements for

Health & Safety, Risk Assessment and Child Protection;

●  To set the highest standards of teaching, which inspires pupils to learn and become

involved in ensemble playing;

●  Maintain an enthusiastic, inspiring and engaging rapport with the pupil, which stretches

the musically able and nurtures those who just want to enjoy music;

●  To establish professional working relationships with colleagues, parents and academic

staff, communicating fully at all times;

●  To deliver 30-minute lessons appropriate to the standard of the allocated pupils on a

weekly basis;

●  Communicate with parents in written reports and using other means, as appropriate;

●  To follow ABRSM examination specifications if appropriate and prepare students fully

for examinations;

●  To follow school and music department policies and to communicate and liaise with the
Head of Music in relation to individual needs of pupils, report writing, exam entries and
availability of teaching;

●  Currently one day of teaching (this may vary depending on the demand for individual

lessons);

●  To undertake other reasonable tasks relevant to the needs of the School as the need

arises.

Application Pack

PERSON SPECIFICATION

PERIPATETIC SINGING TEACHER

Skills and Abilities

●  Good organisational skills.
●  Good rapport with young children.
●  Flexible.
●  Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
●  Excellent all round organisational and administration skills.
●  Excellent accuracy and attention to detail.
●  Approachable

Qualifications and Knowledge

●  Experience of working with children of primary school age would be an advantage.
●  Relevant Music and/or Teaching Qualification.
●  Experience of performing as a professional musician with enthusiasm for Music, coupled

with the ability to be energetic and willing to motivate pupils.

Personal Attributes

●  Sensitivity towards others’ feelings, sense of humour, flexibility, calmness, personal

warmth.

●  Have a warm, friendly and welcoming approach.
●  Ability to understand and demonstrate a commitment to equality and diversity.
●  A professional and approachable manner.
●  An appreciation of the need for discretion and confidentiality is essential.
●  Confident in own decision making and working on own initiative.
●  Displays commitment to the protection and safeguarding of children and young people.
●  Values and respects the views and needs of children and young people.

Safeguarding

●  A knowledge and keen awareness of Safeguarding Children matters and an ability to

demonstrate personal values and beliefs in accordance with the School’s Safeguarding
Policy.

●  An Enhanced DBS Disclosure is required for this position.
●  Has a strong appreciation of child protection issues and has the capacity of acting in

accordance with the school’s Safeguarding policy.

Application Pack

Enquiries are welcome. For an informal discussion about the role, or if you have any queries regarding the
application form or the recruitment process, please contact, either by email hr@manorprep.org or by phone
on 01235 858478.

How to apply

Before  applying  for  this  position, candidates should read our Safeguarding Children Policy (which includes
the  Child
our  website
on
(http://www.manorprep.org/about-our-school/policies/). Please also refer to the website for further information
about the school.

Protection

available

policies

Policy),

section

the

of

Applicants should email a Letter of Application and the signed completed Application Form to:-

e-mail: hr@manorprep.org

The vacancy will close once a suitable candidate has been sourced.

Information provided will be administered under the school’s Data Protection Policy and Privacy Notice
Policy (further details can be found on the school’s website.

The Manor Preparatory School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, and
applicants must undergo child protection screening appropriate to the post, including checks with past
employers, an online search and an Enhanced Disclosure from the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Where a role involves engaging in regulated activity, it is an offence to apply for the role if you are barred
from engaging in regulated activity relevant to children.

Roles within Education are exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act1974.  For more information visit
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/new-guidance-on-the-rehabilitation-of-offenders-act-1974

Our Safer Recruitment process and procedures are in line with Safer Recruitment requirements and Keeping
Children Safe in Education.

  The Manor is an equal opportunities employer who welcomes applications from all sections of the
community.

Application Pack

Application and Recruitment Process

Application Form

●  Applications will only be accepted from candidates completing the enclosed application form in full. CV’s
will not be accepted in substitution for completed application forms. They may, however, be submitted in
addition to the application form.

●  Candidates  should  be  aware  that  all  posts  in  the  School  involve  some  degree  of  responsibility  for
safeguarding  children,  although  the  extent  of that responsibility will vary according to the nature of the
post.  Please see job description [and person specification] for the post.

●  The successful applicant will be required to complete a disclosure form from the Disclosure and Barring
Service (DBS) for the post and, where appropriate, a check of the Barred List maintained by the DBS will
be made.   Any offers of appointment will be made conditional on obtaining such satisfactory checks. For
further
–
the
https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/disclosure-and-barring-service  -  Additionally,  successful
applicants  should  be  aware  that  they  are  required  to  notify  the  School  immediately  if  there  are  any
reasons why they should not be working with children.

information,

Disclosure

Service

contact

Barring

please

and

●  The  School  takes  its  responsibility  to  safeguard  children  very  seriously  and  any  staff  member  and/or
successful  candidate  who  is  aware  of  anything  that  may  affect  his/her  suitability to work with children
must  notify  the  School  immediately.   This  will  include  notification  of  any  convictions,  cautions,  court
orders, reprimands or warnings he/she may receive.

●  The  Childcare  (Disqualification)  and  Childcare  (Early  Years  Provision  Free  of  Charge)  (Extended
Entitlement) (Amendment) Regulations 2018 apply to those providing early years childcare or later years’
childcare, including before school and after school clubs, to children who have not attained the age of 8
and to those who are directly concerned in the management of that childcare.

●  Staff  and/or  successful  candidates  who  are  disqualified  from  childcare  or  registration  may  apply  to
Ofsted  for  a  waiver of disqualification.   Such individuals may not be employed in the areas from which
they  are  disqualified,  or  involved  in  the management of those settings, unless and until such waiver is
confirmed. Please speak to the Head for more details.

●  The  School  has  a  legal  duty under section 26 of the Counter-Terrorism and Security Act 2015 to have
‘due regard to the need to prevent people from being drawn into terrorism’. This is known at the Prevent
duty. Schools are required to assess the risk of children being drawn into terrorism, including support for
extremist  ideas that are part of terrorist ideology. Accordingly, as part of the recruitment process, when
an offer is made the offer will be subject to a Prevent duty risk assessment.

●  We will seek references on shortlisted candidates and may approach previous employers for information

to verify particular experience or qualifications, before interview.

●

●

If you are currently working with children, on either a paid or voluntary basis, your current employer will
be asked about disciplinary offences, including disciplinary offences relating to children or young persons
(whether the disciplinary sanction is current or time expired), and whether you have been the subject of
any  child  protection  allegations  or  concerns  and,  if  so,  the  outcome  of  any  enquiry  or  disciplinary
procedure.

If you are not currently working with children but have done so in the past, that previous employer will be
asked  about  those  issues.   Where neither your current nor previous employment has involved working
with children, your current employer will still be asked about your suitability to work with children.   The
employer  may  answer  ‘not  applicable’  if  your duties have not brought you into contact with children or
young persons.   The school may contact any of your previous places of work, whether or not they have
been  named  in  connection  with  a  referee.  Where  you  have  no  previous  employment  history,  we may
request character references which may include references from your school or university.

Application Pack

●  As  the  job  for  which  you  are  applying  involves  substantial  opportunity  for  access  to  children,  it  is
important  that  you  provide  us  with  accurate  answers.  You  should  be  aware  that  provision  of  false
information  is  an  offence and could result in the application being rejected or summary dismissal if the
applicant has been selected and possible referral to the police and/or DBS.

Invitation to Interview

What to bring to the interview

All candidates invited to interview must bring with them:

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

Original (or certified copy) of Birth Certificate

A passport of full/provisional driving licence

A utility bill or financial statement issued within the last three months showing the candidate’s current
name and address;

Where appropriate, any documentation evidencing a change of name;

Where  applicable,  proof  of  entitlement  to work and reside in the UK. Further information regarding
the necessary documentary evidence can be found on the Home Office website.

Evidence of Good Conduct from applicable country if the candidate has been overseas for 3 months
or more in the past 5 years.

Please note that originals of the above are necessary. Photocopies or certified copies are not sufficient.

7.

All candidates invited to interview must bring documents confirming any educational and professional
qualifications  that  are  necessary  or  relevant  for  the  post  (e.g.  the  original  or  certified  copy  of
certificates,  diplomas  etc).   Where  originals  or  certified  copies  are  not available for the successful
candidate,  written  confirmation  of  the  relevant  qualifications  must  be  obtained  by  you  from  the
awarding body.

8.

If  the  position  you  are  applying  for  requires  a  mandatory  professional qualification or membership
you will need to produce your qualification and proof of professional membership at interview.

Disability and reasonable adjustments

Candidates  with  a  disability  who  are  invited  to  interview should kindly inform the School of any necessary
reasonable adjustments or arrangements to assist them in attending the interview.

Conditional Offer of Appointment: Pre-Appointment Checks

Any offer to a successful candidate will be conditional upon

●  verification of identity and qualifications
●  verification of right to work in the UK, where appropriate
●  a  satisfactory Enhanced DBS check and, if appropriate, a check against the Children’s Barred List and

the Adults’ Barred List maintained by the DBS

●  Where  the  successful  candidate  has  worked  or  been  resident  overseas  (including  EEA  teaching
candidates), such checks and confirmations as the School may consider appropriate so that any relevant
events  that  occurred  outside  the  UK can be considered. This shall include the candidate providing the
School with proof of his/her past conduct as a teacher in the form of a letter of professional standing from
the professional regulating authority in the country in which s/he has worked

Application Pack

●

receipt  of  at  least  two  satisfactory  references  (if  these  have  not  already  been  received),  including  for
internal appointments.   All references should be provided by a senior person with appropriate authority,
subject to the satisfaction of the School

●  verification of professional status such as GTC registration, QTS Status (where required), NPQH
●  evidence of satisfactory medical fitness
●

receipt  of  a signed Staff Suitability Declaration form showing that the candidate is not disqualified from
providing  childcare  as  set  out  in  the  statutory  guidance “Disqualification under the Childcare Act 2006
(July 2018)”

●  satisfactory completion of the probationary period
●  verification  of  successful  completion  of  statutory  induction  period  (applies  to those who obtained QTS

after 7 May 1999), where relevant

●  For  a  candidate  to  be  employed  as  a  teacher,  a  check  that  that  the  candidate  is  not  subject  to  a
prohibition  order  issued  by  the  Secretary  of  State or any sanction or restriction imposed (that remains
current) by the historic General Teaching Council for England before its abolition in March 2012

●  For  a  candidate  to  be  employed  into  a  senior  management  position  as  set  out  within  the  School’s
Recruitment,  Selection  and  Disclosures  Policy  and  Procedure,  receipt  of  a  signed  “senior  charity
manager  positions:  automatic  disqualification  declaration”  confirming  that  the  candidate  is  not
disqualified from acting in a senior management position for a charity in accordance with the automatic
disqualification rules for charities
If you are undertaking a management role, a check that you have not been prohibited from participating
in the management of independent schools.

●

As  part  of Keeping Children Safe in Education, your name will be investigated online as part of the
recruitment process.

It is the School's practice that a successful candidate must complete a pre-employment health questionnaire.
The  information  contained  in  the  questionnaire  will  then  be  held  by the School in strictest confidence and
used as set out in the School’s Recruitment Privacy Notice and Data Protection Policy. This information will
be  reviewed  against  the  Job  Description  and  the  Person Specification for the particular role, together with
details  of  any  other  physical  or  mental  requirements  of  the  role  i.e.  proposed  workload,  extra-curricular
activities, layout of the School etc.

The  School  is  aware  of  its  duties  under the Equality Act 2010.   No job offer will be withdrawn without first
consulting with the applicant, considering medical evidence and considering reasonable adjustments.

WARNING

Where a candidate is:

found to be on Children’s Barred List, Adults’ Barred List or the Protection of Children Act List; or

●
●  The Enhanced DBS disclosure shows s/he has been disqualified from working with children by a Court;

or
found to have provided false information in, or in support of, his/her application; or
the subject of serious expressions of concern as to his/her suitability to work with children,

●
●

the facts will be reported to the Police and/or the DBS.

References

We will seek the references referred to above for all shortlisted candidates, including internal candidates and
may  approach  previous  employers  for  information  to  verify  particular  experience  or  qualifications,  before
interview.   If you do not wish us to take up references in advance of the interview, please notify us at the time
of submitting your application.

For  internal  candidates,  formal  written  references  may  be  sought  from  a  senior  person  with  appropriate
authority.

All referees will be asked if the candidate is suitable to work with children.

Application Pack

The School will compare any
referee  with  that provided by
Any
application
discussed with the candidate.

form.

Criminal Records Policy

information  provided  by  the
the
the
be
inconsistencies

candidate

on
will

The  School  will  refer  to  the  Department  for  Education  (“DfE”)  document,  ‘Keeping  Children  Safe  in
Education’ and any amended version in carrying out the necessary required DBS checks.

The School complies with the provisions of the DBS Code of Practice, a copy of which may be obtained on
request or accessed here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/dbs-code-of-practice.

Any  offer  of  employment  is  conditional  upon  the  School  obtaining  an  Enhanced  Disclosure  from  the
Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) which the School considers to be satisfactory.  The School applies for
an  Enhanced  check  for  Regulated  Activity  from  the  DBS  (which  includes  a check of the Children’s Barred
List) in respect to all positions at the School which amount to regulated activity.  It is unlawful for the School to
employ anyone who is barred from working with children.  It is a criminal offence for any person who is barred
from  working  with  children  to  attempt  to  apply  for  a  position  at  the  School.   If  you  are  successful  in  your
application,  you  will  be  required  to  complete  an  online  DBS Disclosure Application Form.   Any information
disclosed will be handled in accordance with any guidance and/or Code of Practice published by the DBS.

Policy on the Recruitment of Ex-Offenders

The School will not unfairly discriminate against any candidate for employment on the basis of conviction or
other  details  revealed.  The  School  makes  appointment  decisions  on  the  basis  of  merit  and  ability.  If  an
individual  has  a  criminal  record  this  will  not  automatically  bar  him/her  from employment within the School.
Instead,  each  case  will  be  fairly  and  objectively  assessed  by  the  School  in  relation  to  the  nature  of  the
employment applied for, and the nature of the offence concerned.

Any  member  of  staff,  their  family  (if  over  16), volunteer, agency/contract staff working at the school or any
other adult coming into regular contact with the children or having unsupervised access to school premises,
will not be employed or permitted to live or work on school premises if recruitment checks disclose that they
have  been  convicted  of an offence which indicate that they may be unsuitable to work with or have regular
contact with children.

Under  the  relevant  legislation,  it  is  unlawful  for  the  School  to  employ  anyone  who  is  included  on  the lists
maintained by the DBS of individuals who are considered unsuitable to work with children. In addition, it will
also be unlawful for the School to employ anyone who is the subject of a disqualifying order made on being
convicted or charged with the following offences against children: murder, manslaughter, rape, other serious
sexual  offences,  grievous  bodily harm or other serious acts of violence. It is also unlawful for the School to
knowingly  employ  someone  who  works  in  the  relevant  settings  and is disqualified from providing childcare
under the statutory guidance “Disqualification under the Childcare Act 2006 (July 2018)”.

It is a criminal offence for any person who is disqualified from working with children to attempt to apply for a
position within the School. The School will report the matter to the Police and/or the DBS if:

•
•
•

the School receives an application from a disqualified person;
is provided with false information in, or in support of, an applicant's application; or
the School has serious concerns about an applicant's suitability to work with children.

Please note that any employer (where children are involved), whom we contact for a reference, will be asked
to  declare  if  you  have  been  subject  to  any  substantiated  allegations  or  concerns,  as  defined  by  the

Application Pack

Department  of  Education,
or
(whether
to  the  safety  and  welfare  of
and if so, the outcome.

formally

have

been

that
raised
informally)  about  you  relating
children  and  young  people,

All  candidates  should  be  aware  that  provision  of  false  information  is  an  offence  and  could  result  in  the
application  being rejected or summary dismissal if they have been appointed, and a possible referral to the
police and/or DBS.

In the event that relevant information (whether in relation to previous convictions or otherwise) is volunteered
by  an  applicant  during  the  recruitment  process  or  obtained  through  a  disclosure  check,  the  School  will
consider the following factors before reaching a recruitment decision:

•
•

•
•
•
•

•

•

whether the conviction or other matter revealed is relevant to the position in question;
whether  the  conviction or caution is 'protected' as defined by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act
1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 (if yes, it will not be
taken into account);
the seriousness of any offence or other matter revealed;
the length of time since the offence or other matter occurred;
whether the applicant has a pattern of offending behaviour or other relevant matters;
whether  the  applicant's  circumstances  have  changed  since  the  offending  behaviour  or  other
relevant matters;
in  the  case  of  disqualification  from  providing  childcare,  whether  the  applicant  has  or  is  able  to
obtain an Ofsted waiver from disqualification; and
the  circumstances  surrounding  the  offence  and  the  explanation(s)  offered  by  the  convicted
person.

If  the post involves regular contact with children, it is the School’s normal policy to consider it a high risk to
employ  anyone  who  has  been  convicted  at  any  time  of  any  the  following offences: murder, manslaughter,
rape,  other  serious  sexual offences, grievous bodily harm or other serious acts of violence, serious class A
drug related offences, robbery, burglary, theft, deception or fraud.

If the post involves access to money or budget responsibility, it is the School's normal policy to consider it a
high risk to employ anyone who has been convicted at any time of robbery, burglary, theft, deception or fraud.
If  the post involves some driving responsibilities, it is the School's normal policy to consider it a high risk to
employ anyone who has been convicted of drink driving.

Retention and Security of Records and Data Protection

The School will comply with its obligations regarding the retention and security of records in accordance with
the DBS Code of Practice and its obligations under its Data Protection Policy. Copies of DBS certificates will
not  be  retained  for  longer  than  6  months.  Details  of  how  we  use  candidates’  data  is  explained  in  the
Recruitment Privacy Notice and Data Protection Policy.

Application Pack