Gateways School
Harewood
Leeds
West Yorkshire
LS17 9LE
About Gateways School
Gateways is an independent day school for boys and girls aged 2 to 18. Situated on a 16 acre site in the rural village of Harewood, Gateways is conveniently located on the main artery between Leeds and Harrogate.
Gateways is a small school, which allows staff to know their pupils, recognise their strengths and weaknesses and therefore provide a personal education getting the best out of each and every child who come through the gates.
Aims and Ethos
Gateways is a forward-thinking school built on traditional values.
Our ethos is rooted in three core values which apply to all of our stakeholders, that of Growth, Wellbeing & Success.
At Gateways we:
o Grow our knowledge, skills and confidence, supporting others to do the same;
o Build our resilience and self-awareness in a kind and inclusive environment;
o Achieve our full potential in preparation for the next challenge.
Growth
Wellbeing
Success
Library Assistant
We are seeking an enthusiastic, friendly, and highly organised Library Assistant to join our school community for the next academic year.
This is an exciting opportunity for someone who is passionate about literacy and learning and enjoys working with young people in a busy and vibrant school environment.
The successful candidate will play a key role in supporting the day-to-day running of the school library, helping to create a welcoming and inspiring space where pupils can develop a love of reading, research, and independent learning.
Working closely with staff and students, you will promote reading for pleasure, support curriculum learning, assist with library administration, and encourage pupils to make full use of the library's resources and services.
This role would suit an approachable and proactive individual with excellent organisational and communication skills, a strong attention to detail, and a genuine enthusiasm for helping pupils succeed.
Key conditions
❖ Start Date: 1st September 2026
❖ Working Hours: 10:30 – 15:00, Monday to Friday during term time and all staff training & development days
❖ Salary: £11,914 per annum
❖ Contract Type: Initial 1-year contract
Staff benefits* include
❖ Free lunch during term time
❖ Fee remission for eligible children
❖ Enhanced 5% employer pension contribution, including 4 x death in service benefit
❖ CPD packages
❖ Cycle to work and electric car scheme
❖ Access to a staff wellbeing room and employee assistance programme
*subj ect to eligi bility
GATEWAYS SCHOOL
Job Description
Key responsibilities include but are not limited to
Using and maintaining the Library Management System – issuing, returning & searching for resources, adding new resources, making necessary updates, issuing overdue notices, completing audits etc.
• Ensure the Cox Simpson Library is a presentable and organised resource at all times.
• Process new resources ready for borrowing.
• Repair resources as required.
• Guide and support library users to locate relevant resources for their individual needs, to support research skills, and to share and discuss reading for pleasure recommendations.
• Advise pupils and staff on the use of digital media and resources.
• Assist library users with accessing library computer facilities as well as computers and photocopiers within the Library IT Suite.
• Pupil supervision and to encourage an appropriate learning environment through the school day.
• Create creative and imaginative displays to promote books, resources and reading.
• Assist with the compiling and maintenance of book lists and recommended reading lists, including the addition of content on the Firefly Library Resources pages.
• Organisation and running of reading activities and school events.
• Provide support as required for the Prep School Library.
• Carry out any other duties required by the Deputy Head.
General responsibilities including personal and professional conduct
• Be responsible for safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children.
• Follow all School policies and procedures.
• Attend meetings and staff briefings.
• Attend all training and development days.
• Demonstrate a commitment to continuous development, identify opportunities for professional development and undertake training opportunities where appropriate.
• Maintain confidentiality inside and outside the School, following all GDPR and Data Protection legislation.
• Manage and prioritise your own workload in line with the requirements of the department and School.
• Establish effective working relationships with professional colleagues.
• Be a role model for students through personal presentation and professional conduct.
• Present a positive personal image, contributing to a welcoming School environment.
• Contribute to the ethos of the School, ensuring the School’s values are displayed.
• Support School events.
• Carry out any other duties required by the Head.
Please note, this job description is not a definitive list of the responsibilities of the role. Responsibilities will be varied to meet the changing demands of the department and the School. Job descriptions are reviewed as part of the appraisal process.
Person Specification
Qualifications
• (E) A* - C English and Maths GCSE (or equivalent/above).
(D) Level 2 certificate or Level 3 Diploma in Libraries, Archives and Information Services or equivalent.
• (D) Good Honours Degree in any subject or a subject related to library management or education.
Experience
• (E) Successful experience of working in a library environment.
• (D) Successful experience of working in an academic library environment (school/college/university).
Specialist Knowledge
• (E) Knowledge of children’s and young people’s literature.
• (E) Knowledge of information & digital literacy.
• (D) Knowledge of library management systems and digital resources.
Skills
• (E) Excellent listening, communication and organisation skills.
• (E) Excellent customer service and ability to develop a positive relationship with library users.
• (E) Be warm and responsive to children’s needs.
• (E) Competent user of IT.
• (E) The ability to communicate effectively with pupils, parents and colleagues.
• (E) The ability to manage time and prioritise tasks so that all duties are fulfilled effectively.
• (D) Ability to use online catalogue systems.
• (D) Ability to develop online resources.
Personal Qualities
• (E) Be patient, kind, approachable, adaptable and creative.
• (E) Be reliable and punctual.
• (E) Ability to enthuse and motivate children.
• (E) Ability to work alone or as a member of a team as appropriate.
• (E) The flexibility to respond to the challenge of change.
• (E) Emotional resilience when working with challenging behaviours and appropriate attitude to the use of authority to maintain discipline.
Safeguarding
• (E) Commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of young people.
• (E) Understanding of the importance of safeguarding and child protection.
• (E) Ability to maintain appropriate relationships and personal boundaries with children and young people.
Key
• (E) – Essential
• (D) – Desirable
Methods of assessment include certificates, professional references, application form, interviews, observations and in tray tasks.
Further information
How to Apply
Click here to visit our website and download an application form
Please send your completed application form and a cover letter outlining your suitability for the role to jobs@gatewaysschool.co.uk
Application Deadline: Monday 10th August 2026 at 8am
Enquiries
Please contact Rhiannon Morris, PA to the Head E-mail: jobs@gatewaysschool.co.uk Tel: 0113 824 2770
Policies
Click here to visit our website and view our policies, including our Safeguarding policy Click here to visit our jobs page and view our Safer Recruitment policy
Gateways School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of its students and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Appointments will be subject to an enhanced DBS with barred list check as well as a prohibition list check (where applicable).