Chigwell, Essex, IG7 6QF General Tel: 020 8501 5700 Direct Tel: 020 8501 5708 Fax: 020 8500 6232 E-mail: [email protected] www.chigwell-school.org

From the Headmaster M.E. Punt, M.A., M.Sc. Chigwell School Bursar Job Description

Introduction Chigwell School is seeking a well-qualified, energetic and committed individual to become Bursar. The School finances are healthy as a result of prudent management and there are ambitious plans for the future. The successful candidate will be key to the ongoing development of the School for the benefit of current and future pupils. Background Founded in 1629 by Samuel Harsnett, the son of a Colchester baker who went on to become Archbishop of York, Chigwell School stands on it original site with the original school building still in use. However, whilst Chigwell of today is conscious of its long-standing history, it is a forward-looking, ambitious, co-educational independent school of 900 pupils aged four to eighteen. It enjoys excellent facilities, a dedicated staff, bright and hardworking pupils, and a site of 100 acres. Chigwell School is located in the picturesque village of Chigwell just over ten miles from central London and on the Central Line. The extensive, beautiful grounds are close to the edge of Epping Forest and it is rare for a school to have so much space and yet be so close to the centre of the Capital. Most pupils are day pupils but in the Sixth Form, there is a small community of international boarders, roughly thirty from sixteen countries, and these live in four small boarding houses.

Chigwell School is an Incorporated Charity, No. 1115098

As well as being an academic school, Chigwell has the reputation for providing a rich and full education, with plenty of opportunities for all pupils who are enthusiastic, co-operative and able. Chigwell is a caring and friendly school, with a close sense of community, not least between colleagues. As the 2015 Good Schools Guide reports: Academically, pupils are put through their paces but it all seems to be done in such a civilised and pleasant manner that you are more likely to hear pupils talk about opportunities and prospects than pressure and stress. “Anyone who wants to do well here, will do well” said one student, “and I can’t think of a nicer place to succeed.” The School Development Programme Over the recent years, the School’s facilities have been extensively developed in order to enhance the educational experience that pupils receive. The development programme has included the following additions:          

2008 2008 2009 2010 2010 2010 2012 2013 2013 2014

Wilson Building teaching block Floodlit AstroTurf pitch Junior School library extension Complete redevelopment of catering facilities Sixth Form coffee shop Harsnett’s and Church House converted into boys’ boarding houses The Old Chigwellian Club and land was incorporated into the school estate Pre Prep School built and opened Two new science labs created Drama Centre balcony extended to provide additional music and drama rehearsal space

Currently, the building of the Risham Sarao Sixth Form Centre is underway and in the future the plan is to:  Renovate the Chapel  Extend the Dining Hall  Develop the Sports Centre  Expand our music facilities  Further expand our provision of bursaries Governance Chigwell School was incorporated in 2006 and, therefore, is simultaneously a charity, company limited by guarantee, and a school. Each term, there is a full Governors’ meeting as well as meetings of the sub committees: Audit, Education, Finance and Property, Remuneration, and Trust. Currently, separate to the Bursar, there is the Clerk to the Governors. The Bursar produces reports for Governors’ meetings. The Head has a chief executive role in the School and the Bursar is a key member of the Senior Management Team with the Head, Deputy Head, Deputy Head (Staff and Systems), Director of Studies, Senior Master, Head of Junior School, Deputy Head of Junior School, and Head of Pre Prep.

Chigwell School is an Incorporated Charity, No. 1115098

The Role The Governors are seeking to recruit a bursar with proven leadership and communications skills, and the commitment and ability to continue the development of Chigwell School in line with its aims. The broad responsibilities of the Bursar include:  Strategic Planning  Financial resources  Physical resources  Human resources  Compliance Strategic Planning In consultation with the Headmaster and others as required, the Bursar’s responsibilities include:  Prioritising, planning and programming for the approval of the Governing Body the development of new or replacement facilities  Prioritising, planning and programming for the approval of the Governing Body the upkeep of the School’s buildings and particularly its heritage assets  Advising on the potential to let the School’s considerable facilities as a means of raising further revenue  Advising on trends in the affordability of School fees and their recovery  Co-ordinating the function and purpose of fundraising with the financing requirements identified above  Ensuring that medium-term financial plans are produced so that capital and revenue budgets can be set in an agreed strategic context  Developing, implementing and monitoring financial procedures which contribute towards the School achieving the best value for money and minimising financial risks Financial Resources The Bursar is supported by an experienced team in the day to day financial operation of the School. The Bursar’s responsibilities include:         

Ensuring that the School’s financial procedures are up to date and compliant Financial forecasts, budget setting and cost control across the School Investment procedures and development of a treasury policy Certifying payments and transfers Ensuring that budget holders receive support to help them manage their expenditures against budgets Agreeing an annual programme for capital expenditure and ensuring that long term funding is available for rolling replacements (e.g. IT equipment) Maintaining the accounts of the School and preparing statements of financial activity and balance sheets in accordance with the Statement of Recommended Practice (SORP) for charities Collection of fees, including dealing with fee debtors Ensuring that terms and conditions in the parental contract are appropriate, up to date and compliant

Chigwell School is an Incorporated Charity, No. 1115098

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Setting salaries, staff accommodation rents etc. Payment of salaries, pension contributions, PAYE and NMC payments, expenses, invoices etc. Assessment, allocation and management of bursaries Handling Gift Aid, VAT and other tax issues Day to day banking requirements and negotiation with the School’s bank Ensuring that the School has adequate insurance cover at all times to include employer’s liability, buildings and equipment cover, personal accident, travel insurance and other relevant cover. Professional advice should be sought. Liaison with the support staff pension scheme

Physical Resources The Bursar is responsible for the Chigwell School estate and this responsibility extends to:  100 acres of sports fields and buildings, some of which dates back to the foundation of the School. 25 acres of land belonged to the Old Chigwellian Club and this is primarily uses as their sports facility, let to Leyton Orient Football Club for training as well as other external lets  The maintenance and development of these facilities to ensure they provide a safe and secure working environment for teaching, learning and a wide range of other activities  The maintenance of specialist facilities including the science laboratories, swimming pool and drama centre  All maintenance, catering and cleaning (currently catering and cleaning are contracted out through Chartwells)  Maintenance and efficiency of the insulations and plant for electric and gas supplies, heating, domestic hot water, water softening etc.  Managing the maintenance of the lighting and ventilation in all school buildings  Energy supply contracts at competitive rates either directly or through a purchasing group  Drawing up outline specifications for new buildings, obtaining tenders, planning permission, liaison with school architects and builders  Project management of capital projects – currently the construction of a Sixth Form Centre is underway  Liaison with local and relevant authorities on issues such as planning, traffic etc.  Advising on and taking the appropriate security measures within the School for protection of staff and pupils  Procurement of vehicles, furniture and equipment  Provision of audio visual services  Management of school vehicles  External hire of school facilities through the trading company Chigwell Mitre Enterprises  Management of The School Shop  Management of laundry facilities

Chigwell School is an Incorporated Charity, No. 1115098

Human Resources The Bursar recruits and manages support staff (approximately fifty people) who work in a variety of areas across the School, many of whom report directly to Heads of Departments as their line manager. He/she will be responsible for carrying out their appraisals and ensuring that they feel supported. In addition, responsibilities include:  Preparation of all contracts and associated documents including disciplinary and grievance procedures for all staff – teaching and support  Taking advice on employment law and up-dating policies to take account of new regulations and legislation  Training and professional development of support staff  Dealing with safer recruitment procedures for all staff

Compliance The Bursar is responsible for:  Ensuring compliance with the Independent Schools’ Inspectorate regulations and particularly with regard to welfare health and safety  Writing, updating and implementing school policies  Maintaining the risk register  Chairing the Health and Safety Committee  Acting as the School’s Data Protection Officer  Ensuring compliance with pension regulations for both the Teachers’ Pension Scheme and the Pension Trust for support staff  Ensuring compliance with all relevant aspects of employment law including employment protection, equal pay, minimum wage, working time directive and anti-discrimination law  Ensuring that the licensed areas of the School comply with regulations  Keeping abreast of all those areas of law which are relevant to Chigwell School’s activities including Charity Law, Company Law, Employment Law, Equality Legislation, Property Law, Building Regulations, Health & Safety Law and Regulations, Fire Regulations, Pension Law and Regulations and Data Protection Law More generally, the Bursar will be expected to understand the needs of a school and work to support the development of Chigwell School and the experience that pupils have at all levels. He/she will keep abreast of development in the sector through the East Anglian Bursars’ Association, the Independent Schools’ Bursars’ Association and other professional development. It will be important to be versatile and approachable, yet with the strength of character to hold staff accountable. The successful candidate will have an understanding of the needs of both teachers and support staff, be energetic, enthusiastic, adaptable and dependable.

Chigwell School is an Incorporated Charity, No. 1115098

Applications Applicants should complete the support staff application form which can be accessed directly from our website: www.chigwell-school.org (Vacancies) and sent to the Headmaster’s P.A.: [email protected] by Wednesday 10th February 2016. The Headmaster, Mr Michael Punt, will be happy to answer any questions; he can be contacted through the School by telephone 020 8501 5701 or by e-mail to [email protected] Chigwell is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Applicants must be willing to undergo child protection screening including checks with past employers, prohibition orders and enhanced DBS.

Chigwell School is an Incorporated Charity, No. 1115098