International Summer School Operations Director Summer 2022

International Summer School
     Operations Director
        Summer 2022

About Sedbergh School

Sedbergh School, founded in 1525 by Roger Lupton, Provost of Eton, is an Independent Co-educational
Boarding School. The Headmaster is a member of the Headmasters’ and Headmistresses’
Conference. Set in the spectacular Yorkshire Dales National Park, the School also benefits from fast
motorway and rail access to the rest of the UK.

The School is a vibrant, demanding and supportive community, which encourages pupils and staff to
be involved in as broad a range of activities and interests as possible. Art, Drama and Music are
especially strong, and the School has a national reputation for Sport. Sedbergh has its own Prep
School, located approximately five miles away at Casterton
The Headmaster, Mr D J Harrison MA (Cantab), has overall responsibility for both Schools and is
supported by a number of senior managers. Mr Will Newman BA(Ed) MA, is Headmaster of
Casterton, Sedbergh Prep School.

The Chief Operating Officer, Peter Marshall, is responsible to the Principal and Governors for the
management of all administrative and support staff. The Chief Operating Officer has responsibility not
only for the finances of the School, but also for the extensive land and buildings, maintenance
department, grounds & gardens, catering, housekeeping & domestic staff and all other support staff,
as well as running the commercial trading arm of the School, Sedbergh School Developments Limited.

Sedbergh International Summer School 2022
Sedbergh International Summer School is a British Council accredited summer school providing
international pupils between the ages of 8 and 17 with the opportunity to improve their English
language skills, whilst enjoying a wide and varied programme of activities and excursions. The
programme has undergone a complete revamp since 2019, and we are looking forward to welcoming
everyone back to Sedbergh for summer 2022.

The course will be based for the most part at Sedbergh Prep School, Casterton and will run for six
weeks with the first pupil arrival on Sunday 03 July and final departure date of Saturday 13 August
2022.

We are now seeking to appoint a suitably qualified, experienced, energetic and
enthusiastic Operations Director to be responsible for overseeing the welfare of all students (ages 8
to 17), supervising a large team of staff and coordinating all activities both on and off-
campus, ensuring the safe and smooth running of the six-week programme.

The ideal candidate will have experience working in an international summer camp /school
environment and be passionate about education and sports. Proven managerial skills are essential, as
is the ability to motivate and lead large groups of staff and pupils positively. Applicants should
be professional, committed, organised, outgoing and have excellent administrative
skills. Effective communication skills are also essential as you will be working with various
nationalities. The position reports to Sedbergh School Business Development Director.

The Operations Director will assume responsibility for the day-to-day management and delivery of the
courses and, along with the DoS /Course Director, will be involved with the planning and preparation
in the months leading up to the course. The position leads and steers the entire team and provides
supervision, leadership, guidance, advice, support and feedback to the team of activity, pastoral and
support staff.

Some preparation work will be required prior to Course commencement and details will be discussed
at interview. It is expected that the OD will commence full-time in the role at least 1 week prior to the
Course commencement.

All staff are required to undertake some overnight residential duties in the Boarding Houses.

Duties
The duties of the Operations Director will be wide and varied. The Operations Director represents
Sedbergh School and Sedbergh School Developments Limited (SSDL) professionally at a local level,
adhering to school policies and expected standards, effectively communicating those to staff and
pupils, and monitoring their effective implementation at all times. In conjunction with the
management team and DoS, the Operations Director will take steps to ensure the health and safety,
safeguarding and welfare of all pupils and staff on site.
It is not intended to cover every possible aspect of the job here, however, the main areas of
responsibility will be: -
        Planning and implementation of effective and complete induction programmes for staff
        and pupils including provision of handbooks for staff and pupils;
        Establishing and reinforcing a clear code of conduct for staff and pupils and managing any
        disciplinary issues in a positive manner;
        Ensuring thorough understanding and implementation of courses policies and procedures by
        all staff;
        Developing and managing a high-quality activity programme that is diverse and enriching,
        challenging and empowering;
        Ensuring standards and administration meet or exceed British Council requirements and to
        co-operate fully with an inspection team when on site;
        Ensuring the site is set up correctly and to a high-standard prior to the start of the course,
        ensuring appropriate signage is in place, and that all accommodation and facilities
        are checked, safe and secure;
        Planning and implementation of the daily schedule for the duration of the course;
        Over-seeing quality delivery of all activities, ensuring each is carried out to the highest
        of quality, safeguarding and health and safety standards;

Completing risk assessments for all activities, and ensuring these are
      read, reviewed and adhered to by all relevant staff;
      Oversee pastoral, welfare and medical staff and ensure all individual needs are met in an
      empathetic and caring manner;
      Ensure medical policies and procedures are in place and adhered to, and
      that accurate records are kept at all times;
      Being the primary point of contact for parents, agents and guardians, and providing regular
      updates to them for the duration of the pupils’ stay;
      To manage all non-teaching staff effectively and organise appropriate working rotas;
      Leading daily staff meetings with the DoS (teachers and activity staff);
      Planning and implementation of an effective transfer schedule, providing a professional
      and safe transfer service, ensuring all pupils are met on time on arrival, and are safely
      dropped off for their return journeys;
      Liaising daily with the School Operations teams, including IT, Catering, Housekeeping and
      Transport, providing them with everything they need in order to fully support
      the programme;
      To ensure all GDPR protocols are met throughout the programme;
      To establish clear procedures and protocols for the handling of cash and assuming
      responsibility for the safe storage of all monies on site;
      To manage weekly fire-drills to ensure the safety of all on site;
      To manage the closure of the programme and facility check;
      ‘Trouble-shooting’ issues raised by staff, pupils or agents;
      Any other duties as required.

Person Specification
Essential criteria
      Proven exceptional leadership, organisational, communication and problem-solving skills;
      Ability to motivate and lead a team and sustain enthusiasm for the duration of the course;
      Experience of and genuine interest in working with young people;

Excellent first-hand understanding and experience of Sedbergh School’s operations
        and appropriate standards;
        Strong work ethic and able to organise own work time effectively;
        Ability to maintain a pro-active, positive and supportive attitude during long working hours;
        Ability to work under pressure and manage competing demands;
        Good understanding of Microsoft Office and Sharepoint;
        Experience/qualifications/understanding of a range of different sports and activities;

Desirable criteria
        Previous summer and boarding school;
        Previous experience of a British Council inspection;
        Ability to speak other languages an advantage;

Salary and Conditions
        Salary: Competitive, in line with skills and experience
        All staff must attend a mandatory induction programme and ideally will be available to work
        the full duration of the summer course (a minimum of three weeks would be considered).
        The School must ensure a certain number of pupils to participate for SISS to go ahead.
        Candidates will be updated regularly with developments.

Working with Children
All staff applying to Sedbergh International Summer School will have stringent checks made as to their
suitability to work with children. Appointment will be subject to the following:

        Receipt by the School of two satisfactory references, which will include responses to a
        specific enquiry about whether there is any impediment to the prospective staff member
        being employed in a situation where he/she will have responsibility for/access to and the
        care of children;
        Receipt by the School of an enhanced DBS (Disclosure & Barring Service) certificate;
        Proof of identity and all relevant qualifications will be required, and photocopies taken of
        the original certificates;
        Any gaps in Applicants’ employment history will be questioned and must be
        satisfactorily explained;
        Applicants also need to be aware that if they have spent longer than three months outside
        of the UK in the last five years then as well as applying for an enhanced DBS they will also
        need to obtain a Police Check or other DBS equivalent to cover the time spent
        overseas. This is due to the DBS not having access to overseas criminal records as part of its
        Disclosure service.

How to apply
The HR Department is very happy to receive enquiries about the post or application process
prior to applying. Please send any enquiries to: hradmin@sedberghschool.org.

All applicants must submit an application form giving the names of two referees. A
supporting letter and CV will also be welcome in addition. Applications may be sent
electronically to: hradmin@sedberghschool.org.

Diversity – the School is fully committed to the principles of equal opportunity, diversity, and
inclusion. Sedbergh School does not discriminate on the grounds of gender, disability, age,
sexual orientation, marital status or racial ethnic or national origin and applications are
welcome from a diverse range of backgrounds.

Applications will be acknowledged by email.

                                We look forward to hearing from you.

             Sedbergh School is committed to safeguarding & protecting the welfare of children.
Applicants must be willing to undergo child protections screening appropriate to the post, including checks with
                             past employers and the Disclosure and Barring Service.
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