Lark Hill RoadPrestonLancashirePR1 4HD

Tel: 01772 460181/077Fax: 01772 204671Email: hr@cardinalnewman.ac.ukWeb: www.cardinalnewman.ac.uk

Dear Applicant

We are delighted that you are considering completing an application for the post of Careers Officer to take up post from end August 2016.

Cardinal Newman is a wonderful place to start (or to continue) your career and we welcome applications from applicants who are keen to gain a broad experience of teaching in an outstanding institution. We are a distinctive Catholic Sixth Form College, which welcomes colleagues and students of all faiths, and which has a real feeling of community and it is a happy, thriving and highly successful College.

At Cardinal Newman College we are committed to the development of the whole person and we value each student as an individual with a unique mix of skills and talents. Our students achieve outstanding results placing the College at the top of the performance tables out of over 400 Colleges nationally for the last four years. We were awarded Beacon Status in 2010 and the College enjoyed an ‘outstanding’ Inspection in May 2009. However, we are as proud of our students’ social, cultural and spiritual achievements as we are of their outstanding exam results. We have a fabulous team of colleagues who give up an extraordinary amount of time to support their students and their fellow members of staff. The dedication and attention to quality they exhibit is what makes our College so successful.

If you meet the criteria of the post advertised and feel that you would enjoy working here, we hope you will make an application to join us. We welcome applications from suitably experienced and qualified persons for appointment to this post.

Completed application forms should be returned to the Human Resources Department (via email or post) by midnight on midnight on 25th April 2016 We do ask that you accept, in the interests of economy, that if you have not heard from us by mid May that you will not have been selected for interview on this occasion.

We will confirm receipt of all applications by email within one working day of receipt. Please do telephone HR team if you have not received a confirmation email by the closing date.

Should you have any questions which are not covered in the enclosed information please do not hesitate to contact the Human Resources Department.

Yours faithfully

Nick Burnham

Principal

Mission Statement

As a Catholic Sixth Form College we strive to be a centre of educational excellence for the community built on faith, respect and trust. We celebrate diversity amongst all out students and

staff and seek to nurture the gifts of each individual through high quality teaching and learning and dedicated pastoral care.

Values Statement

Cardinal Newman College is a community which aims to live out the gospel values of service and love. This means that:

The individual student is central to all our endeavours

The College values each individual as a unique person irrespective of gender, race, belief or ability and regards each person, made in the image and likeness of God, as worthy of the utmost respect

The College strives to develop each person intellectually, socially and spiritually through an inclusive programme of study and enrichment

The College values the spiritual journey of each individual and will offer opportunities for each to engage appropriately in their spiritual search

The College is committed to creating a culture that is open and welcoming, free from fear and from violence of any kind, in which all individuals feel safe, happy and secure

The College provides learning environments that are stimulating, enjoyable and challenging to students, fostering their creativity, imagination and search for truth

The College encourages individuals to contribute positively to the world in which they live, to challenge injustice and to seek out more co-operative, just and peaceful forms of human existence.

THE CAREERS DEPARTMENT – BACKGROUND INFORMATION

The careers department currently comprises two staff, one full time, term time Careers Manager and a part time, term time only member of staff who also has a role in Personal Tutoring.

The careers department is based on the ground floor of the St Wilfrid building with an open access area containing careers resources and computers for student to carry careers related research. There is an adjacent Careers Office and private interview space for confidential careers guidance interviews.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

CAREERS OFFICER

Salary The post will be paid on the Sixth Form Colleges’ Support Staff Pay Spine Points 28-31 - Actual Salary £19,998 to £21,919 (Pro rata to £22,047 to £24,165).

Payment of salary Your salary will be paid by BACs transfer into your bank account on the last banking day of the month (except at Christmas when payment is made before the holiday)

Pension Scheme You will automatically become a member of the Local Government Pension Scheme (unless you opt-out). Further details are available at www.lancs-pensions.org.uk

Working Hours 37 hours per week, normally 8.30 to 4.30 with 36 minutes for lunch. 41 weeks per annum (term time plus 10 days)

Holidays Holiday entitlement is pro rata to 22 days annual leave plus 8 statutory and 4 concessionary days. After 5 years’ continuous services the annual leave entitlement increases to pro rata to 25 days annual leave. Holidays must normally be taken during periods outside of term time.

DBS Clearance This post requires Disclosure and Barring Service clearance as well as a range of other safer recruitment checks.

JOB DESCRIPTION

CAREERS OFFICER

Responsible to: Careers Manager

Purpose of Post: To assist the careers manager is ensuring that the Careers Department provides an outstanding service for students and staff

Key Responsibilities:

To undertake administration in respect of the Careers function. To assist the Careers Manager in processing and sending completed UCAS forms at peak

times where appropriate. To assist the careers manager in ensuring that all Senior Tutors, Personal Tutors and

Achievement Tutors and students are provided with relevant information about Careers related matters including UCAS, conferences, open days and any employment opportunities made known to the college via briefing sheets, Moodle, website and presentations at meetings as appropriate

To give and ensure the provision of individual impartial careers and guidance throughout the year to all students including HE, parents/carers and staff when necessary including Open Evenings, HE Launch events, Interview Evenings, Enrolment and during the examination results period in August.

To assist the Careers Manager in offering UCAS refresher sessions for Achievement Tutors & Senior Tutors.

To co-ordinate the booking in of student interviews with college Careers staff and Independent careers Advisers.

To develop and maintain records of interviews with students. To provide individual IAG to students making UCAS, employment, training and gap year

applications. To maintain up-to-date information in the Careers Library, Careers Moodle and the external

web page.. To assist the Careers Manager in identifying and ordering appropriate resources for use in the

careers area. To maintain appropriate displays on the Careers notice boards. To assist the Careers Manager in collecting and collating information on destination of leavers

and the progression of HE students. To assist in the Clearing Support Service for students during AS and A level results period in

August. To assist in supporting 1-1 IAG and the rollout of Employability sessions during the Autumn

term for students not applying to HE. To research and provide admissions information on HE courses and institutions. To assist in the organisation of careers focused educational visits, including risk assessments

and completion of trip paperwork To assist in the provision of mock interviews for students.. To develop resources for students to improve awareness of the world of work and preparation

for the workplace.

To support the Careers Manager in working closely with the High Achievers’ Manager in respect of careers advice and guidance support for potential Russell Group students.

To adhere to College policies e.g. Safeguarding, Health and Safety, Equal Opportunities. To assist the Careers Manager in organise workshops on particular career issues using outside

agencies and visiting speakers as appropriate including specialist workshops e.g. HE Progression, Personal Statement writing, Careers week and National careers week.

To assist the Careers Manager in organising careers visits to higher education establishments and the HE Convention and work related areas as part of an on-going programme of careers education.

To attend meetings both internal and external related to Careers as required. To liaise with staff, students and external agencies where appropriate. To ensure effective communication as appropriate. To occasionally assist at various College Events. To undertake any other duties of a reasonable nature as requested by the Principal or his/her

designated alternate

PERSON SPECIFICATION

CAREERS OFFICER

All staff must make a positive contribution to: the Catholic ethos of the College and its distinctive nature; the College Equality and Diversity, Health and Safety and Safeguarding Policies and Procedures; the pursuit of excellence and the highest standards of quality in all aspects of College life; their own professional development, in accordance with the needs of the College.

Essential Desirable How Identified

Qualifications / Education and Training

Dip CG, QCG or NVQ 4 Advice and Guidance (or Level 3 with willingness to work towards level 4)

A degree level qualification

PGCE (or equivalent) IT qualification

Application form

Experience, Knowledge and Skills

Experience in an Advice and Guidance role

Experience of working alone and in a number of different teams

Experience in an education environment, particularly FE or HE

Application form

Interview References

Personal Qualities

Disclosure and Barring Service Clearance*

Medical clearance* Provision of two references which

are deemed as satisfactory to the Principal*

The ability to meet the requirements of the Asylum and Immigration Act (eligible to work in the UK)

Vision for an outstanding Careers Department in a Sixth Form College in the 21st century

Ability to champion the Careers Department and raise its profile in College

Have a clear focus on the role of the Careers Department in enhancing students’ experience

Ability to inspire, college staff and students to maximise use of the careers Library and resources

Awareness and understanding of current developments in the area of advice and guidance

Good listening and questioning skills

Highly organised Persistence Enthusiasm Sense of humour Confident and

professional manner

Interview/ Presentation/test

References

Ability to reflect on current practice and plan for appropriate change

Ability to communicate effectively with Staff, students and others

Good team player Ability to work to defined

deadlines Ability to work on own

initiative/self-motivation Good record of attendance and

punctuality (within the requirements of DDA)

*following a conditional offer of appointment

Note: Cardinal Newman College has a commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of students and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All posts are subject to Enhanced Disclosure Clearance through the Disclosure and Barring Service. Please note candidates’ suitability to work with children will be explored at interview and confirmed through references for the appointee.

About Cardinal Newman College

Cardinal Newman College is a Catholic Sixth Form College in the centre of the City of Preston. The College’s core activity is the provision of courses and learning opportunities for full time 16 – 18 learners, with courses offered during 2014/15 at Level 3 (95% of students studying at AS, A2, and BTEC), Level 2 (3% studying BTEC and GCSE), and an Essential Skills course for 44 young people with specific learning needs. At the start of the present academic year (2015/16), the college had 3,229 full time 16-18 learners on roll. In addition to the 16-18 provision, (which accounts for about 99% at the College), the College offers a limited range of part time courses for approximately 78 adults within Skills for Life (ESOL).

Cardinal Newman College is the post-16 provider for the Newman Partnership, a working group consisting of the College and ten Catholic Partner High Schools. The location of these schools demonstrates the wide area from which the College draws a significant proportion of its full time 16–18 learners. Because of its distinctive ethos, its reputation, the levels of achievement, the support the College offers students and its provision of high quality courses, Cardinal Newman College is also an attractive option for learners who attend other high schools in Preston and the surrounding area. Year-on-year applications from these schools have increased significantly. A cultural and spiritual diversity has developed that has been of immense benefit to all of its learners, and to the local community.

An Outstanding College

The college has been at the top of the DFE League Tables for points per student for 3 years running and the last Ofsted Inspection in the summer of 2009 graded all areas as ‘outstanding’. It confirmed that there is a culture of high expectations and rigorous quality improvement in all areas. Standards, expectations and processes have continued to improve since then. Students achieve well above their (high) target grades and make a positive contribution to the College and its wider community. Student attendance and behaviour are exemplary, illustrating that the Catholic mission and ethos of the College is lived out at all levels.

Value added measured by ALPS places the college in the top 1% nationally and success rates are well above national benchmarks. Every year over three quarters of the college’s students progress to Higher Education with many going on to the most prestigious institutions and courses.

Students study in a purposeful and diverse environment with a strong focus on respect in which every learner genuinely does matter. The team of specialist RE teachers live out the college’s commitment to ‘valuing the spiritual journey of each individual and offering opportunities for each to engage appropriately in their spiritual search’.

Our Community

Links with the local and Catholic partner high schools are very strong. The Principal meets regularly with Headteachers and the Newman Partnership heads meet to discuss and share a wide range of curriculum, pastoral and strategic issues. Relationships with college trustees, and with the Diocese of Lancaster are maintained through the foundation governors.

The College has outstanding links with its local and wider community and learners and staff fully contribute to this. Students at the College are continually seeking to engage in volunteer work within the community. The most recent example of this is demonstrated in college plans to deliver the Community Sports Leadership Award at the St Augustine’s Centre. Other voluntary work is continued in the local community by the CAFOD Group, Essential Skills, Health and Social Care, the Medical Society and Chaplaincy. The curriculum departments also contribute widely to the links with local community groups, charities and local primary schools.

As a Catholic Sixth Form College we strive to be a centre of educational excellence for the community built on faith, respect and trust. We celebrate diversity amongst all our students and staff and seek to nurture the gifts of each individual through high quality teaching and learning and dedicated pastoral care.

College Facilities

Over the past few years the College has embarked on an extensive redevelopment programme which has seen our students benefit from state of the art facilities. St Augustine building hosts a variety of newly renovated classrooms and drama/dance studios as well as the original sports facilities. At the St James Art and Design Centre students work within a unique and creative atmosphere. Our Science and Maths subjects are all taught within the purpose built St Mary’s building, which is located opposite the main site. The St Cecilia building is a new £11 million development opened in March 2009 and has been a fabulous addition to the College facilities. The five storey building houses our new Music Academy, our Language courses (including laboratories and IT suites), English, Media, Film, Communication & Culture courses as well as our RE department. Along with classrooms and facilities for these subjects, there is also a TV studio, fully equipped photography studios, music practice rooms, recording suites and performance studio. The main college buildings are centred on a Georgian Mansion within stunning grounds which include a lake and wooded areas. The newly developed grounds include picnic areas and landscaped gardens. Adjacent to this is the St Bede building. This area has been totally refurbished and now houses Religious Studies, Philosophy and Critical Thinking as well as Fine Art in state-of-the-art classrooms. It also provides students with a huge range of social spaces and catering options.

Staff at Cardinal Newman College

Cardinal Newman College has achieved its success through the hard work, skills, attitude and commitment of its 260 plus staff. We wish to work in an inclusive and transparent style of management that is open, consultative and encourages all staff to participate in the leadership and management of the college. The development of staff’s skills is a priority for the college and teams are encouraged to innovate and continuously improve Cardinal Newman’s curricular and pastoral offer to its students.

What our students say about Cardinal Newman College

Mark BamberFormer School: Broughton High SchoolProgramme of Study: A Levels in Graphic Design, ICT & Media Studies

“When I visited Newman on the Open Evenings the whole atmosphere was brilliant. The teachers seemed friendly and the students were really helpful, I also thought the work on display was really inspiring. I would advise students who are thinking of coming to Newman to talk to the teachers of the subjects you are thinking of taking to make sure you know what the course involves.”

Jade AshcroftFormer School: Holy Cross High SchoolProgramme of Study: A Levels in French, English Combined,Modern History & Psychology

“I chose to study at Cardinal Newman because I really liked the welcoming atmosphere. I have made loads of friends while I have been here and I am really enjoying all my subjects. If I could offer one piece of advice to prospective students it would be to keep up with your revision and start it early, so that you are prepared for your exams.”

James WorthingtonFormer School: Our Lady’s High SchoolProgramme of Study: A Levels in Biology, Maths & Chemistry

“When I came to the Open Evening, the atmosphere at the College and the friendliness of the teachers really made me feel that I would be comfortable at Newman and I would really thrive here. I love coming out of each lesson with knowledge that encourages me to think and I can apply it to everyday life. There

are also loads of valuable enrichment trips that really helped to further my understanding of subject topics.”

Matthew CarlinFormer School: St Cecilia’s High SchoolProgramme of Study: A Levels in Economics, Maths & Computing

“Cardinal Newman is the best College in the area results-wise and it is great for transport links outside the city centre. I would recommend this place to study for the high quality education, great teachers and good location. The subjects are both challenging and engaging so you have to keep on top of your revision and work hard. There are also so many enrichment opportunities organised by staff to aid your learning. I plan to

study at Economics at Lancaster University after College.”

Claire DevaneyFormer School: Leyland St Mary'sProgramme of Study: A Levels in Sociology, Early Modern History & English Literature

“I loved the community atmosphere at Newman and the enrichment opportunities. I joined the Feminist Society which has been great fun and really made my University application stand out. I really like my teachers here, the lessons are interesting yet still fun! I would definitely recommend Newman to anyone as the experience I have had here has been so inspiring. After Newman, I am going to study Sociology at University and it is my future

goal to encourage positive change in the world.”