ABOUT CATS COLLEGE CAMBRIDGE
CATS College offers an outstanding international pre-university educational experience to students aged 14+ from all over the world. Students live and work at the custom built Cambridge campus, studying for GCSEs, A levels and University Foundation Programmes, and preparing for admission to universities across the country and elsewhere. We pride ourselves on our approach to teaching and learning, with small class sizes and an informal atmosphere ensuring that students are treated as individuals and build great relationships with staff. We are committed to the safeguarding, health and well-being of our students.
JOB OVERVIEW
Reporting to the Chief Executive, the Head leads the school community as its most senior member of staff. They are responsible for the school’s strategic and day to day management, including educational provision, welfare of students, communication with parents, appointment and management of staff, and its successful operation as an ongoing commercial enterprise. The Head will ensure effective systems are in place for managing staff and for performance management. They will maintain the highest standards academically and in co-curricular areas. Pastoral care, safeguarding and robust policies and enforcement in health and safety will all be essential to underpinning the educational ethos of the school. They will ensure that the school’s individual ethos and values underpin all aspects of life in the school.
Other key responsibilities will be to:
Communicate a clear and convincing vision for the school, translating this into strategy and clear operational plans to ensure the on-going success of CATS Cambridge.
Provide leadership and direction to ensure that all staff contribute effectively to the efficient running of the school.
Prepare for and address external challenges and opportunities, ensuring the school retains the flexibility to respond to changes in the UK and international education markets.
Contribute effectively to CATS Global Schools (CGS) as a whole, sharing best practices with other heads.
Uphold the highest standards in pastoral care and champion the provision of a premium student experience.
Develop and implement a sector leading and appropriate approach to learning for all students.
Ensure high standards of achievement in external examinations and support students to progress to Oxbridge, Russell Group and other university destinations for them.
Encourage and provide opportunities beyond academic achievement for the development of students to help them become well-rounded, independent, self-assured adults.
Take a leading role in promoting the school to prospective students, parents and agents within local, national and international markets identified by the central sales team.
Develop and deliver effective presentations for marketing and informational purposes.
Develop and maintain partnerships with the wider community: locally, nationally and internationally.
Recruit, deploy and retain the highest quality teachers, management, administrative and support staff appropriate for the needs of the school.
Develop and implement a high quality, modern approach to professional development of staff.
Ensure the health, safety, and welfare of students, employees and visitors.
Communicate with CGS senior management regularly about the needs, successes and general operation of the school.
Ensure that the School abides by the requirements of all inspectorates and regulatory bodies.
Ensure that the School is managed efficiently and with financial prudence.
PERSON SPECIFICATION
The ideal candidate will demonstrate:
A strong academic background and teaching qualification along with clear evidence of a commitment of professional development both personally and for those managed.
Successful headship experience in a secondary school or independent college setting, ideally with experience of recruiting and working with international students.
Experience of managing ISI inspections and a deep understanding of the updated framework Boarding school experience, ideally able to demonstrate the cultural sensitivity required to enable students from all parts of the world to integrate and thrive.
Strong understanding of the current education environment, future curriculum developments and their probable academic, pastoral and commercial impact.
Commercially awareness, understanding the demands of working within the private sector and of financial management.
An appreciation and experience of ensuring growth in pupil numbers and the commercial drivers essential to the financial viability and success of a school.
Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to lead, engage and motive staff as well as manage key relationships with parents, members of the local community, the CGS team and other stakeholders.
An evident enthusiasm and passion for promoting the school and the educational experience it will provide.
A capacity to be a strong presence in all areas of school and to cultivate a climate of high expectations, creative thinking and innovation.
Excellent communication skills at all levels both internally (staff, pupils, parents) and externally (promoting education / boarding to potential pupils and parents).
BENEFITS
Cycle to work Scheme
Tech Scheme
Car Scheme
Free flu vaccine through Healthshield
Free eye tests
Financial wellbeing support via WageStream
Employee Assistance Programme
Group income protection
GP24: GP Access for all
Health Cash Plan
Death in Service
Long service awards
Employee referral scheme
Enhanced Maternity and Paternity pay
ABOUT CATS GLOBAL SCHOOLS (CGS)
CATS Global Schools is a leading education group committed to inspiring the next generation of world shapers.
With a history dating back to 1899, but a focus on the future, our group brings together 16 institutions comprising independent boarding schools, an Arts University College, English language schools and a variety of summer programmes in the UK, US, and China.
Each year, we provide 18,000 students around the globe with the education they need to develop real-life skills for the future. We are dedicated to academic excellence and our students benefit from our well-developed links to over 40 top global universities.
We create a positive learning environment where every student is empowered to make a contribution to shape their world. This is made possible because of the commitment of our pioneering, persevering people who do the very best for our students.
OUR COMMITMENT TO INCLUSION AND DIVERSITY
We are committed to diversity, inclusion and belonging. Building on our core values Pioneering, Persevering, People We pledge to deliver a series of events, guest speakers and focus groups to make CATS Global Schools and employer of choice for all.
SAFEGUARDING
CGS is dedicated to safeguarding and promoting the welfare and well-being of children and young people. As such, appointment is subject to the satisfactory completion of safer recruitment employment checks in line with KCSIE guidelines. This will include satisfactory references, enhanced DBS from the Disclosures and Barring Service and, where applicable, any international equivalent being obtained. Shortlisted candidates will be subject to online checks which may include social media.
