A foreword from our Principal and Chief People Officer
Richard Backhouse - Principal
Berkhamsted is among the schools leading the way in pursuing a ‘foundation structure’. As a group of six schools, it combines scale of resource with individual attention and development of pupils –and staff. We start with our values: we aim for excellence – aiming high with integrity – in all that we do. We are adventurous, and support development, research, and experimentation in teaching and learning We serve others – at both pupil and staff level: ours is a non-hierarchical school in which the opinions of all matter, and in which we all share in the support and contribution to our local community
Above all, we are committed to developing remarkable people, both among our pupils and our staff We are looking for highly committed, ambitious and adventurous people to join a thriving staff body, whom we can support to flourish here, and whom we can help to grow. Our staff are so important that we have a Chief People Officer as one of our most senior members of staff.
Tracey Evans - Chief People Officer
Our staff are our most important asset at Berkhamsted; investing in their professional development with their wellbeing a key priority. We foster a working environment that supports staff both professionally and personally We offer a wide range of staff wellbeing initiatives Colleagues can easily access financial, physical, emotional and social well-being support from school.
We seek to enable all members of the school community to achieve their full potential in an environment characterised by equality, equity, respect and opportunity. We work hard at Berkhamsted, but we also know how to come together as a community and enjoy downtime, building relationships which last a lifetime and enrich our professional and personal experience
History of Berkhamsted Schools Group
Berkhamsted Prep School is part of a supportive, family community which fosters a strong sense of belonging Each pupil is treated as an individual and our child-centred approach to education ensures they develop a natural curiosity and thirst for learning. Pupils benefit immensely from being part of a school that is recognised as providing a high quality educational experience for its pupils; where they achieve their best because of their extremely positive and ‘ can do’ attitude to school
Highly skilled and passionate teachers inspire our pupils through a rich and varied curriculum and an array of extra-curricular activities
There are currently 324 pupils at Berkhamsted Prep School (aged 7-11)
Part of the Berkhamsted Schools Group
Berkhamsted Prep School is one of six schools that make up Berkhamsted Schools Group. Berkhamsted School is one of the country’s leading independent schools It has a structure that provides the best in both co-educational and single-sex education, offering small class sizes and appropriate teaching environments for each age group, from age 3 to 18.
The School’s ‘diamond’ structure allows boys and girls to be taught together until the age of 11 (at Berkhamsted Pre-Prep and at Berkhamsted Prep), separately from 11-16 (Berkhamsted Boys and Berkhamsted Girls), before coming back together again in a joint Sixth Form (Berkhamsted Sixth)
Berkhamsted Prep pupils are provided with the opportunity of progressing to the Girls and Boys Senior Schools by sitting the Berkhamsted entrance exam a week prior to the external applicants.
Job Description
Immediately Responsible To: Headteacher via Deputy Head
Job Purpose:
The Head of Year will be a middle leadership role, taking a strategic view of Curriculum Development across the school. They will have specific responsibility for leading across their year group and promoting high quality teaching and learning, including an overview of personal, social and emotional development
This Post of Responsibility is linked to the position of class teacher; the tasks and responsibilities as mentioned in the job description and the person specification for this position should be carried out by the staff member who takes up this Post of Responsibility.
Appointments to this post will be on a three year tenure. Re-appointment to the post will be upon successful application.
Key Responsibilities:
1.Strategic Direction and Development
Lead a year group and ensure colleagues are aligned with the values, culture and expectations of the School.
Work in liaison with other Heads of Year, subject leaders and the SMT to ensure high quality, appropriate and effective teaching and learning throughout the school.
Play an active role in supporting the SMT to: - develop, implement and review programmes of work and practice which reflect the school's commitment to high achievement and effective teaching and learning.
Job Description
- Lead and implement assessment processes across the year group, including monitoring and moderation of teaching and learning.
- Promote positive attitudes among children and staff and develop effective partnerships with parents
- Keep informed of and up to date with latest research, including new and innovative practice across the primary age range, for strategic development and school improvement.
- Review and evaluate teaching and learning, including the use of data, for reporting of and improvement of standards.
- Ensure the quality of provision for academic and pastoral development impacts on achievement and outcomes for all pupils.
Work in liaison with other Heads of Year, subject leaders and the SMT to ensure overall curriculum cohesion, progression, breadth and balance is implemented, including the development of relevant procedures and policies.
2. Pupil Welfare – Academic & Pastoral
Oversee and have responsibility for the welfare, care, guidance and support of all children within their Year.
Implement and oversee the school behaviour procedures and policy, including monitoring of behavioural patterns and action plans to address significant behaviour concerns, reporting to SMT.
Ensure that all Year planning adheres to school processes with effective learning intentions and outcomes, including evaluation of learning for all learners.
Monitor and evaluate assessment data to identify areas of strength and development, reporting to SMT key development areas.
Job Description
Ensure progress and standards are monitored and moderated for each child within the Year, and that this information is effectively used to maximise each child’s progress.
Ensure the curriculum is inclusive and accounts for the needs of all learners, in particular extended learning is in place for more able and gifted and talented children and adapted for personalised learning
Work in close liaison with the SENCo to ensure that the school’s policy and ethos are maintained.
3. Leading and Managing Staff
Sustain their own motivation and, where possible, that of other staff
Act as a role model for good professional practice and work in tandem with the SMT to ensure school policy and procedures are implemented and change is managed effectively
Encourage constructive professional working relationships among staff in the year group, through team working and mutual support
Lead staff professional learning and development including relevant CPD and INSET provision
Implement the school’s induction policy, supporting newly appointed colleagues in the year group and wider where relevant
Lead the professional development of colleagues in line with the Staff Professional Development policy.
Job Description
Be responsible for the organisation of out-of-school visits including residentials in line with our Trips and Visits Policy, taking on the role of trip leader for these visits where appropriate and delegating roles and responsibilities where relevant.
Arrange and chair weekly year group meetings, agreeing agendas with colleagues to include planning, monitoring, moderation.
Organise and oversee the use of all learning environments, including communal areas, so that displays are up to date and relevant, and classrooms are used effectively for teaching and learning.
4. Efficient Deployment of Staff & Resources
Supervise the deployment of staff within their Year (including assistants, supply teachers and volunteers)
Undertake and manage the appropriate storage, disposition and availability of all resources based within the Year.
Establish expenditure and budgeting priorities in line with the Prep and Pre-Prep School Development Plan and Action Plans.
Maintain an inventory of resources available and disseminate this to all staff concerned
Ensure that the Health and Safety Policy is enacted at all times and safety issues relating to the use of such resources are disseminated to staff and children, with risks are properly assessed and Risk Assessments completed.
Job Description
Consider effective use of ICT across the curriculum for the relevant year group, liaising with the Computing Leader and Leader of Digital Learning for effective and innovative use across all areas.
5. Working with Parents
Seek to establish and maintain positive working relationships with parents including, wherever appropriate, being a point of first contact within the year group for parents.
Maintain good communication with parents and ensure the communication channels are used effectively to promote the school and inform parents
Lead, in partnership with SMT, information evenings and events for parents
BenefitsBenefits
We boast a competitive salary structure, alongside other benefits, which includes access to a comprehensive pension scheme
The wellbeing of our staff is a priority. We have a developed programme for staff with initiatives and support in the areas of Economic, Physical, Emotional and Social wellbeing
Free classes and advisory services memberships and discounted rates in local establishments, together with cycle to work scheme, free on-site parking, free daily lunch, and fee reduction for staff's children are examples of some of the non-contractual benefits on offer in this programme
Watch our video
Watch our video and hear from our colleagues why they enjoy working at the Berkhamsted Schools Group Find out more about what it is really like to be a member of the community
BenefitsSafeguarding and Child Protection
Berkhamsted is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expects all staff and visitors to adopt a child centred and coordinated approach to child protection and safeguarding.
A copy of the School’s Child Protection and Safeguarding Policy can be found HERE
The school is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and visitors to adopt a child centred and coordinated approach to child protection and safeguarding. Berkhamsted Schools Group is a registered charity dedicated to education: 310630
Application and Next Steps
The closing date for applications is 12 April 2026
It is an offence to apply for this role if you are barred from engaging in regulated activity relevant to children; applicants must be willing to undertake a number of safeguarding checks including an enhanced Disclosure and Barring (DBS). This post is also subject to receipt of written references which must be satisfactory to Berkhamsted Schools Group, along with documentary evidence of qualifications. A background screening service including a review of candidate’s online presence will be carried out as part of the recruitment process, by an independent third-party screening partner
Successful applicants will need to provide confirmation of permission to work in the UK
Please note that under the Immigration Asylum and Nationality Act 2006, the school has an obligation to ensure applicants have the right to work in the UK prior to commencement of employment (If it is found that those documents do not meet the legal requirement, an offer of employment will be withdrawn).
Where the successful candidate has worked or been a resident overseas in the previous five years, such checks and confirmations as the school may require in accordance with statutory guidance
We aim to be an equal opportunities employer and we are determined to ensure that no applicant or employee receives less favourable treatment on the grounds of gender, age, disability, religion, belief, sexual orientation, marital status, or race.
Candidates with a disability who are invited to interview should inform the School of any necessary reasonable adjustments or arrangements to assist them in attending the interview
If you have any questions relating to this role please contact the HR department at recruitment@berkhamsted com
Early applications are encouraged, and interviews may take place on a rolling basis We reserve the right to extend or close the deadline
