Applicant Pack

Finance & Accountancy Support Tutor

Dear Applicant

Thank you very much for your interest in the position of F&A Support Tutor. If appointed, you will be joining Huish at an extremely exciting time as we prepare for the next stages in our

growth and development. The demographic trends of the surrounding area indicate an

increase in our student numbers well ahead of the national picture. Along with

development,‘garden town’ status and an ambitious strategy for building the

population and infrastructure of Taunton will drive Huish on a journey towards one of the

biggest and most diverse educational groups in the country.

We have a well-established set of values focused on working to ensure that all

students achieve beyond their expectations through the delivery of an exceptional

educational experience. With a diverse group of educational institutions within Huish including

the Sixth Form College and primary and secondary schools supporting all our students

to achieve this ambition provides significant challenge.

The successful candidate for this position will be joining an experienced team who share

and place high value on the collective benefits of working collaboratively to meet this challenge.

The successful candidate will also be joining a broader group of colleagues who understand that

Huish has a very special place in our local and wider community.

There are exciting and broader challenges ahead: recruitment and selection of exceptional staff with

the right blend of skills, talents, experience and values is therefore crucial as the

Huish journey continues. If you share our vision and if you believe that you have the exceptional

qualities to help, then I would be delighted to hear from you.

To apply for this position, please complete the online application form. You should also include a covering letter in which you explain how your values, knowledge, experience and skills/abilities meet the requirements of the Job Description. You may wish to discuss the role in more detail prior to application; if so, please contact Martin Green – marting@richuish.ac.uk

Please return applications to Richard Huish College - vacancies@huish.ac.uk

John Abbott – Principal and Chief Executive

Good luck with your application!

Yours sincerely

JOB DESCRIPTION

1. JOB TITLE: Finance/Accountancy Support Tutor

2. SALARY: Point 29 – 32 (£23,496-£25,725)

3. RELATIONSHIPS: The Post-holder:

3.1 Is responsible to the Professional Accountancy Course Manager

3.2 Will make and maintain productive relationships with all members of the college and others from time to time co-opted to advise them

4. PURPOSE OF THE JOB:

Within the context of Richard Huish College, the post holder will be responsible for a caseload of work-based candidates and will work with them to upload relevant work-based evidence and prepare them for the end based assessment element of the AAT apprenticeship.

5. KEY RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES:

5.1 Work with learners in the workplace and classroom to help identify supporting evidence for end point assessments and prepare them for professional discussions.

5.2 Prepare, agree and review plans with each candidate. Create learner portfolios to agreed target standards and ensure they are submitted on time either paper based or e-portfolios.

5.3 Visit candidates within the workplace to provide support, prepare action plans, review evidence and provide feedback on performance.

5.4 Efficient and effective operation of the end point assessment process in line with College policy relating to quality and the requirements of the awarding body representatives.

5.5 Deliver occasional group workshops on finance and business topics.

5.6 Carry out interim and completion and progression reviews with privately funded and WPL funded learners.

5.7 Manage and maintain learner folders in line with SFA audit requirements.

5.8 Assist with development of the provision to ensure the programme is up to date.

5.9 Liaise with the course tutor to ensure that the learners’ needs are met on the course.

5.10 Promote apprenticeships and full cost recovery initiatives with employers including encouragement of progression routes. Maintain knowledge of funding streams and eligibility criteria.

5.11 Undertake Health and Safety checks for learners on programme.

5.12 Ensure the full embedding of all Equal Opportunities policies and Health & Safety requirements and safeguarding are complied with and all candidates are given fair access to assessment.

5.13 To take responsibility for safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all students with whom you come into contact. 5.14 To contribute to the promotion of equality and individuality of all users of the college. 5.14 Participate in and support the annual self-assessment process.

5.15 Attend and participate in meetings within the School, as required.

5.16 Represent the School at relevant events (including some evenings) and generally supporting the College’s marketing strategy.

5.17 Additional duties appropriate to the post as directed by the Course Manager.

The job description may be re-negotiated at the request of either the Post-holder or the Principal.

Q:\personnel\job descriptions and selection criteria\course manager lead

PERSON SPECIFICATION – Finance/Accountancy Support Tutor

KEY SKILL/QUALITY Essential Desirable METHOD OF ASSESSMENT Application

Form Interview Presentation/

Tasks

What educational background is required? e.g. GCSE/degree level etc

GCSE Maths and English

Is previous job experience necessary? How many years? In what type of role? eg similar experience or respons-ibilities in FE/school

A finance or accountancy background for 2 years is desirable. Teaching or training experience is not necessary.

Does the job require specialist knowledge or skills? eg legislation, policy-making, supervisory experience, clerical skills

Advanced diploma in Accounting (level 3 AAT) qualification or equivalent is desirable but not essential.

Knowledge of the AAT or other accounting/finance qualifications is desirable

What personal qualities are required? Eg enthusiasm, initiative, team working skills

High credibility levels to represent the college at employer workplaces

Strong people skills incorporating a patient and encouraging approach

Presenting and communicating skills

Ability to self-organise

Are there any unusual job requirements? Eg evening/weekend duties, Governor liaison

A driving licence will be required Occasional evenings (3 or 4 times a year)

About HuishLocation

Richard Huish College is situated close to the centre of Taunton, the thriving retail and administrative county town for Somerset, in the heart of the beautiful South West. Taunton is within easy access of the M5 to Bristol and onward links to London and Birmingham. There are excellent cross-country and Great Western train services, including trains direct to London.

Background

Originally founded as a grammar school by the benefactor Richard Huish, the College was incorporated as a sixth form college in 1993. Huish prides itself on its academic excellence and strong reputation across Somerset and the South West. With over 2,500 students, an annual turnover of c£11 million and an Outstanding Ofsted status, Huish is also the sponsor of a local 11-16 academy and a number of local primary schools. All students are supported by a strong ethos of personal attention and support. There is a strong Huish ‘brand’, carrying with it a reputation for high standards, academic excellence, provision of quality teaching and a commitment to develop the holistic needs of the individual learner. Every year around 70% of leavers progress to Higher Education; most other leavers are successful in gaining training in employment and a growing number are taking up professional apprenticeships. The College received outstanding inspection reports from Ofsted, published in January 2004 and November 2007. In the latest report each of the five reported areas was graded 1. The most recent Ofsted Inspection report can be found at www.ofsted.gov.uk or www.huish.ac.uk.

Campus

The Huish campus is self-contained, with excellent sports pitches immediately adjacent. The original buildings date from the 1960s and the College has made significant investment in improvements, refurbishments and new buildings with specialist facilities developed over the years and this investment is set to continue. The most recently completed project is the Aspen Music hub at the front of the College, with state of the art teaching, practice and recording facilities.

Curriculum and achievement

The Prospectus details the range of around fifty A level and BTEC Level 3 courses which the College offers. The entry requirement for students wishing to undertake a Level 3 Study Programme is a minimum of five 9-4 grades at GCSE (A*-C). There is also a Level 2 and Traineeship curriculum offer for students to develop their skills. This curriculum offer enables students to progress to a Level 3 programme or apprenticeship over a three year period. The provision of high quality information, advice and guidance is pivotal in ensuring that prospective students choose the most suitable courses within their Study Programme.

The College Curriculum also includes professional qualifications, as well as opportunities for members of the wider community to engage in Student Programmes which help them to progress to employment or other courses of study.

The Huish Experience

In addition to the value placed on provision of high quality teaching and learning, the student experience is supported and enriched through an extensive programme of other activities and opportunities, including fieldwork expeditions and trips in the UK and abroad, exchanges and volunteering. Most recently this includes: geology field trip to Spain, Archaeology field trip to Rome, Classics field trip to Greece, Geography Field trip to Iceland, Sociology and German cultural visit to Berlin, Spanish cultural visit to Seville, Business field trip to Disneyland Paris, volunteering in Sri Lanka, surfing in Morocco, as well as local and regional visits associated with specific subject areas. Both staff and students take part in a wide range of outstanding Musical Activities, the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme, BELA, Drama and Dance Productions, competitive and recreational sport, public speaking and debating. Students come from a variety of international destinations to study at the College. The cultural diversity and enrichment which they bring to the learning community brings significant benefit.

The College places high value on the contribution which students make at all levels. Students are encouraged to have a strong voice in expressing their views and needs. The Student Union represents student views and needs at all levels within the organisation of the College, including student representation at Corporation Meetings.

Support for students

All students receive very effective personal and pastoral support to help them achieve their full potential whilst studying at the College. Through our specialist pastoral system, Progress Tutors work with students through Directed Study sessions, as well as individual reviews and support meetings. They are encouraged to discuss any issues or concerns with their Progress Tutor and benefit from a diverse and relevant tutorial curriculum, which helps them to develop softer skills and prepare for the next steps beyond college. Tutors take charge of helping their tutees realise their academic potential through careful management of study.

Specialist Student Services tutors are easily accessible to staff and students supporting the work of Progress Tutors by providing additional personal or study skills support over a longer period. Students are able to gain access to specialist support throughout the academic year to help them to learn in the classroom. If appropriate, Student Services tutors arrange other professional services such as counselling or health advice as appropriate.

Learner Centre Services

The Arthur C. Clarke Learning Centre (LC), named after an eminent past student, is situated at the

heart of the College. It offers a supportive, staffed and friendly study environment providing space

and academic resources to help students make the best use of study time. Refurbished in the

summer of 2015, the LC offers a range of study environments, self-issue laptops and study

resources: books, films, journals, textbooks, PCs, cameras and film equipment, e-books and online

resources -these last two accessible 24/7 from PC and mobile devices. Support and help with Moodle, our Virtual Learning Environment is available from the Learning Centre Team.

There are further study spaces located across the College offering a variety of environments

ranging from social study spaces to study centres and silent study rooms for revision.

IT Facilities

The College strives to keep up to date with advances in technology and uses a number of sophisticated IT systems to aid teaching and learning, management and administration at the College. There is considerable on- going investment to ensure that systems take full account of the constant advances in hardware and software.

The Sycamore Sports Centre has been equipped with sports analysis cameras and interactive screens that provide an invaluable teaching aid and feedback mechanism.

The network supports over 1000 College devices including Windows PCs, Windows Laptops, Apple iMacs, Apple MacBooks and a range of mobile devices. There is a campus- wide Wi-Fi network installed with compatible mobile devices to access the college network. Printing is provided by Multi- Function Devices, configured with ‘Follow me Printing ‘which allows printing to take place across the campus.

Staff and Students can also easily work from home using the College’s ‘Remote Desktop’ service and can use any of the three banks of ‘self-issue’ laptop lockers to enable them to access IT resources anywhere on campus. We deploy industry standard software where required, such as the latest versions of Adobe Creative Cloud, Microsoft Office and music editing software.

The College internet connection on the JANET network is currently 500MB allowing the College to make more use of ‘cloud’ services, including Office 365. Investment is being made in new ‘interactive TVs’ rather than projector based smart boards.

Quality

Huish is committed delivering high quality education and invests in its staff to ensure that our teaching, learning, pastoral care and outcomes for learners are all excellent. Quality assurance systems support the College to continually improve and move forward. Provision of the highest quality Huish brand for students, parents and the whole community is paramount.

Our staff

We employ over 300 staff at the College and a further 200 staff within the Huish Trust. There is a real commitment to employing well qualified and forward looking staff at all levels across the organisation. A significant number of staff are active at national level working as examiners or in-service training providers.

The College is committed to the health and wellbeing of staff and offers a range of benefits:

Staff Benefits

To help, support and show our appreciation to staff for their hard work

and dedication we offer a wide range of benefits:

Contributory Benefits

• Cycle Scheme: a scheme that enables staff to contribute to the cost of a bike through

salary sacrifice.

• NUS extra discount card: once signed up you will receive discount from many of the

high street stores, restaurants and online

Health & Wellbeing

• Employee Assistance Programme: a programme designed to provide support,

counselling and practical information on a wide range of work and personal issues

e.g. financial/debt, stress, pressure, anxiety, depression, bullying, bereavement etc.

The service is available 24/7 and is free to all staff and their partners and families.

• Discounted shopping and leisure vouchers: we pay an annual fee so that staff can

save up to 8.5% at big name supermarkets and up to 12% on leading high street

stores plus special offers from other leading retailers and online sites.

• Free eyesight tests

• Free flu vaccinations

• Active Huish: Subsidised use of the college gym and Wyvern Club membership.

• Annual Health & Wellbeing event for all staff including therapeutic, sporting and

creative activities.