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Academy The Quest Academy, South Croydon
Required 4th September 2023
(Term Time (09:00 – 17:00hrs daily)
Salary TCTS9 to TCTS12, Term Time £19,801.60 - £19,946.95 – actual
salary
Closing date 18th August 2023
Welcome
Dear Applicant
A very warm welcome to the Quest Academy. We are a great place to begin or further your career.
At the Quest we know that having great people is our biggest asset and we work very hard to make sure that the
posts we offer, the professional development we provide and the environment we create are the cornerstones of a
highly successful Academy on a journey from ‘good’ to ‘outstanding.’
Our motto, ‘learning changes lives’ succinctly describes our mission: to improve the life chances of all of our young
people by enabling them to achieve outstanding qualifications and develop the personal characteristics necessary to
lead fulfilling adult lives.
We believe in the broadest and richest educational experience and have a highly developed and universal
enrichment offer, numerous trips and visits, a wide range of clubs and societies, sports fixtures and a thriving Duke
of Edinburgh award scheme.
I know that the atmosphere and climate in the Academy are key considerations for staff.
At the Quest we have created a disciplined environment with well-behaved children. Levels of attendance are above
the national average because our students enjoy coming to school and we have very well crafted systems of support
in place to make sure that the Academy runs efficiently. We are oversubscribed and results are above the national
average in all key stages.
We believe we are outstanding in the support we provide for staff development. We have achieved the ‘CLPD Gold
Mark’ for our professional development work and we run in-house training sessions every week to update and further
our colleagues’ skills.
We are also very fortunate to occupy a stunning 17 million pound building with extensive grounds which we moved
into in 2014. Every part of the school is brand new and across the campus we have invested in nearly one million
pounds of cutting edge IT equipment to support all aspects of Academy life.
Geographically we are ideally located just 15 minutes from the M25, forty minutes from central London by train and
Croydon itself is undergoing major investment as a place to work and live. Rents are relatively low for London and the
town centre, with venues such as Boxpark and the Southend restaurant quarter, mean there is always something to
do.
We have the opportunity for a skilled and enthusiastic Administrator to join our very busy school. We require
someone to work 36 hours per week from 09:00 – 17:00 hrs daily.
I do hope that our vacancy will be of interest to you. We welcome
visits at any time to see us at work so that we can show you all of
this in person.
With best wishes.
Mr A. Crofts
Executive Principal
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Key Information
The Quest Academy is committed to ensuring that
each student succeeds academically and
personally. Our motto, Learning Changes Lives
(Eruditio Vitas Commutat) reflects our belief in the
importance of our work. We are committed to
making sure that every student makes outstanding
progress. We have high expectations of every
student, offer the best quality teaching and insist
on the highest standards of behaviour and respect.
The Quest is a positive, rich and innovative learning
environment where every student can achieve
excellence in all that they do, in the classroom and
beyond it.
We offer a wide range of enrichment activities to extend learning in a range of contexts and promote
leadership, teamwork, reflection, confidence and high self-esteem.
We are constantly searching for new ways to encourage participation and service to others as the basis
for the development of lifelong learning and a happy and successful life.
Our strength comes from strong partnerships: with our parents, the community we serve and the close
links we have with the Trust. Together we have extensive experience and expertise to guide our work.
You can find out more information about our school, and our Trust at the following websites:
www.thequestacademy.org.uk www.tct-academies.org
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Information about The Collegiate Trust
Our Trust works in the Crawley and Croydon areas with a clear vision to deliver exceptional education for all.
Such an education achieves excellent outcomes in pupil progress and attainment, a rich creative, cultural
and physical learning experience, and great personal and social development for all pupils. We achieve this
by working with and developing strong teams of staff in each school, under the direction of the Principal of
the school and the Local Governing Body. (LGB)
The Trust has grown out of Riddlesdown Collegiate, an outstanding (OFSTED, May 2016) secondary school
in Croydon with almost 2000 students and over 200 staff. Gossops Green, in Crawley, was the next school –
and the first primary – to join the Trust, followed by Waterfield Primary (also in Crawley) on 1st March 2018.
The Quest Academy joined the Trust on 1st June 2018 and Courtwood Primary and Quest Primary joined the
Trust on 1st September 2018. Kenley Primary School joined most recently in September 2021.
Each school within the Trust is supported centrally by a designated Director of School Improvement on
teaching and learning issues, the Chief Operating Officer, Finance Manager & HR Manager on business
management and HR issues, and the CEO on wider leadership issues. This complements rather than replaces
in-school functions and allows the Principal and LGB to operate with a high level of autonomy in delivering
the highest standards in their school. The LGB works to a Scheme of Delegation approved by the Trust’s
Board of Directors.
Why Work With Us?
The Collegiate Trust is an exciting, fast-paced group of schools committed to progress, collaboration and
excellence for all… staff and students alike. We are a dynamic and expanding trust of seven schools (two
secondaries with Sixth Form provision, and five primaries) with numerous and diverse career opportunities
for both new and existing staff.
All staff and governors, at every level of their career, in both teaching and business support functions, have
an equal entitlement to Continuous Professional Development (CPD). This promotes, develops and supports
staff in their shared commitment to lifelong learning. Results are reviewed and evaluated regularly in order
to support further development of our CPD programme and drive constant improvement.
Through expert facilitation, Trust-wide collaboration, inter-school networking, and our extensive CPD
programme, every member of staff has the opportunity to make substantial contributions to the
development of the curriculum, pedagogy and delivery of business services, whilst improving their own
prospects of career progression.
We are committed to:-
- facilitating career progression
- offering excellent professional development
- providing opportunities to lead
- extending support from Trust experts
- developing collaborative opportunities to generate new and next practice
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Other tangible benefits of working within a TCT school include1:-
Exceptional performance rewards Contribution to cost of Masters in Education Superb NQT Induction Programme including two-week paid training in June/July The Collegiate Trust’s National Professional Qualifications for aspirant leaders Two-week October half term (instead of 5 INSET days) Well-equipped staff rooms and work rooms Excellent learning resources in classrooms Cutting-edge technology provision Free Microsoft Office apps
Individuals who are successful in their application to The Collegiate Trust join us at an exciting time. In return
for the opportunity to be part of our Trust, we ask that all joining members of staff share in our vision of
“Exceptional Education For All” and are motivated to work continuously towards developing their own
professional excellence.
Our Values
Strong moral values underpin the ethos of The Quest Academy. We welcome students from a wide range
of cultural and faith (or non-faith) backgrounds and expect all families to value and support the moral
values at the heart of all aspects of life at The Quest Academy.
We foster understanding, tolerance and mutual respect whilst producing confident, capable and
respectful young people. At all times, we aim to create an environment that nurtures and develops:
- Integrity
- Compassion
- Respect
- Tolerance
- Kindness
- Courage
- Generosity
- A life-long love of learning
These values make The Quest Academy a
positive and inclusive community in which all
students feel safe, valued and part of the
family.
1 At the time of publication, not all benefits available at every TCT school.
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Quest6
Students at The Quest Academy’s 6th Form, Quest6, have excelled across the range of courses that are on
offer.
In addition to academic excellence, Quest6 is a positive, rich and innovative learning environment where
every student can achieve excellence in all that they do, in the classroom and beyond it. We offer a wide
range of enrichment activities to extend learning in a range of contexts and promote leadership,
teamwork, reflection, confidence and high self-esteem.
Students at Quest6 (and staff) have access to cutting-edge, state-of-the-art facilities that – for at least
the foreseeable future – are arguably the best that Greater London has to offer.
A dedicated social study area, seminar-style teaching rooms, brand new technology as well as access to
all of Quest’s new buildings ensure that current and future Quest6 students will learn in a modern,
peaceful, exceptional education environment.
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Job Description
Job Title: Administrator
Full time or term time
Responsibility Level: TCTS9 – TCTS12 Term time:
£19,801.60 - £19,946.95
Accountable To: Executive Principal & Governing
Body
Responsible To: Office Manager
Accountable For:
Ensuring that the areas of Academy life for which I am responsible contribute to above expectation outcomes for all
Academy students, especially in the standards they attain and the progress and achievement they make.
Understanding, operating and developing the ethos of the Academy so that it becomes a centre of excellence where
mutual respect, tolerance, care and support are evidenced in all of the Academy’s activities and that this in turn
ensures that everybody takes pride in all aspects of the Academy’s work.
RESPONSIBILITIES
Job Purpose:
- To assist in the effective and efficient running of the Academy office
Duties – Administrative
1. Undertake general secretarial/receptionist duties – acting as first point of contact with the Academy,
responding to enquiries and passing appropriate messages/information to staff.
2. Receive all visitors and deliveries, inform appropriate staff and ensure visitors comply with the Academy’s
security policy.
3. Support the administration of curriculum areas and the Senior Leadership Team with good, general word-
processing skills and general secretarial help. Some help may be required for word-processing for Team
Leaders.
4. Support the Finance team with routine financial administration.
5. Collect student contributions for educational visits and activities and check the monies.
6. Support the management of formal, and informal communications in the Academy.
7. Assist in opening and distributing incoming mail and dispatch outgoing communications.
8. Act as a link filter for all support staff through the internal communications system.
9. Collate, prepare and distribute Annual Reports to Parents.
10. Book professional development courses and activities, educational visits and associated transport for external
venues.
11. Read electronically computer based registers.
12. Assist in the general maintenance of records and data.
13. Maintain computer-based student records and profiles.
14. Assist the Principal/Chair of Governors and Clerk to the Governors in preparing for additional and/or
emergency meetings.
Duties – Supporting Staff
1. Provide general clerical assistance to staff in the Academy.
2. Provide staff with student information as required.
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3. Work with others in updating and producing the staff handbook(s), Academy prospectus, Parent letters, etc.
4. Liaise with the Principal and Deputy Principal, to ensure all Academy documentation for public distribution is
prepared appropriately.
5. Assist staff with student profiles and references, and forward transfer information to the appropriate school.
Duties: Supporting Students
1. Manage student sickness and welfare procedures including communicating with external agencies carrying
out medical examinations.
2. Provide students with relevant information as requested.
3. Provide for individual student welfare needs, monitor student sickness requirements and make arrangements
with Parents to collect sick students.
4. Attend to students who are feeling unwell.
5. Deal with or report, to the nearest member of the teaching staff, incidents that are seen or reported regarding
students’ welfare or behaviour.
6. Be a good example in terms of personal presentation, attendance and punctuality. As a public facing role, we
require members of the Administration team to wear a formal white top and the Academy scarf (provided)
Health and Safety
1. Obtain a nationally recognised First Aid certificate and attend suitable refresher courses in order to keep
qualifications up-to-date.
2. Be aware of the responsibility for personal Health, Safety and Welfare and that of others who may be affected
by your actions or inactions.
3. Co-operate with the employer on all issues to do with Health, Safety and Welfare.
Continuing Professional Development
1. With your Line Manager, take responsibility for personal professional development, keeping up-to-date with
research and developments related to Academy efficiency, which may lead to improvements in the day-to-
day running of the Academy.
2. Undertake any necessary professional development as identified in the Academy Improvement Plan taking full
advantage of any relevant training and development available.
3. Undergo appropriate training to support the delivery of ‘specified work’ in order to develop skills for the post.
4. Maintain a professional portfolio of evidence to support the Performance Management process - evaluating
and improving own practice.
ANNUAL RESPONSIBILITIES
Determined yearly and managed on BlueSky
OTHER REQUIREMENTS
1. To promote and safeguard the welfare of children at the Academy.
2. To maintain confidentiality at all times.
3. To be aware of and adhere to all Academy policies and procedures.
4. To carry out any other duties as may be reasonably required by the Principal.
5. To work in support of the Academy Development Plan.
6. To take time to read notices, keep to deadlines and carry out duties to the best of your ability.
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Person Specification
Qualifications
Good GCSE/BTEC results with at least a C/4 in English and Maths.
Experience
Effective working with young people of a range of ages and abilities
Evidence of making an effective contribution to a team
Skills and Attributes
Ability to be able to prioritise work
General office experience
Capacity to work alongside colleagues, contributing effectively to a team
Ability to quickly establish and maintain positive relationships with students, staff and families
Understanding of safeguarding issues and promoting the welfare of children and young people
Well-developed communication skills, including high level of written and oral literacy and competent ICT
use
Suitability to work with children
The Collegiate Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and
expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
Applicants must be willing to undergo child protection screening appropriate to the post,
including checks with past employers and the Disclosure and Barring Service.
Appointment will be dependent upon further health, medical and attendance checks.
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Schedule for Appointments
FOR AN APPLICATION FORM PLEASE VISIT THE WEBSITE OR CONTACT:
Miss G Bolter, email: gbolter@thequestacademy.org.uk or by telephone: 020 8657 8935
PLEASE RETURN FORMS TO:
Miss G Bolter, The Quest Academy, Farnborough Avenue, South Croydon, CR2 8HD
CLOSING DATE:
As applications arrive
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How To Find Us
By Car:
If you are travelling by car, The Quest Academy is located on Farnborough Avenue which is off of the A2022, Selsdon
Park Road. If you are coming from the M25 junctions 7 (Croydon), 6 (Caterham) or 4 (Orpington) provide easy access
to Selsdon.
By Train
The nearest mainline station is East Croydon. You can then take either a number 3 tram (toward New Addington) and
alight at Gravel Hill or one of the several buses that serve the area; 433, 130 or 466.
By Tram
There is a wide footpath (keep to the right hand side) which runs from the tram stop past the back of John Ruskin
College, Gilbert Scott Primary School and Red Gates School, finishing in the corner of Farnborough Avenue. This walk
takes about 12mins. The Academy is located on the right hand side in Farnborough Avenue.
By Bus:
Bus routes: 433, 64, 130, 466, 359.
The Quest Academy
Farnborough Avenue, South Croydon, CR2 8HD
020 8657 8935
office@thequestacademy.org.uk
www.thequestacademy.org.uk
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