Epsom College - Head of Admissions

Welcome

Epsom College is an inspiring place to work, renowned for delivering an excellent all-round education to 1,100 girls and boys aged 11-18. We are proud to have been judged ‘Independent School of the Year 2023’ and named by The Sunday Times as the “UK’s Most Improved School” in its 2024 Parent Power league tables.

The College has grown significantly in the past six years, with pupil numbers rising 38% as the result of the opening of our Lower School in 2016, and strong growth throughout the rest of the College. We admit pupils into Years 7, 9, and 12, with an average of five applicants for every space.

Epsom is a happy school. The College values of kindness, ambition and integrity are at heart of all that we do. Almost all our pupils remain with us for their A-levels, and staff retention is equally strong. Around 60% of staff live onsite, which lends the College a sense of community and togetherness.

Our focus on delivering an all-round education that develops the whole child, is regularly celebrated. In the past four years, in both the TES and Independent School of the Year Awards, we have been a finalist in the categories of Boarding School of The Year, Co-Ed School of the Year, SLT of the Year, Creativity in Teaching, Student Wellbeing, Community Initiative, and Sporting Achievement.

We are seeking an experienced Head of Admissions to lead the Admissions department, which is comprised of an Admissions Registrar and an Admissions Assistant.

The team greatly values its productive and mutually-respectful relationships with many others across the organisation and works particularly closely with the Marketing and Communications Department, especially with regard to events (Open Mornings, College Tours, Feeder School Events etc) and overall promotional and recruitment activity; along with Enterprises, OE Club and Development Society and the Bursar.

It is an exciting time to be joining the College, with Mark Lascelles taking up the Headship from September 2024.

We hope that you will want to come and join the fantastic teachers and support staff who work here.

About Epsom

Our co-curricular programme – which features a vast array of clubs, societies and activities each week – is award-winning (picking up the ‘Best of the Best’ accolade from The Week for six consecutive years); our CCF is one of the largest in the UK; and our Duke of Edinburgh programme currently has over 100 pupils completing their Gold or Silver award.

In addition, our timetable features wellbeing lessons, an award-winning Personal Social Development offering, and an hour each week for volunteering in the community. Last year Epsom pupils gave 8,500 hours of their time to help local charities, schools, and community groups.

From 8am until 6pm, our 72-acre campus is alive with learning; academic lessons also take place on Saturday mornings meaning that pupils have time each day to learn and develop outside the classroom. When pupils aren’t busy, they can relax and catch up with friends in their House. We have 13 single-sex Houses for all our pupils from Year 9 upwards (whether they are day pupils or boarders). This combination of single sex accommodation within a co-ed environment provides pupils with the best of both worlds.

The fact our Houses are physical buildings, where pupils can step through the door into a space that’s entirely their own, is key to the success of our pastoral programme. The Carnegie Centre for Excellence in Mental Health in Schools honoured us with their Gold Award – making us one of just four UK boarding school to receive their top accolade – and in 2023 we were judged Independent School of the Year for Student Wellbeing.

Sport is central to the College. Last year, we won national titles in Squash, Tennis, Rugby and Shooting; and reached the national finals in Hockey, Golf and Swimming. Over 22 sports are offered to our pupils, and the aim is to encourage participation for all – we regularly field D and E teams, and see an average of 90% of pupils playing competitive fixtures.

A great place to work

One of the happiest places to live in Surrey, surrounded by open space, a beautiful campus and supportive colleagues. Epsom College is the Independent School of the Year, and a great place to work.

We are:

The second happiest place to live in Surrey – according to the ONS (2021)
The seventh happiest place to live in the UK – according to Rightmove (2017)
Independent School of the Year: Student Wellbeing (2022)
One of the UK’s leading Independent Schools and one of only four UK boarding schools to win Gold from the Carnegie Centre for Excellence in Mental Health in Schools, for the wellbeing of our staff and pupils.

Our location:

60% of staff live on-site, creating a warm welcoming community.
Two train stations walking distance from the College, with trains to Victoria and Waterloo.
Only 15 miles from Central London, 30 minutes from Gatwick and 45 minutes to Heathrow.
Nestled on the edge of the Surrey Downs, and the Surrey Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB)
Epsom College itself is situated within a 72-acre Victorian estate
The perfect marriage of proximity to the capital, and access to the countryside.

The role

Head of Admissions (AQ2737)

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Reporting to: Director of Marketing and Communications
Type of position: Full time working throughout the year

The Role

We are seeking an experienced Head of Admissions to start at the beginning of October 2024. The Head of Admissions will be responsible for leading the Admissions Department at Epsom College, which recruits day and boarding pupils at 11+, 13+ and 16+.

The Post Holder will report directly to the Director of Marketing and Communications and have line management responsibilities for the Admissions Registrar and the Admissions Assistant.

The post’s main duties will be to successfully and efficiently deliver the Admissions and Recruitment Strategies as developed by the Head, the Director of Communications and the Assistant Head: Futures & Progression.

Key responsibilities

The following are an indication of the key responsibilities and duties included within the role of Head of Admissions at Epsom College:

To work with the Director of Marketing and Communications, and the Assistant Head: Futures & Progression, to implement and deliver the College’s Admissions and Recruitment strategies.
Prepare reports for the Director of Marketing and Communications, the Head, the Governing Body and SLT, highlighting trends, risks and priorities based on targets and agreed key performance indicators.
Responsible for handling all admissions-related enquiries including, but not limited to, initial questions about Epsom College and/or the admissions process, parental concerns, and enquiries from feeder schools.
Management and oversight of the admissions process – from initial enquiry to offer acceptance. This would include:
- administering the interviews and/or entrance assessments;
- managing communications to and from families in relation to Open Mornings, Tours, Entrance Exams, Offers, Acceptance Deadline Dates, Scholarships and Bursaries.
Coordinate and organise key admissions events, including Open Mornings and College Tours.
Organise staffing at Prep School Future School Fairs
Meet prospective families, and organise bespoke tours when required.
Responsible for the arrangements for the examinations process for entry at 11+, 13+, Scholarship and 16+ in liaison with the Deputy Head (Academic).
Responsible, in partnership with the Director of Marketing and Communications and Assistant Head: Futures & Progressions, for supplying projected and current pupil numbers and a regular analysis of admissions statistics and trends.
Responsible for the registration and processing of all applicants at all entry points, ensuring the accuracy, data compliance and timely input of information into iSams.
Assist the Assistant Head: Futures & Progression with visits, taster days and assessments for pupils.
Oversee the preparation, and collation, of information for all new children and families joining Epsom College, ensuring all departments are kept informed and families are prepared.
Work closely with the finance team regarding registration fees and deposits.
Lead the Admissions Team to:
- ensure that the department deals with all enquiries swiftly and accurately either face to face, email or telephone;
- coordinate arrangements for meeting of prospective parents in consultation with the Head and the wider SLT.
Maintain a highly efficient and effective admissions process, with a focus on excellent customer service.
Ensure that Epsom has a positive relationship with educational agents by dealing with queries promptly.
Develop a close relationship with Marketing and Communications Team and work collaboratively with HMMs, SLT and other Epsom College colleagues as required to enhance the effectiveness of the Admissions Process.
Responsible on behalf of the Bursar for all compliance aspects associated with the School’s obligations to UKVI as a Child Student sponsor.
A commitment to child protection and safeguarding.

Qualifications, knowledge and experience

All of the following criteria are considered essential.

Proven experience in an administrative role.
Outstanding administration skills.
Excellent IT skills with the ability to use a range of Microsoft packages including Word and Excel.
Excellent verbal and written communications skills.
Strong organisational skills and able to work independently.
Able to multi-task, prioritise and have an eye for detail.
Team working skills.
Motivated with drive and enthusiasm.
Reliable and flexible with an enabling approach to all duties and responsibilities.
A professional, helpful and friendly approach in order to ensure a positive image is conveyed.
Resilient and able to cope with the rigors of a busy school office.
Have a clear understanding of working with other team members.
Able to stay calm under pressure.
Diplomatic, discreet, confidential and professional at all times.
Committed to the College’s values and ethos.
Awareness of child safeguarding issues.
A commitment to continuous professional. development and maintaining a working knowledge of the independent school sector.

All of the following criteria are considered desirable.

Educated to a degree level.
Proven experience of working within a school’s admissions department.
Strong knowledge and experience of working with iSams or a similar system.
Knowledge of ISI and governmental guidance and regulations as they relate to school admissions and recruitment, including those pertaining to international students.
A commitment to, and an ability to articulate the value of, independent education.

In order to arrive at a decision, the selection panel may enhance any or all of the desirable criteria.

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Terms of appointment

Terms and Conditions

Hours: This is a full time role working throughout the year. The minimum hours per week will be 40, with such additional hours as are reasonably necessary to fulfil the requirements of the role. Normal office hours are based around the school day of 8am to 6pm. In addition, the Head of Admissions will be required to attend some events/meetings during weekday evenings and occasionally at weekends.
Salary: Salary for the full time post will be c£50-55K per annum, reviewed annually, and paid monthly in arrears on the 25th of the month.
Holidays: The holiday entitlement is 28 days paid holiday per annum including bank holidays increasing one day per year up to a maximum of 33 days per annum including bank holidays.
Pension: The College operates the Epsom College Automatic Enrolment Scheme. The Scheme is administered by the Pensions Trust. Eligibility is based on statutory criteria. If eligible, the Employee will be required to contribute a minimum of 5% of Basic Salary and the College will contribute 4% in compliance with current legislation.

Employee benefits include:

Life assurance: Members who are automatically enrolled or who choose to opt into the College Pension Scheme will be provided with life assurance cover at two x contractual annual basic salary at no cost to the employee.
Private health plan: Offered to staff subject to qualifying conditions.
Employee assistance programme: this including free counselling service to employees and close family.
School fee discount: Generous school fee discount available subject to qualifying conditions.
Dining facilities and refreshments: Whilst at work, a free meal and refreshments are available when the dining room is open.
Health fitness and wellbeing: Free use of Fitness suite and swimming pool are available to staff at certain times.
Cycle to work: The College offers an interest free cycle to work loan subject to qualifying conditions.
Parking: Free car parking for staff is available on campus.
Computer loan: The College offers an interest free computer loan subject to qualifying conditions.

Safeguarding:

In compliance with safer recruitment regulations, the post will be offered subject to receipt of satisfactory written references, pre-placement medical assessment, proof of appropriate qualifications, a check of online search engines and websites of publicly available information that does not identify the candidate as potentially unsuitable to work within a school setting, a satisfactory Enhanced Disclosure from the Disclosure and Barring Service and overseas police check if appropriate, as well as confirmation that the successful candidate is able to work in the UK.

Prior to interview, an online search of internet search engines, websites and other publicly available and publicly accessible platforms to ascertain applicant’s suitability to work within a school environment will be undertaken on applicants that have been shortlisted. Please note whilst the Enhanced DBS check will be paid by the College if an overseas police check is required it will be at the cost of the successful applicant.

How to apply

Anderson Quigley is acting as an advisor to the College, an executive search process is being carried out by Anderson Quigley in addition to the public advertisement.

The closing date for applications is noon on 29^th July 2024.

Applications should consist of:

Applications should consist of a CV and covering statement (of no more than 1,000 words) outlining key matching experience and rationale for applying for the post.
Shortlisted candidates will be required to complete the College application form inline with safer recruitment practices.

Should you wish to discuss the role(s) in strict confidence, please contact Hayley Mintern at hayley.mintern@andersonquigley.com or +44 (0)7596 954 387 or Melanie Pye at melanie.pye@andersonquigley.com or +44 (0)7743 927 786.

The College is committed to having a diverse and inclusive workforce, supporting gender equality & Race Equality Charter. Applications for job-share, part-time and flexible working arrangements are welcomed and will be considered in line with business needs.

Appointment of the Head of Admissions