Why Work at Hinchley Wood?
Hinchley Wood School offers a positive and innovative learning ethos supported by students, staff, parents and governors. We value our staff and the professionalism and experience they bring to the school, and wherever possible we have tried to anticipate and build in holistic support, we offer:
- Two week Autumn half term
- A minimum two week break over the Christmas period.
- Early finish to the school timetable on Fridays.
- Free use of our on-site gym before and after the school day.
- Complimentary tea and coffee every day and a fully equipped and pleasant staff room.
- Large car park on site
- Free lunch and refreshments on INSET days.
- Free lunch for colleagues if they are staying later to attend parents’ evenings.
- Time off, cover permitting, for celebration of ad hoc close family events eg child’s nativity play, graduation etc.
- A supportive Staff Association which covers a range of events including provision of end of term food and drinks and sending small gifts to colleagues at times of celebration or loss.
- Concessionary/franked postage rates for staff and the school can be used as a delivery point for online personal purchases.
Job Satisfaction
HWS has a very good record of staff retention & job enhancement opportunities both within the school and wider Trust, we offer a pleasant and supportive working environment and have established excellent staff:student working relationships.
To improve working environments for staff we are committed to an on-going programme of investment. Over the last year this has included a rolling programme of classroom and corridor decoration, Premises, ICT and Science Preparation Room and Curriculum offices.
ECT Programme
We have a successful and comprehensive programme of support for early career teachers. This includes a dedicated mentor over the first two years of your teaching career, regular mentor meetings and coaching, as well as induction and CPD sessions in school. Your professional development is guided both in school and via the Early Career Framework delivered by Xavier Teaching Hub in collaboration with Teach First.
Please Click Here for our ECT Policy
CPD
We have an excellent CPD programme and many opportunities in school for staff to extend their professional knowledge and develop their skills. As a result, we have a very good record of staff gaining internal and external promotions and sharing good practice across departments.
We believe that teachers are life-long learners - we keep up to date with current practice and research and disseminate this to teachers in a variety of ways, this helps us all to improve our classroom practice.
Staff development is supported through an extensive and continuously evolving CPD programme which includes: in-house CPD courses, Teaching and Learning workshops, a Coaching Programme, a Teaching and Learning Forum, a New to Hinchley Wood Induction Programme, as well as access to external courses and networks.
There is a warm, convivial atmosphere among the staff and mutual support between teaching and associate staff to ensure effective teaching and learning and the very best outcomes for our students.
Wide range of educational visits and extra-curricular activities
As we emerge from COVID restrictions, we are pleased to be returning to a place where we are able to offer a wide range of extra-curricular opportunities run by members of staff as well as external organisations. These range from weekly clubs & societies, academic enrichment days, to international residential trips.
Some of the most popular include:
- International trips to New York, Iceland, Berlin & skiing in the Alps
- Duke of Edinburgh Award and World Challenge
- Exchanges to Spain and Germany
- Regular trips to the West End, London Museums & Galleries and places such as Kew Gardens
- Various sports teams in football, netball, rugby, tennis, athletics & gymnastics; theatre clubs across the whole school; a wide variety of orchestras & bands; and of course, chess club & the English department's podcast.
Secure School Finances
In this time of uncertainty within education, the school is well placed to weather the storm including:
- Robust school finances during a period of much financial uncertainty
- Performance Related Pay outcomes funded
- Competitive salaries
Other Benefits include:
- Priority admission for children of all permanent postholders after 2 years’ service, or upon commencement for designated roles, identified at time of recruitment advert
- Cycle to Work salary sacrifice scheme
- Membership of either of the following pensions schemes, including a generous employer contribution;
- Teachers Pension Scheme
- Local Government Pension Scheme
- Occupational Health support.
- Employee Assistance programme available to staff and their immediate family.
- Recognition of previous maintained school or Academy continuous service.
