CLASS 1 and CLASS 6 TEACHERS
Salary up to £28,000 (depending on experience) + pension
Based in Bristol
We are seeking a Class 1 Teacher and a Class 6 Teacher to welcome our first children and
parents to Steiner Academy Bristol.
Steiner Academy Bristol is an inner city, state-funded Steiner school, looking forward to
working within the social and ethnic diversity of our city.
We will be opening our doors for the first time in September 2013 with two Kindergarten
classes; a Class 1 and a Class 6. By 2022 we will have grown to full capacity, with 2 parallel
classes from Kindergarten to class 10 totalling 624 children.
You will be working alongside an assistant and supported by learning support staff and a
senior management team including a Principal.
Our ethos and values
Steiner Academy Bristol will have the same ethos, values and guiding principles as other
Steiner schools, independent and state-funded. First and foremost, we will be a Steiner
school, following the Steiner-Waldorf curriculum.
Our vision is for a school in which any children – regardless of their ability to pay fees - can
fully experience the wonders of Steiner education – maintaining childhood; thinking
independently, clearly and considerately; observing the world perceptively; and acting with
creativity, courage and self-determination.
We are part of a growing group of state-funded Steiner Academies – Hereford, Frome and
Exeter - that are building a foundation for Steiner education in the state sector with a
commitment to diversity and accessibility. Our school will be accessible to all, regardless of
ability to pay.
As our school grows, we will be developing a close working relationship with other Steiner
schools, and in particular the other state-funded Steiner Academies. We want to offer teachers
more support and opportunities for career development, teacher training and mentoring,
continuing professional development and opportunities for joint festivals and celebrations.
Our team
We have an excellent team of dedicated Steiner teachers and Steiner parents who will be
supporting you in your new role.
In the pre-opening phase (until September 2014), Dr Phillip Wright, an experienced Steiner
teacher, will be leading our teacher induction and curriculum development work. Phil has
over 20 years teaching experience in state and Steiner schools. Originally teaching A-levels in
a large inner city sixth-form college in Birmingham, he re-trained as a Steiner teacher at
Plymouth and taught at Brighton Steiner School as a class teacher. Subsequently he taught as
a visiting teacher in the Upper Schools at Wynstones and Kings Langley Steiner Schools
before joining Bristol Steiner School where he now works. Phil studied a PhD in Steiner
pedagogy at Bristol University. He is passionate about promoting and developing Steiner
education and has published a number of articles on this theme.
Our steering group also has 3 other Steiner teachers – Lucy Prentis-Miller, Tara Young and
Kamar Finn-Wierkus – who will be working to support you in your new role in the pre-opening
phase. You can read more about the steering group here http://www.steineracademybristol.org.uk/school-community/governors/.
From September 2014, we will be joined by our new Principal, Angela Browne. Angela is a
passionately committed teacher and school leader with a great deal of experience working in
inner-city Bristol. More recently she has been Principal of Education Other Than At School for
South Gloucestershire, so she also has very strong experience in behaviour support and in
running new and innovative projects. However, what impressed us most at interview was her
deep, innate sympathy with the Steiner ethos, and her commitment to further learning. One of
our interview panel commented that she was ‘a Steiner teacher already, she just doesn’t know
it yet’. We’re really excited to have her on board.
You can find out more about our school via our website at http://www.steineracademybristol.org.uk/
APPLICATION DEADLINES
Closing date for applications is Midnight, Sunday 26th January 2014
First interviews will be held in Bristol on Tuesday 11th February and Thursday, 13th February 2014
Second interviews will be held in Bristol on Wednesday 19th February 2013 and Friday 21st February
We will confirm which days you will be interviewed on by 31st January. We highly recommend
that you keep all of these days free as we cannot offer any flexibility on dates.
For more information on how to apply, please see the end of this document.
Job description and person specification are below. Please note that there are slightly
different person specifications for the different roles.
JOB DESCRIPTION (CLASS 1 & 6)
1. The overarching role
 To bring a secure understanding of the Steiner curriculum, teaching method and the
pedagogical principles that underpin them, and to renew this understanding through
further study, on-going reflection and discussion of classroom practice
 To create a harmonious learning environment where pupils feel safe, happy and can
learn effectively
 To enable all pupils in your Class to recognise and achieve their potential
2. The teaching role
 to nurture the healthy development of the children’s physical, social, emotional and
cognitive skills, in a way which is appropriate to their age
 to prepare and teach thematic learning and other lessons according to curriculum
indications and methods
 to ensure the curriculum is appropriate for all pupils with effective differentiation
 implement effective assessment and recording systems to track pupils’ progress and
identify for them and their families what progress is being made
 record pupil progress and use such data to support lesson plans
 use assessment data to identify learning needs and improve teaching
 to prepare the class for festivals and class plays;
 to organise and participate in class outings and class events which are part of the
curriculum
 to carry out associated practical and administrative duties
 to participate in relevant meetings
3. Pastoral care role
 to consistently support and develop respectful relationships between pupils and
teachers in line with the school’s behaviour policy
 to help induct children who are new to Steiner education
 to liaise with parents, both individually and at regular whole class parents’ evenings,
and provide further opportunities for parents to understand the school’s priorities and
ethos
 to engage with parents who are new/know little about Steiner education
 to actively contribute to whole-school activities and development
4. General Responsibilities
 to liaise with teaching and admin colleagues, learning support staff, and other
agencies and professionals where necessary
 to work effectively with your classroom assistant
 to work as a member of a team and to contribute to the overall functioning and wellbeing of the school and community (as detailed in the Staff Handbook)
 to adhere to all school policies and procedures and relevant statutory regulations, with
particular reference to the Safeguarding Policy
 to adhere to the Health and Safety Policy at all times (as detailed in the Health &
Safety Handbook)
 to undertake duties outside the classroom, including before and after school
 to cover for colleagues when necessary and reasonable
 to attend meetings, festivals and week-end events where appropriate
 to administer duties as requested by the Principal
5. Responsibilities for Classroom and materials
 to prepare and maintain the order, mood and appearance of the classroom


to manage and organise the Classroom efficiently to ensure this meets the needs of
the pupils and staff
to ensure that the teaching space provides a positive and safe environment
6. Quality control responsibilities
 report to the Teaching Team and the Principal.
 participate in the Staff Appraisal process
 undertake CPD
 regularly self review and reflect
 participate in the Academy’s INSET programme
PERSON SPECIFICATION (CLASS 1 only)
Essential Criteria
Experience
Qualifications &
Training
Skills, Knowledge &
Abilities
E1
Q1
Working with children in a Steiner school
Graduate
Q2
S1
Steiner teacher training
Proven track-record or demonstrated potential of good
teaching skills and qualities
Good grasp of the ethos of a Steiner school
Ability to work imaginatively with the Steiner curriculum
Team Worker
Ability to relate well to parents & carers
Basic artistic/ musical ability
IT literate
Open to exploring innovative approaches from across the
educational field
S2
S3
S4
S5
S6
S7
S8
Personal Attributes
PA1
PA2
PA3
PA4
PA5
PA6
Personal
Circumstances
PC1
PC2
Positive energy
A calm, authoritative manner
Relish a challenge
Good health
A caring & supportive approach to children & their families
Positive attitude to a forward-looking Steiner ethos
Flexible and willing to learn & develop
Willing to take up the appointment before the school opens
Evidence of suitability to work with children
Desirable Criteria
Experience
Qualifications &
Training
Skills, Knowledge &
Abilities
E1D
Q1D
Q2D
Q3D
S1D
S2D
S3D
S4D
Teaching in a Steiner school
A degree
A relevant teaching qualification
Ability to teach a range of subjects
Well-organised with good administrative skills
Keen to collaborate with colleagues across the Steiner
Academies
Knowledge of mainstream terms/OFSTED criteria
Willingness to trial new approaches and techniques
Personal Attributes
Personal
Circumstances
PA1D
PA2D
PA3D
PC1D
Open-mindedness
A sense of humour
Can take initiative
Able & willing to participate in additional whole school
activities
PERSON SPECIFICATION (CLASS 6 only)
Essential Criteria
Experience
Qualifications &
Training
Skills, Knowledge &
Abilities
E1
Q1
Teaching children of this age group in a Steiner school
Graduate
Q2
S1
Steiner teacher training
Proven track-record or demonstrated potential of good
teaching skills and qualities
Good grasp of the ethos of a Steiner school
Ability to work imaginatively with the Steiner curriculum
Team Worker
Ability to relate well to parents & carers
Basic artistic/ musical ability
IT literate
Open to exploring innovative approaches from across the
educational field
Positive energy
A calm, authoritative manner
Relish a challenge
Good health
A caring & supportive approach to children & their families
Positive attitude to a forward-looking Steiner ethos
Flexible and willing to learn & develop
Willing to take up the appointment before the school opens
Evidence of suitability to work with children
S2
S3
S4
S5
S6
S7
S8
Personal Attributes
Personal
Circumstances
PA1
PA2
PA3
PA4
PA5
PA6
PA7
PC1
PC2
Desirable Criteria
Experience
E1D
Qualifications &
Training
Q1D
Q2D
Q3D
S1D
S2D
S3D
S4D
Skills, Knowledge &
Abilities
Teaching classes 6 – 8 in a Steiner School
Inducting children & parents from state education into a
Steiner School
A degree
A relevant teaching qualification
Ability to teach a range of subjects
Well-organised with good administrative skills
Keen to collaborate with colleagues across the Steiner
Academies
Knowledge of mainstream terms/OFSTED criteria
Willingness to trial new approaches and techniques
Personal Attributes
PA1D
PA2D
PA3D
Open-mindedness
A sense of humour
Can take initiative
Personal
Circumstances
PC1D
Able & willing to participate in additional whole school
activities
HOW TO APPLY
Please send us –
1. A copy of your Curriculum Vitae (CV), providing details of your qualifications, previous
employment and relevant experience. Please note that if there have been gaps in your
employment history (e.g. maternity leave or time off to look after dependents) please
state the reason clearly in your employment history.
2. A personal statement of no more than 1500 words. Your statement must set out why
you want the role, how you meet the job description and person specification, as well
as why you think you are the right candidate for the role.Please also provide two
relevant referees who can provide references to support your application.
3. Please state clearly if you are applying for Class 1, Class 6 or both. If you are applying
for both, please ensure you state how you meet the person specification for both roles.
Your CV and personal statement should be emailed to [email protected]
or posted to Steiner Academy Bristol, 143 North Road, Bristol, BS6 5AH. We will acknowledge
receipt of all applications.
The deadline is Midnight, Sunday 26th January 2014. We cannot accept any applications
after this date.
Applicants will be shortlisted against the criteria set out in the job description and person
specification and invited for an interview if successful through this initial screening stage.
Unsuccessful applicants will be notified within 1 week of the closing date. We are unable to
offer unsuccessful applicants feedback on their application
Interview dates
First interviews will be held in Bristol on Tuesday 11th February and Thursday, 13th February 2014
Second interviews will be held in Bristol on Wednesday 19th February 2013 and Friday 21st February
It is highly likely that if you are successful in the first round of interviews that we will want to
invite you back for a second interview.
We strongly advise, if you are applying for the post, that you make arrangements which enable
you to attend interviews on these days. Interview dates are fixed, and we regret there cannot
be any flexibility to suit candidate’s availability. This is because the interview dates have been
set in advance to accommodate the interview panel.
Reasonable travel expenses will be reimbursed for attendance at interview.
Interview process
If you are selected for interview, we will contact your referees for a reference to support your
application before the second interview. This is so that your references can support your
application and interview, as well as be taken into account in the selection process.
Candidates who do not wish references to be taken up at an early stage should explain their
reasons in a covering letter.
The interview process will be thorough and rigorous, and is likely to involve –
- A pre-prepared exercise, to be submitted before the interview.
-
An interview, which will last approximately 1-1.5 hours.
Appointment
We will notify you of the outcome as soon as practicably possible after the interview process is
completed. If there is likely to be a significant delay, we will let you know in advance.
We also reserve the right to not appoint to the post and re-advertise if we deem that none of
the candidates are suitable.
Any appointment will be subject to an enhanced DBS (CRB) check. Permanent appointment is
also conditional on the school signing the DfE funding agreement.
Terms and Conditions
The start date is as soon as possible, depending on notice periods as required.
The job description and person specification advertised are for the full time role, once the
school has opened. In the pre-opening phase (until September 2014), the post holder will be
required to undertake a variety of tasks to deliver key objectives to establish the school. We
will expect flexibility and a ‘hands on’ approach in this period.
The salary for the role has been advertised as up to £28,000, depending on experience, plus a
pension contribution. The starting salary will be agreed based on the outcome of the interview
process, including a candidate’s previous experience and any identified areas of personal and
professional development required for the role, in both pre- and post-opening. If the successful
candidate’s starting salary is not the maximum, the Board of Governors will agree with the post
holder how, and under what terms, their salary may increase to the maximum. The Board of
Governors reserve the right to make any final decision on pay and benefits.
There may be opportunities, as the school grows, for teachers to take on additional
responsibilities that will attract time limited ‘salary supplements’ of up to £5,000 per year. As
part of the pre-opening recruitment phase we will be seeking to award a ‘salary supplement’
for a teacher to continue work on curriculum development and teacher mentoring for a period
of 3-4 years. The interview panel, in close liaison with the Principal, will award this supplement
as part of any offer made on appointment to the most appropriate candidate. The Board of
Governors reserve the right to make any final decision.
The post is full time and permanent, subject to standard notice periods. Other terms and
conditions can be discussed at interview or prior to accepting the post.
Equal Opportunities
We are an equal opportunities employer. Our aim is to be fair to everybody and to ensure that
no job applicant or employee receives more or less favourable opportunities or treatment on
the grounds of, for example age, race, colour, ethnic or national origin, nationality (subject to
nationality rules), sex / gender, transgender, sexual orientation, marriage and civil partnership,
disability, religion or religious affiliation / belief, or pregnancy and maternity.