Ditcham Park School

We are a co-educational independent day school for children aged 4 to 16. Situated near Petersfield in the South Downs National Park on a stunning site with spectacular views of the rolling Hampshire hills and south across the Solent to the Isle of Wight we provide a wonderful environment for a child to flourish.  

We believe a child learns best and develop self-esteem when they are encouraged in a caring and supportive environment. Our school’s relatively small size creates a genuinely friendly, nurturing environment where ‘every child is known and valued’.  

Key purpose of Role

• As a full-time teacher at Ditcham Park School you are employed to take full pastoral and academic responsibility for your class.

• The school has an extremely strong reputation for pastoral care and this will be a crucial focus of your work.  Through care for, and support of all of the children, and by liaising closely with colleagues, learning support staff and parents, it is our expectation and experience that our pupils thrive in all areas of school life and any potential concerns can be speedily and positively resolved; the class teacher’s responsibility and enthusiasm in leading with this approach is paramount.

• Essential is the passion for maintaining an exciting classroom environment, teaching, marking and tracking and monitoring the learning and progress of each child in a school where every child is known and valued.  Academically, the role includes all of the appropriate and necessary planning, preparation, budgeting and resourcing. To achieve this you are required to keep up to date with developments in primary education, including attending relevant training or courses.

• You are expected to assist with the smooth running of the school by attending assemblies, undertaking duties, participating in a programme of extra-curricular activities and arranging/accompanying day and possibly KS2 residential visits.

• As a member of a small team you are expected to lead, manage and develop one curriculum aspect within the junior section of the school, keeping colleagues fully informed and aware of any developments or changes that may affect their delivery of the curriculum.

• You are expected to attend INSET Days, whole school staff meetings at the start of each term, weekly junior staff meetings, parents’ evenings, Open Mornings (currently in the autumn and summer terms) and other associated school events.

• Movement of teachers between classes is part of a cycle which can include movement of staff between KS1 and KS2 class teaching and responsibility.  This is part of a whole school programme and is for the benefit of the school, pupils and staff as and when it may occur.  Significant forward planning is used in managing any class teacher movements between year groups and this is led by the Head of Juniors.

• Ditcham Park School supports professional development with allocation of time and money for personal INSET in addition to whole school INSET at the start of the autumn and spring terms. 

• As a school we are very keen to consider, support and implement exciting and progressive new initiatives which are generated by staff. Similarly, as a key member of our vibrant and evolving school, all staff are expected to be positive and adaptable to taking on new initiatives or challenges which are introduced and assigned by the Head of Juniors or Headmaster.