Head of IT

GENERAL

Malvern College is particularly fortunate in its location. Situated on the lower slopes of the Malvern Hills and close to the centre of Great Malvern, the main College campus commands striking views across the Severn Plain towards the Cotswolds.

From 1865, when it was founded, until 1992, Malvern was an independent school for boys aged 13 to 18. In 1992 a neighbouring girls’ school and a prep school were incorporated to form a new school offering co-education from the age of 3 through to 18.

There are some 659 pupils in the school, with 256 in our affiliated prep school The Downs, Malvern College Prep School with its own Pre-prep department. At age 13+ pupils join the Senior School. Just under half of the pupils in the Senior School are girls and approximately one-fifth are day pupils.

The school is proud of its high academic standards and of its pastoral care. There is a broad curriculum which is intended to give both younger and older students breadth and depth in a range of disciplines. The International Baccalaureate is offered as an alternative to A-level in the Sixth Form and just over a half of our Sixth Form following this course. There are many opportunities for pupils to undertake community service, sport and recreation, drama, music and art, as well as to gain other practical skills in the areas of design and technology.

The excellent facilities include a newly opened world class sports complex which includes a twenty-five metre pool, an eight-court sports hall, squash courts, fitness gym, dance studio, climbing wall and rifle range. In addition a new hospitality site will allow the College to host a variety of functions throughout the year for the benefit of pupils and parents. We have also recently completed a substantially expanded and refurbished teaching block. Our other facilities include an Arts Centre, a Music School, a Theatre, a Library and a purpose-built Technology Centre. An all-weather athletics track is planned at the College playing fields together with new changing rooms and a viewing gallery.

The school expects that all staff will play an active role in helping to safeguard and promote the welfare, security and safety of all our pupils. In addition all staff will be required to attend regular training on safeguarding children issues.

All applicants are encouraged to view our website on www.malcol.org

HEAD OF IT

Reports to: The Bursar and the Director of Studies.

Responsible for: The successful management of the IT Department in delivering IT as a centre of excellence for both Malvern College and The Downs, Malvern College Preparatory School.

Person specification: The Head of IT will be a dynamic team player with the ability to work on his/her own initiative. He/she will be highly motivated, forward thinking, and possess the drive and ability to ensure that the ICT Department meets the needs of our two schools now and in the future. It is essential that he/she manages a service that is efficient, effective and has an appropriate level of resilience in the event of problems or unexpected external impacts. The role has significant responsibilities for the operation of systems supporting critical school processes and the delivery of strategic solutions. The Head of IT must possess the following:

a) A track record of delivery, ensuring that milestones are achieved and risks and issues managed effectively.
b) Skills and experience to ensure that staff are well managed, developed and supported.
c) Skills and experience to be able to liaise with users and understand the requirements from an academic perspective.
d) Experience in developing and implementing an IT strategy.
e) Strong technical knowledge of the current environment and alternative environments used in other schools.
f) Ability to communicate clearly with Senior Management Team members and all users.
g) Experience of developing and implementing policies and procedures which ensure the effective and efficient operation of IT.

The Head of IT will be flexible in his/her approach to work and hours of attendance and be dedicated to provide a high quality customer service. He/she will, preferably, possess experience of working in or in close association with the independent education sector. It is important that he/she subscribes to, understands and works within the ethos and traditions of our busy boarding school.

Duties: The duties will include, but not be limited to, the following

a) Ultimate responsibility for the day to day management and maintenance of the network providing a 365 day/24 hour service.
b) Ensuring that both schools have a robust backup system and fail safe emergency procedure for possible disaster recovery.
c) Management of the purchasing and maintenance departmental budget.
d) Analysis of existing systems and user requirements, identifying changes required and liaising with hardware and software suppliers with a view to their implementation to improve systems’ effectiveness.
e) Producing and maintaining the ICT strategy and development plan for the two schools.
f) Providing support to academic staff, pupils and support staff in their use of ICT in order that they are confident in their use of ICT. Arranging for the provision of staff training where necessary and appropriate.
g) Maintaining the safety equipment and users when using school ICT equipment within the school and mobile school ICT equipment (laptops etc) anywhere in order to meet the health and safety regulations.
h) Liaison with users, heads of departments to advise on, investigate, plan and order equipment and work to meet ongoing demands and the expansion plans for the networks.
i) To be responsible for day to day running of the College telephone system, including arranging for the provision of any extra phones, ensuring appropriate levels of call barring, keeping logs of all external calls, installation and maintenance of telephone wiring on the College campuses, production of internal directories and liaising with BT or any other outside supplier over maintenance and installation of switching equipment.

BENEFITS

a) An attractive remuneration package will be offered
b) 5 weeks annual holiday plus statutory Bank Holidays. Any Bank Holidays that occur during term time are, ordinarily, to be worked with a compensatory day off being given
c) Contributory Group Personal Pension Scheme with Standard Life
d) Death in Service cover.
e) Personal injury insurance
f) Attractive personal and family Sports Club membership rates

APPLICATIONS

Application forms and a full CV should be forwarded to Mrs Margaret Harper, Head of Human Resources, Human Resources Department, Malvern College, Malvern, Worcestershire WR14 3DF by 29 March 2010. Interviews will be held soon after this date. The successful candidate will be subject to Enhanced Disclosure by the Criminal Records Bureau.