Recruitment FAQ’s

We’ve put together this list of FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions) for you about our recruitment and selection process. If you still don’t find what you’re looking for, please contact recruitment@thevalefederation.com

All salaries are paid equally over twelve months.

The salary range advertised would be the annual full-time equivalent amount, i.e. based on working 52 weeks per year, 37 hours per week. The actual salary is calculated on the actual number of weeks and hours worked (e.g. 39 weeks, 30 hours per week) and includes any holiday entitlement.

When a position is advertised, the working hours will always be detailed in our adverts.

This depends on the job role you are applying for. Please see the person specifications for further details of ‘Essential’ and ‘Desirable’ qualifications, training and skills needed for individual posts. As well as essential qualifications for certain posts, a willingness to learn, passion, motivation and common sense are all necessary and invaluable assets to have.

The Vale Federation of Schools is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff, workers and volunteers to share this commitment. The successful candidate will be required to provide two satisfactory references, undertake pre-employment checks including a health check and have a cleared Enhanced Disclosure & Barring check. An online search (including social media checks) will be carried out for all shortlisted candidates as part of our recruitment process.

Yes, we operate a comprehensive induction programme for all members of staff, volunteers and work experience students.

We have a variety of roles within The Vale Federation ranging across a number of departments. These include:

  • Teaching Assistants
  • Senior Teaching Assistants
  • Assistant Teachers
  • Teachers
  • Swim Teacher
  • Specialist Teacher
  • Team Leaders
  • Assistant Head Teacher
  • Deputy Head
  • Head of School
  • Principal
  • Safeguarding Officers
  • Family Support Officers
  • Speech and Language Therapists
  • HR & Admin Staff
  • Marketing & Communications Staff
  • Finance & Payroll Staff
  • IT Technicians
  • Facilities & Estates Staff
  • Specialist Moving & Handling Staff
  • Cleaners

The person specification relevant to each job role gives information regarding any essential or desirable experience required. You may find it helpful to look at these as you could meet some of the criteria.

To find out more, please contact hrteam@thevalefederation.com

Staff uniform of polo shirts and fleeces in the school colours are available to buy. However, this is optional but our dress code must be followed.

If you were invited to an Interview we would ask you to bring in original certificates pertaining to your educational and/or professional qualifications, including GSCE Maths, English and Science (Grade C or above or equivalent).

Booker Park School caters for children from Nursery to Year 6 whilst Stocklake Park School caters for secondary aged students from Years 7 to 11. There is also a special post 16 provision for students aged 16-19.

There are a number of training courses that are statutory and staff would be expected to attend depending on their job role, i.e. Safeguarding, Paediatric Manual Handling, General Services. Staff would be alerted to any relevant training courses available. We encourage Continued Professional Development amongst all staff in order that we maintain our expertise and we aim for at least 50% of our learning support staff to be NVQ Level 3 or equivalent and for staff to become lifelong learners.

There is a designated staffroom at both schools where there is a kettle, toaster, microwave, drinking water system as well as a drinks vending machine. Staff are welcome to bring in a packed lunch which can be kept in the fridge.

There is free parking available at both schools with designated bays for visitors.

If you are interested in applying for a vacancy, we actively encourage visits to the schools within the Vale Federation. Experience has shown us that it is very beneficial for prospective employees to have a tour of the school to get a feel for the environment that you are applying to work in.   You will also get to see the children who have a wide range of special educational needs.  Please contact each site directly to arrange a convenient time and date for your visit.

In conjunction with Buckinghamshire Council there are various benefits that our staff can enjoy. These range from help with travel costs, childcare vouchers and nursery discounts, leisure centre discounts, KARRP benefits. You can find out more here.

Holiday entitlement is dependent on each job role as many of our roles are term-time only. For those roles that are not term-time only, the holiday entitlement is calculated depending on your pay range, years of service and how many weeks your contract is based on. The salary range quoted in the job advert will include your holiday entitlement.

The number of children and adults varies depending on the needs of the children in each class.

Key Information

Our teaching and non-teaching staff work to provide the best that they possibly can, to support all our children and young people’s unique learning needs. Our Governors link the school with the community and play a key role in the effectiveness of the school. The governing board’s job is to look at all aspects of the school’s performance and ensure it is achieving its full potential, as well as working with the Principal and Senior Leadership Team to provide strategic leadership and accountability. Please click below to meet our wonderful team and Governors, as well as find out more about our policies and procedures.

Policies

The Governing Board