The Vale Federation Recruitment Process
How to apply
If you would like to apply for a position within the Vale Federation please complete the relevant application form. If you are unable to print the documents or have a disability that makes it difficult for you to complete the forms, please contact us so that we can post them to you or make alternative arrangements.
When completing the application form please account for all your time since leaving full-time education including part-time and voluntary work. Any gaps in your employment history should be fully explained. Please also complete the section relating to previous criminal convictions and sign the application form.
The completed application form should be returned by email to recruitment@thevalefederation.com or by post to:
The Vale Federation – HR Department
Booker Park School
Stoke Leys Close
Aylesbury
Bucks
HP21 9ET
If emailing your application form please sign and scan where possible. If your application form is not signed you will be asked to sign it if you are invited to attend an interview.
Please ensure that your application form reaches us by the closing date/time indicated in the advert. Applications received after this time will not usually be taken into consideration.
Visits to the School
We strongly encourage all applicants to visit the school they are applying to. You will be able to see the students across a whole range of special educational needs, look at the facilities and resources we use on a daily basis and meet members of staff who would be happy to answer any questions you may have. Please contact Lynne Worley, HR Officer, to arrange a visit.
References
It is our normal practice for references to be obtained prior to an interview. Please give details of two people who have knowledge of you in a working/educational environment. This could be in a paid or voluntary capacity. The first referee should be your present or most recent employer and you should indicate clearly on the application form that you give consent for us to contact them before interview. If you are a student please give appropriate school or college referees.
Please ensure that your referees are aware you have named them on the application form as we will contact them requesting their response as soon as possible. Until two satisfactory, signed references are received we will be unable to make a formal appointment and could delay your start date.
If this is your first job and therefore unable to provide a workplace reference please give a referee who has known you for at least five years and who can give details of how long they have known you, in what capacity and a statement giving their opinion on your suitability to the job.
Recruitment and Employment Agencies
Please note that all our recruitment requirements are dealt with by our school’s recruitment team. Therefore recruitment or employment agencies should not approach the school. Thank you.
Shortlisting
All applications will be passed to our recruitment panel and we will endeavour to contact all applicants as soon as possible after the closing date to let you know the outcome of your application.
If we are inviting you to attend an interview we will usually contact you by telephone giving you the date, time and location of the interview as well as details of the interview panel and any task or exercise we may ask you to complete (depending on the job role). When we invite candidates to attend an interview we will ask you to confirm that you are aware of and are happy with the pay range and length of contract for the particular post. Should you require any particular arrangements to enable you to attend the interview please let us know so that this can be organised for you.
If you haven’t been successful we will email to let you know. In some cases, due to the volume of applications, we won’t be able to provide individual feedback within the email but you are welcome to contact us if you would like our comments.
An online search (including social media) will be carried out for all shortlisted candidates as part of our recruitment process.
Interviews
We will endeavour to take up references before the interview as per our Safer Recruitment policy and guidelines. You will be requested to bring with you documentary evidence of your identity. A passport or driving licence would be most acceptable. You will also need to bring with you evidence of your right to work in the UK. It is also required that you bring original documents confirming your educational and/or professional qualifications.
If you haven’t done so already, there may be an opportunity for you to look around the school although we do encourage applicants to do this prior to interview.
Post Interview
We will endeavour to contact interviewees as soon as possible after all the interviews have taken place to let you know whether you have been successful or not. We will inform you at the interview when to expect our decision to be made. If you have not been successful we would be happy to give verbal feedback to help you with future applications. No appointment can be formally made in writing until two satisfactory references have been received. All our appointments are conditional upon receipt of satisfactory references, a satisfactory pre-employment health check and completion of an Enhanced DBS check.
Induction
Induction training is absolutely vital for all our new employees so that we can ensure you settle in quickly and happily and that you have all the information you need to carry out your role successfully.
During your first few days at school we will be giving you lots of information about the school and our procedures; from personnel practices and health and safety procedures to staff benefits and where the toilets are!
Safeguarding
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) will be carried out for all shortlisted candidates as part of our recruitment process.
Policies
There are a number of policies that you can view on our website which you will be required to familiarise yourself with. This forms part of our induction procedures.