About the SchoolThe British School of Amsterdam is an independent co-educational non-profit day school providing world class teaching and learning for children from 3 to 18 years. We are the first school in the Netherlands to be accredited by the UK Government as a British School Overseas. We broadly follow the National Curriculum for England. Our school offers a stimulating and caring environment enabling your child to realise their full potential academically and develop the skills and confidence for a fulfilling and responsible life in a changing society.

Working at the Infant School2019-20

www.britams.nl/vacancies @BritAmsNL recruitment@britams.nl

In 2016 the school acquired a 19th century listed building in the south of the city that will be redeveloped into our new beautiful 14,000m2 home. It is expected that we open for September 2020. It has always been our vision to be on one site. This a multi-million euro project and will be an amazing chapter in the evolution of the school. The new school will have many enhancements including a 7m high sports hall and state of the art theatre.

At The British School of Amsterdam, children move through several stages of their education in specific school environments suitable to their age and stage of learning. Our primary years are catered for in three specific school settings: Early Years (for children aged 3-5) Infant School (for pupils aged 5-7) and Junior School (ages 7-11), before moving on to the Senior School (11-18).

Each school is part of the whole school community, but planned and run with a curriculum tailored to the needs of children at these different stages in their social, emotional and academic development. Children receive a well-rounded and complete primary education, equipping each individual with all the skills needed for a successful academic career and a happy, purposeful life.

PeopleOur families come from all over the world with 47 nationalities represented within the school. More than half of our children speak English as an Additional Language and as a non-selective school we also have many children with additional support needs. We have 930 pupils in the whole school, 180 of which are based at the Infant School. The average stay of our families is 3½ years.

The children are one of our greatest strengths: their enthusiasm for learning, happiness and curiosity really shine through. We have very few behavioural issues and the focus is very much on learning each day at school. The children’s wonderful attitude to learning makes them a joy to teach.

Our parents are very supportive of the work we do at school and like to be involved where possible and as much as possible. We have an open door policy where we aim to work with parents and other members of the school community to solve any small problems as they arise and before they become larger issues.

Our staff work very hard and show great commitment to their pupils and great loyalty to the school. Everyone is expected to roll up their sleeves and get involved.

Our Vision“Where are we now...

Planning and curriculum delivery [at the Infant School] provide a rich and varied curriculum based around themes relevant to the pupil’s needs.

The pupils are thoroughly engaged in their learning and support each other.

The EAL provision in the Infant School is highly effective.”

BSO Inspection Report November 2017

Where are we going…

• Introduce our play-based learning model to Year 2and consolidate opportunities for active learning across the Infant School while maintaining high levels of academic performance

• Focus on different teaching models within the classroom to improve our teaching and learning from good to outstanding

• Invest in coaching and training staff to maintain high levels of professional confidence and dialogue

• Build on strong links with other school sections to share best practice as a tool for professional growth

Meet the Head Lynn Welsh-BoucardI have been working in a leadership role at The British School of Amsterdam for nine years. Originally from Scotland, I taught there and in France before coming to The British School of Amsterdam over ten years ago. I have been in education for nearly fifteen years and previously worked as a solicitor in Scotland and England.

At the Infant School we work hard to support each child’s holistic development. High academic standards are important and fundamental in ensuring each child is able to reach or exceed his or her potential. We also place a great emphasis on allowing the children to shine in lots of different ways and in supporting personal, social and emotional growth. We value creativity, imagination and problem solving and aim to foster a love of learning.

Above all we strive to bring the learning to life! We want all of the children to love coming to school, to be excited and interested in what they are learning and to develop the skills and habits they will need to be successful in their future school careers.

As the Head I encourage staff to be proactive and I strive for a good balance between consistent working practices across the school teams and allowing teaching staff enough flexibility to be creative and try out new ideas that will help move us forward in our teaching and learning. I believe the children should share responsibility for their own learning and should also learn about learning as an integral part of their education.

At the Infant School we are currently designing our own bespoke model for play-based learning. Key Stage 1 is a magical time when a huge amount of growth happens. It is a great privilege to be part of each child’s learning journey at this crucial time and a great responsibility to make sure it is the very best of experiences.

“The School provides a highly positive ethos and welcoming atmosphere.”

BSO Inspection Report November 2017

www.britams.nl/vacancies @BritAmsNL recruitment@britams.nl

Our Team The Infant School currently has a staff of 39 made up of both full-time and part-time staff members.

Our team ranges in age from late 20s to mid-60s but the majority of our staff are currently in the 30-45 age range. We have a mix of staff who are settled in Amsterdam and those who have arrived more recently. There are opportunities to socialise outside of school hours with colleagues but no pressure to do so. Many of our staff successfully combine work and family life.

As a team we work hard and always put the children first in everything we do but we also have lots of fun in the process and get on well with one another. We are friendly and welcoming and open to new ideas.

Team work is very important to us and each staff member works as part of multiple teams.

We currently have four classes in Year 1 and five classes in Year 2 each with a full-time class teacher and a full-time equivalent teaching assistant. Each Year Group is headed by a Year Group Leader who is also a full-time class teacher.

We have a team of specialist teachers who teach Music, Art and Design, Design Technology, Dutch, English as an Additional Language and who provide learning support.

Our Middle Leadership Team is made up of our two Year group Leaders plus our Learning Support Co-ordinator. Our MLT work closely with the Head and the Deputy of the Infant School to support curriculum change and improve teaching and learning.

The Wider School TeamThe Infant School staff team are also an integral part of our whole school staff of 172 comprising staff members from each school section: Early Years, Infants, Juniors, Seniors and our admin department. We have close links with the Early Years and Junior Schools as we work closely with each other to ensure that transition to and from our school sections is smooth. All staff members in the primary department should be prepared to work in any of our primary school sections: Early Years, Infants or Juniors.

We have whole school staff meetings at the start of the year and from time to time during the school year. Every year the school provides training opportunities for staff and every second year we host a COBIS learning conference which all of our staff have access to. There are also regular whole school social events including a quiz night, drinks and our end of year boat trip.

Each school section has a Middle Leadership Team who also work as a larger MLT for the whole school and receive additional leadership training to lead improvement in teaching and learning. Our Whole School MLT have recently produced an Outstanding Learning Framework to encourage professional dialogue across the school. All teaching staff will have the opportunity to be involved in this professional development opportunity by visiting colleagues in a different school section using the framework as a guide for discussion.

Each school section also has a Head of School and a Deputy Head who also work as a larger leadership group for the whole school. The Senior Leadership Team for the whole school is made up of the four Heads of School, our Principal and Bursar.

www.britams.nl/vacancies @BritAmsNL @BritAmsNL recruitment@britams.nl recruitment@britams.nl

www.britams.nl/vacancies @BritAmsNL

Location, location, locationJan van Eijckstraat, Amsterdam The Infant School is situated in the Jan van Eijckstraat, a two-minute walk from the Early Years School and a short cycle or tram-ride to our Junior and Senior schools. The building was purpose built as a school and was the original home to the whole British School of Amsterdam until school numbers became too large for the building. Nestled in the centre of a circle of apartment buildings in Amsterdam Zuid, the Infant School feels like a cosy green oasis of calm away from the bustle of busy Beethovenstraat.

The Infant School is entered via a short tunnel from the street making it a very secure location and giving it the feel of a secret garden. Nearby Beethovenstraat is a busy shopping street with a variety of cafés and restaurants which can easily be accessed from the Infant School. Day to day, the Infant School functions as a stand-alone school but there are regular opportunities for interaction with other school sections each term.

recruitment@britams.nl

Who are we looking for...It could be you!Enthusiastic and passionate Key Stage 1 or Scottish Primary 1-3 teachers who are outstanding classroom practitioners and excellent team players and who:

• are equally at home teaching spelling and grammar as leading a Viking raid in costume

• have a growth mindset

• adapt well to change

• embrace challenges

• are able to pass on their enthusiasm to others

• are not afraid of hard work but know how to have fun

• understand our priorities for growth and are ready to invest themselves in the Infant School

Early Years School Anthonie van Dijckstraat 1 1077 ME Amsterdam +31 (0) 20-67 97 840

Infant SchoolJan van Eijckstraat 21077 LG Amsterdam+31 (0) 20-67 93 060

Junior and Senior SchoolsFred. Roeskestraat 94 A1076 ED Amsterdam+31 (0) 20-67 90 183

Head of EYS Mrs Claudia van de Laar-Newson

Head of Infant School Ms Lynn Welsh-Boucard

Head of Junior School and Vice Principal Mr Stuart May

BritishSchoolofAmsterdam @BritAmsNLPrincipal Paul MorganHR Manager Feli Luzolo