We have a strong reputation within the local community and are consistently oversubscribed, but we appreciate that you will want to know as much about our school as possible. For information on our school's ethos, the curriculum, pastoral organisation and Staff Wellbeing Package, please view the document below.

INFORMATION FOR CANDIDATES

• Our core values of Unity Respect Excellence underpin everything we do
• The behaviour of students is very good and reflects our values of Unity Respect Excellence 
• Departments are well-resourced and our school environment is very well maintained
• Excellent results at GCSE and at ‘A’ Level
• Large Sixth Form with over twenty ‘A’ Level and BTEC subjects
• Thriving House system for all staff and students to be a part of

• Extensive training and CPD programme for staff at all levels of experience
• Investment in personal growth and wellbeing including support given to access national qualifications and tertiary education or engage in research
• Quality, values-led performance management for all staff
• External and internal staff development opportunities such as attendance at courses and conferences, links with colleges, opportunities for staff secondments, support for initial teacher training and internal CPD pathways
• Excellent supportive induction programme for all staff including induction days and mentoring and coaching for new leaders
• Opportunities for staff, at all levels, to assume additional responsibilities of a whole school nature, some with incentive allowances attached or time provided resulting in many members of staff being promoted internally and externally
• Links with numerous partner organisations such as PiXL and Challenge Partners mean that staff get access to the very best opportunities for wider development
• Opportunities to be involved in other aspects of school to help develop those staff seeking wider leadership roles

• Work-life balance is key to the way we lead our school - consultation with staff at all levels is fundamental.  A strong active Staff Committee is part of the school’s feedback loop
• Comprehensive package of staff benefits including employee discount package for well-known retailers, restaurants, holidays and days-out and discounted gym membership at a range of providers
• Admission priority is given to the ‘children of staff’ who, at the time of application, have been employed by the school for over two years (in difficult-to-recruit areas the length of service can be reduced) - Please see our Admission Policy for further information
• Extra-curricular opportunities for staff to come together as a whole staff group
• Reduced rates for the gym facilities on the school site at the weekend and after hours
• Staff Wellbeing Team, mental health support and staff socials
• Investment in support staff is high with many roles in place to reduce administration for teachers
• Excellent staff facilities (each department has a staff social area) - free tea and coffee, departmental staff work rooms, good ICT facilities for staff use (all teaching staff get their own laptop), catered lunches provided for all Progress Monitoring Consultations and INSET days
• Other staff benefits include special leave for occasions such as family events, graduations and school plays and considerations for flexible working. 

Discover more about the shops, restaurants, transport links and accommodation options which make our Local Area such a vibrant place to call home.

We appreciate how difficult it can be for new members of staff to settle in to life at a new school alongside navigating the subtleties of life in a whole new country, so have put together a few hints and tips that may be useful during your first few months.

When you decide to move to the UK there are a range of things you should be aware of; from understanding the immigration paperwork and finding somewhere to live, opening a bank account and registering with an NHS doctor. We have put together a few suggestions of things to think about when moving to the UK in the hope that it will make the transition as easy as possible for new members of staff.

DO YOU NEED A VISA?

Nationals from 114 countries need a visa to enter the UK and those from other countries will need a UK visa to stay in the UK for longer than six months. 

For further details regarding visas and immigration in the UK you may find the following website useful:
Expatica

FIND SOMEWHERE TO LIVE

If you want to buy a property in the UK it is probably worth researching the local areas thoroughly before making a decision. Charters is situated in an affluent area around 27 miles from central London, and although property prices are high in this area of the UK, most of our teaching staff live outside of catchment with the most popular locations being Bracknell, Camberley, Farnborough, Reading, Windsor and Wokingham. Check out this link to Right Move to compare prices.

Renting is a good option for those who are relocating and you may find the following websites useful:
Homelike
SpareRoom
Spotahome
Zoopla

HEALTHCARE

If you are living in the UK you can access the full range of free health services available through the National Health Service, (NHS), but will first need to register with a General Practitioner, (GP). As it is likely to take a little time to register with a GP, it is worth bringing enough medication to last a few months. Bringing evidence of when and why your prescriptions were prescribed in addition to your medical records is something which may be useful when seeking on-going treatment from your GP.

The guide below explains how to find and register with a GP and outlines the various options for those who may wish to access private healthcare through health insurance:
Health Guide

OPENING A BANK ACCOUNT

Although you can use a credit or debit card from home during your first few weeks in the UK, you will probably incur transaction and currency exchange fees and it is worth opening a bank account as soon as possible.

You will need to prove your identity and your address in order to open a bank account in the UK.

Most banks are likely to ask for:

• Passport/valid photo ID
• A recent utility bill (less than three months old) or council tax bill
• A recent bank or credit card statement
• Proof of employment (some banks may ask for this)

Many standard bank accounts in the UK can be opened within 1-2 days and you can find a complete guide to UK banking below:
Banking in the UK

PURCHASING A UK SIM CARD

Although this may be further down your list of priorities when moving to the UK, it is worth considering purchasing a UK SIM card. There are a variety of options available and whether you are considering a prepaid SIM or a cell phone contract, more information is available below:
UK Mobile Phone Guide

WIDER READING

A book that has been recommended as a way to understand cultural differences in the UK is Watching the English by Kate Fox, who puts the English national character under her anthropological microscope.

At Charters School we are proud to support Initial Teacher Training (ITT) through the PGCE route in partnership with the University of Reading, University of Roehampton, UCL and St Mary’s Univesity, as well as the School Direct path in collaboration with the Bracknell Forest Partnership and Teach South East.

Find out more about Teacher Training options and commitment to Staff Development here.

If you are interested in volunteering some of your time either on a regular or ad hoc basis please email the school, with an indication of your skills and area of interest. To date volunteers have been used in the School Library, helping with database maintenance, within Subject Faculties and at various school events. For more information please email recruitment@chartersschool.org.uk

Charters School has a responsibility for, and is committed to, safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and for ensuring that they are protected from harm. Positions are subject to an Enhanced DBS check (Disclosure and Barring Service). Charters School is an Equal Opportunities Employer.

Please see this link to our Child Protection and Safeguarding Policy.