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The Archive cares for and promotes use of the school’s heritage collections, which include records, rare books, works of art and artefacts. It also works to improve records management throughout the organisation and advises on matters concerning the Data Protection Act (2018). The Archives and Records Management Assistant (Graduate Trainee) will support and work alongside the full-time Archivist and Records Manager. This role is intended for a graduate who wishes to gain archive experience before or whilst undertaking a postgraduate course in Archives and/or Record Management. Opportunities for training and professional development will also be provided.

Westminster School is committed to developing its archives and records management throughout the organisation. During the contract, the post holder will receive training from their line manager, a qualified Archivist and Records Manager, to help equip them to apply for, or complete, a recognised postgraduate Archives and Records Management course or similar sector qualification.

Records Management

• Assist with surveying records and destroying those not required for permanent preservation in line with the School’s Records Retention Policy.

Caring for the Collections (training will be given)

• Cleansing of existing data held in the School’s legacy electronic catalogues (based in Microsoft Excel), under the supervision of the Archivist.
• Assist with the sorting and listing of the physical archive collections to professional standards (International Standard for Archival Description) using AtoM software and in accordance with the Archive’s own practices (training will be given).
• Support the Archivist in developing the School’s digital archive of electronic records, using the digital preservation tool Archivematica.
• Assist with the storing and re-packaging of collections in line with best practice methods.
• Assist in monitoring environmental conditions in the Archive’s stores.

Access and Outreach

• Respond to enquiries relating to archives and records management from internal and external parties and, where appropriate, supervise researchers.
• Support the provision of co-curricular opportunities for pupils to become involved in the archive, through the School’s existing channels, such as Lower School Activities, Options and the voluntary programme.
• Assist the Archivist in the preparation of exhibitions.
• Produce articles and social media posts to promote the School’s collections to a variety of different audiences.

General

• Continue developing professional knowledge and skills through involvement with the School Archives and Records Association, the Archives and Records Association and other networking groups and undertaking relevant additional training.
• Any other duties that may be reasonably requested by the Archivist and Records Manager.

Hours of work

The position is a part-time, two-year contract. Hours of work are 21 hours per week, to be worked at mutually agreed times from Monday to Friday. Core hours are between 09:00 to 17:00, but start and end times can be flexible.

It is envisaged that the post holder will work three full days a week, but other arrangements will be considered. On rare occasions evening work may be required, for which time off in lieu will be granted.

Please refer to the attached person specification for further details.

Equal Opportunities

We are an equal opportunities employer. We therefore encourage candidates to apply irrespective of age, disability, marriage or civil partnership status, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion and belief, gender identity, sex or sexual orientation.

Safeguarding and Child Protection

Westminster School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. Applicants must be willing to undergo child protection screening appropriate to the post, including checks with past employers and the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Working at Westminster

Westminster School is a busy, purposeful and vibrant place to be and an excellent workplace. The community is made up of 750 pupils, 120 teaching staff and 108 support staff.

Westminster School is friendly and welcoming, and all newcomers quickly become part of the rhythm of life here.

There is a real sense of community here as, being a boarding school many members of staff and pupils live on site and the School’s premises are very much treated as a home away from home. School life starts before breakfast and continues way beyond the working day; as a result, there is always a lively atmosphere in and around School and always someone to share a tea and biscuit with in the Common Room. Support staff as much as teaching staff are encouraged to embrace the School’s day-to-day activities, whether that be attending an evening concert or a morning service in the Abbey.

At Westminster we will always select the best candidate for every position. We do know, however, that we can only truly choose the best person on every occasion if a broad and diverse pool of candidates see the job advertised and are encouraged to apply.

As such, we continue to work on how our job roles are encountered, and particularly welcome applications from groups who have traditionally been underrepresented here.

Westminster School is for everyone, regardless of gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation or any other protected characteristic. We hope you are encouraged to apply.

The School

Westminster School is a selective day and boarding school for boys aged 13 to 18 and girls aged 16 to 18. There are approximately 360 boys in the Lower School (Years 9 to 11) and 400 boys and girls in the Upper School (Years 12 and 13). One quarter of the pupils board, and the School is structured and run as a boarding school, with an extended day and week and a strong House-based system of pastoral welfare, for boarding and day pupils alike.

Westminster is an ancient school, whose origins can be traced to a charity school established by the Benedictine monks of Westminster Abbey. Its continuous existence is certain from the early 14th century. Henry VIII personally ensured the School’s survival by statute and Elizabeth I, who confirmed royal patronage in 1560, is celebrated as the School’s foundress. Westminster is rare amongst long-established schools in remaining on its original site in the centre of London. Its proximity to Parliament and Westminster Abbey, and the use of the Abbey for its chapel, together with the stimulating diversity of the South Bank and West End, account in part for its special atmosphere and outlook.

The School is one of the foremost centres of academic excellence both in this country and internationally. Central to its academic ethos is the dialogue between teachers and their pupils, whether in the classroom or in tutorials, inspiring enjoyment of intellectual enquiry, debate and search for explanation and the development of skills of rational, independent thought well beyond any standard examination syllabus. The desired environment is happy, busy and purposeful; the pupils are intellectually, socially, ethically and politically engaged, with plenty of opportunities to develop initiatives and to articulate and defend their views, in line with the enduring values of the liberal tradition reflected in the School’s Charter. That tradition is fully committed also to the nurture of each pupil’s spiritual, moral, emotional and physical development and wellbeing – with a particular emphasis on drawing out individual talent wherever it lies - and to the preparation of young people for fulfilled private and public lives beyond School.

Required for: August 2023.

Location: Great School (Dean's Yard).

Contract: part-time, fixed term contract of two years.

Hours of work: Hours of work are 21 hours per week, to be worked at mutually agreed times from Monday to Friday. Core hours are between 09:00 to 17:00, but start and end times can be flexible

Salary: The salary for this role is £15,000 (pro rata), based on a £25,000 FTE.

The deadline for applications is Monday 12th June 2023. Interviews will be held on Wednesday 21st June.