ICT Systems Manager
Full Time
For April 2025
Information for Applicants
About Austin Friars
Austin Friars is a leading Catholic coeducational school for children of all faiths, aged 3–18, serving the local areas of north Cumbria and southwest Scotland. It is the first-choice school for parents considering independent day education in the region.
The School has a strong reputation for providing a high-quality, all-round education which meets the individual needs of each child, being particularly proud to offer far more than just an excellent academic education.
Austin Friars was established in 1951 by the friars of the Order of St Augustine to offer a boarding education for Catholic boys in Cumbria and the city of Carlisle. Girls were first admitted in 1986, and boarding ended in 1998. St Monica’s was established in 1985, on the same site as Austin Friars, as a school for boys and girls of primary age. In 2003, the formal amalgamation of the two schools established Austin Friars as a single school for students aged 3–18.
The School is the only Augustinian school in the UK and by promoting our Augustinian tradition and aims, we commit ourselves through our core values of unitas, veritas and caritas to St Augustine’s ideal of: being a united community (unitas); searching for truth together (veritas); and being bound by the duties of familial charity (caritas). While maintaining our traditions, the School has broadened its outlook in recent times and celebrates the Christian liturgical calendar in ways which both reflect our Catholic roots (our history, ethos and ideals) and the practice of the wider Christian family, catering for the needs of pupils in a truly inclusive environment. Its relatively small size fosters a warm and supportive atmosphere, and pastoral care is a particular strength.
Most pupils live within a 30-mile radius of the School, with a small number from overseas. A broad and rigorous curriculum encourages high achievement alongside sporting, cultural and personal development. Classes are small, allowing pupils to benefit from individual attention and acquire knowledge and understanding appropriate to their individual needs. Learning support is an integral part of the curriculum for those who will benefit.
The School has created a purposeful atmosphere in which all students can achieve their best in a wide and varied range of subjects as well as beyond the classroom. Pupils are provided with every opportunity to develop their talents to the full, moving towards adulthood in a happy and fulfilling environment where all are valued and encouraged. Teaching a mostly traditional curriculum, pupils have opportunities to pursue a wide range of options according to their interests and abilities.
The School’s website can be viewed at www.austinfriars.co.uk
The Person
A supporter of independent education is absolutely essential, as is the need to understand, support and promote the Augustinian values and ethos of the School as enshrined in the School’s mission statement.
The School is looking to appoint an experienced and motivated ICT Systems Manager from April 2025. This is an exciting opportunity to oversee all elements of our ICT function including leading on strategy, maintaining our devices and infrastructure, cyber security and training. This is a varied and challenging role that would suit someone who is not only passionate about IT in education but is a great problem solver and communicator with a proactive attitude.
Experience, Skills and Aptitudes
Essential
Desirable
Responsibilities
The ICT Systems Manager reports to the Deputy Head (Academic).
For queries regarding the post, or to arrange a visit, please contact laurahiggins@austinfriars.co.uk
The Appointment
Applications should include:
Austin Friars is an equal opportunities employer and is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Applicants must be willing to undergo child protection screening appropriate to the post, including checks with past employers, the Disclosure and Barring Service and Prohibition checks if appropriate. The appointment will be subject to the satisfactory outcome of the DBS Enhanced Check. In addition to candidates’ ability to perform the duties of the post, the interview process will also explore issues relating to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children.
Those interested in the post are welcome to visit the School. Candidates invited for interview will have the opportunity to have a tour of the School on the day of interview.
One referee should be the applicant’s current or most recent employer. Please note that references will not be accepted from relatives or from people writing solely in the capacity of friends. References will be sought prior to interview and the School may approach previous employers for information to verify particular experience or qualifications, before interview. Where an applicant is currently working with children, the current employer will be asked about disciplinary offences relating to children and whether the applicant has been the subject of any child protection concerns and if so, the outcome of any enquiry or disciplinary procedure. Where an applicant is not currently working with children but has done so in the past, that previous employer will be asked about those issues.
All candidates invited to interview must bring documents confirming any educational and professional qualifications referred to in their application form. Where originals or certified copies are not available
for the successful candidate, written confirmation of the relevant qualifications must be obtained from the awarding body.
Where the successful candidate has worked or been resident overseas in the past five years, the School will carry out such checks and confirmations as may be required in accordance with statutory guidelines. If relevant, the School will also verify the right of foreign nationals to work in the UK.
All candidates invited to interview must also bring with them:
All applications should be clearly marked:
Confidential – ICT Systems Manager
And emailed to hr@austinfriars.co.uk for the attention of Mrs Laura Higgins
or by post to:
Mrs Laura Higgins, HR Department, Austin Friars, Etterby Scaur, Carlisle, Cumbria, CA3 9PB
Closing date
No later than Thursday 13th March 2025 at 8am.
Interviews scheduled for week commencing Monday 17th March 2025
Starting date April 2025
