JOB DESCRIPTION: HEAD OF DEPARTMENT
Reports to the Deputy Head (Academic).
The Head of Department has an instrumental role to play in ensuring College meets its principle aim of providing an excellent all-round academic education for students.
Operational/Strategic Planning, Direction and Leadership
• Strong leadership to ensure the department achieves the highest standards in teaching and learning.
• Give a decisive lead to the Department.
• Impart direction and drive.
• Stay alert to every development within the subject, and the methods by which it is examined, and be in touch with best practice via written sources and external contacts.
• Have in-depth knowledge of the different courses taught and changes made to the syllabus.
• Hold regular Departmental meetings to share national initiatives, whole-school priorities, key issues and teaching methods, to invigorate morale and to establish team spirit.
• Encourage fresh thinking about the subject.
• Attend Heads of Department Meetings
Development planning, budgeting and resourcing.
• Reviewing and updating department documents
• Producing an analysis of public examination results and department review as appropriate, measuring performance against ALIS and Midyis baseline testing.
• To be contactable to the Deputy Head (Academic) on IB and A Level results days to advise on priority remarks
• Entrance papers, scholarships and interviews (including outside of term time in exceptional circumstances)
Teaching and Learning and Curriculum
• Keep abreast of national debate about the teaching and learning of the subject
• Curriculum review and development with continual review of functional schemes of work
• Teach as wide an age range as possible
• Prepare students for study at university
• Provide enrichment activities
• Behaviour and discipline (including rewards and sanctions)
• Actively assess and track student progress initiating interventions as appropriate
• Liaise with Houseparents and tutors regarding subject choices
Staff Management and Continuing Professional Development
• Provide opportunities for teachers to share good practice
• Staff Management and Continuing Professional Development
• Recruitment of staff and staff scheduling
• Annual performance review of all members of the department
• Departmental INSET
• Hold regular department meetings and Professional Update Meetings
• Assist with the induction of new members of the department
Marketing
• Contribute to marketing activities General
• Fulfil all the requirements of a full-time teacher
KEY ASPECTS OF THE ROLE OF A TEACHER
The full remit of teaching at College cannot be fully quantified in a job description. Teachers at College will, however, be expected to plan and deliver lessons which appropriately engage and inspire the students. College encourages the use of new ideas and innovative pedagogies, and teachers can expect students to be enthusiastic and keen to learn new concepts, ideas and skills.
Keeping track of students’ progress is important and allows teachers to be all the more effective in their targeting of differentiation and the recording of achievements.
Teachers will also be expected to work with tutors in helping students make decisions about their GCSE, Sixth Form and Higher Education choices.
All teachers will be tutors themselves, which will see them work closely with a small group of tutees, supporting them in all sorts of aspects of College life, whether it be academic lessons; co-curricular commitments or their general wellbeing. Teaching is much more than just being in a classroom, and it is expected that all teachers will contribute effectively to College’s extensive and varied co-curricular programme.
Moreover, teachers will be expected to organise and attend appropriate trips; be present and involved in major College functions and take an active interest in the lives of the students beyond the classroom.
Overview of teaching and specifics about this post
The successful candidate will need to be enthusiastic, imaginative and conscientious. They need to be able to teach the subject across the entire age range, up to and including A Level. They should be able to communicate their interest in the subject to the students, matching pace of delivery to ability, utilise ICT and a wide range of teaching strategies to deliver well planned, varied lessons that stimulate the students and involve active learning. The advertised post would be suitable for teachers in the independent or maintained sector.
PERSON SPECIFICATION: HEAD OF DEPARTMENT
The person specification focuses on the knowledge, skills, experience and qualifications required to undertake the role effectively.
It is expected that the successful applicant will have and can demonstrate:
E = Essential D = Desirable
OPERATIONS & STRATEGIC PLANNING
Committed and effective contribution to colleague and departmental development.
• Analysis and interpretation of both qualitative and quantitative data relating to progress and results, identifying trends and taking appropriate action.
• Ability to effectively manage budgets.
• Experience in developing and achieving a strategic plan and development initiatives.
LEADERSHIP AND PEOPLE MANAGEMENT
• Able to inspire, enthuse and foster effective relationships with the students, parents and colleagues
• Flexibility, energy, drive and commitment to high quality teaching and learning
• Able to promote high standards of achievement and behaviour and make a positive impact on learning and teaching.
• A proven leader with the ability to get the best out of colleagues.
• Able to manage and motivate others in a supportive and effective manner
• Committed to the safeguarding of children
QUALIFICATIONS AND TRAINING
• Good honours degree in a closely related subject area
• Teaching qualification and eligible for GTCS
• Experience of teaching to GCSE and A Level
• Knowledge and understanding of independent education
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE
• Highly effective classroom teaching by having extensive, up-to date working knowledge and understanding of a range of teaching and learning strategies and knowing how to use them or the potential to deliver this.
• Professional approach and the ability to promote high standards of achievement and behaviour and make a positive impact on teaching, learning and pastoral care.
• Ability to use new technologies effectively to facilitate teaching and learning.
• Willingness to participate in the wider pastoral life of College, e.g. taking on the role of a tutor. involvement with other co-curricular activities and attendance at meetings and College events.
• Genuine commitment to putting students first and an enjoyment of working with young people. Ability to engage, build trust and effective relationships with colleagues and the students and apply discipline and other school policies as appropriate
PERSONAL QUALITIES
• Ability to inspire, empower and motivate students to engage with new initiatives and developments and to encourage them to take responsibility for their own personal development
• Excellent communication skills, both orally and in writing
• Proven ability in organising and scheduling events, activities and resources
• Ability to prioritise and to work flexibly to tight deadlines
• Committed and effective contribution to personal, colleague and departmental development