JOB DESCRIPTION
JOB TITLE: Head of Department (Modern Languages)
Reporting to: Vice Principal (Curriculum) and Principal
Accountable to: Principal and Board of Governors
PROFESSIONAL DUTIES OF A TEACHER
Heads of Department provide professional leadership and management of their subject area to secure high quality teaching, effective use of resources and ongoing development of learning and achievement for all pupils. As part of the school’s middle management, they play a key role in the school’s strategic planning.
Each Head of Department is supported by a member of Senior Leadership Team who acts as an immediate Line Manager and Mentor.
The following are key areas of responsibility:
Strategic Direction and Development of the Subject
* To support efficient and effective teaching and learning as a whole school strategy in order to contribute to whole school improvement.
* To contribute to the self evaluative school model including completing a departmental self evaluation on a yearly basis as required by the Principal.
* To be responsible for devising, monitoring and evaluating appropriate action plans to support the School Development Plan in achieving whole school improvement.
* To analyse internal and external examination results, identify areas for development and report these annually to the Principal and Senior Teacher (Data/Achievement) and recommend to the department and Senior Team strategies for dealing with any weaknesses and for promoting further the strengths of the department.
* To contribute to the target setting process by establishing agreed, appropriate, targets for pupils and staff both within the department and by regular discussion with the Senior Teacher (Data/Achievement) and Principal.
* To keep the Departmental Handbook under review and ensure that an up to date copy is available for all staff in the department as well as for senior staff at the start of each academic year.
* To communicate and cooperate with other departments, including sharing good practice.
* To establish, with colleagues, agreed aims and objectives for the department which must be consistent with the aims and objectives of the school.
* To establish departmental policies in line with School Policies.
* To monitor the implementation of all departmental policies and review them regularly.
* To monitor and review the appropriateness of the curriculum for each pupil and to ensure that there are strategies in place to provide additional support for pupils with special educational needs.
* To ensure that a range of courses, suited to the needs of the pupils is offered.
* To draw up, with colleagues, schemes of work which make clear the content of the courses, the learning objectives and the assessment procedures to be followed.
* To ensure that relevant schemes of work are reviewed annually, followed by all members of the department and made available to the Vice Principal (Curriculum).
* To ensure that there is consistency and internal standardisation within the department.
* To prepare and circulate agendas for department meetings.
* To chair regular department meetings and to act as a channel of communication and consultation on department and curricular matters between the Principal and Leadership Team and other members of the department.
* To ensure that department meetings are accurately minuted and the Vice Principal (Curriculum) is provided with minutes.
* To represent the department at Head of Department meetings and to provide feedback to department colleagues.
* To play a full part in decision making relating to whole school issues.
* To keep abreast of current developments in the curriculum and in examination specifications by attendance at relevant in-service courses, encouraging departmental colleagues to do likewise and to ensure that there is an efficient and agreed system of reporting back.
* To liaise and develop creative links and constructive working relationships with other subject departments and with other schools and external agencies as appropriate.
* To inform the school’s Examinations Officer of all entries (and any changes) for the public examinations in the subject(s).
* To be a member of relevant ad hoc working parties in which whole school policy is developed, monitored and reviewed and guidelines for good practice are established.
* To develop effective links and constructive working relationships with the Pastoral team which includes the Vice Principal (Pastoral), SENCO and the Heads of Year.
* To ensure that relevant subject material is made available on the school’s website.
Teaching and Learning
* To lead colleagues in the process of regular evaluation of the work of the department in terms of teaching, learning and standards of achievement and thus identifying areas for improvement.
* To monitor teaching standards and teaching methods within the department.
* To ensure that appropriate teaching and learning strategies are employed at all levels of the school to challenge all pupils to achieve as highly as possible.
* To ensure and monitor in the department, effective development of pupils’ individual and collaborative skills to enable them to become independent, creative and critical thinkers.
* To ensure that subject specific support is available for any pupils requiring additional assistance and liaise when appropriate with SENCO or other key personnel.
* To advise pupils at certain times of option choices and at any other times when help is needed for university applications and/or careers guidance.
* To develop and integrate the use of Information and Communications Technology, Communication and Using Mathematics within the teaching of the subject at all levels of the school.
* To promote the skills of literacy and numeracy within the department in line with the whole school approach.
* To set standards and act as a role model for pupils and other staff in the teaching and learning of the subject.
* To ensure that assessment of pupils’ work (classwork, homework, coursework, tests, examinations) is undertaken regularly, that the assessment is valid, moderated and used to inform, develop and enhance teaching and learning in line with school policies.
* To be responsible for the oversight of setting, marking, assessing and moderating the department’s internal assessments and any elements of external examinations as may be necessary.
* To ensure that learning in the subject is enhanced where possible by development of extra curricular activities, special events or projects connected with the work of the department.
* To monitor pupil attainment and to liaise with pupils/parents as appropriate.
Leading and managing staff
* To promote the professional development of staff within the department.
* To support effectively all those on Initial Teacher Training, working as a Beginning Teacher or at the Early Professional Development Stage of their career.
* To assume responsibility for the induction, supervision and support of non-teaching staff where this is appropriate.
* To encourage innovative and imaginative curriculum work within the department.
* To oversee the writing of reports and other communications within the department, as appropriate and as required.
* To arrange the department contribution to any prospective pupil occasions eg Open Night and contributions required for any school literature eg curriculum booklets and prospectus.
* To show support and concern for the welfare and wellbeing of staff in the department.
* To build and further develop the team of subject teachers.
* To observe, on a regular basis, members of the department at work in the classroom, to provide relevant feedback on effective practice and to take action to improve further the quality of teaching.
* To support members of the department with disciplinary problems eg general behavioural problems, work, homework, coursework.
* To arrange for devolved responsibilities and delegated tasks as appropriate to members of the department.
* To monitor and evaluate devolved responsibilities and delegated tasks.
* To participate in, according to the guidelines approved by the Board of Governors, the agreed Professional Review and Staff Development process, PRSD, including acting as a Reviewer, for members of the department.
* To encourage appropriate access for members of the department to in-service training opportunities both within school and outside school that will enhance teaching and learning and allow development of an increasing awareness of whole school issues and to ensure that all members of the department receive appropriate feedback from colleagues who have attended INSET.
* To liaise with Senior Team Link as appropriate.
Efficient and effective deployment of staff and resources
* To advise the Principal on human resource needs in the department.
* To assist the Board of Governors in the selection of new members of staff for the department as required.
* To identify timetable and staffing requirements in consultation with the Vice Principal (Curriculum), to liaise with the Vice-Principal (Curriculum) and Principal to deploy staff to ensure the best use of subject expertise and to support the professional development of colleagues.
* To conduct an audit of resource needs within the context of the overall School Budget and the department’s Development Plan and present to the Principal/Vice Principal (Finance) annually an analysis of departmental needs in the form of a bid for departmental funding.
* To cooperate and liaise with the Vice Principal (Curriculum) in the administration of the negotiated budget allocation.
* To provide relevant information for the Principal or Vice Principal (Finance) at any time, if required, regarding departmental priorities, needs and funding.
* To ensure that rooms, furniture, equipment, wall displays etc are maintained to a high standard in order to create an effective and stimulating environment for the teaching and learning of the subject.
* To keep an inventory of equipment which should be updated annually.
* To ensure that resources are stored securely.
* To ensure that the work of the department is effectively displayed in appropriate public areas of the school.
* To aim to ensure a respect for the working environment.
* To oversee the issue and return of books etc to/from pupils and to ensure loss or damage is charged to the individual.
* To liaise with the Library Assistant over library requirements for the subject.
* To develop/implement a department Health and Safety policy consistent with the school Health and Safety policy which is kept under constant review.
* To aim to ensure that there is a safe working and learning environment in which risks are properly assessed through an annual Risk Assessment.
* To provide careful stewardship of accommodation and equipment used by the department by ensuring prudent management and expenditure of resources at all times.
This job description will be subject to review in light of changing circumstances and is not intended to be rigid and inflexible but should be regarded as providing guidelines within which the individual works. Other duties of a similar nature and appropriate to the grade may be assigned from time to time.
In accordance with Section 75 of the Northern Ireland Act (1998), the post-holder is expected to promote good relations, equality of opportunity and pay due regard for equality legislation at all times.
PERSON SPECIFICATION
NOTES TO JOB APPLICANTS
* You must clearly demonstrate on your application form under each question, how, and to what extent you meet the required criteria as failure to do so may result in you not being shortlisted.
* You must demonstrate how you meet the criteria by the closing date for applications, unless the criteria state otherwise.
* The stage in the process when the criteria will be measured is outlined in the table below.
* Shortlisting will be carried out on the basis of the essential criteria set out in Section 1 below, using the information provided by you on your application form.
* Please note that the Selection Panel reserves the right to shortlist only those applicants that it believes most strongly meet the criteria for the role.
* In the event of an excessive number of applications, the Selection Panel also reserves the right to apply any desirable criteria as outlined in Section 3 at shortlisting, in which case these will be applied in the order listed. It is important therefore that you also clearly demonstrate on your application form how you meet any desirable criteria.
SECTION 1 - ESSENTIAL CRITERIA
The following are essential criteria which will initially be measured at the shortlisting stage and which may also be further explored during the interview/selection stage. You should therefore make it clear on your application form how, and to what extent you meet these criteria. Failure to do so may result in you not being shortlisted.
* Qualifications/ Professional Membership: At the date of taking up appointment, hold a teaching qualification which meets the requirements for recognition to teach in grant-aided schools in Northern Ireland, and hold a degree or equivalent Level 6 qualification which has prepared the applicant to teach French as his/her main subject.
* Experience: Minimum of four years’ demonstrable experience of teaching French at Key Stage 3, GCSE and A Level to achieve positive learning outcomes, demonstrable experience of using a range of teaching strategies to meet the learning needs of pupils, and demonstrate involvement in contributing to curriculum development.
* Other: Be registered with the General Teaching Council for Northern Ireland (GTCNI) before taking up post.
SECTION 2 - ESSENTIAL CRITERIA
The following are additional essential criteria which will be measured during the interview/selection stage.
* Knowledge: Knowledge of Northern Ireland Curriculum, knowledge and understanding of Safeguarding and Child Protection policy/practice, knowledge of the SEND Code of Practice, knowledge of a range of teaching strategies to meet the learning needs of pupils, knowledge of Information Technology systems such as digital classroom tools/media and the use of tablets/mobile technologies, and knowledge of current assessment methods to inform teaching.
* Skills / Abilities: Effective teaching and classroom management skills to inspire and challenge pupils to raise achievement, proven ability to provide a supportive, inclusive learning environment, ability to work collaboratively to promote positive relationships with pupils, colleagues, parents and the wider community, and ability to work as an effective member of a team, and to motivate self and others.
* Values Orientation / Identification with School Ethos: Evidence of how your experience and approach to work reflect the School’s Values/ethos. You will find information about our Values/ethos on the school's website.
SECTION 3 - DESIRABLE CRITERIA
Some or all of the desirable criteria may be applied by the Selection Panel in order to determine a manageable pool of candidates. Desirable criteria will be applied in the order listed. You should make it clear on your application form how, and to what extent you meet the desirable criteria, as failure to do so may result in you not being shortlisted.
* Qualifications and Experience: Demonstrate experience of undertaking relevant INSET courses including Middle Leadership Development OR directly related to Modern Languages, experience of teaching Spanish at GCSE Level to achieve positive learning outcomes, experience of teaching Spanish at A Level to achieve positive learning outcomes, demonstrable experience of promoting Modern Languages outside the classroom, and demonstrate by qualification/experience the ability and willingness to coach a major school sport currently on offer (rugby, hockey, cricket, soccer, netball or cross country) or to make a significant contribution to another of the school's extra curricular activities.
DISCLOSURE OF CRIMINAL BACKGROUND
The Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups (Northern Ireland) Order 2007 defines working directly with children or young people or in specified places as ‘regulated activity’.
In the event that you are recommended for appointed to a post that involves ‘regulated activity’, the Education Authority will be required to undertake an Enhanced Disclosure of Criminal Background. Please note that you WILL be expected to meet the cost of an Enhanced Disclosure Certificate. Details of how to make payment will be sent to you at the pre-employment stage.
Further information can be accessed at NI Direct or the Department of Justice.
APPLICANT GUIDANCE NOTES
To view the applicant guidance notes, please click here.
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