Deputy Headteacher Secondary (Academic)

Safa Community School (SCS) is seeking a dynamic and outstanding leader to shape and develop the academic life of Safa and to contribute significantly to our vibrant community.   The successful candidate will be ready to play a pivotal role at this exciting time in our continuing growth and development.

The Deputy Head (Academic), appointed by the Principal, is responsible for all academic matters at Safa and will also have oversight of Safa’s academic programme.

The post holder is responsible for ensuring the highest standards of tracking and intervention to produce outstanding examination results as well as a significant added value, with the direct support of the Heads of Departments and the Heads of Key Stages.

He or she will work closely with the Principal, Head of Secondary, Senior Leadership Team, Heads of Departments and other senior staff to ensure the effective development and delivery of the academic curriculum and the efficient management of academic departments.

The key areas of responsibility which attach to the position are set out below.   The list is not exhaustive and the post holder may be expected to assume additional responsibilities as reasonably requested by the Principal.   He or she will keep the Head of Secondary informed of any significant issues relating to the academic curriculum or the academic progress of the School and its pupils.

Key Areas of Responsibility

Strategic Development

To oversee the School’s academic strategy, in line with agreed educational priorities, and, where appropriate, in liaison with senior staff across the school.

To recommend to the Head of Secondary, future academic priorities that meet the needs of all the pupils.

• To represent Safa at the relevant Governors’ and Data analysis meetings, reporting on results and significant academic matters.

• To inform the Head of Secondary and the Senior Management Team of current research, trends and issues relevant to the academic life of the School, to facilitate future planning.

Leadership

• To be a core member of the Senior Management Team, representing the interests of the academic life in School.

• To work with members of the Senior Management Team and, where appropriate, senior colleagues to develop, refine and implement the Schools’ policies and procedures (particularly those with an academic focus).

• To lead on all academic areas of the School Development Plan.

• To chair the Academic Development Committee and Data Analysis meetings.

• To chair Heads of Department meetings and lead the Heads of Department in setting and meeting agreed on academic targets.

• To take lead responsibility in promoting an ethos of academic rigour, engagement and perseverance in the pursuit of academic excellence within a warm and supportive environment.

Curriculum and Administration

• To ensure that curriculum planning, development and delivery meets the needs of all pupils within the school.

• To oversee the school timetable, rooming and logistics.

• To manage the timetable, staff allocations and rooming.

• To manage parents’ meetings.

• In conjunction with the Principal and Head of Secondary, handle parental questions and complaints of an academic nature.

• Assist the Principal and Head of Secondary in ensuring that the school is regulatory compliant in all academic matters, with self-evaluation and inspection.

• Complete academic results and returns for the KHDA.

• Take responsibility for all academic reporting and assessments.

• Oversee the construction of subject choices, columns and school timetable.

• In conjunction with the Principal and Head of Secondary, recommend academic dates for reports and assessments, internal examination periods and parents’ meetings.

• Maintain oversight of organisation of internal and external examinations and recording, publication and analysis of examination results.

• Have oversight of compliance and efficiency in the operation of public examinations.

• Coordinate activity on Exam Results Day with the Heads of Key Stages and Examination teams.

• Coordinate logistics for the National Parameter testing. • Monitor and advise on the condition and developmental needs of the physical academic spaces in the school.

• Be responsible for setting (in conjunction with the Principal and Head of Secondary) the budgets assigned to academic departments.

• Implement and manage the management information systems (ISAMS).

Staffing

• To assess academic staffing requirements, recruitment and deployment.

• To oversee support staff (including recruitment) relating to academic departments.

• To oversee staff cover, including supply cover.

• To monitor staff absence/illness, including conducting Return to Work interviews and have an active appreciation of staff wellbeing.

• To conduct staff appraisals, as agreed with the Head of Secondary, and manage underperforming staff.

• Assist the Principal and Head of Secondary, in the production of a rolling audit of staff commitments and requirements, and the recruitment and retention needs of the school.

• Work with the Principal and Head of Secondary in developing, implementing and maintaining an effective appraisal system.

• Line manage the Heads of Key Stages.

Quality of Teaching

• To ensure that the quality of teaching and learning is consistently excellent.

• Foster a positive culture of professional reflection and the sharing of excellent practice.

• To have oversight of academic line management and the continual improvement of academic departments.

• Work in conjunction with the Head of Sixth Form Heads of Department and to ensure that all pupils are supported and well prepared for University admissions.

Pupil Performance

• To develop effective systems for monitoring and evaluating the progress of all pupils, together with appropriate strategies to support pupil progress.

• To oversee the reporting of pupil progress, together with the Head of Assessment.

• Together with the Head of Assessment, analyse public examination performance in relation to individual pupils; academic departments; the school as a whole and nationally, reporting to Governors and senior staff on strategies for improvement.

• Forensically analyse performance data across all key stages to identify trends and patterns.

• Robust use of data analysis software to provide key headlines figures, gap analysis, trends and breakdowns across all key stages and examination cohorts. 

Admissions and Marketing

• Leading on admissions testing at all entry points, including scholarships.

• Academic assessment of all applications.

• Oversight of academic scholarship applications (13+ and Sixth Form).

• Involvement in the interview and selection process of prospective pupils to the school.

• Produce content for and help edit the school website, academic booklets and other promotional material.

• The Deputy Head (Academic) is a member of the Senior Management Team and will also be expected to contribute to wider school matters.

• This is a non-teaching position.

• This job description provides a guide to and general description of the duties and responsibilities of the Deputy Head (Academic) and may be amended.  It is not exhaustive, and therefore the Deputy Head (Academic) should be willing to undertake any other related tasks, as may be reasonably required by the Principal.