Head of Department -Mathematics (Secondary)-(AY 2024/25) Yasmina British Academy

Aldar Education are currently seeking an outstanding Head of Department - Mathematics (Secondary) for Yasmina British Academy in Abu Dhabi commencing academic year 2024-2025.

Yasmina British Academy is an outstanding English Curriculum school in the beautiful city of Abu Dhabi. With our globally recognised and admired curriculum, dedicated and passionate practitioners and outstanding teaching and learning, Yasmina British Academy is an exceptional place to work. It has an exciting, diverse and progressive learning community that annually produces some of the very best I/GCSE and A Level result in the UAE. Furthermore, the Academy is extremely proud of its recent ADEK inspection, which rated Yasmina British Academy as ‘Outstanding’ in all six performance standards, putting it amongst the top schools in the UAE and Middle East.

This is an exciting opportunity to join the highly successful Aldar family of schools and to help shape the future of Abu Dhabi’s leading school group. 

RESPONSIBILITIES

General Responsibilities: All Yasmina British Academy Staff

• Assist academy in achieving its overall vision and strategic intentions and to contribute to the achievement of relevant targets as set out in the academy’s improvement plan and self-evaluation form

• Comply with the academy’s Performance Management Policy ensuring challenging annual targets are set and to fulfil the role of performance management reviewer if directed to do so by the principal

• Engage in annual training linked to child protection, safeguarding and health and safety together with all training deemed appropriate for the purpose of academy improvement or performance management

• Lead on curriculum development ensuring outstanding provision for all, including an enhanced extra and co-curricular programme.

• Efficient and effective deployment of staff and resources, including but not limited to budget planning, timetable overview and talent acquisition.

• Lead on the marketing of the department to promote the school, raise the profile of the subject and increase student numbers. 

• Communicate effectively and proactively with all stakeholders.

• Play a lead role in developing key policies and practices that support the Academy’s overall aims, vision and values.

• Other duties which may be reasonably assigned by the Principal or Head of School.

Setting the strategic direction and development of the Department through:

• Developing policies and practices leading to high quality outcomes for all students at all Key Stages within the department.

• Ensuring that all practices promote student progression; improved achievements; a positive ethos and the commitment of staff to shared goals.

• To share responsibility for representing the Department at cross-curricular committees e.g. EAL link.

• To empower and provide strategic direction to the discreet Heads of Subjects (Physic/Chemistry/Biology)

Leading on Learning and Teaching through:

• Monitoring and reviewing students' progress through the use of appropriate data; home learning; student voice; lesson observations; student work reviews and parental engagement.

• Identifying through Performance Management, individual training needs and ensuring that those needs are met

• Involving external advice and expertise where this would further benefit and enhance the learning agenda and therefore student progress, achievement and standards.

• Leading curriculum development and resourcing.

• Ensuring that appropriate and relevant schemes of work are developed, in place, and regularly reviewed and evaluated, for all year groups and courses. These must include suitable provision for SEN/POD, G&T, and EAL students.

• Organizing key events and extra-curricular activities that promote and further develop and engage student interest in the subject.

• Organizing and ensuring effective assessments, moderation, collation and analysis of data in line with the MER calendar and quality assurance procedures.

• Analyzing and interpreting relevant school data, to inform policies and department/school SEF writing

• Using performance data to inform learning episodes and therefore ensuring the Learning and Teaching continue to ‘add value

• Monitoring student progress and achievement against targets, identifying students who are underachieving and where necessary create and implement effective plans of action to support those students.

• Effectively communicating with parents through all communication channels and ensure high quality communication from all members of the department including but not limited to reports, PTCs, emails, letters.

Leading and Managing Staff

• Leading the discreet Heads of Subject.

• Setting clear expectations and establishing constructive working relationships with colleagues at all levels within the Department.

• Developing responsibilities and delegating tasks appropriately.

• Leading the Professional Development of identified staff to enable all members to achieve expertise in Learning and Teaching.

• In collaboration with the SLT, ensure departmental systems and practices support whole academy policies and the commitment to achieving outstanding.

• Taking part in marketing and liaison activities such as Open evenings/afternoons, Parent Teacher Consultations, and events with partner Academy’s

Leading the Efficient and Effective Deployment of Staff and Resources through:

• Ensure efficient and effective recruitment deployment, management and organisation of staff and learning resources.

• Ensuring that accommodation and resources are used to create an effective and stimulating Climate for Learning.

Other duties and responsibilities

• To be an Academic Mentor or form tutor.

• Undertake duties as part of the staff duty Rota.

• Cover for absent colleagues.

• Invigilate examinations, as required, including a minimum of one evening and one weekend external examination session, to support the Examinations Officer and Summer Examination Schedule.

REQUIREMENTS

• BA Degree in relevant subject with Post graduate Certificate in Education/QTS
• Minimum of 6 years of experience (mandatory), in teaching Mathematics, including 4 consecutive years of teaching performance that exceeds standards and expectations as per appraisal reviews.
• Previous experience working with students whom English is not their first language.
• Passion for teaching and commitment to educating the whole child
• A high level of professionalism and consideration of the well-being of children
• Recent and consistent involvement in extra-curricular activities
• Respect for all members of a school community, irrespective of position, gender, age and ethnic background
• A clean enhanced Disclosure and Barring Services check or police check

An application with a cover letter and CV including details of two referees should be made via the website.

This job description is not all inclusive. Aldar Education reserves the right to amend this job description at any time. We are an equal opportunity employer, committed to a diverse and inclusive work environment. We are also mindful of our national development strategy and encourage UAE Nationals in their application at our company.

Aldar Education is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff to share this commitment. Offers of appointment are subject to satisfactory references and police clearance.