Head of Science

Closing date Monday 14th October 2019.

Adcote School

Job Title: Head of Science (start January 2020 or asap afterwards)

Reports to: Deputy Head

Salary: Competitive & Negotiable

Key Contacts and Relationships: Staff in Science department, other Heads of Department, Prep School Colleagues, parents and pupils.

Overall Purpose

• To be accountable for leading, managing and developing the Science Department.

• To be accountable for student progress so that each individual student makes good / excellent progress in Science and ensuring that effective strategies are in place to further raise standards of student attainment and achievement.

• To ensure the provision of an appropriately differentiated curriculum for students studying Science, in accordance with the aims of the school and the curricular policies.

• To ensure the effective management and deployment of teaching/ support staff, financial and physical resources within the department.

• To ensure the development and enhancement of the teaching practice of others.

• To ensure proper Health and Safety requirements are met within the department.

• To play a full part in the life of the school community (including extra-curricular life, to support its distinctive vision and ethos and to encourage and ensure staff and students follow this example.

• To advise on and develop the use of Science throughout the school.

• To maintain close links with the SLT.

Key Responsibilities

• Use attainment data provided by the school to monitor the progress of students taught ensuring that effective use is made of the data to set targets for achievement in Science.

• Monitor the progress of students and identify under-achievement, ensuring programmes of support are in place to maximise the potential of all students.

• Monitor the progress and attainment of gifted students to ensure they are ‘challenged’ in all aspects of their work.

• To set high expectations for pupil behaviour, maintaining a good standard of discipline through well focussed teaching and positive relationships.

• To establish a safe learning environment where pupils feel secure and confident.

• Ensure that individual learning targets are set for all students.

• Monitor and evaluate teaching and learning in line with whole school policy.

• Liaise with SLT to ensure access and equality of opportunity for all students.

• Ensure prompt response to parental enquiries about individual student progress within the department.

• Promote enrichment and extra-curricular activities within the department to enhance learning.

• Attend staff meetings, briefings and Performance Development days.

• Prepare an annual department development plan and budget. Manage this budget effectively, not exceeding allocation.

• Lead, manage and coordinate the work of the Science Department and encourage a team approach.

• Work with the timetable to determine the teaching groups and to allocate teachers to teaching groups.

• Manage Academic and Support staff within the department, induct new staff to the department.

• Participate in relevant courses related to the role of Head of Science and keep abreast of current or new developments in the subject and the curriculum.

• Actively encourage and assist members of the department in their own professional development, recognising their training needs. Complete annual performance reviews for staff in the department in line with published grid.

• Liaise with the Prep School to ensure smooth transaction and sharing of good practice.

• Organise, chair and record of meetings of the department team according to the agreed school schedule.

• Oversee ordering, maintenance and accountability for the teaching and learning resources within the department.

• Ensure the care of rooms and other spaces, including equipment and fittings in the department.

• Ensure the school’s Health and Safety policy is implemented and that there are appropriate risk assessments in place.

• Ensure that displays are informative, celebrate pupils’ work and are regularly updated.

• Ensure that teaching staff in the Science Department input grades, attend parents’ evenings and write reports according to the published schedule; proof read reports.

• Ensure that requests for exam entries from the exams officer are dealt with promptly and before the published deadlines. Ensure that required materials are available for the exams.

• To cover for absent colleagues.

• To attend whole school events such as Speech Day, including occasional weekends.

• To be a form tutor.

• To be ready and available to parents, displaying approachability and professionalism.

• Any other reasonable responsibilities. 

Key Performance Measures

• Excellent standards of learning for students in Science lessons.

• Well supported, trained and enthusiastic staff in the department.

• Good student progress benchmarked to CEM predictions.

• High quality learning displays.

• Student feedback showing enjoyment and enthusiasm for Science.

• Provision of relevant trips and involvement in extra-curricular opportunities.

• Well organised and resourced department.

• Active involvement in the life of the school.

• Science department seen as a flagship department by quantitative and qualitative data feedback.

Person Specification:

Qualifications

Essential:

• Honours degree

• Qualified teacher status

• Willingness to continue to learn and develop

Desirable:

• Membership of appropriate professional bodies

• Leadership qualification(s)

• Management qualification

Knowledge and Understanding:

• Knowledge of school improvement and effectiveness strategies including processes for monitoring and evaluation of performance at a student and team level and strategies for improving standards, processes and systems for quality assurance

• An understanding of the principles associated with managing and leading others

• Project planning

• Knowledge of current and potential future developments in relation to the national and local education scene

Skills:

• Confident use of IT

• High level of communication skill, both written and oral, enabling the post holder to actively listen and engage with others, overcoming barriers to understanding, dealing effectively with contentious and/or sensitive issues, dealing with difficult conversations with empathy and sensitivity, whilst asserting standards as appropriate.

• High level of research skill; translating national and local changes into appropriate pathways and approaches, ensuring other stakeholders are involved and knowledge is shared

• Horizon scanning to enable a strategic view to be taken of potential future changes

• Ability to work independently within a team, focusing on achievement at an individual and a departmental level

• Ability to lead others, managing day‐to‐day operational issues collaboratively whilst also ensuring staff have a meaningful vision for the future