Second in Charge of Science Department (fixed term contract)

We are seeking an experienced and effective leader to join our outstanding Science department as second in charge. The successful candidate will support the Director of Science in growing and developing an outstanding Science Department, on a 1 year fixed term contract beginning in January 2020.  

The role 

• to take a lead role in the growth of a transformational school community by developing and implementing a rigorous and ambitious curriculum at KS5, 4 and 3 which enables the highest level of pupil progress and attainment across all key stages. 

• to take full advantage of the fact that KAA is a start-up school with currently just Y7, 8, 9 and 6th form, meaning we can align ourselves with the new examination system at GCSE and A-Level curriculum from the start without having to adapt / rewrite existing curriculum plans.   

• delivering consistently good and outstanding lessons, with a focus on outstanding, and supporting others in the department to do the same

• monitoring the attainment and progress of pupils in Science and effectively intervene where progress is below academy expectations

• developing with the Director of Science an engaging and exciting program of Science enrichment 

Key responsibilities 

• Share responsibilities with the Director of Science for short, medium and long term planning, homework, independent learning and KAA Online (VLE).

• To contribute to developing systems and structures at a department level that lead to 100% good and outstanding teaching within your department (with a focus on outstanding). 

• Tracking, monitoring and accountability for the progress and attainment of students within designated bands.

• To ensure marking and feedback for students’ work is of the highest standard across your classes and in line with the KAA marking guidelines. 

• Support the induction and mentoring of NQTs, Teach Firsts, Schools Directs etc into the department. Share responsibility for the management of PGCE students.

• Modelling for all subject staff exemplary practice in terms of managing difficult and challenging behaviour from students, and establishing a culture of high expectations within your department.

• To share responsibility for the design of assessments in line with the KAA assessment policy for the spring and summer terms. 

• Coordination and delivery of designated department enrichments and interventions. 

• If required, deliver high-quality training on teaching and learning to teachers outside your department, focusing on your areas of particular expertise.

Outcomes and activities

Leadership of the Subject Community 

• Line manage staff within the Science Faculty.

• Monitor the quality of Science teaching and learning.

• Assisting in the professional development of teachers including training, coaching and mentoring as may be appropriate.

• Developing strong partnerships and ensuring regular and productive communication with parents.

• Developing others’ practice to sustain best possible outcomes for students.

Teaching and Learning 

• Teach outstanding lessons that motivate, inspire and accelerate student progress.

• Ensure pupils’ progression is adequately monitored and efficiently address gaps in attainment of underachieving students.

• Teach 2017 with pupils, parents and carers, to report on progress, sanctions and rewards and all other communications.

• Keep abreast of any developments within their subject area.

• To be fully competent and excel at the full range the professional teaching standards.

Curriculum setting and assessment 

• Support the Director of Science in the development and quality assurance of high quality syllabuses and schemes of work for all year groups, in line with National Curriculum and academy requirements, that are inspiring for learners and teachers alike.

• Contribute to the monitoring and assessment cycle for teaching and learning within the subject.

• Maintain accurate pupil data for your classes – including reading ages - that can be used to inform lesson planning and therefore make teaching more effective.

• To produce/contribute to oral and written assessments, reports and references relating to individual and groups of pupils.

• To ensure the regular setting and consistent completion of high quality homework and independent learning.

• Become expert in the examination requirements of the new GCSE and A-Level exams in your subject. 

• Liaise with all appropriate SEN and Pastoral personnel regarding support for student progress.

General - experience of: 

• Evidence of being, or having the clear potential to be, an outstanding teacher of your subject. 

• Having significantly contributed to the work of a successful department. 

• Having led a team in the development and implementation of a curriculum initiative had a sustained and demonstrable impact on pupil progress. 

• Delivering staff training and undertaking professional development of other teachers, in particular with regard to outstanding teaching, assessment, marking and feedback, questioning, lesson planning and scheme of work writing.

• Effective engagement with external partners (e.g. subject associations, exam boards).

• Contributing to intervention programmes at a department/year group/whole school level that have had a proven and sustained impact on attitude and attainment. 

• Tracking and monitoring identified groups and designing intervention programmes which have shown a positive impact on behaviour and progress.

Leadership and management – the ability to demonstrate:

• An effective leadership style that inspires confidence and collegiality in those they work with, which motivates and encourages others to participate and go the extra mile. 

• Strong interpersonal, written and oral communication skills.

• Strong organisational skills: 

o the use of effective time management 

o the ability to prioritise

• Resilience and motivation to lead the academy through day-to-day challenges whilst maintaining a clear strategic vision, staying positive, and focusing on key priorities.

• Genuine passion and belief in the potential of every student.

• Strategic thinking and the potential to adopt an entrepreneurial approach to the role.

• An educational vision aligned with the academy’s high aspirations and high expectations of themselves and others.

• A clear understanding of the strategies required to establish consistently high standards of behaviour in an inner London school and a commitment to continuously implementing these strategies.

• An ambassadorial approach in all dealings with the community and subsequently to be positive and successfully market the academy in the community. 

• Confident and effective presentational skills during public speaking.