Teacher of History/Politics/EPQ

SYDNEY RUSSELL SCHOOL  JOB DESCRIPTION  TEACHER OF HISTORY/POLITICS/EPQ  POSITION:  TEACHER OF HISTORY/POLITICS/EPQ  PAYSCALE: INNER LONDON MPS (award of allowance for the right candidate)  

During the course of the academic year, it is expected that you will take on the following responsibilities:  

1. Planning 

2. Teaching 

3. Classroom Management 

4. Agreed Whole School Procedures  

Planning 

As a class teacher, you will be expected to plan your teaching with regard to the school’s strategies and programmes of study. You will be expected to achieve progression in student’s learning by: 

• Identifying clear learning and teaching objectives and content and specifying how these will be taught. 

• Setting tasks for class, group and individual work, which challenge students and ensure high levels of student interest. This includes teaching through “challenges” where children’s learning is not capped and they have greater ownership of the work they undertake. 

• Planning, setting and responding to homework, in line with the agreed policy for each year group. 

• Setting high expectations for students’ learning, motivation and presentation of work. 

• Setting clear targets for students’ learning, building on prior attainment and ensuring that students understand what is required of them for any given task. 

• Identifying students with Special Educational Needs and knowing where to seek advice to give positive and targeted support. 

• Planning in the short, medium and longer term lessons which provide pace, motivation and challenge for students. 

• Using assessment of students’ attainment to plan future lessons. 

• Planning for students’ personal, spiritual, moral, social and cultural development.  

Teaching and Classroom Management 

As a class teacher, you will be expected to: 

• Ensure that teaching and learning objectives are met through effective teaching, high expectations, sound learning and discipline and a purposeful working atmosphere in the classroom. 

• Establish and maintain good discipline, by following the school strategy for behaviour management. 

• Establish a safe learning environment in which students feel safe, secure and confident. 

• Use a variety of teaching methods which will foster and stimulate enthusiasm for learning, and maintain motivation. 

• Differentiate appropriately for all abilities in the class, setting high expectations for all but not cap student learning. 

• Give clear instructions, presentations and question students effectively to ensure participation. 

• Respond to all students’ work effectively, in line with the school’s assessment strategyso that students are clear about how they have achieved and their next steps. 

• Keep effective records of students’ progress. 

• Use opportunities to develop students’ personal, spiritual, social, moral and cultural development. 

• Establish positive working relationships with all support staff who may work in your classroom and ensure they are informed of lesson planning and your expectations.  

Agreed Whole School Procedures 

As a class teacher, you will be expected to: 

• Attend the agreed Parents’ Evening sessions. 

• Keep parents informed of their child’s progress during the year, through positive links with parents and in the form of an end of year report to them. 

• Participate in meetings at the school which relate to the curriculum for the school or the administration or organisation of the school, including pastoral arrangements. 

• Look to improve performance through continued professional development and feedback to other members of staff. 

• Ensure that student welfare duties are carried out, including playground duty and forward any student concerns to the relevant person.  

You should be familiar with the Code of Practice on the identification and assessment of Special Educational Needs. You should also seek the advice of the schools Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator (SENCO) if you have concerns on a student’s progress.  

All children should be treated equally, regardless of gender, social or cultural backgrounds.  

You are expected to ensure that students acquire and consolidate knowledge, skills and understanding in all subjects taught.  

You should be prepared to evaluate your own teaching critically and use this to improve your effectiveness.  

Whilst every effort has been made to explain the main duties and responsibilities of the post, each individual task undertaken may not be identified. Employees will be expected to comply with any reasonable request from a manager to undertake work of a similar level that is not specified in this job description.  It is understood that areas of responsibility are from time to time subject to review and are negotiable in the light of the needs of the school and the professional development of the staff. This job description may be reviewed at the end of the academic year or earlier if necessary.  In addition it may be amended at any time after consultation with you.