Assistant Head (Academic)

The role

The Assistant Head (Academic) is responsible to the Head for all academic matters, ensuring the highest standards of teaching, learning and academic attainment across the school. They will work closely with the 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.

Duties and responsibilities

The precise duties will be determined by the Head and will be in line with these specifications:

Strategic Development

• Deputise for the Deputy Head in their absence and when required.

• Be a core member of the SLT and, as such, participate in all areas of policy development and the strategic Assistant Head (Academic) leadership of the school.

• To develop and implement the school’s vision, aims and objectives.

• Be responsible for the review and evaluation of sections of the school’s strategic plan.

• To oversee the school’s academic strategy, in line with the agreed educational priorities.

• Report to the Governing Board on all academic matters involving pupils and staff.

Leadership

• To oversee the upcoming curriculum expansion into GCSE and associated teaching approaches.

• To work with members of the Senior Leadership Team and, where appropriate, senior colleagues from the Pre-Prep to develop, refine and implement the school’s policies and procedures (particularly those with an academic focus).

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

• Be a highly visible presence around school, particularly in the mornings, at break and lunch times and after school, being approachable for pupils.

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

• To lead the Heads of Departments in setting and meeting agreed academic targets.

• To work with the Exam Offificer, ensuring all operational aspects are in order for public exams (future).

• Routinely attend school events including information evenings, concerts, exhibition, Senior School Fairs etc.

• Organise and oversee the budgets for each department in consultation with the Head.

• As a member of the Senior Leadership of the school, be available for the on-call rota during the holiday and out of hours as and when required.

Curriculum

• To ensure the curriculum planning, development and delivery meets the needs of all pupils within the school and is coordinated across the whole school.

• To lead on the development of the GCSE curriculum, ensuring the examination board selected is appropriate and the school functions as a credible examinations centre.

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

• Be an exemplary teacher, with an excellent track record in teaching and curriculum development who is able to role model outstanding teaching.

• Teach an appropriate level of timetable as that will allow you to fulfil your role - as defined by the Head.

Quality of Teaching

• To oversee the quality assurance process at the school, promoting a culture of improvement and professional development.

• To ensure departmental leadership and management, and the quality of teaching and learning is consistently excellent, utilising an effective quality assurance model.

• In conjunction with the Heads of Departments, 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.

• Oversee and lead professional development of teaching staff across the school.

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 Heads of Departments.

• Working in conjunction with the Heads of Departments to ensure that all pupils are supported and well prepared for 11+, 13+ and 16+ exit points.

• To 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.

• Oversee the scholarships application process and make recommendations to the Head for pupils who meet the appropriate criteria.

Staffing

• Oversee professional growth conversations to support the development of teaching staff.

• To assess academic staffing requirements, recruitment and deployment in conjunction with the Head of Pre Prep and the Head.

• To be part of recruitment panels where required.