Department Leader - History

Located in the beautiful town of Tervuren, near the university city of Leuven, BSB is a not for profit, inclusive fee-paying international school with 1,350 students from approximately 70 countries. There is an Early Childhood Centre for children aged 1-3. Our Primary School offers a bespoke curriculum with integrated learning themes that are inquiry based and skills driven. Whilst British-based, it is uniquely adapted to the needs of our international and multicultural student body. Students in Year 10 & 11 study for (I)GCSE and BTEC courses. Post-16 students can choose from three internationally recognised pre-university examination courses: English A Levels, International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma or BTEC. BSB has outstanding facilities and is the only international school in Belgium to have its own 25m indoor swimming pool. With an excellent record of academic achievement, BSB students go on to attend a wide range of top universities across the globe.

We are seeking applications from suitably qualified and experienced teachers who can bring a real enthusiasm to the school. Applicants must have the qualities to successfully lead and manage a History department in an 11-18 school. This post also requires the successful candidate to line-manage Government & Politics which is, in turn, under the leadership and management of the Government & Politics Co-ordinator. The post has come about because the present incumbent is relocating to the UK.

The successful candidate will be able to teach History to examination level at A Level and/or in the IB Diploma and at IGCSE. He/she will be also willing and able to teach classes in the 11-14 age range. Experience of international education at Secondary level would also be welcome.

The History Department
History at BSB is a thriving subject. It sits with in the Human, Social and Political Sciences (HSPS) Faculty which will comprise History. Government and Politics, Economics, Business, Geography, Sociology and Psychology. This group of subjects currently comprises 15 teachers.

All students in Years 7 – 9 take History and many go on to choose it as an option for IGCSE, A-level and IB. It is one of the most popular option subjects in the school. The curriculum for Years 7 – 9 broadly follows the English National Curriculum, though with some enrichment to make it more appropriate for all our students.

The department is well-resourced. Each classroom contains a computer docking station and HD Interactive Display. Each teacher has their own laptop. Teaching in the History Department is done through a range of activities and the department visits historical sites regularly. The department also brings in outside speakers.
 
Profile
The successful candidate will ideally have previous experience teaching in the British system – either in the UK or internationally - across the Secondary School age range with experience teaching Years 7 – 13 (ages 11-18).
The successful candidate should:

• value strong relationships with students, colleagues and parents to create a climate for the highest standards of learning
• set the highest standards in terms of learning and teaching, getting the very best from students from all backgrounds and of all abilities;
• work closely with department colleagues in creating a sense of cohesion and collaborative spirit within the department and co-operate with colleagues in other departments and the Primary School;
• be attuned to current developments in the teaching of History as well as Government & Politics;
• be appreciative of students’ differing cultural and linguistic backgrounds;
• be actively involved in professional learning within the department, and across departments where opportunities arise, including after-school meetings, relevant courses and professional learning days; 
• demonstrate the highest standards in terms of learning and teaching, being able to utilise Assessment for Learning and e-learning approaches; 
• be willing and able to contribute wholeheartedly to the social and personal development of students and to the extra-curricular life of the school; and
• be willing to take an active part in school trips, both residential and day visits;

The Person

• Commitment to the BSB Guiding Statements
• Committed to achieving the best at all times for BSB students
• Belief that in learning and in life more is achieved together than alone
• Open mindedness and welcoming of otherness
• Committed to the safety and wellbeing of BSB students.

In return, we offer

• A full-time, permanent contract 
• Enthusiastic, happy and confident children who are proud of their school and love learning
• Outstanding facilities and resources
• Excellent professional development opportunities 
• An attractive salary – BSB Learning & Teaching scale - Band 7 representing a minimum of € 56.140 and maximum € 101.189 gross per year, depending on the years of relevant experience, and extra-legal benefits including hospitalisation insurance, extra pension payments, luncheon vouchers, free use of the BSB sport facilities and a relocation package.

Application process
The deadline for applications is Monday 2 March, 2020 at 16.00 (CET). Please note that only applications sent in using the application form on the BSB website will be considered. No other submissions will be accepted.

Interviews will be held at the school in March and this process will include a sample lesson and opportunities to meet potential colleagues and students.

We look forward to receiving your application. If you have not heard anything further from us by the middle of March, please assume you have been unsuccessful on this occasion.

To apply, follow the instructions on https://www.britishschool.be/jobopportunities/