Deputy Director of Science

We are looking to appoint a Deputy Director of Learning, to support the Director of Learning to lead the development of all aspects of Science within the school and line management of staff members within the Science Department. 

We are looking for an excellent classroom practitioner who can provide a first-class education for our students, raising achievement and promoting outstanding progress for all. You must have a passion for Science and the ability to communicate this to a wide range of pupils with different needs and abilities. We believe this is an exciting opportunity to join a successful team and there will be scope to teach across the full 11 – 19 range.

This job description must be read in conjunction with the professional duties set out in the current School Teachers’ Pay and Conditions Document, the Teachers' Standards which the postholder is expected to meet. It will be reviewed regularly and amended to reflect or anticipate changes in the job in line with the future development of Brigshaw High School.

Responsible For: 

Line management of staff members within the Science team in conjunction with the Director of Science

As a Leader:

● Lead the science team and support a whole school strategic responsibility and quality assurance processes in such a way as to meet national and school based targets.

● Assist in ensuring that the quality of learning and teaching within science is consistently good and outstanding.

● Assist in ensuring that the science team is part of the school learning community programme and actively engages in wider learning communities within and beyond the Trust.

● Contribute to the development of the school and the promotion of a high achieving, aspirational, positive, supportive ethos in the school.

● To have a high profile around school to ensure high standards of behaviour by modelling good practice to other colleagues.

● To be aware of and comply with policies and procedures relating to safeguarding, child protection, health, safety and security, confidentiality and data protection, reporting all concerns to an appropriate person.

● Other duties as determined by the Headteacher.

As Deputy Director of Learning: Science

To assist in ensuring each individual pupil achieves their optimum level in science and to monitor and support individual pupil progress according to their needs.

To lead, develop and enhance the teaching practice of teachers, evaluating the quality of teaching and securing and sustaining its effectiveness in science.

To effectively line manage teaching and support staff in science, where relevant.

Strategic Development and Self Evaluation

● To assist with effective self evaluation of science in line with whole school self evaluation cycle and provide reports for the Principal and Governors as requested.

● To assist with the strategic development of the department within the whole School Improvement Plan (SIP) and oversee Department Improvement Plans which are led by the outcomes of rigorous self evaluation.

● Monitor the quality of teaching and learning and implement improvement strategies as relevant.

● Analyse and interpret school, local and national data, research, inspection outcomes to inform policies, practices, expectations, targets and teaching methods.

● In conjunction with the Director of Learning: Science, to be accountable to the Governors through the Headteacher for the standards of teaching, learning and student achievement within the department.

● Ensure all health and safety requirements are in place including risk assessments.

● Ensure statutory requirements for the subject are in place.

● Assist in the preparation for and undertake an annual review of progress with the relevant line manager (and link governor).   

Leading and Managing Staff

● Assist in line management of all teachers and associated support staff setting expectations and targets for staff and students in relation to standards of student achievement and the quality of teaching.

● Appraise staff as required by the school’s Appraisal Policy and use the process to develop the professional effectiveness of colleagues. 

● Develop and enhance the teaching practice of other teachers so that students make effective educational progress by:

I. Acting as a ‘teacher consultant’, modelling best practice and securing support and guidance for teachers experiencing difficulty

II. Providing guidance on suitable choices of Teaching and Learning methods to meet the needs of all students

● Ensure that statutory requirements where relevant are met.

● Ensure curriculum coverage, continuity and progression for all students including those with SEN and those eligible for Pupil Premium funding.

● Ensure that all practices in marking, assessment, recording, reporting, behaviour management, anti-bullying and inclusion follow whole school policy and practice.

● Manage the department’s involvement in ITT and the award of QTS.

Student Achievement

● Ensure all students have appropriately challenging targets in order to achieve outstanding outcomes and ensure effective monitoring of student progress towards those targets is in place.

● Ensure student behaviour supports learning across the department and contributes to the whole school position on managing behaviour and provide support for teachers that may need it.

● Use data effectively to identify students who are underachieving and where necessary create and implement actions to address the causes of the underachievement.    

● Ensure the department contributes to developing students’ understanding of their roles as citizens of the school, local, national and global community.

● Ensure students are well prepared for examinations in line with national expectations.

Resource Management

● Ensure the effective deployment of resources by staff within the department.

● Establish staff and resource needs, determine priorities for expenditure and allocate available resources with maximum efficiency to meet school/departmental  objectives

● Monitor and account for budget spending to the Headteacher.

Other Duties

● Establish and maintain effective communication with parents/carers.

● Promote participation in extra-curricular and enrichment activities.

● Play a full part in the life of the school, support its ethos, attend events and encourage colleagues to do likewise.

● Ensure Health and Safety is a priority and is properly understood and adhered to.

● Undertake other duties as directed by their line manager or the Headteacher.

● Attend Open Evenings/Days as appropriate.