Head of Business and Economics

This post offers an exciting opportunity to join an enthusiastic staff and very supportive department whose members are committed to making a real difference. The school was last fully inspected by Ofsted in May 2011 and we were awarded Outstanding.We are very proud of our achievements and for the last 4 years we have been congratulated by the Minister of State for Schools on our achievements at GCSE level placing us in the top 100 non-selective state-funded schools in England. In addition, we were in the top 100 for pupils achieving the English Baccalaureate. We have also regularly been in the top 10% nationally (out of over 2,500 schools and colleges) for our A level performance assessed by ALPS.  We are looking for an enthusiastic individual to help us to ensure that in every way Bullers Wood remains an outstanding school at our next Ofsted inspection, and that every one of our students achieves and exceeds both their targets and expectations.

This post is a Head of department role. 

The Business and Economics department offers GCSE Business Studies (AQA), A Level Business (AQA) and A Level Economics (Edexcel A Specification) Level 3 BTEC Business and the IFS Level 3 Certificate of Financial Studies to both internal and external students.

Subjects are mainly taught in the Sixth Form Centre, Inglewood House. The classrooms are large and enjoy excellent facilities including interactive whiteboards and computers which are used extensively in the delivery of lessons. There are a wide range of text books and on-line resources. Students are encouraged to subscribe to appropriate publications and read outside of the subject.

Business Studies and Economics are exciting and popular subjects and this is reflected in the variety of teaching styles employed, using differentiated activities and resources. The department strongly encourages both group work and independent learning. Students are encouraged to be ‘topical and current’ ensuring that they make themselves aware of how business and global economies function and are evolving.

In 2018 KS4 Business Studies 77% students received grades 9 - 4 and 70% achieved grades A*-C at A Level Business. In Economics 48% of students received A*- C at Advanced Level.

The successful candidate will also be a form tutor.

As Head of Business and Economics responsibilities  as leader of the department include:

Make judgements about standards of students’ achievement, rate of progress and personal development

Analyse and interpret data on students’ achievement in the subject and ensure student performance data is used effectively and is in line with departmental targets

Review with teachers their assessments of progress for classes

Oversee the setting of students into appropriate ability groups

Sample students’ work 

Moderate and review judgements about standards, including coursework 

Discuss work, progress and attitudes with sample groups of students 

Ensure procedures for both internal and external exams are carried out according to the School’s procedures and the Boards’ regulations as appropriate.  Evaluate teaching and learning

Be accountable for the quality of the teaching of the subject

Systematically observe colleagues teaching and review teaching and learning methods within the department to ensure they meet the needs of all students

Provide feedback on observations to colleagues

Monitor and review the planning of BS and Economics teaching

Keep abreast of current initiatives by regular review.

Review schemes of work annually and amend where necessary to ensure they focus on effective teaching and learning

Ensure the Departmental Assessment, Recording and Reporting Policy is in line with School Policy and is adhered to by all departmental staff.

Support staff with student behaviour issues

Maintain a comprehensive view of departmental resources, to ensure that they are available to meet curriculum needs.  Lead sustainable improvement

Arrange, conduct and keep records of departmental meetings and lead the department in discussion about best practice and priorities for the subject

Lead the review, construction and resourcing of the curriculum 

Set targets for raising student attainment in the context of whole school targets

Work with colleagues to organise appropriate intervention to address under-performance

Develop and communicate a strategy for the improvement of the subject

Take responsibility for organising departmental INSET time as well as monitoring the INSET needs of all members of the department

Create the capacity for change and inspire and enthuse colleagues by personal example (i.e. acting as a role model by maintaining a positive outlook and demonstrating sympathetic and focused support). 

Lead the improvement of teaching quality and encourage teachers to review and improve on their practice 

Contribute to the creation, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the School Improvement Plan as it affects the department