Head of Department for Secondary Language Acquisition (German, French, Spanish)

The Head of Department for Secondary Language Acquisition (German, French, Spanish) is responsible for the leadership of teaching, learning and relevant resources for the German, French and Spanish language acquisition subjects. As such, the Head of Department leads and oversees the learning and progress for all students within these subjects. The Head of Department leads the professional growth and development of a team of teachers for German, French and Spanish acquisition. The Head Of Department is a member of the Secondary Head of Department Team and is, accordingly, responsible for positively supporting school change as outlined in the school’s strategic plan.

A Head of Department in the Secondary School needs to demonstrate a strong commitment to the school’s shared cultural competencies, such as maintaining a collaborative ethos within the school. In addition he/she needs to embody an understanding of the social and emotional dimensions of learning as evidenced through their practice.

Responsibilities:

• Supporting the development and maintenance of a learner-centred approach to language acquisition.
• Initiating and overseeing curriculum development within the Language Acquisition Team and keeping up-to-date with current theory and best practice in relation to language acquisition.
• Working with teachers, IB Coordinators and the Secondary Principal to implement a whole school philosophy and vision for Language Acquisition across German, French and Spanish.
• Supporting with the placement and transition of language students, as well as communicating with Principal, Deputy Principal and IB Coordinators regarding class lists.
• Communicating a strong understanding of the school’s phases of language competence and pathways for language progression amongst students, families and colleagues.
• Modelling best practice in teaching and learning, and a highly collaborative approach to team-planning.
• Assisting members of the Language Acquisition team in promoting positive student behaviours.
• Involving all team members in the school’s strategic plan and the team’s associated priorities.
• Ensuring that all Language Acquisition students experience common curriculum plans and common assessment frameworks as appropriate.
• Working with the Secondary Leadership Team, MYP Coordinator and Head of Learning Support on the transition between Primary and Secondary, including facilitating assessments as needed.
• Leading departmental meetings.
• Mentoring teachers in their professional development.
• Supporting teachers in communications with parents and students.
• Attending and contributing to Head of Department meetings and developing concepts from these meetings with teachers in his/her team.
• Coordinating and attending parent workshops as needed.
• Planning and overseeing the Language Acquisition Department budget.
• Monitoring assessment across Grade Levels for accuracy, consistency and appropriate connections to the written and taught curriculum.
• Coordinating student language assessment for the admissions process.
  
   

Requirements:

• Experience of the effective leadership of a curriculum-based team of teachers and of successfully leading the learning of one or more languages for all students within a school.
• Bachelor’s degree.
• Current classroom teacher qualification to teach German, Spanish and/or French at Secondary School level.
• Minimum 4 years recent and relevant Secondary School classroom experience.
• Excellent English communication skills.
• Competence in using technology for both learning and information management purposes.
• Strong organisational skills.
• A specialist, up-to-date knowledge of language acquisition pedagogy.
• A thorough understanding of IB Middle Years and IB Diploma programmes.
• A comprehensive understanding of effective teaching and assessment strategies.
• Practical knowledge of contemporary leadership practice
  
  Terms and conditions

The generous salary and range of benefits will be commensurate with the qualifications and experience of the successful candidate, with the overall package reflecting the importance of the position.

Next steps

Interested candidates should email a full letter of application, a statement of personal educational philosophy, detailed resume/curriculum vitae, and three referees. The Head of school reserves the right to apply directly to the writers of open testimonials for confidential statements.

Applications should be addressed to:

Ms Mary-Lyn Campbell

Head of School

We are looking forward to receiving your online application.