Head of Department (Geography)

Dates : Apply by 30 April 2019, Job Starts 19 August 2019

Contract Term : 2 Years

HELP International School (HIS) is a British international school and is an inclusive, preschool to A-Level school with a holistic ethos. HIS follow the IPC, IMYC, IGCSE and A-Level curriculum. HIS offers great opportunities for training and development and has recently been awarded Apple Distinguished School status and is a member of the Association of International Malaysian Schools.  HIS is an all-through school with a British curriculum and a strong academic record.

We are looking for an outstanding teacher of Georgraphy Teacher to teach Geography with at least three years teaching experience in IGCSE or British curriculum school-based. Examining experience and Management experience preferable but not essential. 

Subject roles and responsibilities

The Head of Department or Subject is the curriculum team manager who shares with the SLT the school’s responsibility for delivering to the students the curriculumwithin a designated subject area, ensuring that each student receives positive encouragement to develop his/her potential to the full according to the stated aims of the school.

Operational/ Strategic Planning

• To provide leadership and create enthusiasm for teaching among members of the department, to develop team work and balance the strengths of individuals, allocating responsibilities as appropriate. To make arrangements for departmental consultation and communication. To provide the Principal and Deputy Principal with a copy of the minutes of departmental meetings.

• To define and develop departmental policy, priorities and schemes of work regularly and to monitor their implementation, setting department targets as necessary, working within the aims of the school and in line with educational developments nationally. To produce and revise department documentation.

• To keep abreast of examination specification changes and to attend appropriate examination board courses and moderation meetings. To liaise with the Examinations Officer to set internal exams and assessments as necessary.

Leading and Managing Staff

• To assist in the recruitment when requested of new staff and to be responsible for the induction of new staff into the department. All new teachers should be appropriately trained, monitored, supported and assessed. To be responsible for the day-to-day management of all members of the department.

• To monitor and assess the work of the subject through the staff development and performance development programme. To promote and monitor professional development within the department. To offer support and advice to members of the department and encourage their professional development.

• To regularly monitor the work of department members, ensuring that they are following the correct syllabuses and adhering to policies, including marking, and schemes of work and observing their teaching.

• To establish common standards of practice and to encourage the sharing of good practice within the department and develop the effectiveness of teaching and learning styles.

Information and Data Management

• To produce an annual examinations analysis and department review and contribute to the SIP at a department levels.

• To ensure that the members of the department fulfil the school’s requirements for reporting to parents and that the school database is kept up to date.

• Use data effectively to identify students who are underachieving in the subject and create plans of action with target setting

Teaching and Learning.

• To ensure that the department is up to date with the implementation of school policies including SEN and gifted and talented.

• To ensure the development of students' literacy, numeracy and information communication technology skills through the subject where relevant

• To promote a high standard of teaching within the department, monitoring academic standards and ensuring with others that the students learning is effective and continuous, enabling then to achieve the best results of which they are capable. This will include appropriate differentiation of the curriculum to meet the needs of all students and monitoring assessment, recording and reporting at all levels.

• To assist with appropriate arrangements for classes when staff is absent, ensuring appropriate cover within the department, liaising with relevant staff to secure appropriate cover.

• To promote teaching and learning styles which stimulate student interest and involvement in learning and also organise events and trips as appropriate.

Communication and Liaison

• To represent the department at middle management meetings, and to contribute to curriculum development and other relevant whole school development (planning and implementation) through these and other means as appropriate. To disseminate relevant information to members of the department.

• To encourage appropriate links across the curriculum, between departments and with other schools, and to promote relevant activities outside school.

Management of Resources

• To organise and manage the department budget and resources to ensure the efficient and effective use of all resources. To maintain a stimulating environment within the department. To be responsible for department administration.

Marketing

• To play a part in the marketing including education fairs of the subject and the school at appropriate occasions including Open Days and Parent Information Evenings, as detailed in the Staff Handbook. To contribute to bulletins, newsletters and similar publications as appropriate.

Health and Safety

• To be familiar with the School’s Health and Safety policy and implement it as applicable within the department. To ensure that Health and Safety policies and practices, including Risk Assessments, fire alarms and departmental safety.

Additional

• Any other task as may be reasonably required by school management

• Any other tasks specific to a particular department or subject area (forexample; to assist with the organisation of focus weeks and special events).

This job description is not necessarily a comprehensive definition of all duties and roles of the post. It is subject to review and may be modified or amended following consultation with the post holder.

Applicants should send a curriculum vitae to hr@kl.his.edu.my,  with references, one of which should be from your current Head Teacher and a one-page covering letter to the Principal, Ms Davina McCarthy. 

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. Successful applicants must be willing to undergo child protection screening for Child Protection Certificate (available at www.acro.police.uk/icpc/ ) and an Enhanced Disclosure from the Criminal Records Bureau in the UK (or a police check/ clearance from your home/ residents country). 

All offers of employment are subject to various visa requirements and local rules and legislation in Malaysia.

For more information about HIS, please visit us at 

www.his.edu.my and www.facebook.com/HELPInternationalSchool/

We look forward to welcoming you to our community