Head of Department: History, Geography, Integrated Humanities and Global Politics

We have a vacancy at ISH Secondary School for a Subject Area Leader: History, Geography, Integrated Humanities and Global Politics (Head of Department) - 1.0 FTE

The successful candidate will be able to lead and inspire colleagues to deliver high quality learning outcomes for their students in the Subject Area which comprises: 

1. MYP Integrated Humanities: Years 7-9 
2. MYP Geography and History: Years 10-11
3. DP Geography and History: Years 12-13
4. DP Global Politics: Years 12-13

We are looking for a successful leader who can develop student-led inquiry and enable our students to learn to apply their knowledge and skills to deepen conceptual, disciplinary and interdisciplinary understandings.

The ideal candidate will have:

• A high quality degree in humanities or geography or history with a masters level qualification in education
• Understanding of effective concept-based and inquiry-based approaches to learning and how to lead the development of colleagues in this area
• Substantial experience teaching in the IB Middle Years Programme and/or the  IB Diploma Programme
• Proven excellent leadership skills
• Coaching expertise
• Understanding of how to observe and analyse the teaching of team members in ways that identifies actions that impact positively on student learning

Key Tasks: 

• Act as a pedagogical leader for the Subject Area and ensure IB procedural, organizational and communication requirements are met at all times, in line with the the ISH strategic vision
• Ensure all IB  requirements for curriculum planning and delivery for the Subject Area are met, and wherever possible, exceeded
• Ensure that the practices outlined in the ISH Assessment Policy are embedded in unit planning and classroom practice within the Subject Area
• Ensure that the practices outlined in the ISH High Quality Learning Policy are embedded in classroom practice within the Subject Area
• Collaborate closely with the Year Leaders and  Deputy Heads Pastoral to support students wellbeing, progress and engagement within the Subject Area
• Ensure that high quality experiential and extra-curricular learning opportunities are embedded within the Subject Area
• Ensure that everyone involved in the Subject Area is efficient and professional in their administrative responsibilities
• Lead in full accordance with the ISH Guiding Statements, school policies, protocols and procedures and create a culture which demands others do the same
• Lead a culture of lifelong learning, and commitment to professional development

Please see Role and Responsibilities of a SAL available as a download below.

Candidate Profile

The successful candidate will  display the following skills and understanding:

• Understanding of effective concept-based and inquiry-based approaches to learning and how to lead the development of colleagues in this area
• How to pose questions that capture the main dimensions of the relationship between teaching and learning 
• How to collect valid and reliable information that helps answer the questions about the relationship between teaching and learning
• How to analyse data to inform practice
• How to observe and analyse the teaching of others in ways that identifies actions that impact positively on student learning
• How to locate and evaluate research that provides strong evidence of impact on student learning

Qualifications and experience:

Essential

• Bachelor’s / Master’s level degree in Education or Post-Graduate Diploma in Education. Please know that in order to work for us, you must be a fully qualified teacher in accordance with the standards required by the Dutch Education Authorities (DUO). Only candidates with full teaching certification and a valid teaching license in their home country will be considered for this role. For applicants from the UK, you will have completed the PGCE and been awarded QTS plus successful completion of the NQT induction year.
• Minimum of 5 years’ teaching experience within a context that is grounded in concept-based and inquiry-based approaches to teaching and learning
• Minimum of 2 years’ successful leadership experience as a middle leader (in a large department) or, ideally, as a senior leader 
• Fluency in English (written as well as spoken)

Preferred

• Coaching qualifications/training and experience developing colleagues with diverse subject specialisms and cultural backgrounds
• Experience delivering effective pedagogical training and inset to colleagues 

Application Process

All applicants must either be EU citizens or have a valid permit to work in The Netherlands. For any further information, please visit the Government website. 

Applicants are required to complete an online profile, provide a supporting statement, and upload a CV. Applicants must provide details of three referees, of which one must be their most recent supervisor. If shortlisted, we will contact referees prior to interview. For teachers, we require one from the head of school or deputy head. Once shortlisted, interviews will be conducted by Skype or in person, depending on the nature of the position and the applicant's location.

Deadline for applications is Monday, 27 January 2020. Short listed candidates will be interviewed as soon as possible. Please note that the school reserves the right to interview suitable applicants early and make an appointment prior to the deadline. If you have not heard from us within 4 weeks after the deadline, then please assume that, on this occasion, your application has been unsuccessful.

The International School of the Hague is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all the students in our care and expects all applicants to share this commitment. We follow safe recruitment practices which are aligned to the recommendations of the International Task Force on Child Protection. We hold ourselves to a high standard of effective recruiting practices with specific attention to child protection. All appointments are subject to an interview, identity checks, criminal record checks, and successful references.

Furthermore, those who are appointed at The International School of The Hague are required to obtain a Certificate of Good Conduct (in Dutch: VOG). Your appointment with The Rijnlands Lyceum Foundation takes place on condition that you obtain a VOG. Needless to say, Rijnlands will reimburse all costs in relation thereto.

What we offer

Please see our Secondary School Recruitment Package (brochure) available as a download below.

In line with local regulations, all appointments are for a fixed term of one year, with a view to extending to a permanent contract after successful appraisal. In addition, we offer excellent professional development opportunities and a pleasant working environment.

If you are internationally-minded and have the desire to help shape the exciting future of our school, we would love to hear from you.