Head of Dept - Sciences

Job Purpose

To ensure the highest standards of learning, achievement and development for all students working within Science. This will be achieved through clear and effective leadership of subject staff. The job will focus clearly on the "enjoy and achieve".

IB experienced and with a leadership role. (minimum of 4-6 years of teaching & 2-4 years of leadership role)

Five Key Competencies

- High level classroom practitioner with a wide range of teaching skills;

- High level inter-personal skills enabling effective team leadership;

- Ability to evaluate the work of others and enable their development through consultation, guidance and support;

- Ability to analyse data and information, identify patterns and trends;

- Ability to formulate strategies for improved learning as a result of the above.

Principal Accountabilities

1. To lead learning within the department through:

1.1. providing a vision for learning within the department in line with that of the faculty;

1.2. ensuring high standards of teaching, addressing any issues where teaching falls below the required standards;

1.3. ensuring that all courses have schemes of work that enable examination objectives and other whole school objectives to be met. 

1.4. ensuring that learning is personalised through good use of assessment data and good assessment practice including focussed work for all ability levels including those with Special Educational Needs and those who are identified as Gifted and Talented;

1.5. supporting staff in dealing effectively with student behaviour in order to remove barriers to learning;

1.6. ensuring that department staff complete school monitoring, recording and reporting requirements to a high standard;

1.7. ensuring value for money and the effective deployment of the department's annual budget;

1.8. ensuring smooth transition of curriculum: Vertical Articulation of the curriculum – K-12

2. To lead, train, support and manage department staff through:

2.1. ensuring that all new staff receive a comprehensive induction;

2.2. supporting the continuing professional development of department staff;

2.3. keeping up-to-date with relevant issues;

2.4. facilitating the sharing of good practice through meetings and INSET;

2.5. annual Performance Management of colleagues under direct line management.

3. To lead the Science Department's review and improvement planning work by:

3.1. analysing the examination results of students working within the subject and agreeing and implementing action points;

3.2. contributing to the faculty's annual self-review report;

3.3. observing an agreed number of lessons;

3.4. ensuring the effective use of self-review tools including those which facilitate student feedback on their learning experiences;

3.5. preparing improvement plans for the department;

As a teacher of Science and a tutor you are expected to meet the following standards for a core teacher.

Professional Attributes

- Relationships with children and young people

- Understanding of frameworks

- Communicating and working with others

- Personal professional development

Professional Knowledge and Understanding

- Teaching and learning

- Assessment and monitoring

- Subjects and curriculum

- Literacy, numeracy and ICT

- Achievement and diversity

- Health and well-being

Professional Skills

- Planning

- Teaching

- Assessing, monitoring and giving feedback

- Reviewing teaching and learning

- Learning environment

- Team working and collaboration

The duties above are neither exclusive nor exhaustive and the post holder may be required by the Head of School/Unit to carry out appropriate duties within the context of the job, skills and grade.