Head Of EAL

Purpose of Job 

• Provide support and guidance to students, by removing language barriers to learning in order to promote effective participation, raise aspirations and achieve full potential 

• Work within departments to promote the development, implementation and evaluation of teaching and learning strategies to maximise student outcomes in English 

• Monitor and evaluate teachers’ planning for language and to respond appropriately to emergent issues and data indicators 

• Develop EAL to be an example of excellence to others within and beyond our community that improve the quality of services for students with their language and learning (L&L) development 

Generic Overall Responsibilities 

• Promote high standards in all aspects of School life, particularly in student progress 

• Actively support the School’s Ignation tradition, Jesuit ethos, the virtues of the Jesuit Pupil Profile and policies of the School 

• Inspire and motivate students, teachers and other school employees 

• Comply with the professional duties of the Stonyhurst Penang staff Code of Conduct 

• Contribute to a school culture which is positive, purposeful and professional 

• Engage positively in the school’s growth, development and appraisal process and arrangements 

• Are committed to safeguarding and to promoting the welfare of students and young people 

• Demonstrate financial acuity in the management of the budget, and ensure effective management and deployment of financial, physical and human resources. 

Leadership of others 

• Ensure the effective deployment of the EAL Department support teachers, supporting English Language proficiency and development, both in the classroom and through small group intervention work. 

• Liaise with Heads of Department / subject teachers to support EAL students across the curriculum and promote the highest standards of teaching and learning 

• Ensure that all departments create a stimulating language environment 

• Initiate, lead and document EAL department meetings

Teaching and Learning 

• Monitor student progress, evaluate the success of EAL strategies and identify areas for improvement 

• Oversee the development of a progressive and effective EAL curriculum 

• Develop an immersion programme for newly arrived students

• Identify highly effective classroom practice that supports EAL in their language learning whilst following an academic curriculum

• Ensure that all teachers have a clear picture of students’ EAL needs across the school and that all teachers are able to make best use of this information in planning their lessons and schemes of learning. 

• Through the school CPD programme, provide staff INSET, create regular opportunities for teachers and Classroom Practitioners to share, reflect and improve on classroom practice, assessment, recording and reporting 

• Coordinate and lead the assessment and monitoring of students’ level of English proficiency, for example, through GSE testing

• Set targets for raising achievement among all students and those with L&L development needs 

• Collect and interpret assessment data for students with L&L development needs and provide analysis data on their progress and attainment 

• Refine systems for identifying, assessing and reviewing student progress 

Communication 

• Meet regularly with the designated Heads of School to undertake caseload supervision and report on progress of identified students 

• Attend and participate in network meetings with other professionals to enhance practice 

• Develop EAL to be an example of excellence to others within and beyond the school and communicate the successes and impact of EAL activities within and beyond our community 

• Liaise with Admissions towards the development of admissions policies and procedures as required, to identify any EAL needs prior to entry 

• Publish and regularly review the EAL policy and procedures document, and strategic planning documents 

• Run parent workshops in the area of EAL support and language development 

Collegiality 

• Actively establish good relations with parents and other visitors to the school 

• Guide and assist relevant staff in their communication with parents, colleagues and the wider community with regard to the school’s EAL support programmes, procedures and practices 

• Ensure that staff commit to supporting the Pastoral team (Head of Pastoral, Counsellor, Head of AEN) by establishing and maintaining effective working relationships 

• Ensure students feel they are supported in developing their language and learning needs showing empathy and understanding and lending direction and motivation 

• Maintain a teaching load appropriate to the position, including participation in extra-curricular activities as appropriate, and as agreed with the Heads of School

• Take a fair and appropriate share of duties 

• Attend Line activities as well as trips and residentials as required

Other Responsibilities 

• Teach an appropriate load in agreement with the Heads of School 

• May be a form tutor 

• To prepare an annual Departmental Action Plan 

• Undertake other reasonable duties as requested by the Heads of School

Education, training and qualifications 

• Appropriate degree (UK PGCE, or other recognised teaching qualification) 

• Working knowledge of the National Curriculum of England including KS3, IGCSE/GCSE and A Levels as appropriate 

• Evidence of relevant and challenging continuing professional development 

• Relevant experience of successfully supporting English language development in an EAL setting. 

Knowledge and experience 

• Minimum three years’ teaching experience 

• Knowledge and experience of how to use IT effectively in promoting student learning 

• Recent and consistent involvement in extracurricular activities 

• Previous experience or knowledge of working with students for whom English is not their first language 

• Previous experience or knowledge of working with students with additional needs 

Personal qualities 

• Have the ability and willingness to inspire others; leading by example, role modelling the School’s mission and vision: Men and Women For Others

• Be flexible and capable of managing change and instilling high standards 

• Be highly motivated, ambitious and collaborative and willing to take the initiative 

• Have high levels of honesty and integrity in aspects of their role 

• Demonstrate empathy, humility and genuine care about staff and students, taking time to support, guide and motivate them 

• Be able to think strategically and drive improvements in student wellbeing and their wider learning experiences 

• Have excellent organisational, communication and interpersonal skills

Other 

• A clean enhanced Disclosure and Barring Services check and/or police check and no question regarding suitability to work with students