Head of Economics & Business Studies

The Grange School has been one of the great success stories of independent education over the past forty years. The school was founded in 1933 as a Kindergarten and Preparatory School.  In 1977, the Governors took the major step of developing secondary education and since 1978 the school has grown steadily and developed an outstanding academic reputation.  Today, The Grange has a total enrolment of 1170 students with 430 in the Junior School (4-11 years) and 740 in the Senior School including 157 in a thriving Sixth Form. It is consistently the best performing school in Cheshire and undoubtedly among the very best independent co-educational day schools in the country.

Our academic results speak for themselves, as we are consistently placed uppermost in the national independent school tables.  In 2019, 44% of GCSE candidates achieved 8-9 while at A Level 64% gained A*/A with over 80% getting into their first-choice university. 

THE OPPORTUNITY: The Grange School is seeking to recruit a Head of Economics and Business Studies, on a full time and permanent basis. This would be to commence in September 2020.  

The Economics and Business Studies Department is a strong team currently consisting of one full-time Head of Department, a member of the Senior Leadership Team (teaching equivalent of 0.4 FTE) and two other teachers who teacher either/or Economics and Business Studies.  The atmosphere of the department is enthusiastic and positive, meeting regularly to discuss progress, with all members contributing ideas for teaching and development of both subjects.  The teaching environment is productive and exciting with both teachers and pupils contributing to its success.

Group sizes at GCSE and A-Level are among the lowest in the Independent Sector in the North West, allowing teachers to get to know their students well and support them at every stage of their studies.

Numbers for both subjects are extremely healthy at our school. Examination results reflect the high standards that are expected and achieved: in August 2019 the department achieved 71.4% A*/A for Economics and 64.0% for Business Studies A-Level and 57% A*/A for Business Studies at IGCSE.

RESPONSIBILITIES: The list of professional duties below is set out in addition to the expectations that The Grange School has of any member of the teaching staff, as detailed in the Job Description for a Senior School Teacher.

As Head of Department:

• leads and manages the process of annual Departmental Self Review (DSR) which includes, though not exhaustively, the following: 

• formation of an annual Department Development Plan in cooperation with departmental colleagues, which includes an evaluation of public examination results using the Data Pack;

• formal discussion with the SLT link on at least two occasions each academic year to review/plan progress;

• regular review of the DDP, examination results and other data available within the department and implementation of actions as necessary;

• regular lesson observations of colleagues to support the development of their teaching and pupil learning;

• ensuring that baseline data is being used to monitor, and where possible improve, performance of the department and the pupils within it;

• completing an annual evaluation of progress to plan;

• should ensure the efficient running of the department, including the meeting of deadlines for DSR, exam entries and annual requisitions;

• is responsible for the appraisal, professional welfare, training and development of members of the department; for the induction of new staff into the department; and for supporting the Deputy Heads in the mentoring of newly qualified teachers;

• is responsible for their own development as a leader and manager, undertaking appropriate appraisal, training and development to both ends;

• must keep up to date with educational developments and changes within their subject area(s);

• should ensure that members of their department adhere to the criteria as set out in the Departmental Handbook with particular regard to the setting and marking of work and reporting procedures;

• should bring to the attention of their SLT Line Manager any difficulties which arise within the department;

• should hold regular departmental meetings, formal and informal, to discuss departmental matters and to ensure that the department works as a team; minutes of these meetings to be sent to the SLT Line Manager, the Deputy Head (Academic) and the Head;

• must attend Academic Forum, as arranged by the Deputy Head (Academic);

• is responsible for drawing up and annual updating of syllabuses and schemes of work; departmental hand-outs for Open Morning; the Departmental Handbook; GCSE Options Brochure; Sixth Form Prospectus; displays and the general appearance of the department;

• is responsible for the selection of text books and teaching materials, and the methods of teaching used by members of the department;

• is accountable for all budgeting within the department;

• is responsible for the implementation of Health and Safety Policies within their areas;

• is responsible for the furniture and fabric within their departments;

• must attend both Sixth Form Registration Day (held prior to the beginning of the autumn term), Sixth Form Taster Day (usually held shortly after spring half-term) and Sixth Form Open Evening;

• is to provide the Deputy Head (Academic) with timetable allocations of departmental staff and decide rooming timetables as required;

• should, where necessary set work for an absent member of the department if he/she is unable to do so;

• should share in the appointment processes of new staff to the department;

• should co-operate with other departments in cross-curricular activities as appropriate;

• must ensure that pupils are entered for public examinations in liaison with the Examinations Office;

In addition, all staff will be expected to carry out any other duties that the Head may, from time to time, reasonably request. Furthermore, Heads of Department may have particular tasks relating to the areas they manage; it is the responsibility of the Head and/or Deputy Head (Academic) to clarify these.