Head of English

George Watson’s College wishes to appoint a permanent Head of English in the Senior School from August 2023. The post represents a rare opportunity for an outstanding practitioner to make a high profile contribution to the success of one of Scotland’s leading schools.

APPLICATION PROCESS

To apply, please include a letter of application of not more than 800 words giving us more information about you and why you would like the role, addressed to Mr Gordon Boyd, Head of Senior School.

Any specific questions relating to the advertised post can be emailed to vacancies@gwc.org.uk

Candidates called for interview will be asked to teach a lesson as part of the selection process.

If you require more information about the School, please visit our school website.

Closing date: Noon on Friday 17 February 2023

Interviews are scheduled to take place on Thursday 2 March 2023

PACKAGE DESCRIPTION

Location: George Watson’s College, Edinburgh

Contract Type: Full time

Salary: Commensurate with skills and experience

Benefits: Competitive salary, reduced school fees at George Watson’s College for children of staff, Membership of the Galleon Club (the school’s fitness club).

MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES

The person appointed will:

●      Lead, develop and monitor the effectiveness of the English curriculum in the Senior School, liaising with other Heads of Department as necessary to achieve common objectives;

●      Act as Line Manager to other members of the English department, promoting good practice and high standards and intervening where necessary to provide support to colleagues;

●      Ensure that trainee teachers in the Department are supported appropriately

●      Act as Line Manager to the support staff allocated to support the work of the English Department; 

●      Ensure that all teaching and learning in English is effective and that all pupils are being properly prepared for public examinations where appropriate;

●      Contribute to professional discussions with senior staff and others to contribute to the development of the policies and practice of the school.

●      Review the performance of the English department on an annual basis, using performance data and other evidence as appropriate;

●      Prepare an annual bid for curriculum and other funding and exercise proper control over the departmental budget as allocated; 

●      Liaise with the Head of Additional Support for Learning (ASL) & Library Services to ensure that the learning of pupils in English is supported by ASL and the Library. 

●      Liaise with the Deputy Headteacher (Learning & Teaching) to ensure that pupils and staff in the subject area have appropriate access to necessary digital learning resources including IT.

●      Liaise fellow Heads of Department - particularly in the social sciences - to ensure that our approach to developing literacy is shared between colleagues and embedded and developed in pupils.

●      Liaise with the Head of Additional Support for Learning and with the Heads of Guidance to ensure that the work of the Department is tailored to meet the needs of our pupils.

●      Liaise with Heads of Year to ensure that the appropriate targeted support or arrangements to support the wellbeing of individuals is provided in the Department. 

●      Contribute to enrichment provision of the Senior School by developing and implementing opportunities for pupils both in lesson time and at other times.

For full details of the main responsibilities, please refer to the job description. 

IDEAL CANDIDATE

The successful candidate will:

●      be a trained and qualified graduate teacher of English eligible for registration with the General Teaching Council for Scotland;

●      be an outstanding and confident teacher of English who is able to demonstrate the very highest standards of teaching English in secondary schools;

●      lead an engaging and challenging English curriculum that enables all pupil to enjoy the subject and achieve at the highest level;

●      be flexible and imaginative in developing new ideas and resources, as well as adapting to curriculum changes and strategic priorities;

●      have excellent leadership, interpersonal and communication skills and be able to work with colleagues from different disciplines and across both Junior and Senior Schools, as well as partners from the wider community;

●      have the strong organisational skills necessary to lead a successful department in a high profile school.