Head of Grade

The start date for this post is July 2023.

Job Description: Head of Grade 

Commencement: July 2023 (Open to later start in August / September)

Responsible to: Vice-Principal (Wellbeing & Achievement), Vice-Principal (Senior Sch) 

School section: Wellbeing & Achievement

Responsibility Allowance Level: 3

Management time allowance: 4 lessons per week

Please Note: We are also advertising for the following posts for July 2023:

• Teacher of English
• Teacher of Religious Education
• 
  

Other than the above, the ability to teach Theory of Knowledge or Science or Psychology or Art or Design & Technology would be an advantage.

Main Working Relationships: 

Vice-Principal (Senior School), Vice-Principal (Wellbeing & Achievement), Assistant-Principal (Student Support), fellow Head of Grades, Tutors, Teachers, Students and Parents.

Overall Purpose of this Post:

To support all students to make appropriate personal and academic progress based on an individualised approach to holistic education. 

Under the general direction of the Vice-Principal (Senior School) and the Vice-Principal (Wellbeing & Achievement), the Head of Grade has responsibility for the pastoral care and progress of students within the four pillars of learning at SJI International – the academic programme, service, co-curricular activities and outdoor education. 

Duties:

The duties outlined in this job description are in addition to those expected of a Classroom Teacher. It may be modified by the Principal, with your agreement, to reflect or anticipate changes in the job, commensurate with the salary and job title.

Staff Management

1. Lead a team of Tutors and chair team meetings.
2. Support the professional development of Tutors through the Performance Management process.
3. Review and develop the quality of pastoral care delivered by the team.
4. Ensure that Tutors facilitate effective Tutor Group and Enrichment Period sessions.
5. Update Tutors of changes to school policy.
6. Liaise with subject leaders (HODs/HOFs) to develop learning and student outcomes.
7. Be involved in decision making and policy development across the school. 
8. Co – Lead expeditions in grades 7 to 9 or 10 to 12

Student Progress

1. Manage the Grade’s reporting process.  Supervise the team of Tutors in the production of reports ensuring that deadlines are met and that the reports are of requisite quality.  
2. Monitor the academic progress of individual students by reviewing student reports and data, and following up, where required, with students, parents and teachers.
3. Monitor the participation and engagement of students within their Enrichment Programme, and ensure expectations are met with regards to commitment to Service, CCA and Outdoor Education
4. Take part in and lead organisation of Parent/Teacher Consultation evenings, and organise parent/guardian meetings and case conferences with appropriate personnel as required.
5. Ensure effective transitions between one stage of school life and the next. This may include the Elementary to High School transition / Selection of IGCSE subjects / Selection of IBDP subjects. 
6. In conjunction with the Vice-Principal (Senior School) and the Vice-Principal (Wellbeing & Achievement), organise the Orientation Programme for the relevant grade.   Develop an Induction Programme for new students who arrive late, ensuring the best possible integration into the student body.
7. Communicate specific student needs to all members of staff, as appropriate (including specific Learning Development needs, health issues etc).
8. Write and research references as requested.
9. Oversee the organisation of regular Grade assemblies, liaising with Well-being Co-ordinator as necessary.
10. Plan the Enrichment Programme and 1 to 1 meeting schedule for the academic year.

Student Welfare

1. Get to know all students in the year group as well as possible. 
2. Regularly communicate with parents/guardians of students in the year group, and develop positive working relationships with the Parent Support Group (Meeting regularly with the PSG).
3. Refer students to Assistant-Principal (Student Support) when there is a need for counselling.
4. Work collegiately with the Learning Support Department, particularly regarding students with social, emotional and behavioural difficulties (hold regular Support Service Meetings).

Attendance

1. Promote and celebrate good attendance and punctuality.
2. Ensure that Tutors register effectively, and that they intervene with students/parents when absence within the Tutor Group becomes a concern.
3. Monitor Grade attendance and punctuality, and develop intervention strategies to address any problems identified.
4. Liaise with Vice-Principal (Senior School) and the Vice-Principal (Wellbeing & Achievement) concerning intervention for persistent absentees.

Student Behaviour and Engagement

1. Celebrate and recognise achievement within the year group, and organise celebratory assemblies or share information in newsletters etc.
2. Reinforce all aspects of the Behaviour for Learning Policy. In particular liaise with the Vice-Principal (Senior School), the Vice-Principal (Wellbeing & Achievement) and Tutors to ensure that high standards of behaviour and uniform are maintained, and oversee records of behavioural issues using SIMs. 
3. Implement monitoring arrangements of our most vulnerable students or those with a high frequency of behavioural issues (such as Report Cards or PSP).
4. Keep parents/guardians informed about any issues involving their child (positive or negative).
5. Support and oversee CAS (Grade 7/8) and NYAA (Grade 9) FCAS (Grade 10) Challenge Week (Grade 11) .
6. Provide opportunities for positive interaction within the Grade for example end of term socials.

Other duties and responsibilities

Be a positive professional role model.

1. Set high expectations.
2. Show diligence in resource allocation and deployment.
3. Show due care in Risk Assessment and Health & Safety procedures.
4. Promote cohesion and collegiality in the pastoral team.

Teaching and additional expectations as per normal expectations of a Teacher.

Please visit our website https://www.sji-international.com.sg/about/employment for more details.

Application Process

All applications for this position must be submitted through Schrole or APLi (for Search Associates Candidates). The links can be found on our Employment Page .

Candidates will be required to submit a letter of application (2 pages maximum) and an up-to-date Curriculum Vitae. You will also need to include the names and contact details of at least three referees (professional referees who have line managed you), one of which must be the Head of your current school (if this is not possible, please explain reason in your letter of application). Interviews will take place by Skype or in Singapore shortly after this date.