Head of Humanities

HEAD OF HUMANITIES

REPORTS TO: The Head of Senior School

THE ROLE

1 General Role Description:

The post of Head of Humanities is an important key middle leadership position.

The Head of Humanities is a team leader with responsibility for all aspects of the leadership and management of the members of the department. They should aim to inspire and to facilitate the best possible teaching and learning across the humanities subjects. They should aim to generate an enthusiasm for humanities subjects amongst teachers and pupils and to promote these subjects within the school.

Responsibilities to members of the Department

▪     To lead, train, guide and support members of the department and to oversee their career development in conjunction with the Head of Senior School, making recommendations) for appropriate in-service training.

▪     To arrange department meetings for the subject on a regular basis and to keep minutes of these meetings.

▪     To ensure that the department is aware of all school and department policies.

▪     To ensure regular and effective liaison with colleagues in the Junior School, Learning Support department, the ICT department and Library staff.

▪     To delegate departmental duties by agreement with regard to each colleague’s interests, abilities and his/her overall commitment to the school; to provide an ICT representative for the department; to provide job descriptions for positions of responsibility within the department.

▪     To agree the allocation of lessons to the department in the timetable with the Head of Senior School.

▪     To allocate the teaching of sets in the subject within the constraints of the timetable, ensuring the fair distribution of age groups and ability groups.

▪     To induct new staff, within the school’s policy, and monitor their progress in liaison with the Head of the Senior School and Director of Studies.

▪     To arrange mentors for PGCE and early career teachers when they are attached to the department and to work in liaison with the member of staff i/c trainees and ECTs.

▪     To arrange lesson cover work for absent colleagues if there is no prior work provided.

Responsibilities to the Pupils

▪     To provide the best possible educational experience both in and out of the classroom, for pupils of all abilities and at all levels in the school.

▪     To ensure the provision of the highest quality teaching and of access to a range of activities as outlined in the scheme of work.

▪     To ensure pupils are well informed as to option choices, in particular with reference to potential university entrance requirements.

  Responsibilities

▪     To generate and review a development plan for the subject within the school’s general educational policy, and to work in close liaison with the Head of Senior School and Director of Studies.

▪     To inform the Head of Senior School of successes arising from the work of pupils studying the subject and of any pupils posing or encountering problems.

▪     To bring forward problems of any kind arising from the teaching of the subject and to inform the Head of Senior School of any staffing matters.

▪     To advise on the performance and development of colleagues within the department

▪     To write job descriptions for appointments; to help short-list and to interview candidates for vacant posts in the department.

 Administration of the Department

(i)   Budget, Resources and Planning

▪     To prepare the annual budget request for the Bursar and Head of Senior School and to manage the department budget, in conjunction with the Finance Department.

▪     To prepare and update annually a department development handbook in accordance with the school’s guidelines.

▪     To prepare or acquire suitable resources for the teaching of the subject at all levels

▪     To maintain resources in good order and to organise and store departmental resources in a way that provides ready access to colleagues and maintain an inventory of departmental resources, as required by the Bursar.

▪     To arrange for the adequate equipping of departmental rooms where the subject is taught, in consultation with Head of Facilities and to notify the Facilities Department of any immediate repairs needed to the fabric, fixtures and fittings of these rooms.

(i)   Curriculum

▪     To prepare and maintain detailed schemes of work at all levels for use by members of the department.

▪     To establish and to maintain links with institutions and organisations outside the school, as appropriate.

2 Knowledge, Experience and Profile

Required Qualifications / Skills:

▪     A relevant degree (BA) and professional teaching qualification is essential

▪     A passion for Geography and/or History and the ability to share this with as wide a range of students as possible

▪     Excellent subject knowledge and an interest in current developments in Geography and/or History.

▪     Fluency in written and spoken English to enable effective communication with students and in working relationships

▪     Knowledge of A-level/GCSE/IGCSE curricula, their delivery and assessment is desirable

▪     The desire to put the wellbeing each student at the heart of what they do and can demonstrate how they will support the development of the school’s eight aptitudes.

▪     Excellent inter-personal skills

▪     High level of ICT competency

▪     Honesty, integrity, compassion, flexibility and a good sense of humour

▪     Strong organisational, self-management and problem-solving skills

Desirable Qualifications / Skills:

▪     Experience teaching IGCSE and A level in Geography and/or History

▪     Experience teaching IELTS and TOEFL

▪     Experience in using ICT to enrich students learning

▪     Experience teaching and mentoring EAL students

Important Note:

“Aligned with the recommendations of the International Task Force on Child Protection, we hold ourselves to a high standard of effective recruiting practices with specific attention to child protection.”

ITFCP Statement of Commitment

Wellington College China schools are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. Assessment and testing of applicants’ suitability to work with children is an integral part of the selection process.