Head of Psychology
Barnard Castle School
Barnard Castle
- Expired
- Salary:
- Dependant on experience
- Job type:
- Full Time, Permanent
- Start date:
- September 2022
- Apply by:
- 6 June 2022
Job overview
An inspirational Teacher of Psychology is required to lead the department from September 2022. Strong academic credentials are needed; and a good honours degree in Psychology is essential. This post would suit an ambitious newly qualified teacher or someone with classroom experience.
Job Title: HEAD OF PSYCHOLOGY
Reporting to: DEPUTY HEAD (ACADEMIC)
Purpose
Psychology is a popular A Level subject at Barnard Castle School with two classes in both Year 12 and Year 13. A third of students have chosen to study psychology in Year 12 and most continue with the subject for the full two years. Each year some students opt to take an EPQ (Extended Project Qualification) in a topic related to Psychology and a handful of students go on to study Psychology at university.
The successful candidate will have the ability to teach Psychology throughout the Sixth Form, ensuring the subject is delivered in an engaging and thought-provoking manner. They will also be responsible for managing the department and its extra-curricular offerings. The candidate should have a keen interest in developing the quality of Teaching and Learning to ensure all students make excellent progress and achieve to the best of their ability. Knowledge and experience of the Edexcel syllabus would also be preferable.
Overall expectation
As with any teaching position, the wellbeing and safeguarding of pupils must be kept as the very highest priority at all times. The overall expectations for a Head of Department are:
1. To set the strategic direction for the development of the Department.
2. To promote the study of the subject among pupils, aiming to foster and embed a
culture of joyful, intellectual enquiry.
3. To lead and promote excellent teaching and learning throughout the Department.
Key Areas of Responsibility
Strategic Direction and Development
• To establish and promote departmental policies, in line with whole school policies on
such areas as teaching, differentiation, independent learning, gifted and talented,
assessment and prep.
• To keep the Departmental Handbook under review and to ensure that an up to date
copy is available at the start of each academic year.
• To complete the departmental review of external exam results annually and report to
SMT/Governors.
• To establish development plans for the subject and to monitor and evaluate progress in
achieving them.
• To establish a clear, shared understanding of the importance and role of the subject in
contributing to pupils’ spiritual, moral, social and cultural development.
• To communicate and co-operate with other departments, including the sharing of
good practice.
• To keep abreast of academic developments in the subject area.
• To attend and contribute to Heads of Department and other meetings as required, for
example Sixth Form Information Evenings.
Teaching and Learning
• To establish and maintain the highest standards for teaching and learning within the
department.
• To coordinate and undertake mutual lesson observations beyond the Department.
• To coordinate and undertake regular work scrutiny exercises within the Department.
• To keep schemes of work under review.
• To analyse examination results and to review teaching and learning in the light of those
results.
• To encourage innovative and imaginative curriculum work.
• To coordinate the setting and marking of internal examination papers
• To ensure that the department offers enrichment activities for those particularly able,
gifted and talented and/or interested in the subject.
Efficient and Effective Deployment of Resources
• To produce timetable requirements in consultation with the Timetabler and Deputy
Head (Academic).
• To prepare the annual budget and run the department within its means.
• To ensure that rooms, furniture, equipment, wall displays, etc. are maintained to a high
standard in order to create an effective, attractive and stimulating environment.
• To oversee the issue and return of books etc. to pupils, maintaining stock
appropriately.
• To liaise with the Librarian over book orders and Library requirements for the subject.
Leading and Managing
• To advise the Deputy Head (Academic) of departmental training needs.
• To help colleagues, where appropriate, in the development of classroom management
strategies.
• To keep a record of any complaints that are received from pupils or parents and to
investigate and, when appropriate, to act upon these in consultation with one of the
Deputy Heads.
• To keep clear records of all pupils, including internal assessments, examinations and
external examination results.
• To provide accurate and timely entries for external exams to the Exams Officer.
• To attend GCSE and Sixth Form Results Days in August to provide advice to candidates
and parents.
• To advise the Headmaster on the appointment of new staff.
The duties set out in this document are not intended to be exhaustive, and the Head of Department may be required to carry out such other duties as the Headmaster may reasonably require from time to time.
Recruitment Process
Barney Application Process:
If you feel that you can meet the above requirements, then please submit a letter of application along with the Barnard Castle School application form to the Headmaster. Only applications containing the requested information will be considered.
Closing date: Monday 6th June at 9.00 am
Interviews: Week commencing 13th June
I
Attached documents
About Barnard Castle School
- Barnard Castle School
- Barnard Castle, Barnard Castle
- County Durham
- DL12 8UN
- United Kingdom
'When you are steeped in little things, you shall safely attempt great things'
This motto perfectly sums up what Barnard Castle School, or 'Barney' as it is affectionately known, aims to do in preparing its students for life beyond its doors. Through creating an inspirational, compassionate and unpretentious environment, Barney aims to develop young adults with character. Young adults who are confident, resilient, curious, tolerant and driven, with an undercurrent of humility, who are prepared to live, embrace and lead in an ever-changing world.
‘Parvis imbutus tentabis grandia tutus’.
Barnard Castle is a boarding and day school for boys and girls between the ages of 4 and 18.
Organisation and Numbers.
There are 500 pupils aged 11–18 in the Senior School, of whom 140 are boarders. The Preparatory School comprises 190 pupils between the ages of 4 and 11. The Senior and Preparatory Schools are located on adjacent sites and operate separately on a day-to-day basis whilst enjoying the mutual benefits of being able to share a number of resources and facilities.
Location.
The School is situated in its own extensive grounds on the outskirts of an historic market town in an area of outstanding natural beauty. The area is well served by Durham Tees Valley, Leeds-Bradford and Newcastle airports and by Darlington railway station. The School also operates its own bus service for pupils from a wide area.
Curriculum.
This is designed to provide a broad, balanced and flexible programme, avoiding undue specialisation at too early a stage. In the Prep School emphasis is given to literacy and numeracy skills, as well as Science, History, Geography, French (from age 8), Religious Education, Technology, Art, Music, Information Technology, Physical Education (including swimming) and Games. These subjects are developed further in the Senior School, with the addition of Latin or Classical Civilisation, Personal, Social and Health Education, and three separate sciences. German or Spanish is added at age 14, whilst Business Studies increases the list of GCSE options at age 15. There are some twenty A or AS Level subjects which give a wide choice in the Sixth Form. Almost all Sixth Form leavers go on to University or College courses. A Learning Support Department provides specialist help for those who need it in both the Preparatory and Senior Schools, and tuition is offered in English as a Second Language.
Boarding and Day Houses.
There are eight single-sex Houses within the Senior School – three boarding and five day – each small enough for pupils to know each other well, but large enough to allow a mixture of interests, backgrounds and abilities, as well as opportunities for leadership. Housemasters and Housemistresses, each supported by a team of Tutors and Assistants, are responsible for the welfare and progress of each pupil in their charge.
Junior Boarders (boys and girls aged 7–13) and Senior Girl Boarders live in their own modern Houses in the School grounds, alongside their Houseparents, Boarding Tutors and Matrons. The two Senior Boys’ Boarding Houses have recently undergone a major programme of restructuring and refurbishment, and offer comfortable accommodation within the main building of the School. The resident Housemasters are supported by resident boarding tutors and matrons, and by the School Sister in the School’s Medical Centre. The School Doctor visits daily.
Cultural and other activities.
The School has a flourishing music department in which the Chapel Choir, Orchestras, Wind and Jazz Bands and smaller ensembles perform regularly.
Drama is also prominent, with a regular programme of productions taking place throughout the year. There is a strong tradition of after-school activities, which enables both day and boarding pupils to take part in a wide range of clubs and societies.
Games.
Rugby, Hockey, Netball, Cricket, Athletics, Squash, Cross-Country Running, Tennis and Swimming are the main sports, and other options such as soccer, badminton, basketball and golf are available. The School has extensive playing fields, a modern Sports Hall, squash and tennis courts, and a heated indoor swimming pool. A full-size, floodlit "astroturf-style" pitch is available for all to use. Regular inter-school matches are arranged at all levels.
Outdoor Activities.
There is a strong emphasis on providing instruction, opportunity and challenge in a wide range of outdoor activities. Much of this takes place under the auspices of a flourishing Cadet Force (Army and RAF sections) or the Duke of Edinburgh’s Gold and Silver Award Schemes.
Careers.
The School works closely with the Durham County Careers Service. There is a well-equipped Careers Room, and a team of careers staff work together with the Higher Education Coordinator to provide pupils at all stages of the School with expert advice and help in decision-making and application procedures.
Admission.
Pupils are admitted at all stages via the School’s own Entrance Assessments. There is also direct entry into the Sixth Form subject to satisfactory performance at GCSE level.
Scholarships and assisted places.
The School makes Entrance Awards on entry to the Senior School (including at Sixth Form level). In addition to academic awards, these may include awards for musical, artistic and sporting ability and potential. The School is also able to offer a small number of its own means-tested assisted places for able children whose parents would not otherwise be able to send them.
Charitable status.
Barnard Castle School is a Registered Charity, number 1125375, whose aim is the education of boys and girls.
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