Head of Religious Studies

Part-Time 0.7 Maternity

United Learning

Princess Helen College is part of United Learning, a large, and growing, group of schools aiming to offer a life changing education to children and young people across England.

Our schools work as a team and achieve more by sharing than any single school could. Our subject specialists, our Group-wide intranet, our own curriculum and our online learning portal all help us share knowledge and resource, helping to simplify work processes and manage workloads for an improved work-life balance.

As a Group, we can reward our staff better: with good career opportunities, better pay, benefits, and ultimately, the satisfaction of helping children to succeed. We invest in our staff wellbeing. Our academies each have at least eight INSET days per year (with three of those solely dedicated to planning), and an ongoing group-wide wellbeing programme. It's an ethos we call ‘the best in everyone’.

Accountable to: Headmistress

Core Purpose

To provide effective leadership and management and thereby build and maintain an effective teaching team which continually enhances the quality of learning and achievement.

Reports to: Head of Faculty

Principle Duties and Responsibilities

Teaching & Learning

• To manage student learning through effective teaching in accordance with the Department’s schemes of work and policies.
• To ensure continuity, progression and cohesiveness in all teaching.
• To use a variety of methods and approaches (including differentiation) to match curricular objectives and the range of student needs and ensure equal opportunity for all students.
• To set homework regularly, (in accordance with the School homework policy), to consolidate and extend learning and to encourage students to take responsibility for their own learning.
• To work with SEN, EAL and support staff (including prior discussion and joint planning) in order to benefit from their specialist knowledge and to maximise their effectiveness within lessons.
• To work effectively as a member of the Department team to improve the quality of teaching and learning.
• To set high expectations for all students, to deepen their knowledge and understanding and to maximise their achievement.
• To use positive management of behaviour in an environment of mutual respect which allows students to feel safe and secure and promotes their self-esteem.

Monitoring, Assessment, Recording, Reporting, and Accountability

• To be immediately responsible for the processes of identification, assessment, recording and reporting for the students in their charge.
• To contribute towards the implementation of “Assess Plan Do Review” as detailed in the current Code of Practice particularly the planning and recording of appropriate actions and outcomes related to set targets.
• To assess students’ work systematically and use the results to inform future planning, teaching and curricular development.
• To be familiar with statutory assessment and reporting procedures and to prepare and present informative, helpful and accurate reports to parents.
• Keep an accurate register of students for each lesson.  Unexplained absences or patterns of absence should be reported immediately in accordance with the School policy.

Subject Knowledge & Understanding

• To have a thorough and up-to-date knowledge and understanding of programmes of study, level descriptors and specifications for examination courses at KS3, KS4 and KS5.
• To keep up to date with research and developments in pedagogy and the subject area.

Professional Standards & Development

• To be a role model to students through personal presentation and professional conduct.
• To arrive in class, on or before the start of the lesson, and to begin and end lessons on time.
• To cover for absent colleagues as is reasonable, fair and equitable.
• To co-operate with the employer in all matters concerning Health and Safety and specifically to take reasonable care of their own Health & Safety, and that of any other persons who may be affected by their acts or omissions at work.
• To be familiar with the School and Department handbooks and support all the School’s policies.
• To establish effective working relationships with professional colleagues and associate staff.
• To strive for personal and professional development through active involvement in the School’s appraisal system and performance management procedures.
• To be involved in extra-curricular activities such as contributing to lunch time and or after-school clubs and visits.
• To maintain a working knowledge and understanding of teachers’ professional duties as set out in the current School Teachers’ Pay and Conditions document, and teachers’ legal liabilities and responsibilities relating to all current legislation, including the role of the education service in protecting children.
• To liaise effectively with parent/carers and with other agencies with responsibility for students’ education and welfare.
• To undertake any reasonable task as directed by the Head of Department and SLT.
• To be aware of the role of the Governing Body of the School and to support it in performing its duties.
• To be familiar with and implement the relevant requirements of the current SEN Code of Practice.
• To consider the needs of all students within lessons (and to implement specialist advice) especially those who:
• have SEN;
• are gifted and talented;
• are not yet fluent in English.
• To uphold the school’s core values.

Pastoral

• Build and maintain positive and constructive relationships with the students, get to know each of them individually and be aware of their particular circumstances, needs, strengths and possible vulnerabilities, and provide them with the best possible care and support at all times;
• Be alert to any signs of unhappiness or indications that a student may be experiencing difficulties; be available to listen, talk and support students with any emotional or social issues they may have; and liaise with other relevant staff (such as the School’s Designated Safeguarding Lead, the student’s Form Teacher, the School Counsellor, the Assistant Head, Pastoral, or Head) as appropriate;
• Be alert to any tensions or signs of bullying, including cyberbullying, and, in the event that these issues should arise, deal with them promptly in line with the school’s anti-bullying and behaviour policies;
• Facilitate contact between students and their parents/guardian where requested, including allowing privacy where requested;
• As a member of staff with pastoral responsibilities, attend meetings with other staff and as necessary also with parents / guardians as well as attending training events, both in and out of school, as appropriate;
• Remain current and effective with First Aid training.

Regulations, Safeguarding and Compliance

• Be aware of all relevant school policies, in particular the school’s policy for Safeguarding;
• Be aware of, and familiar with, the provisions of the most up to date version of the DfE document 
• Keeping Children Safe in Education;
• Keep abreast of periodic updates in these policies and regulations, undertake training as necessary.

To Apply

Please apply online by clicking on the following link https://unitedlearning.current-vacancies.com/Jobs/Advert/2010628?cid=1567&rsid=0&js=0&LinkType=1&FromSearch=False

Closing Date: 9 October 2020
Interviews: Week commencing 12 October 2020

Where teaching is better shared

United Learning comprises: UCST (Registered in England No: 2780748. Charity No. 1016538) and ULT (Registered in England No. 4439859. An Exempt Charity). Companies limited by guarantee. VAT number 834 8515 12. Registered address: United Learning, Worldwide House, Thorpe Wood, Peterborough, PE3 6SB.