Head of Science

The Forest Academy

Head of Science 

Salary: MPS 1 – UPS 3 (Outer London values)+ TLR 1B Allowance

Required: January 2020 

Closing date: 14th October 2019

Interviews from: 16th October 2019

We are seeking to appoint a dynamic and inspirational Head of Science, who is ambitious and has a real passion for their subject. Must be able to teach across all key stages and can lead their own subject as well as leading the department by example.

Vision & Values 

‘Raise standards in education for all; we believe every young person deserves the best education possible.’

• The Forest Academy (TFA) is a part of the Beacon Multi Academy Trust, along with Beal High School, North East London Teaching Alliance (NELTA) and Beacon Business Innovation Hub (BBIH).TFA and Beal sixth forms amalgamated in September 2018. TFA is an 11-16 mixed comprehensive school, located in the north east corner of Redbridge. 

Why choose TFA?

• A small, caring and welcoming community school
• High expectations of all and where all students are entitled to consistent high quality learning experiences
• A committed and dedicated staff working hard to shape the lives of the young people who come to our school
• High quality CPD offer, through our partnerships with NELTA, Beal High School and other partnerships
• Beal High School sixth form is part co-located at TFA, thus the opportunity and expectation to teach KS5 

The Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of young people and expects all members of staff to share this commitment. The below documents must be read prior to applying for this role and will be factored into interviews: 

• Keeping Children Safe in Education 
• BMAT – Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy 

An Enhanced DBS (with list checks) is required for this post. 

Further information and an application form can be found at http://nelta.co.uk/vacancies/ 

Please forward your electronic applications to beasuccess@beaconacademytrust.co.uk 

Please note we reserve the right to close or extend this position depending on application numbers, therefore we would urge candidates to submit an application as soon as possible. 

JOB DESCRIPTION: HEAD OF SCIENCE

Purpose of the post

To provide professional leadership and management for subjects in the department to secure high quality teaching, effective use of resources and improved standards of learning and achievement for all pupils.

A Head of Department provides leadership and direction for all subjects in the department and ensure that it is managed and organised to meet the aims and objectives of the school and the subjects.  While the Principal and trustees carry overall responsibility for school improvement, a Head of Department (HOD) has responsibility for securing high standards of teaching and learning in their subjects as well as playing a major role in the development of school policy and practice.  Throughout their work a HOD ensures that practices improve the quality of education provided, meet the needs and aspirations of all pupils, and raise standards of achievement in the school.

Professional knowledge and understanding

1. Subject leaders should have knowledge and understanding of:
2. their school’s aims, priorities, targets and action plans;
3. the relationship of the subject to the curriculum as a whole;
4. any statutory curriculum requirements for the subject and the requirements for assessment, recording and reporting of pupils’ attainment and progress;
5. the characteristics of high quality teaching in the subject and the main strategies for improving and sustaining high standards of teaching, learning and achievement for all pupils;
6. how evidence from relevant research and inspection evidence and local, national and international standards of achievement in the subject can be used to inform expectations, targets and teaching approaches;
7. how to use comparative data, together with information about pupils’ prior attainment, to establish benchmarks and set targets for improvement;
8. how to develop pupils’ literacy, numeracy and information technology skills through the subject;
9. how teaching the subject can promote pupils’ spiritual, moral, social, cultural, mental and physical development;
10. management, including employment law, equal opportunities legislation, personnel, external relations, finance and change;
11. how teaching the subject can help to prepare pupils for the opportunities, responsibilities and experiences of adult life;
12. the current use and future potential of information and communications technology to aid teaching and learning of the subject, and to assist with subject management;
13. the role of school governance and how it can contribute to the work of the subject leader;
14. the implications of information and guidance documents from LA, the DfE and other national bodies and associations.
15. the implications of the Code of Practice for Special Educational Needs for teaching and learning in their subject;
16. health and safety requirements, including where to obtain expert advice.

Strategic direction and development of a subject

Within the context of the school’s aims and policies, subject leader’s development and implement subject policies, plans, targets and practices.

They:

1. develop and implement policies and practices for the subject which reflect the school’s commitment to high achievement, effective teaching and learning;
2. create a climate which enables other staff to develop and maintain positive attitudes towards the subject and confidence in teaching it;
3. establish a clear, shared understanding of the importance and role of the subject in contributing to pupils’ spiritual, moral, cultural, mental and physical development, and in preparing pupils for the opportunities, responsibilities and experiences of adult life;
4. use data effectively to identify pupils who are underachieving in the subject and, where necessary, create and implement effective plans of action to support those pupils;
5. analyse and interpret relevant national, local and school data, plus research and inspection evidence, to inform policies, practices, expectations, target and teaching methods;
6. monitor the progress in achieving subject plans and targets, evaluate the effects on teaching and learning, and use this analysis to guide further improvement.
7. establish, with the involvement of relevant staff, short, medium and long term plans for the development and resourcing of the subject, which:

• contribute to whole-school aims, policies and practices, including those in relation to behaviour, discipline, bullying and racial harassment;
• are based on a range of comparative information and evidence, including in relation to the attainment of pupils;
• identify realistic and challenging targets for improvement in the subject;
• are understood by all those involved in putting the plans into practice;
• are clear about action to be take, timescales and criteria for success;

FOR FULL LIST OF DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES PLEASE SEE ATTACHED JD.