Head of Science

You will be in tune with the ethos of the Trust and will be responsible and accountable for:

• Providing the strategic leadership and management to achieve outstanding successes for all students.

• Maintaining and/or raise standards of student attainment and achievement within the Academy and monitor and support student progress.

• Student progress and development within the subject area.

• Developing and enhancing the teaching practice of others.

• Ensuring the provision of an appropriately broad, balanced, relevant and differentiated curriculum for students studying in the subject/Faculty, in accordance with the aims of the Academy and the curricular policies.

• Leading, managing and developing the Faculty.

• Effectively managing and deploying teaching/support staff, financial and physical resources within the Faculty to support the designated curriculum portfolio.

• Monitoring and supporting the overall progress and development of students as a class tutor.

• Undertaking the professional duties of a teacher as set out in the current School Teachers’ Pay and Conditions Document (STPCD).

Responsible for:

The teaching staff and other specified personnel and for the provision of a full learning experience and effective support for students within the team and Faculty.

Liaising with: Principal, SLT, Heads of Faculty/Other Subject Leaders, Pastoral Leaders, SENDCo, Student Support Services and relevant staff with Academy responsibilities, relevant support staff, LA representatives, Link Governor, external agencies and parents/carers.

A Leadership Role is awarded for undertaking a sustained additional responsibility for the purpose of leading a Faculty to ensure the continued delivery and improvement of high quality teaching resulting in high quality learning outcomes and student progress ensuring that every child receives a good education and achieves high standards.  The role includes a significant responsibility for which there is accountability beyond that expected of all classrooms teachers and that the role:

• is focused on teaching and learning

• requires the exercise of the teacher’s professional skills and judgement

• requires the teacher to lead, manage and develop a subject or curriculum area: or to lead and manage student development across the curriculum

• has an impact on the educational progress of students other than the teachers’ assigned classes or groups of students

• involves leading, developing and enhancing the teaching practice of other staff.

Key Roles

• Strategic direction and development of the teams and Faculty

• Teaching and Learning

• Leading and managing staff

• Efficient and effective deployment of staff and resources

Policies and working documents reflecting Academy practice that teams and Faculty leaders are accountable for implementation as part of their role in ensuring the effective delivery of the national curriculum within their teams and Faculty, monitoring students’ learning and maintaining an environment where students can learn at a collective and individual level include:

• Academy Improvement Plan

• Subject Improvement Plan

• Teaching, learning and Curriculum Policy incorporating Sex Related Education

• Academy Self Evaluation Process (SEF)

• Performance Management Policy

• Assessment, Recording and Reporting Policy (ARRP)

• Behaviour Management Policy

• Work Related Learning

• Enterprise Education

• Personal, Social and Health Education

• Citizenship Learning

Strategic Direction and Development

Within the context of the Academy’s aims and policies, Heads of Faculty are accountable for development, implementation and review of subject policies, plans, targets and practices.  Heads of Faculty are expected to have the knowledge, skills and expertise to move their subject/Faculty forward.  The following identify aspects to aid strategic direction and development:

Subject Level

• Use of comparative data and national averages.

• Up to date knowledge – subject, national, pedagogy, classroom management, research and inspection findings.

• Statutory requirements.

• Use of ICT.

• Commitment to own development.

Whole Academy Level

• Contribution to whole Academy strategy and leadership.

• Contribute to development of Academy policy (e.g. the spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of students).

• Liaison with external agencies.

• Represent team views, concerns and interests.

• Support Academy ethos and policies.

• Parents/Carers.

High Standards of Teaching and Learning

Heads of Faculty are accountable for securing and sustaining effective teaching of their subject, evaluating the quality of teaching and learning and standards of students’ achievements and set targets for improvement.  The following identify aspects that will enable Heads of Faculty to carry out their role:

• Role model.

• Implementation of national strategy (e.g. pedagogy/methodology).

• Self-evaluation within and beyond own subject.

• Lesson observation.

• Ambiance/climate for learning.

• High expectations.

• Delivery of training.

• Learning styles and thinking skills.

• Use of data analysis.

• Marking and assessment.

• Reporting.

• Planning, schemes of work.

• Organisation of teaching throughout the Academy.

• Meet the needs of all students (including management of behaviour and its impact on learning).

• Intervention strategies (e.g. booster classes, use of National Strategy resources).

• Educational enhancement (e.g. trips/visits).

Student Outcomes

• Key Stage 3. • Behavioural standards.

• Key Stage 4. • Extra-curricular activities.

• Examinations/ accreditation's • Attendance and punctuality.

Leading and Managing Staff

Heads of Faculty are accountable for providing all those involved in the teaching or support of the subject with support, challenge, information and development necessary to sustain motivation and secure improvement in teaching.  The following identify aspects and prompts, (not exhaustive) incorporated within the leadership and management role:

Performance Management

Line management of team members:

• Overall performance.

• Challenging objectives and their review.

• Development that reflects Academy, departmental and individual needs and aspirations.

• Capability.

Personnel

• Effect and contribute to the strategic leadership and management of the team.

• Participation in the selection of new staff.

• Delegation where appropriate.

• Communication.

• Organisational skills.

• Support, guide and motivate team members and support staff.

• Heighten common purpose/shared vision – secure commitment with team.

• Team work.

• Chairing meetings.

• Coaching.

• Mentoring.

• Induction.

• Performance management.

• HLTAs/TAs/Support Staff/Administrative Staff.

• References.

Efficient and effective deployment of staff and resources

Heads of Faculty are accountable for identifying appropriate resources for the subject and ensuring that they are used efficiently, effectively and safely.  The following identify aspects to aid leadership and management role.

• Accommodation – ambiance conducive to learning.

• Risk assessment.

• Value for money.

• Effective deployment of staff.

• Safety