Head of Spanish

Principal Accountabilities

1.     to be accountable for leading, managing and developing Spanish within the school;

2.     to be accountable for student progress so that each individual student achieves their optimum level in Spanish and ensuring that effective strategies are in place to further raise standards of student attainment and achievement;

3.     to ensure the provision of an appropriately broad, balanced, relevant and differentiated curriculum for students studying within the department, in accordance with the aims of the school and the curricular policies determined by the Governing Body and the Headteacher;

4.     to ensure the effective management and deployment of teaching/support staff, financial and physical resources within the department;

5.     to ensure the development and enhancement of the teaching practice of others;

6.     to ensure that Health and Safety procedures are adhered to at all times by all members of the department;

7.     to play a full part in the life of the school community, to support its distinctive vision and ethos and to encourage and ensure staff and students follow this example.

TEACHING, LEARNING AND STANDARDS

The main accountabilities are to:

„ working with the TLR holders within the department, lead curriculum development and assessment ensuring that courses provide a broad, balanced, relevant and differentiated curriculum;

„ ensure the production, evaluation and revision of schemes of work and subject syllabuses to meet the needs of individual students;

„ use attainment data provided by the school to monitor the progress of students taught ensuring that effective use is made of the data to set targets for achievement in Spanish;

„ monitor the progress of students and identify underachievement ensuring programmes of support are in place to maximise the potential of all students;

„ monitor the progress and attainment of gifted students to ensure they are ‘challenged’ in all aspects of their work;

„ ensure that individual learning targets are set for all students;

„ ensure that classroom expectations are enforced and that the school’s ‘Behaviour for Learning Policy’ is implemented;

„ ensure adherence to the school’s Homework Policy and Feedback Policy by all teachers in the department;

„ monitor and evaluate teaching and learning in accordance with the school policy, including lesson observation, scrutiny of student work and quality of marking;

„ liaise with the SENDCo to ensure access and equality of opportunity for all students

2            IMPROVEMENT PLANNING, MONITORING AND EVALUATION

The main accountabilities are to:

„ actively promote the school’s aims and values;

„ prepare an annual department improvement plan and staff development plan for the department in accordance with the school planning cycle and taking into account the school’s Strategic Plan and School Improvement Plan;

„ provide a termly performance report for the Headteacher;

„ meet regularly with the Link Governor for Spanish; - chair department meetings and attend TLR meetings in accordance with the published schedule;

„ actively contribute to the school’s procedure for self-evaluation;

„ take part, as required, in the review, development and management of activities relating to the curriculum, organisation and pastoral functions of the school.

3            LEADING AND MANAGING STAFF

The main accountabilities are to:

„ lead, manage and coordinate the work of the Spanish Department and encourage the process of team building;

„ allocate teachers to teaching groups and manage staff in the department;

„ monitor staff absence within the department and provide appropriate support and guidance;

„ oversee and support the professional conduct of the staff in the department. Monitor and advise staff on appropriate professional conduct;

„ induct new staff to the department including newly qualified teachers in accordance with school policy and oversee the work of initial teacher trainees as appropriate;

„ represent department views through attendance at appropriate meetings and provide feedback;

„ meet formally with the link SLT member according to schedule;

„ ensure the school’s ‘Appraising Teacher Performance Policy’ is implemented for all department staff;

„ participate in relevant courses related to the role of Head of Spanish and keep abreast of current or new developments in the subject and the curriculum;

„ actively encourage and assist members of the department team in their own professional development, recognising their training needs;

„ organise, chair and arrange for the recording of meetings of the department team according to the agreed school schedule. Ensure that minutes of meetings are circulated to team members and the SLT link member; - participate in the selection and appointment of teaching and support staff to the department and to contribute to references for staff;

„ ensure that quality cover work is provided for classes when staff are absent and support the work of Cover Supervisors/cover teachers within the department;

„ ensure that school policies are implemented by all staff within the department.

4            EFFICIENT AND EFFECTIVE DEPLOYMENT OF RESOURCES

The main accountabilities are to:

„ oversee ordering, maintenance and accountability for the teaching and learning resources within the department;

„ ensure the care of rooms and other spaces, including furnishings and fittings in the department;

„ ensure the school’s Health and Safety policy is implemented and monitored in the department, including appropriate risk assessments when necessary;

„ ensure all classrooms and corridors in the vicinity of and relating to the Spanish Department have inspiring displays of material including students’ work which is regularly updated;

„ manage the department budget effectively;

„ maintain and regularly update the department inventory of equipment and audit on an annual basis.

 5           OTHER ACCOUNTABILITIES ARE TO:

„ play an active role in school life;

„ share the responsibility with other managers for the maintenance of a learning environment and the well-being of students throughout the day and at the end of the school day, for example bus duty.

„ This post is subject to the current conditions of employment for Teachers contained in the School Teachers’ Pay and Conditions document and other current legislation

The post holder is required to support and encourage the school’s mission and FCJ ethos and carry out all duties in the context of and in compliance with the school’s policies and procedures as agreed by the Governing Body as well as in line with the current Health and Safety legislation.