Secondary Head of Department - Design

Design is an International Baccalaureate (IB) Middle Years Programme (MYP) course. From the IB subject brief (2014): “Design, and the resultant development of new technologies, has given rise to profound changes in society, transforming how we access and process information, adapt our environment, communicate with others, solve problems, work and live. MYP design challenges students to apply practical and creative-thinking skills to solve design problems ... and raises students’ awareness of their responsibilities when making design decisions and taking action”.

Job Summary

The Head of Department is responsible for the leadership of teaching, learning and relevant resources for Design in the Secondary school.  As such, the Head of Department leads and oversees the learning and progress for all students within this subject. The Head of Department leads the professional growth and development of a team of teachers for Design. The Head Of Department is a member of the Secondary Head of Department Team and is, accordingly, responsible for positively supporting school change as outlined in the school’s strategic plan.

A Head of Department in the Secondary School needs to demonstrate a strong commitment to the school’s shared cultural competencies, such as maintaining a collaborative ethos within the school. In addition he/she needs to embody an understanding of the social and emotional dimensions of learning as evidenced through their practice.

Responsibilities

• Supporting the development of a learner-centred approach to Design teaching.
• Working with teachers, IB Coordinators and the Secondary Principal to implement a whole school philosophy and vision for Design.
• Initiating and overseeing curriculum development in Design.
• Teaching Design as a curriculum subject (and fulfilling relevant responsibilities of the relevant teaching role’s job description)
• Keeping up-to-date with current theory regarding high-impact pedagogies for Design.
• Monitoring assessment across Grade Levels for accuracy, consistency and appropriate connections to the written and taught curriculum.
• Supporting teachers in communications with parents and students.
• Assisting members of the Design team in promoting positive student behaviours.
• Modelling best practice in teaching and learning, and a highly collaborative approach to team-planning.
• Attending and contributing to Head of Department meetings and developing concepts from these meetings with teachers in his/her team.
• Leading departmental meetings.
• Involving all team members in the school’s strategic plan and the team’s associated priorities.
• Overseeing the calendar of Design curricular events.
• Coordinating with the Principals, Head of School and other leadership positions regarding the whole school calendar when planning Design events.
• Planning and overseeing the Design budget.
• Mentoring teachers in their professional development.
• Overseeing development of facilities and resources for Design.
• Overseeing and initiating virtual learning platforms for Design.
• In consultation with the Senior Leadership Team, seeking and acting upon means of promoting Design to the ICS community, both within and outside of the school.
• Communicating with the Communications team regarding curricular and extracurricular Design events for the ICS website, bulletin, newsletter, yearbook and other key communications.

Education/Experience/Requirements

• Experience of the effective leadership of a curriculum-based team of teachers and of successfully leading the learning of Design for all students across a school.
• Bachelor’s degree.
• Current classroom teacher qualification to teach Design.
• Minimum 4 years recent and relevant Secondary School classroom experience.
• Excellent English communication skills.
• Competence in using technology for both learning and information management purposes.
• Strong organisational skills.
• A specialist, up-to-date knowledge of Design pedagogy.
• Ideally, a strong understanding of IB Middle Years and IB Diploma programmes.
• A comprehensive understanding of effective teaching and assessment strategies.
• Practical knowledge of contemporary leadership practice.

Terms and conditions

The initial contract is for two years and is renewable. The generous salary and range of benefits will be commensurate with the qualifications and experience of the successful candidate, with the overall package reflecting the importance of the position.

Next steps

Interested candidates should email a full letter of application, a statement of personal educational philosophy, detailed resume/curriculum vitae, and three referees. The Head of School reserves the right to apply directly to the writers of open testimonials for confidential statements.

Applications should be addressed to:

Ms Mary-Lyn Campbell,

Head of School

We are looking forward to receiving your online application.