Head of English (Full Time Permanent)

Job Title: Head of Department – English

Job Purposes:

To raise standards of pupil attainment and achievement within the whole curriculum area and to monitor and support pupil progress.

To be accountable for pupil progress and development within the subject area.

To develop and enhance the teaching practice of others.

To ensure the provision of an appropriately broad, balanced, relevant and differentiated curriculum for pupils studying in the department, in accordance with the aims of the school and the curricular policies determined by the Board of Governors and the Principal.

To be accountable for leading, managing and developing the subject/curriculum area.

To manage, deploy, guide and evaluate teaching/support staff, financial and physical resources within the department effectively to support the department development plan.

To represent St Patrick’s Grammar School on the Area Learning Community English/Literacy sub-group

Responsible to: The designated Vice Principal and the Principal

Liaising with: HoDs, support services and providers, outside agencies

Objectives:

1. To ensure that the School Vision Statement is reflected in the English Policy and in the delivery of the subjects throughout the School.
2. To monitor departmental practices in order to raise standards.
3. To support and monitor staff development for the mutual benefit of individuals and the School.
4. To disseminate information and carry out administrative tasks.
5. To initiate and develop all work within a self-evaluative approach.

Major Responsibility Areas:

A Delivery of curriculum

B Provision, management and efficient use of resources

C Team Leadership & Staff development

D Communication and administration

E Raising Standards

Key Tasks

A1. Ensure that the School Homework Policy is implemented throughout English subjects.

A2. Ensure that English subject schemes are reviewed annually in consultation with subject teachers and that they are revised as necessary.

A3. Work closely with the School Curriculum VP/Team on the format of a Departmental Handbook which includes schemes and opportunities for cross-curricular work. Ensure that the Principal /Vice Principal has up to date copies of the Handbook and schemes.

A4. Develop and resource broad and balanced Programmes of Study and schemes of work at Key Stage III and IV which are accessible to all students.

A5. Develop and resource post 16 provision, where appropriate.

A6. Develop and manage an appropriate process of assessment to enable all students to demonstrate their knowledge and understanding of the subject(s).

A7. In conjunction with other members of the subject areas and curriculum team, decide the appropriate examination, or level of examination, for which Year 11/12 and 13/14 students should be entered.

A8. Be a participating member of the Head of Department Forum.

A9. Develop PiXL strategies to support raising standards and development of English.

B1. Complete an annual requisition (with department budget) and ensure that all teachers have the necessary resources to fully deliver the Programmes of Study as detailed in the Schemes of Work.

B2. Advise Principal on the employment of teachers within the subject area.

B3. Ensure that the School Library is stocked with books, relevant to the subject, to suit a wide range of abilities and interests.

B4. Maintain an inventory in the subject area.

B5. Arrange ‘cover’ work for students who are sick, suspended, in detention or otherwise absent.

B6. Provide ‘cover’ work for the classes of absent departmental teachers.

C1. Lead effectively the English staff team.

C2. Ensure that all members of the subject areas are kept up to date with new trends/innovations in the subject.

C3. Ensure all subject teachers including post-holder, have opportunities through appropriate INSET to develop professional knowledge/skills.

C4. To provide support/monitoring/assessment for any student teachers in the department.

C5. To undertake supportive observation of teachers in department if requested

C6. Allow any School teachers to observe your teaching, if requested and agreed.

C7. Act as a reviewer in the PRSD process for the department.

C8. Provide advice, support and encouragement to subject teachers, both specialist and non-specialist in particular beginning teachers and early professional development teachers, in the delivery of the Programmes of Study according to the School ethos and subject policy.

C9. Hold regular departmental meetings and ensure that all staff have opportunities to contribute fully to the development of all aspects of subject policy and keep all staff informed. (copy to vice-Principal)

C10. Guide students and homes at key transition times; year 10 and year 12 subject options.

C11. Represent the school on the Armagh Learning Community English/Literacy sub-group

C14. Co-ordinate the work of staff leading our English provision

D1. Liaise with Principal and SMT to ensure the implementation of School policies and procedures as they apply to the subject(s).

D2. Ensure examination papers/assessments are complete, correct and in place, with the SMT, on the appointed date before the students sit the examination.

D3. Keep the subject policies under continual review; set appropriate targets for the achievement of agreed aims; delegate tasks to members of the subject area; revise policy as necessary.

D4. Liaise with Education Authority staff and outside agencies on the development of subject policies and procedures.

D5. Liaise with School time-tabler with regard to the allocation of time to the subject(s) and the allocation of teachers to classes.

D6. Provide parents, Principal, teaching staff and BOG information of the work in the subject area as required, including Option Choice booklets.

D7. Review students with particular needs and report these to the relevant person e.g. Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator.

D8. To take appropriate responsibility for implementation of Health and Safety Policy as outlined in the School Health and Safety Policy.

D9. Arrange ‘cover’ work when department staff have unplanned absence.

D10. Conduct an annual review of the department.

D12. Organise displays of students’ work for Open Days and Parents’ Evenings.

D13. Facilitate visiting speakers

E1. Ensure all departmental team understand baseline data – CATs, PTE, PTM, etc.

E2. Incorporate baseline data into individual and class planning.

E3. Use all relevant data when target setting for students.

E5. Review targets set throughout the year in line with the school assessment and tracking.

E6. Use the school proforma for examination target setting to set aspirational targets for each student.

E7. Undertake evaluative practices to monitor teaching and learning, including student feedback.

E8. Liaise with PiXL and other external bodies for resources and strategies to raise standards.

E9. Review and Evaluate the quality of teaching & learning in your subject(s)

Targets:

A. Policy/action plan - reviewed end of June

B. Schemes - overview end August, Schemes by Halloween

C. Insert for KSIV choice booklet at end of October

D. Student displays for Open Day January

E. Select additional books for library February

F. Requisitions for end of May

G. Inventory for subject area resources completed June#

Review of Targets

A. Prepare an Annual Action Plan.

B. Contribute to School development and action plans.

C. Review progress at the end of term and end of year.

Evaluation:

Evaluate responsibilities and job description with suggestions for improvements at end of year. All job descriptions are subject to amendment, with consultation, to meet the needs of the School.

All job descriptions are subject to amendment, with consultation to meet the needs of the School.