Head of English

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Head of English

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Aspen Heights British School
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Description

Secondary - Head of English Role Profile


Purpose of Role

To provide the professional leadership and management of the subject required to ensure high standards of attainment through the delivery of highly effective teaching and learning.

The Head of English is required to lead, manage and develop the department to ensure it achieves the highest possible standards of excellence in all its activities.

They are required to exercise leadership, demonstrate vision, and empower others in order to deliver the agreed departmental strategy within the school

About The School

Aspen Heights British School (AHBS) is an ambitious school based on the outskirts of Abu Dhabi. We are proud of our community ethos and our commitment to ensuring all children are provided with personalised learning experiences and the proper support to ensure they can make progress in learning in all areas, and achieve academic success.

ISP Principles

Begin with our children and students. Our children and students are at the heart of what we do. Simply, their success is our success. Wellbeing and safety are both essential for learners and learning. Therefore, we are consistent in identifying potential safeguarding and Health & Safety issues and acting and following up on all concerns appropriately.

Treat everyone with care and respect. We look after one another, embrace similarities and differences and promote the well-being of self and others.

Operate effectively. We focus relentlessly on the things that are most important and will make the most difference. We apply school policies and procedures and embody the shared ideas of our community.

Are financially responsible. We make financial choices carefully based on the needs of the children, students and our schools.

Learn continuously. Getting better is what drives us. We positively engage with personal and professional development and school improvement.

Secondary Head of English Key Responsibilities

Grade: Middle Leadership Group

Teaching allocation: 75%

Responsible to: Head of Secondary

Responsible for: Teaching staff within the subject area

STRATEGIC DIRECTION AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE SUBJECT

Within The Context Of The School's Ethos, Policies And Procedures, The Head Of English Will Develop And Implement Subject Policies, Plans, Targets And Practices To

Develop and implement procedures and practices which reflect Aspen Heights British School's commitment to high achievement, and effective teaching and learning;
Create a climate which enables other staff to develop and maintain positive attitudes towards the subject and confidence in teaching it;
Establish a clear, shared understanding of the importance and role of the department in contributing to the students' spiritual, moral and cultural development, and in preparing students for the opportunities, responsibilities and experience of adult life;
Work with the Leadership Team to establish short, medium and long-term plans for the development and resourcing of the department;
Liaise with colleagues in the secondary phase to ensure the effective transition of students into Year 7;
Monitor the progress made in achieving departmental plans and targets, evaluate the effects on teaching and learning, and in close consultation with the Leadership Team use this analysis to guide further improvement.

LEARNING AND TEACHING

Leaders of Learning secure and sustain effective teaching of the subject, evaluate the quality and standards of students' achievement and set targets for improvement to:
Monitor to ensure curriculum coverage, continuity and progression in the subject for all students including those of high ability and those with additional educational needs;
Ensure that teachers are clear about the teaching objectives in lessons, understand the sequence of teaching and learning in the subject, and communicate this information to students;
Provide guidance on the choice of appropriate teaching and learning methods to meet the needs of the department and of different students;
Ensure that curriculum delivery is maintained and that meaningful work is provided for classes when colleagues are absent;
Ensure effective development of students' literacy, numeracy and information technology skills in the subject;
Working in close consultation with the Leadership Team, establish and implement clear procedures and practices for assessing, recording and reporting on student attainment, and use this information to recognise achievement and to assist students in setting targets for future improvement;
Ensure that information about students' achievements in previous classes and schools is used effectively to secure good progress in the subject;
Establish clear targets for student achievement, and evaluate progress and achievement by all students, including those with special educational and linguistic needs;
Evaluate the teaching of the subject in the school, use this analysis to identify effective practice and areas for improvement, and take action to improve further the quality of teaching;
Ensure effective development of students' individual and collaborative study skills necessary for them to become increasingly independent in their work and to complete tasks independently when out of school;
Establish a partnership with parents to involve them in their child's learning of the subject, as well as providing information about curriculum, attainment, progress and targets;
Develop effective links with the local community, including government agencies, business and industry, in order to extend the subject curriculum, enhance teaching and to develop student's wider understanding

Demonstrate good subject and curriculum knowledge

Have a secure knowledge of the subject and curriculum areas, foster and maintain pupils' interest in the subject, and address misunderstandings
Demonstrate a critical understanding of developments in the subject and curriculum areas, and promote the value of scholarship
Demonstrate an understanding of and take responsibility for promoting high standards of literacy, articulacy and the correct use of standard English, whatever your specialist subject

Plan and teach well-structured lessons

Impart knowledge and develop understanding through effective use of lesson time
Promote a love of learning and children's intellectual curiosity
Set homework and plan other out-of-class activities to consolidate and extend the knowledge and understanding pupils have acquired
Reflect systematically on the effectiveness of lessons and approaches to teaching
Contribute to the design and provision of an engaging curriculum within the relevant subject area(s)
Contribute to the development of schemes of work and department resources
Adapt teaching to respond to the strengths and needs of all pupils
Know when and how to differentiate appropriately, using approaches which enable pupils to be tau.