Upper School Head of Geography

Job Title: Upper School Head of Geography
Line Manager: Head of Faculty

Purpose of Job
• Provide professional leadership and management of Upper School Geography in order to secure high quality teaching, the effective use of resources and improved standards of learning and achievement for all students.
• Model and promote best practice in the teaching and learning in Science.
• Promote the development, implementation and evaluation of teaching and learning strategies to maximise student outcomes.
• Monitor and evaluate all aspects of the work of the department and to respond appropriately to emergent issues  ensuring that students are supported in their learning journey.

Duties and Responsibilities
Overall Responsibilities
• Promote high standards in all aspects of school life, particularly in student progress.
• Actively support the vision, ethos, culture and policies of the school.
• Inspire and motivate students, teachers and other school employees.
• Comply with the professional duties of the staff Code of Conduct.
• Contribute to a school culture which is positive, purposeful and professional.
• Engage positively in the school Appraisal process and performance management arrangements.
• Be committed to safeguarding and to promoting the welfare of children and young people.

Teaching, Learning and Assessment
• Promote the development and provision of learning pathways to appropriate accreditation for Shenzhen students including high tariff universities.
• Instil high expectations with the faculty where teachers develop agreed schemes of learning, understand the requirements of the syllabi, and meet assessment deadlines.
• Promote planning and practice focusing on learning for achievement where active learning strategies engage and motivate students.
• Ensure that AfL strategies are used effectively to support the progress of learners and to review provision.
• Develop the use of external data (within the faculty as an aid to improving teaching and learning and to aid target setting with students.
• Strategically, oversee student progress in the department (including the use of data) and action appropriate interventions.
• Promote cross-curricular dimensions and the development of cross-curricular functional skills: literacy, numeracy and digital literacy.

Developing the Practice of Others
• Lead department training and contribute to wider inset and CPD opportunities for staff.
• Ensure that responsibilities are spread out across the department to maximise provision and student outcomes, taking into account the skills and qualities of other teachers and their professional standards.
• Advise and support other teachers, providing clear feedback and support strategies where appropriate to help others to become more effective teachers.
• Lead, in liaison with SLT and Subject Leaders, the appraisal process including the setting of objectives in accordance with the School’s Appraisal Process.
• Induct, support and monitor new staff in the department, be a mentor to colleagues and encourage cooperation, collaboration and teamwork.
• Ensure that best practice is disseminated regularly and routinely across the department and that staff promote learning and share high quality resources.

Communication
• Promote an ethos of teaching matching expectations and aligned to the teaching standards document.
• Advise the Head of Faculty and Director of Studies on staffing requirements for the department and play an active role in recruitment.
• Support the Cover Supervisor with arrangements for classes when staff are absent.
• Analyse, evaluate, and respond to student performance and contextual data producing analysis reports.
• Support the maintenance of department information relating to the School’s MIS.
• Lead meetings effectively with relevant agendas and action point minutes.
• Ensure effective communication/consultation with parents and carers including information about supporting their child at home.
• Represent the Upper School Geography and Faculty wide views and interests across the school.

Other Responsibilities
• Lead Upper School initiatives following consultation and agreement with the Head of Faculty and Head of Upper School as appropriate.
• Undertake other reasonable duties as requested by members of the Senior Leadership Team and any duties that the Head Master deems necessary for the effective operation of the school.
• Work alongside the House Master/ Mistress (Hm) as a Tutor to be responsible for the academic and social welfare of the students in their Tutor Group as well as providing individual guidance. This includes but is not limited to monitoring academic progress; providing pastoral support; participating in House assemblies; communicating with and reporting to parents.

Requirements
Education, Training and Qualifications
• Appropriate degree, with UK PGCE, or other teaching qualification giving QTS.
• Working knowledge of the National Curriculum of England including KS3, IGCSE/GCSE and A Levels as appropriate.
• Evidence of relevant and challenging continuing professional development.

Knowledge and Experience
• Minimum two years’ teaching experience.
• Be aware and up to date in all relevant safeguarding polices and practice.
• Knowledge and experience of how to use of ICT effectively in promoting student learning.
• Recent and consistent involvement in extracurricular activities.
• Previous experience or knowledge of working with students for whom English is not their first language.

Personal Qualities
• Respect for all members of a school community, irrespective of position, gender, age and ethnic background.
• Passionate about teaching and a strong commitment to holistic education.
• The ability to inspire students through a genuine passion for learning and a desire to lead them towards outstanding academic outcomes.
• A positive and solution-focused attitude to working life.
• Highly motivated, ambitious and collaborative.
• Demonstrate empathy, humility and genuinely care about children, taking the time to listen and motivate them.

Other
• A non-criminal record issued by police authorities must be provided by the selected candidate.