Head of Science, Oxford, UK

Manage the Science Department at Kings Oxford

Role description

To contribute to the values and ethos of Kings Oxford

• To lead and manage the Science department
• To teach and model the delivery of outstanding lessons, equipping students with the knowledge and skills needed to achieve the highest grades
• To be accountable for student progress and attainment within the department
• To implement strategies and interventions for raising student progress and attainment as evidenced by internal data collection and external examinations
• To establish a safe learning environment where students enjoy and achieve
• To responsible for Health and Safety requirements within the department, in conjunction with the Health and Safety co-ordinator
• To promote scholarly enquiry and a love of Science
• To quality assure and enhance the practice of other members of staff in the department
• To review and develop the curriculum, involving subject specialists and students to motivate, inspire and equip students with ‘the best that has been thought and said’
• To communicate and liaise with staff, students, parents, agents and members of the broader community as appropriate

Duties and Responsibilities

Teaching and Learning:

• To undertake an appropriate timetable of teaching
• To ensure effective teaching and student progress in the department through structured departmental monitoring to include observations, book looks and data review processes
• To keep up-to-date with developments and research in the subject area, teaching practice and methodology.
• To contribute to Kings Oxford’s procedures for the monitoring of the quality of teaching and learning and the curriculum
• To ensure that all department staff have appropriate developmental targets to ensure highly effective lessons and schemes of work
• To work with the DoS (Aca) to ensure that staff development needs are identified and delivered
• To establish structures for mentoring, coaching and line managing ECT and ITT staff in the department

Curriculum Development:

• To lead departmental curriculum development working with the DoS(Aca)
• To design an engaging and challenging Science curriculum that enables all students to enjoy the subject and achieve the highest grades, supported by detailed schemes of work which ensure coherence across the key stages and effectively grow students’ schemas of knowledge
• To be accountable for the delivery of the subject
• To actively monitor and respond to curriculum developments and initiatives at national, regional and local levels and to disseminate this knowledge to staff
• To set, oversee and evaluate regular and relevant granular and holistic assessments for students ensuring that they are carried out consistently by all department staff and standardised /moderated thoroughly
• To ensure that all department staff are marking, assessing and providing feedback in line with best practice and Kings Oxford policies at all times
• To ensure that all student data is understood, interpreted and utilised by all department staff to modify planning and personalise student support
• To play an active role in Science and STEM networks as appropriate
• To promote engagement in extracurricular activities and out of hours learning/ revision cycles which enhance learning opportunities to include subject related celebrations, days and competitions
• To contribute to students’ personal development through a rich and purposeful curriculum which supports students in becoming well-rounded citizens

Operational and Strategic Planning:

• To lead the department by strategising and planning for improvement
• To regularly and forensically review the attainment and progress of all students, groups and subgroups with department staff and plan, implement and oversee support and interventions
• To analyse, evaluate and produce reports as required on student attainment and progress
• To liaise with all appropriate staff regarding support for student progress, including pastoral staff, the SENDCO, SLT and agents/parents/carers
• To support and monitor subject staff in the identification and implementation of effective strategies to raise attainment
• To continuously improve the department by evaluating its performance versus historical benchmarks; using this process to identify areas of development

Leadership, Management and Communication:

• To promote effective teamwork and to motivate staff to ensure effective working relations
• To ensure effective communication internally and externally as appropriate with all stakeholders and persons/ appropriate bodies outside of Kings Oxford
• To promote the highest standards of language and literacy, supporting all staff as teachers of reading and role models in the use of standard English
• To contribute to Performance Management cycles and to act as a reviewer for departmental staff
• To support other members of the team in discharging their PM duties and to monitor the effectiveness of PM arrangements within the department
• To manage departmental data, using it to inform strategies and improvement in teaching and learning and outcomes
• To analyse, evaluate and report on performance data
• To be responsible for and report on external examination performance
• To be responsible for the deployment of staff and the day to day management of departmental colleagues, acting as a positive role model
• To ensure that all Kings Oxford policies and procedures are implemented consistently by department staff
• To support and challenge team members, including in circumstances when they are underperforming
• To organise effective team meetings with relevant agendas centred on teaching and learning and raising progress and standards
• To plan the deployment of staff expertise within the department
• To manage available resources effectively in the department
• To contribute to the process of the ordering of equipment and materials
• To identify resource needs and to contribute to the efficient/effective use of physical resources
• To effectively manage the department’s budget ensuring value for money
• To participate in the recruitment process for members of the department and ensure effective induction of new staff

Other Specific Duties:

• To take an active role is supporting behavioural systems and processes and student character development
• To actively promote Kings corporate policies with consistency and diligence
• To continue to pursue personal development
• To play a full part in the life of the Kings Oxford community, to support its distinctive mission and ethos and to encourage staff and students to follow this example
• To undertake any other professional duties as directed by the Principal or representatives

Person Specification

Kings is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Kings is an Equal Opportunities employer and we adhere to the principles of equal opportunity in all aspects of our recruitment process.

Applicants must be able to demonstrate:

• excellent academic qualifications (preferably with QTS status) and subject knowledge
• be adept at producing and sharing teaching resources;
• be capable of delivering dynamic and effective lessons to the full age and ability range of students
• be an innovative classroom teacher capable of helping to develop a syllabus that brings Physics to life for our students
• have highly effective communication skills for dealing with international students

How to apply

To apply for this position or to request further information, please contact: Oxford.HR@Kingseducation.com.

Successful appointment will be dependent upon:

• Enhanced DBS check (including photo ID check)
• Confirmation of right to work in the UK
• Satisfactory references (two references required — comments on suitability to work with under 18s will be sought)

It is Kings Education's policy not to communicate further with applicants other than those who are shortlisted for a position.