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Head of Department JOB DESCRIPTION
Name
Post Head of RE
Grade – TLR2.3
Relationships
The postholder
§ Is responsible to the Headteacher in all matters
§ Is responsible through the Line Manager and Deputy Head – Teaching and Staffing and
Assistant Head – Curriculum and Standards in respect of the curriculum development,
curriculum team timetable, pastoral and administrative matters
§ Supervises the teaching and nonteaching staff (on a day to day basis) allocated to work
in the Curriculum Team
§ Interacts on a professional level with colleagues and seeks to establish and maintain
productive relationships with them; in particular with the Leadership Team, relevant
colleagues in the feeder primary schools and other Heads of Department in order to
promote mutual understanding of the subject(s) in the School curriculum and to reduce
subject isolation by recognising links and common skills. This is with the aim of
improving the quality of learning and teaching in the School. You will also interact with
members of the business community, links with other schools and the community at
large.
The postholder will lead, manage, coordinate, maintain, develop, monitor and evaluate the School’s
work in the relevant part of the Curriculum.
Through their leadership and management role, Heads of Department make key contributions to
evaluation against the central questions:
“How good are the curricular and other opportunities offered to students; how well are
students taught and how high are standards?
Key Purpose:
To continuously improve the quality of student experience, to raise standards and levels of
achievement.
The Head of Department’s overriding responsibility is to see that students receive the best possible
education in that subject area. In terms of management responsibility, this means providing staff with
the resources, support, encouragement and professional development opportunities in order to give
them maximum job satisfaction and a sense of value and challenge in their work. It also means
building a team of committed, competent and enthusiastic teachers. By setting high
standards, providing help and guidance in achieving them and creating a stimulating and industrious
environment, the Head of Department seeks to ensure that students and staff reach their full potential. As
a key member of staff, she/ he is expected to take a major part in the creation and implementation of
School policy and in helping to create good order and a positive and purposeful atmosphere within the
School.
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Responsibilities
Aspects of the Role of Head of Department
There are five aspects which enable the Key Purpose to be achieved:
· Managing policy and learning
· Managing people and teams
· Managing finance and resources
· Behaviour management
· Representing the Department
Head of Department’s also have the TTA Subject Leader Standards and OFSTED evaluation criteria to
assist selfevaluation and professional development.
Leading Policy and Learning
To assume overall responsibility for the quality, coherence, continuity and relevance of the
department’s programme of learning throughout the School. To this end to ensure:
· that a rigorous and comprehensive programme of monitoring and evaluation is maintained, as
part of the School’s self evaluation procedures, leading to a well focused Team Improvement
Plan and Team SEF
· completion of a regular evaluation report, including evaluation of teachers' plans and thorough
work analysis, identifying effective practice and areas for improvement, and taking appropriate
action to improve further the quality of teaching
· completion of an annual evaluation of examination and performance outcomes, together with a
plan of action relating to the judgements made
· the analysis and forecasting of trends to identify opportunities for improvement
· appropriate examination targets are set for the department
· that student progress is tracked within and between Key Stages and that effective intervention
strategies are deployed
· the development of School policies and systems which reflect the School’s commitment to high
achievement through effective teaching and learning
· maintenance of up to date Schemes of Work and associated Lesson Plans
· attention is given to good practice and quality
· appropriate selection of syllabuses
· relevant course submissions are made and courses coordinated
· awareness of the dimensions of the wider curriculum and opportunities for developing and
maintaining crosscurricular links
· appropriate marking, assessment and recording procedures in line with whole School policy
· that all team members set and mark homework according to the School’s policy
· that students are placed in appropriate groups in line with School policy and procedures
· that arrangements are made for the setting of work to supervised classes when staff are absent
· prompt publication of departmental information booklets / material
· that students receive impartial advice as necessary on option choices
· departmental policy operates within School policy on equal opportunities
· maintenance of accurate departmental records of decisions, meetings, interviews and
correspondence
Leading People and Teams
To be responsible for team and individual effectiveness and the professional growth of all members of the
department by:
· delegating work and defining the roles of other departmental staff and helping them carry out
responsibilities, including the effective deployment of staff to their best advantage
· providing a clear vision and sense of direction for curriculum and extracurricular provision
· developing a positive ethos which reflects a commitment by all teaching staff to high
achievement, excellent behaviour, an effective learning environment, good relationships and
equality of opportunity for all
· having an enthusiasm for the subject which motivates and supports other staff and encourages
a shared understanding of the contribution the subject can make to all aspects of students’ lives
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· initiating and leading departmental discussion on matters related to teaching and learning
· keeping abreast of current educational developments, encouraging team members to do
likewise and where appropriate ensuring an awareness of local and national trends and
developments
· encouraging the discussion of School policies, targets and procedures
· establishing and maintaining the trust of team colleagues, peers, senior staff and support staff
· identifying and minimising interpersonal conflict
· creating effective and efficient means of communication with colleagues
· contributing to personnel procedures
· implementing School policy for the induction of new staff
· supporting ITT students on School placement
· ensuring that the postholders classes provide an example of high quality teaching and learning
in the subject
· being an active observer of / participant in the teaching activities of departmental colleagues
and offering reciprocal opportunities in their own classroom
· carrying out formal annual professional reviews within the School’s Performance Management
Policy
· reviewing departmental development termly with the appropriate member of the Leadership
team
· identifying, developing and reviewing opportunities for individuals to gain broad experience and
develop their skills through professional developments
· coaching staff
· where appropriate, overseeing the work of departmental nonteaching staff
Managing Finance and Resources
To be responsible for the effective use of resources by the department by ensuring that:
· departmental budgets are efficiently planned, implemented and monitored
· the resources to support and improve learning are identified
· proposals for expenditure are justified
· costs are controlled and value for money maximised
· accurate inventories are maintained
· teaching groups and departmental staffing are planned in close liaison with the Deputy Head –
Teaching and Staffing and the Assistant Head – Curriculum and Standards and the line
manager
· teaching rooms and staff bases are well maintained and that student work is regularly displayed
· supply staff are properly supported
· there is active involvement in the recruitment of new staff through: helping to define future
personnel requirements; determining person specifications to secure quality candidates;
assessing and selecting candidates against team and School requirements
· Health and Safety requirements are carried out in line with School policy
Behaviour Management
To be responsible for the promotion of a positive working atmosphere by ensuring:
· a commitment to equal opportunities and student entitlement
· that the School Behaviour for Learning code of conduct and dress code are operative within the
department
· that there is good behaviour in classrooms and in the areas around departmental rooms
· that the department has internal structures to promote positive behaviour in its classrooms and
to manage routine disciplinary matters internally
· that prompt liaison with tutors and Heads of Year is maintained
Representing the Department
To be responsible for the promotion and representation of the department within the School and the
local and wider community by ensuring:
· representation of the department at HOD meetings and other appropriate groups, including
those dealing with crosscurricular issues
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· that the Headteacher, Leadership team and governors are well informed about policies, plans,
priorities and targets for the subject and that these are properly incorporated into the School
development plan.
· that information is submitted to aid the Headteacher in writing reports for Governors and
references
· efficient liaison with the Examinations Officer
· regular liaison with feeder schools
· departmental representation at parents evenings and appropriate parent briefing meetings
· regular liaison with the department’s attached governor
· a planned extra curricular programme to enrich the learning objectives of the department
· the development of effective links with the local community including parents, business and
industry
· playing an appropriate role within the School’s complaints procedure
· attendance at meetings with other subject HODs and subject advisers in the County when
appropriate
· meetings with colleagues and parents in respect of the duties of the post are participated in
· the Headteacher is advised
a) of any organisation constraints which limit the fulfilment of aims and policies of the
curriculum team
b) in the appointment of new staff to the Curriculum Team
Teaching
· To undertake a subject teaching commitment as directed which is currently 37 periods over a
50 period/2 week cycle
· Qualified teacher responsibilities within the School are carried out
In addition
The professional duties of the post are those detailed in the School Teachers’ Pay and Conditions
document and the Professional Standards for Teachers in England.
This job description does not define in detail all the duties/responsibilities of the post and the particular
duties and responsibilities attached to posts may vary from time to time without changing the general
character of the duties or the level of responsibility.
In cases where a permanent and substantial change of duties and responsibilities occurs then the post
would be eligible for reevaluation after consultation and agreement with the postholder. Any broader
changes to the Staffing Structure will be subject to appropriate consultation.
This Job Description has been produced from the National Standards for Subject Leaders (1998).
I confirm that I have read and agreed this job description explaining the main duties of my job.
Signed ................................................................... Head of Department
Name ................................................................... Date ......................................
September 2008
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