Head of Department -Maths

Head of Department Maths

Location: Kings Oxford 

Reports to: Director of Studies, Academic Programmes 

Role description 

To play a major role as a middle manager in the development of all aspects of the School, including its policies and their implementation. To lead and manage the Math department, by providing clear direction and communication of departmental aims, ensuring:

•   the department is resourced for effective delivery and quality teaching and learning
•    high expectations are set for both students and staff in general, and with regards to teaching and learning in particular
•   a focus on delivering outstanding student outcomes
•    departmental policies and procedures are in place and reviewed regularly
•    staff are supported in a community of ongoing professional development, including (but not limited to) Performance Management/Appraisal of the department

Job Scope:

•  Line manages Maths Teachers
•  Department budget
•   Responsible for Maths subject content and delivery, ensuring that SoWs reflect current pedagogical thinking and good practice
•   Member of Oxford Academic Leadership Team
•  Engage with other Maths Leaders in Brighton, Bournemouth and London
•  Teach Maths at approximately 0.7 FTE

Duties and Responsibilities 

Teaching and Learning:

•  To inspire members of the department by planning and delivering consistently good/outstanding lessons and provide an example of good pedagogic practice and high expectations
•  To act as a team leader, creating a vision, sense of purpose and pride in the department
•  To be responsible for creating a mindset of continuous improvement within the department, with regards to the courses and the pedagogy of teaching and learning in the department
• To communicate and monitor the highest standards of teaching and professional conduct within the department
•  To observe, record and give feedback to teachers of the department at least once per term
•  To ensure all teachers within the department set, and mark, homework in accordance with the school’s policy, keeping records of attainment
•  To perform departmental work scrutiny on a regular basis, as set by the DoS (Aca)
• To coordinate assessment for internally assessed courses such as the Advanced Level Foundation, preparing assessment tasks, standardising and moderating marking
•  To track student performance for all teaching groups in the department, and work with teachers to identify remedial support
•  Where required, identify and put in place measures to support students with Special Educational Needs, coordinating with the SENCO
•   Provide feedback regarding course effectiveness

Department Organisation:

•   To hold (and to keep records of) regular departmental meetings in a way that promotes the exchange of ideas, actions and informs and develops good practice
•  To develop up-to-date (i.e. reflect the latest developments and thinking in this area) comprehensive schemes of work that include a range of teaching and learning styles that provide a rich experience for students and incorporate a variety of assessment methods to ensure accurate judgments on student progress.
•  To be responsible for maintaining discipline in the department including supporting staff during lessons when appropriate and closely monitoring demerits issued by the department
•  To perform termly results analysis and prepare for annual Departmental audit
•  To ensure departmental teaching rooms are kept tidy and are stimulating learning environments
• To plan and request appropriate resources for the teaching and development of the subject
•  To provide practical technical support and advice within a specific subject area and lead on course design
•  To coordinate the entry of students for all types of exams relating to this department
•  Advise on allocation of students to classes, and monitor progress in conjunction with teachers and report any issues to appropriate staff
•  Identify staffing needs and co-interview when appointing new staff
•  To prepare the department for inspection (Ofsted and British Council)
•  To oversee the department development plan, its implementation and the part it plays in the whole school development plan
•   Assist with cover where required

Staff Development:

•  To keep abreast of the latest developments in Maths course design and ensure that new developments and changes in curriculum, syllabus and course content are introduced and delivered
• To have day-to-day responsibility for mentoring and monitoring newly qualified teachers within the department
•   Undertake yearly Staff Appraisal, monitoring quality of teaching and learning (observation, feedback, and record keeping) providing advice and training where required
•  Meeting with individual departmental teachers throughout year to ensure CPD/Appraisal Plans are active
• Take a lead role in any staff disciplinary issues and measures
•   Induct new staff according to Kings Induction process
•  To identify needs for staff development within the subject areas
•  To delegate tasks in a way which maximises the use of available talent, experience and enthusiasm for staff within the department
•  To keep up to date with developments and new ideas related to the subject
•   If required, be a form tutor carrying out the associated responsibilities

Other:

•  Actively contribute to the School Development Plan
•  Contribute to the Self Evaluation of the school based on performance of the department
•   Be aware of any Health and Safety issues in the department and raise them with line manager
•  Advise external visitors on modules run by department
• To undertake such other duties as may reasonably be asked of you by your line manager or a senior manager
•  To work collaboratively with other Head of Departments 

Kings Education is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of students and young people and expects staff and volunteers to share this commitment.