Head of Human Science (includes Sociology, Criminology, Health & Social Care, Psychology

Abbey College – Human Science Department

Details for applicants

 Would you like to visit us?

Informal visits are welcomed. We are not as far away as you think and driving through the countryside each morning is a very pleasant way to start you day! You’ll find us just 20 minutes from Peterborough and Huntingdon, and commutable from Cambridge too. Why not come and visit us so we can show you more of our school

 What do I do if I want to know more before applying?

You are very welcome to come and visit our wonderful school, please just let us know and we will arrange a tour of the department and wider school. More information is available on our website. However, if you have any further questions, please contact Siobhan Dowd, Sdowd@abbey.college

Purpose:

To provide strategic leadership to the Human Sciences Department at Abbey College and provide opportunities for staff development in line with the school’s vision for improvement.

Liaison with: Other Pastoral Leaders; Tutors; other faculty members; other outside agencies, EWO; safeguarding lead; Careers Advice Guidance lead; parents and other statutory and voluntary agencies.

 All members of the school are expected to be able to take a whole school view, to contribute to policy making and the implementation of them and work effectively with other members of staff.

Vision:

The best outcomes for students, including those with remote learning

Quality of education is both engaging and challenging, leaving no room for passivity

Excellent communication and welfare are paramount

Main Duties /responsibilities

• Outstanding classroom skills
• Ability to create effective lesson plans that determine and develop from student starting points
• Ability to use assessment to inform planning for good teaching and learning
• Experience or desire to be involved in a curriculum initiative
• Ability to differentiate materials to meet the needs of learners
• Experience or desire to raise standards of achievements
• Willingness to continue to develop own expertise
• Ability to build good relationships with students and colleagues
• Be well organized and able to obtain accurate records
• Ability to use ICT effectively to engage students

 Leadership and management

• Support, lead, motivate and liaise with department staff, to ensure that provision is effective and adjustments are made as necessary to help them meet their personal and professional targets.
• Conduct annual appraisals, discussing the individual progress of staff, setting targets, and ensuring that professional standards remain high.
• Maintain regular informal contact with department staff, e.g. monthly one-to-ones, to ensure any issues are addressed, situations de-escalated and support is put in place where necessary.
• Contribute to establishing the core values of the school and assist with making management decisions on all aspects of policy, development and organisation by playing a significant role in the preparation, implementation and monitoring of the SDP and the department progress plan.
• Be supportive and encourage CPD opportunities for department staff where possible.
• In partnership with the headteacher, be responsible for recruiting and inducting staff into the department team, ensuring safeguarding procedures are adhered to at all times.
• Arrange and attend parents’ evenings and staff meetings, being available to discuss any concerns and provide assistance.
• Monitor the quality of teaching and learning of department staff, including conducting lesson observations and monitoring of planning and scrutiny of students’ work, ensuring that the appropriate action plans are in place when issues are identified.
• Oversee all aspects of the department leadership to ensure that school policies and practices are being delivered and implemented consistently.
• Develop and maintain positive links and relationships with the community, local businesses and key stakeholders to promote a positive image of the department.
• Establish a robust system for monitoring pupil attendance and behaviour and communicate this plan to the Headteacher.
• Assist with the implementation of the LA or the governing board’s policies and procedures where applicable.
• Contribute to the management of key school events, e.g. open evenings.
• To work with the DH in charge of T& L to develop and lead CPD across the department.
• To monitor and review classroom practice, in conjunction with the SLT.
• To work with the T&L team to develop support and training for staff at all stages of their career.

What will our successful candidate be like?

Our new Head of Human Science will have a commitment to academic excellence and a focus on developing a love for the subjects at all levels. You will have an opportunity to demonstrate your ability to step up to the challenge of steering the department forward on its journey to achieving outstanding outcomes. Our successful candidate will be a highly motivated individual and will inspire every member of the team to play a part in the department’s commitment to academic excellence. 

What type of leader will you be? 

We require you to have considerable teaching experience, be able to articulate a clear educational vision and provide dynamic and inspirational leadership. You will be an outstanding, reflective and outward looking classroom practitioner, passionate and restless to achieve the best outcomes for children, and possess creativity, excellent interpersonal skills, and strong organisational abilities. 

Our new leader will have the experience, or the potential, to be a capable and energising leader who will manage the delivery of an appropriate curriculum which is challenging for all, differentiated as required and well resourced. You are encouraged to take a fresh look at our long term plans, bring new ideas to the table and will have the autonomy to take risks.

As a new leader at Abbey College, you will be fully immersed in our regular whole school teaching and learning professional development, with a core focus on Quality First Teaching. You will be supported by the Senior Leader who steers the middle leadership team, and they will act as your professional mentor for as long as you need. 

Wellbeing

Ensure all pupils have equal access to learning using appropriate strategies and resources, where necessary.

Liaise with pastoral staff members to ensure the wellbeing of pupils and their full participation in school life.

Raise any concerns regarding pupils’ behaviour with the relevant Raising Standards Lead.

Implement any specific arrangements for individual pupils, ensuring that relevant staff members are aware of the measures in place.

Provide individual pastoral support to pupils, where necessary.

Continuously motivate and challenge pupils, whilst promoting and reinforcing self-esteem.