Head of Department (Primary English)
Description
Straits International School Penang
Head of Department (Primary English) Profile
Purpose of Role
The Head of Department (HoD) (Primary English) is a key member of the school and shall assist the Assistant Head of Primary, Head of Primary and Campus Principal in the running of the school. The HoD is responsible to the Assistant Head of Primary for the department’s academic and pastoral values, strategy and performance. The duties and responsibilities of this post are numerous and varied and therefore the holder has considerable scope for contributing to the strategic direction and continuing development of a large, successful and forward-looking school with a culture of high expectations.
The HoD’s duties include, but are not restricted to, assisting the leadership team within the following areas of school development:
Purpose
- To raise standards of pupil attainment and achievement within the curriculum area and to monitor and support pupil progress
- To be accountable for pupil progress and development within the department
- To develop and enhance the teaching practice of others
- To ensure the provision of an appropriately broad, balanced, relevant and differentiated curriculum for pupils studying in the department, in accordance with the policy of the school and the agency curriculum
- To be accountable for leading, managing and developing the department both academically and pastorally in accordance with whole school development plans
- To manage staff in accordance with the policies of the school, particularly in respect to planning, assessment, reporting and appraisal
- To be responsible for the welfare of children in the department
About Straits International School Penang
Located in Bayan Lepas, Penang, Straits International School offers a rich and broad British curriculum for ages 3 till 16 years old; with a dynamic approach to learning and school life – founded on high-quality pastoral care, two-way communication with parents, and a commitment to provide value-added programmes, along with all the academic support our students need to grow healthily in all spheres.
We are part of International Schools Partnership (ISP), growing and globally recognised group of more than 100 international schools located in over 20 countries all over the world and is committed to a learning-first culture of 'getting better’.
Key Responsibilities
Main duties – operational and strategic
- To develop and review specifications, resources, schemes of working, adherence to marking policies, assessment and teaching and learning strategies within the department
- To oversee the day-to-day management of the department
- To monitor and follow up on the progress of students both academically and pastorally
- To implement school policies and procedures effectively
- To support the implementation of annual school priorities
- To ensure the formulation and monitoring of plans in line with the school’s planning policy
Curriculum
- To ensure the delivery of an appropriate, comprehensive, high quality curriculum programme
- To keep up with modern pedagogy, teaching practice and curriculum change, and suggest/run INSET as appropriate
Deployment of staff
- To act as line manager for staff within their area and be involved within the appraisal policy as required
- To ensure effective induction of new staff when required by the Campus Principal
- To promote teamwork and motivate staff to enhance a collegiate atmosphere, including engagement with CPD
Quality Assurance
- To ensure that teaching staff are meeting the KPIs as outlined within the appraisal documents
- To establish common strands of practice within the department and help raise standards where required, including sharing good practice
- To conduct learning walks often and intervene when required, including sharing and celebrating good practice
- To contribute to the Department review process
- To instigate appropriate revision strategies department wide for students entering examinations
Managing Information
- To ensure that the department staff use the management information system appropriately and monitor the information therein, taking action required in matters of academic and pastoral concern
- To help organise and supervise examinations when appropriate and use assessment information to adapt learning strategies as required for underperforming students
Communications
- To ensure that all members of the department staff are familiar with school policies and procedures and are carrying them out effectively
- To disseminate information from leadership meetings in regular department meetings
- To ensure effective communication with parents and students in line with school policy
- To represent the school’s interests at all times
- To help organise and run parents’ evenings and school events when appropriate
Pastoral
- To develop systems of reward and sanction in line with school policy and monitor the children therein
- To ensure the adherence of school rules within the department
- To help develop a pastoral and trip programme within the department, including assemblies where appropriate
Other Duties
- To play a full part in the life of the school community and set an outstanding example exemplifying the school mission
- Showing a clear vision for the school and its development
- Be genuinely interested in educational theory and practice
- Be innovative and creative in driving forward educational thinking and strategies
- Be academically well qualified
- Have an eye for details but also for the bigger picture
- Be an effective and energetic leader
- Be prepared to challenge and ask questions
- Have the skills necessary to instigate and implement change
- Be an effective delegator and manager of staff
- Be a good, firm communicator to staff, parents and pupils, both individually and in larger gatherings
- Display a personal commitment to their own professional development
- Have successful teaching experience
- Show an awareness of pupils learning styles
- Have a sense of humour, enthusiasm, self-confidence, integrity and strong astute interpersonal skills
- To continue personal CPD where required
- To undertake any reasonable duty from time to time, as required by the Assistant Head of Primary, Head of Primary, and Campus Principal
Requirements
- Qualified teacher status (QTS) or equivalent.
- Possess relevant bachelor’s degree in education or a bachelor’s degree with a Post Graduate Diploma in Education (PGDE) or its equivalent. National professional qualification for headship (NPQH) or postgraduate qualification in education/leadership and management is desirable.
- Minimum of three (3) years of proven leadership and management experience in a school setting.
- Successful teaching experience as indicated in relevant references.
- Involvement in school self-evaluation and development planning.
- Demonstratable experience of successful line management and staff development.
- Data analysis skills, and the ability to use data to set targets and identify weaknesses.
- Understanding of high-quality teaching based on evidence, and the ability to model this for others and support others to improve.
- Effective communication and interpersonal skills.
- Ability to build effective working relationships.
- Fluency in written and spoken English.
ISP Commitment to Safeguarding Principles
ISP is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
All post holders are subject to appropriate vetting procedures, including an online due diligence search, references and satisfactory Criminal Background Checks or equivalent covering the previous 10 years’ employment history.
ISP Commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging
ISP is committed to strengthening our inclusive culture by identifying, hiring, developing, and retaining high-performing teammates regardless of gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation and gender expression, age, disability status, neurodivergence, socio-economic background or other demographic characteristics. Candidates who share our vision and principles and are interested in contributing to the success of ISP through this role are strongly encouraged to apply.