We are currently seeking to fill the position of Head of English.

Description

Remuneration and benefits

At St Margaret's teachers benefit from a close knit community and a calm and purposeful learning environment where children and young people are ambitious and keen to progress. The successful candidate will be remunerated at the appropriate point on the Principal Teachers’ Scale. Subject to satisfying eligibility criteria, the successful applicant will be automatically enrolled into the Scottish Teachers’ Superannuation Scheme, but will have the right to opt out. Daughters of staff who attend the school will be eligible for a 30% remission on school fees after one year’s service. St Margaret’s has an Employee Assistance Programme which offers free and confidential advice on both work and personal issues.

Head of English

Applications are invited for the post of Head of English. This position will offer an exciting

leadership opportunity for a dynamic, well-qualified, experienced and forward-looking

teacher. The successful candidate will be an English graduate with a proven track record of

excellent teaching, an inclusive approach and commitment to fostering a love of learning in

all pupils. In addition to bringing ambition and vision for the learning and teaching of English,

the Head of English will be ready to contribute with enthusiasm to the wider life of the

school. The successful candidate will also work closely with colleagues in the junior school to

ensure coherence and progression throughout the literacy curriculum.

The department is lively and thriving. English results in SQA examinations have been very

strong over a number of years attesting to the department’s high standards and innovative

practice. St Margaret’s pupils regularly go on to study English at university.

Candidates should be GTCS registered or eligible for registration.

Shortlisted candidates will be asked to teach a lesson, which will be observed.

The following is an indicative rather than exhaustive list of duties and responsibilities:

Teaching Role

1. To prepare and maintain schemes of work.

2. To prepare pupils for internal and external assessment.

3. To mark and moderate pupils' work.

4. To provide a stimulating learning environment for pupils.

5. To write reports.

6. To maintain pupils' records.

7. To provide consultation for pupils and their parents.

8. To participate in the school’s professional learning programme.

9. To develop and implement teaching and learning strategies in line with school policy.

10. To cover for colleagues as required.

11. To attend parents’ evenings.

12. To take part in school open days.

13. To contribute to the positive ethos and extra-curricular life of St Margaret’s School.

Head of English Role

Heads of Department play an essential role in the leadership, management and organisation

of the school with a particular focus on the delivery and development of learning and

teaching. They are accountable to the Deputy Heads, one of whom will be the departmental

liaison member of the Senior Leadership Team and the Head.

1. To set an example to the department in all areas of professional life, seeking to maintain

high personal standards and keeping abreast of developments in the teaching of English

and literacy.

2. To plan, implement and review the senior English curriculum within national guidelines,

liaising closely with junior school teachers to ensure continuity and progression in the

literacy curriculum across the school.

3. The leadership of the department in the co-ordination and preparation of its schemes of

work and in the effective deployment and presentation of its resources and facilities.

4. The leadership of departmental quality assurance in order to ensure the highest possible

standards of teaching, assessment, tracking and reporting.

5. To prepare in consultation with colleagues an annual departmental development plan

linked to the school development plan.

6. The timetabling arrangements, where these pertain, within the department.

7. The carrying out of specific administrative tasks associated with the organisation and co-

ordination of all internal and public examinations in English, including the setting,

marking and assessing of papers/coursework.

8. To inform the Head of developments in English and examinations, and of the possible

implications these may have for St Margaret's School.

9. The preparation and submission of the annual budgetary requirements for the

department.

10. To make positive contributions to Heads of Department meetings and whole school

initiatives.

11. To support and mentor colleagues within the department in their own professional

development.

12. To ensure that a varied and stimulating programme of English extra-curricular activities

is offered to pupils, and the organisation and co-ordination of such trips, visits and

outside speakers as may add enrichment to the day-to-day teaching in the department.

13. To work closely with the admissions office in the setting and assessment of entrance

papers as required.

14. To liaise closely with the marketing office providing content for print and social media;

to ensure that the English pages of the school website and other publications promote

the work of the department to current and prospective families.

15. To liaise closely with the senior leadership team in the organisation of the senior school

library and in co-ordinating the work of the library prefects.