Head of History

Inspiring a generation to achieve excellence through innovation 

Start date: January 2019

Salary:  £29,377 - £39,982 depending on experience, plus TLR

Location: Brixton, London

Nearest Tube station: Brixton (Victoria)

Ofsted: Good (2017)

Visits to our school are encouraged; to arrange, please call 0207 737 9523.

Dear Candidate,

Thank you for taking the time to find out more about this exciting role as Assistant Principal at Ark Evelyn Grace Academy. We are delighted that you are considering joining our academy at such an exciting stage in our development. Ark Evelyn Grace Academy is a mixed, non-selective, 11-18 secondary school in Lambeth. The Academy opened in 2008 and moved into its award-winning building on Shakespeare Road in 2010. Evelyn Grace Academy was judged as ‘good’ by OFSTED in 2017 and behavior was said to be ‘exceptionally strong’.

In September 2017, I took over as Principal, having previously co-founded an ‘outstanding’ ARK school in North London: Ark Academy. I will work with staff at Evelyn Grace to secure its position as the school of choice in the local community. Together we will ensure that students secure the highest possible standards so they can go on and compete for the very best positions in their chosen career.

We believe education is transformational. That is why what we do matters and why we are always seeking to improve our practice. As a teacher at Evelyn Grace you will join me and together we will shape and develop our academy, and thereby realise our ambitions in building an outstanding school.

At Evelyn Grace Academy we believe that all our students can achieve excellence, no matter what their background and that they all deserve the very best teachers and resources to help them secure the very best qualifications. Accordingly, the Academy offers a rigorous curriculum and a broad enrichment programme for students at all key stages.

We are seeking to appoint a dedicated and enthusiastic individual who is passionate about education as a means of transforming people’s lives. Our ideal candidate will have a proven track record of outstanding teaching and securing excellent outcomes.

The successful applicant will be a strong team player fully aligned to the Academy’s ethos of high academic expectation and aspiration for all. They will want to be part of body of teachers that work tirelessly to help our students develop the sort of qualities that will help them flourish and succeed in life.

As a member of Evelyn Grace and the ARK network, you will receive the sort of coaching, training and development opportunities that will help you become the very best that you can be.

For any queries relating to your application, please contact our Operations Manager on 0207 737 7560 or russell.dunscombe@evelyngraceacademy.org

I wish you all the best in your application.

Yours faithfully,

Tim Dainty

Principal

 Job Description: Head of History

Reports to:      SLT Line Manager

Start date:       September 2018

Salary:              Ark Main Scale £29,377 - £39,982 depending on experience, plus TLR

The Role

·         To lead and manage teaching and support staff working in the History Department

·         To ensure high levels of progress and attainment in History at all key stages

·         To develop and lead a stimulating and engaging curriculum for students learning History at all key stages

·         To be part of the Middle Leadership team focused on improving standards at the Academy

Key responsibilities

·         Lead the development of all subject teachers and support staff in the History department

·         Continue to improve the quality of teaching and learning in History

·         Develop the curriculum at KS3, KS4 and potentially at KS5

·         Ensure rigorous monitoring and assessment across the History Department to enable students to achieve challenging targets

Outcomes and Activities

Leadership of the History Department

·         Assist in the professional development of subject teachers including inset training as appropriate

·         Supervise and support beginner teachers, Newly Qualified Teachers (NQTs) and other adults working within the department

·         Establish strategies and systems to effectively develop, monitor and self-evaluate the department

·         Develop strong partnerships to enhance student learning

·         Ensure regular and productive communication with parents

Teaching and Learning

·         Consistently model the teaching of engaging and effective lessons that motivate, inspire and improve pupil attainment

·         Lead the development of schemes of work and systems for academic target setting and review

·         Equip members of the department with effective strategies to prepare students for external examinations and internal assessments

·         Organise appropriate intervention and enrichment opportunities to help accelerate progress and raise student attainment

Curriculum setting and assessment

·         Develop a syllabus and schemes of work for all key stages that engage, challenge and raise attainment

·         Ensure that the curriculum in History meets the needs of all learners

·         Implement systems to record monitor and assess student progress in line with the Academy’s policy on Assessment and Marking

Accountability

·         Take responsibility for the line management, performance management and appraisal of staff in the department in line with Academy policy

·         Manage the departmental budget and resources effectively and efficiently

·         When required participate in recruitment, selection and induction activities

·         Ensure the health and well-being of pupils within the department is maintained at all times.

Academy Culture

·         Contribute to the development of an Academy culture and ethos that is committed to achievement

·         Support the academies vision, values and ethos by contributing to the development and implementation of policies practices and procedures

·         Work alongside other middle leaders to help create a strong academy community, characterised by consistent, orderly behaviour and caring, respectful relationships

·         Support, work in collaboration and share best practice with colleagues and other professionals in and beyond the Academy

·         Implement and adhere to the Academy’s behaviour for learning policy

Other

·         Undertake other various responsibilities as directed by members of the SLT or Principal.

Person Specification: Head of History

Qualification Criteria

·         Qualified to degree level and above

·         Qualified to teach and work in the UK

Experience

·         Experience of raising attainment in a challenging classroom environment

·         Experience of establishing a high achieving department within a large and complex school environment

·         Experience of leading, coaching and managing staff and securing accountability

·         Experience of delivering consistently outstanding lessons to students at all key stages

·         Experience of implementing behaviour management strategies consistently and effectively across a department

·         Experience of supporting students of all ages and abilities to make excellent progress and achieve impressive examination outcomes

·         Experience of having designed, implemented and evaluated effective, imaginative and stimulating Schemes of Work

·         Experience of leading successful enrichment and extracurricular activities which inspire and motivate learners.

Behaviours, skills and qualities

Leadership

·         Effective leader, team builder and coach

·         Resilience, motivation and commitment to driving up standards of achievement and enabling

·         Positive role model to staff and students

·         Vision aligned with EGA and ARK’s aspirations and high expectations of self and others

·         Genuine passion and a belief in the potential of every student

·         Motivation to continually improve standards and achieve excellence

·         Commitment to the safeguarding and welfare of all pupils.

·         Excellent communication, planning and organisational skills

Leading the Curriculum

·         Able to lead the development and review of an appropriate curriculum and schemes of work in the History department

·         Effective coordination, delivery and monitoring of the assessment cycle

·         Active monitoring of student progress

·         High expectations for accountability and consistency

Leading Teaching and Learning

·         Outstanding classroom practitioner and subject mentor

·         Ability to reflect on teaching and learning to continually improve the practice of self and others

·         Thinks strategically about developing classroom practice and tailoring lessons to students needs

·         Uses and interprets complex student data to inform planning and raise student attainment

·         Creates a positive learning environment within the department

·         Commitment to regular and on-going professional development and training to establish outstanding classroom practice.

·         Establish effective and systematic behaviour management, with clear boundaries, sanctions, rewards and praise.

Other

·         This post is subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check

·         Commitment to equality of opportunity and the safeguarding and welfare of all pupils

·         Willingness to undertake and contribute to professional development activities