Head of Department

Generic Job Description for a Head of Department

The role of the Head of Department is to lead the development of the subject throughout the school. It is
expected that Heads of Department will lead by example.

In general, he or she should endeavour to create a department in which:

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all pupils are able to progress in relevant knowledge, understanding, skills of synthesis, analysis
and evaluation and other aspects relevant to the subject;
all members of staff feel valued and encouraged to do their jobs to the best of their abilities,
taking into account the diversity of staff employed;
the administration/organisation of the department is such that it operates effectively, efficiently
and safely in support of teaching and learning.

While responsibility for decision making on departmental matters lies with the head of department, it
should  be  recognised  that  good  practice  requires  consultation  with  staff  about  all  matters  which
influence how they work or what they do.

The role involves the following responsibilities:

General leadership and management responsibilities

▪  To advise the Headmaster and the Director of Studies on the future development of education

in the subject at Colfe’s;

▪  To liaise closely with the Director of Studies on curriculum requirements for the successful

learning and teaching of the subject;

▪  To take responsibility for the implementation of school policies within the department;
▪  To  draw  up  annual  budget  proposals  for  the  Bursar  and  Director  of  Studies  to  meet  the
maintenance needs and development priorities of the department and to ensure the agreed
budget is effectively monitored and spent;

▪  To ensure that policies and practices adopted by the department accord with the School’s

aims and whole school policies;

▪  To develop and refine long- and short-term development plans for the department;
▪  To  hold  regular  meetings  with  members  of  the  Department  which  are  focused  on

improvement of teaching and learning and on development more generally;

▪  To oversee the department’s assessment and reporting, in accordance with school policy;
▪  To provide guidance and support on teaching and learning strategies;
▪  To  manage  the  use  of  departmental  classroom  accommodation  to  create  an  effective,

stimulating and safe environment for teaching and learning;

▪  To  represent  the  subject  in  various  school  forums  as  requested,  including  Heads  of

Department and the Governing Body;

▪  To participate in any marketing initiatives as required;
▪  To ensure the effective and efficient administration/organisation of the department.

Curriculum

▪  To keep up to date in subject knowledge and with developments in the subject;
▪  To  continue  the  development  of  schemes  of  work  that  enthuse  and  interest  pupils  whilst

building solid ability, knowledge and understanding;

▪  To ensure curriculum coverage is based on high expectations and sound progression;
▪  To ensure the curriculum contributes appropriately to cross-curricular areas such as literacy,

numeracy and ICT and to the social, moral, spiritual and cultural education of pupils;

▪  To develop resources in the department, including the use of ICT and other media in teaching

and learning;

▪  To oversee the preparation of candidates for top universities, including Oxford and Cambridge

Teaching and Learning

▪  To  ensure  that  teaching  and  learning  in  the  department  meets  the  needs  of  all  pupils  –  in

particular to ensure that the able are stretched and the less able supported;

▪  To ensure that teaching at GCSE and AS/A-level as a minimum meets the requirements of the

examination specifications;

▪  To promote and support best practice in all aspects of teaching and learning and to celebrate

excellent work by pupils and staff;

▪  To support staff on issues concerning pupil poor behaviour and/or unsatisfactory work;
▪  To monitor and evaluate pupil progress in the subject;
▪  To develop the analysis of departmental assessments, examination results and reports, MidYIS,

ALIS and other data to inform teaching and learning practices in the department;

▪  To  monitor  and  evaluate  standards  of  achievement  and  the  quality  of  teaching  in  the
Department  through  lesson  observation,  examining  pupils’  work,  monitoring  teachers’
planning and assessment and other appropriate means;

▪  To lead the development of the subject by:

Inculcating the study skills appropriate to the subject

o  Using monitoring evidence to plan for future improvement
o  Setting appropriately high expectations
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o  Developing approaches which ensure assessment fosters learning
o  Refining strategies employed for pupils in danger of under-achieving
o  Further developing the profile of the subject at all levels of the school, both inside and

outside the classroom.

Staff

To work with members of the Department to:

▪  Develop  appropriate  strategies  for  the  professional  development  of  all  members  of  the

department;

▪  Provide  colleagues  with  support  in  the  adoption  of  new  strategies/approaches  in  order  to

secure best teaching practice;

▪  Mentor new staff including Newly Qualified Teachers
▪  Encourage delegation of some responsibilities (for example, in relation to schemes of work,

teaching and assessment materials, ICT, visits, and extra-curricular clubs);
Implement the requirements of the School’s Annual Review policy in the department.

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