Head of History

Description & Requirements

Role Description

JOB TITLE

Head of History

DEPARTMENT

Secondary School

LOCATION

Shanghai

SUPERVISOR

Head of Humanities Faculty, Deputy Head (Academic) of Secondary School, Head of Secondary School, Master

OBJECTIVES

The Head of history in the Secondary School is responsible for the subject from Years 9 – 13, including the IGCSE History as well as the IB Diploma standard and higher-level courses. 

History at Wellington is one of the humanities options for IGCSE and IB. The year 9 curriculum leads on from specialist teaching in year 8 with a Prep humanities curriculum in years 6 and 7. The development of history at Wellington Shanghai is ongoing and the school now seeks a dynamic head to take the department on to the next level. It is expected that the head of history will have a clear vision, a range of practical strategies for enacting these, and the personal commitment required to sustain and build on a culture of excellence. 

In addition to the expected generic duties of the position (as described, below), the head of history will be expected to demonstrate and share their own interest in the subject, to foster an enjoyment of history among pupils of all levels of ability and ages, ensuring that the curriculum is based on rigor and scholarly challenge and that there is a commensurate co-curricular programme to support and extend pupils at all levels. Each year pupils take part in history competitions both within school and in wider China to test their skills in situations beyond the normal syllabus.

GENERAL

• The Head of Department will be responsible for running the relevant academic subject. The subject teachers within the department will be provided with an outline job description and the Head of Department is expected to show discretion in allocating jobs and responsibilities within his/her team. 
• The Head of Department should provide leadership and direction to all members of the department at the appropriate times.
• The Head of Department should play the key role in appraisal of all staff within the department. 
• In periods of absence from the College during term time, the Head of Department will arrange cover, as per the cover timetable, and ensure suitable work is provided.

DUTIES

The expected generic duties of the Head of Department include:

       1.  Responsibility for managing the departmental curriculum, including:

• establishing and reviewing schemes of work and monitoring their use by staff;
• selecting the examination specifications offered at the College in the subject and liaising with the examination board about specifications, examinations and results;
• establishing effective methods of assessment of pupils’ work, analyzing the results and implementing changes to teaching and learning as a result;
• keeping up-to-date with subject developments outside the College and bringing them to the attention of colleagues; 
• providing advice and guidance about future developments in curriculum, pedagogy, staffing and resourcing, as required by the Head;
• fostering, by example, a spirit of academic enquiry within the department;
• ensuring there are appropriate co-curricular activities associated with the department to complement and extend the department’s teaching;
• active liaison with colleagues in the Primary School to ensure alignment of curriculum and timely sharing of information in respect of assessment and pupil progress.

        2. Responsibility for managing the departmental curriculum, including:

• providing an effective induction programme for new members of the department;
• arranging for the observation of teaching as a matter of good practice and to provide constructive feedback to staff concerned;
• ensuring that rewards and sanctions are effectively used by staff;
• providing support to members of the department in any matters involving discipline in the classroom;
• delegating appropriate tasks to create a sense of teamwork within the department and aid professional development;
• ensuring that staff are aware of pupils with learning, medical, social or other difficulties and providing appropriate support;
• managing relief teaching when staff are absent;
• annual appraisal of the teaching of members of the department in accordance with the policies and procedures mandated by the College;
• working with the Head of Faculty, Deputy Head (Academic) of Secondary School, or Head of the Secondary School (and, if applicable the Head, Deputy Head and Section Heads of the Primary School) in monitoring overall workloads of members of the department;
• monitoring the writing of academic reports on pupils by staff in the department;

       3. Responsibility for managing the pupils being taught in the department, including:

• ensuring that pupils are taught in appropriate groups according to the policies of the College and the intellectual requirements of the subject;
• scrutiny of pupils’ work;
• fostering high standards of student work; 
• advising pupils and parents on options choices relevant to the subject and with university applications;
• communicating effectively with parents in relation to areas such as pupil placement within classes or sets, outcomes of assessment and curriculum pathways.

        4. Responsibility for the administration of the department, including:

• holding and recording the minutes of regular department meetings to exchange ideas and inform and develop good practice;
• producing an annual report for the Head including a detailed analysis of public examination results;
• allocating teaching space to staff and ensuring that the fabric thereof is respected by pupils;
• keeping accurate inventories of fixed assets in the department;
• where appropriate, managing ancillary staff;
• managing the departmental budget effectively;
• overseeing the purchase, issue, return of textbooks and the recharging of lost textbooks and/or the issuing of part-owned books to pupils; 
• keeping a comprehensive online presence of up-to-date departmental resources; 
• running or contributing to the running of a subject-based society which provides appropriate enrichment activities for different age groups;
• responding constructively to requests from other functions within the College and across the Wellington group of schools for advice and assistance, such as the admissions department, marketing department and bilingual schools;
• ensuring that displays in and around the department’s teaching area are stimulating, helpful to pupils and indicative of the high standards the school expects.

BEHAVIOURS: LEADERS AS CHANGEMAKERS

Key Leadership Mindset:

• “Big Picture” Thinking – Balance day-to-day teaching and subject management with a coherent long-term vision for Psychology across Years 10–13.
• Servant Leadership – Support colleagues with the guidance, resources and professional trust needed to deliver excellent provision.
• Growth Mindset – Continuously seek better ways to develop curriculum, teaching, assessment and pupil support.
• Mentoring and Coaching – Develop colleagues’ subject expertise, confidence and capacity to fulfil their roles and career aspirations.

OTHER INFORMATION

• The post holder must uphold the highest standards of safeguarding and child protection and comply with all relevant school policies and procedures.
• The post holder is expected to uphold the Wellington Values and adhere to the Staff Handbook and applicable Wellington College China policies.
• The post holder will undertake other duties reasonably requested by the school leadership.
• This job description may be reviewed in consultation with the post holder to reflect the evolving needs of the school. 

As an employer of choice, Wellington College Education (China) is committed to making professional learning and personal development central to its ethos and approach. WCEC fully recognises its responsibilities for safeguarding children. Our safeguarding policy applies to all staff, governors and volunteers working in the Group.