Position Aims

To ensure that all subject teachers are accountable for developing whole-person bilingual education at the middle school level.
Job Overview

In addition to their teaching responsibilities, the Head of Department (HoD) provides leadership and management for the subject area and offers curriculum and pedagogical leadership across the school. The HoD reports to the Director of Academics.
Main Job Responsibilities
1. Curriculum Leadership

Support the development of a comprehensive departmental curriculum:

Engage with the academic leadership team and department members in discussions about key curriculum areas, including interpreting local and international standards, identifying skills and their progression across year levels, and ensuring alignment of key content.
Facilitate the development of essential departmental curriculum documents with support from the academic office.
Communicate the departmental curriculum confidently and clearly.

Review and refine the curriculum annually through a systematic and thorough process:

Update all curriculum documents before the start of each school year.
Facilitate departmental meetings to reflect on the curriculum and discuss potential changes.
Share feedback and suggestions with the academic leadership team.

2. Teaching and Learning Leadership

Develop consistency and collaboration in departmental planning:

Establish and communicate clear planning expectations for specific subjects and teams.
Attend team planning meetings as needed to provide support and guidance.
Share progress, successes, and challenges relating to departmental planning with the academic leadership team and seek support when necessary.

Promote high-quality instruction across the department:

Develop department members' understanding of school-wide instructional expectations and their implementation.
Conduct focused walkthroughs and full-lesson observations to gather evidence of teaching practices, strengthen observation and feedback skills, and identify trends and next steps.
Facilitate pedagogical discussions with department members throughout the year.
Share progress, successes, and challenges relating to departmental instruction with the academic leadership team and seek support when necessary.

Develop consistent assessment practices across the department:

Build department members' understanding of the school's assessment philosophy, guidelines, and practices.
Establish moderation guidelines and ensure all department members understand the expected frequency, methods, and outcomes.
Develop a departmental marking and feedback policy and support teachers in implementing it.
Attend moderation and data-analysis meetings with teams as needed to provide support and guidance.
Share progress, successes, and challenges relating to assessment, marking, and feedback with the academic leadership team and seek support when necessary.

3. Teacher Development and Support

Establish clear and relevant annual departmental goals and priorities:

Define departmental goals and provide a clear rationale, explaining why each goal matters, its expected impact on student learning, and what success looks like.
Collaborate with department members to establish and implement actionable steps, including the evidence that will be collected to measure progress.
Regularly share progress, challenges, and support needs relating to departmental goals with the academic leadership team.

Implement school procedures for performance review:

Complete all tasks associated with the HoD's role in the performance-review process for departmental teachers.
Provide feedback on the performance-review process to the academic leadership team as needed.

Support new teachers in developing their understanding of the subject area:

Ensure that all relevant course documents and resources are provided.
Provide training and guidance on learning platforms, departmental practices, and classroom expectations.
Check in regularly to identify support needs and determine how and by whom these can best be addressed.

4. Administrative Tasks

Monitor planning and assessment-recording practices:

Check materials on the platforms in use to ensure completeness and consistency.
Communicate key departmental and school assessment dates.
Follow up with teachers to ensure deadlines are met and tasks are completed according to established expectations.

Manage departmental budgets and resources:

Prepare an annual budget and review expenditure each semester.
Collect teachers' requests for resources and supplies and submit them to the CLT and Purchasing Department.
Oversee teachers' expense requests for departmental supplies and follow up as necessary.

Ensure high-quality internal and external communication:

Attend and present at parent sessions, sharing information about the subject curriculum, assessment, and reporting practices.
Support department members in preparing and delivering subject presentations.
Communicate relevant departmental curriculum information and updates to parents.
Share important school information with department members clearly and promptly.

Job Requirements

A bachelor's degree (BA or equivalent).
At least five years of teaching experience.
Experience in leadership and leading colleagues.
A recognised teaching qualification.
A thorough understanding of the school's curriculum provision.
Excellent classroom practice and a commitment to continually improving the programmes offered to students.
The ability to accurately assess student learning and support colleagues in doing the same.
The ability to lead and manage staff effectively, both individually and in teams.
A strong and demonstrable commitment to the wider life of the school, including student performances and community events.
A collaborative, supportive, and developmental approach to working with colleagues and staff.

Attractive Remuneration Package

Competitive salary.
Comprehensive international medical insurance (excluding the United States).
Pension contribution.
Housing allowance.
Flight allowance.
Relocation allowance.