EDUCATION AUTHORITY BELFAST. Initially to the Principal or her appointed deputy.

Transcription

1 TE16/23/20 EDUCATION AUTHORITY BELFAST This post is available from 1 September JOB TITLE: LOCATION: Head of Department Religious Studies Grosvenor Grammar School Marina Park BELFAST BT5 6BA TELEPHONE NO: PRINCIPAL: RESPONSIBLE TO: SALARY: Dr F Vasey Initially to the Principal or her appointed deputy. Teachers Main Pay Scale A maximum of 2 teaching allowances are payable to a suitably qualified and/or experienced applicant. EXPERIENCE/QUALIFICATIONS: Applicants must hold a post-primary teaching qualification as approved by the Department of Education (NI). Please note where teaching experience is required only experience gained post qualification will be considered. Essential: Applicants must at the closing date: (i) hold a post-primary teaching qualification as approved by the Department of Education (NI); (ii) hold an honours degree (2:2 or above) in a relevant subject; (iii) be qualified to teach religious studies to A level; and (iv) have a minimum of 2 years teaching experience in a post-primary school. Desirable: It is desirable that applicants at the closing date: (i) hold an honours degree (2:1 or above) which has a high academic content in the curricular areas most taught in religious studies A level; and/or (ii) have taught religious studies to A level for a minimum of two years; and/or (iii) hold a grade (A-C) in religious studies at A level (or Irish or Scottish Highers); and/or (iv) have qualifications, training and/or experience to offer an additional subject, which at the time of appointment, best meets the curricular needs of the school; and/or (v) have qualifications, training and/or experience to assist with Grosvenor Grammar School weekend extra-curricular Team Games or Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme expeditions or Army Cadet Force or Fencing or School Drama productions. The panel reserves the right to enhance these criteria.

2 On taking up this post the successful applicant must be a registered teacher with the General Teaching Council for Northern Ireland. Posts involving work in educational institutions are subject to the provisions of the Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups (NI) Order The successful applicant will require an enhanced disclosure check which at present costs 33. Further details regarding the payment of this check will be issued with the contract of employment. Job Purpose: To ensure effective delivery of the relevant programmes of study within the school in accordance with School Policies and in pursuit of high standards of pupil achievement to implement the School s Pastoral programme. DUTIES: As detailed on the Teachers (Terms and Conditions of Service) Regulations (NI) 1987; In the first instance to be the Head of Religious Studies; In the first instance to teach religious studies to A Level; and Additional duties as detailed below. RESPONSIBILITY AREAS: Within the sphere of Religious Studies education to: A. lead and develop teaching and learning to ensure all pupils achieve high levels of success in examinations; B. monitor, evaluate and review pupil learning programmes and their delivery in order to ensure their effectiveness and report outcomes to pupils, relevant staff, Governors and parents as requested by the Senior Leadership Team (SLT); C. develop self and other Religious Studies staff in order to enhance performance and thus pupil outcomes. This development is to be carried out by participation in the School s In Service Education and Training (INSET) and the Professional Review and Staff Development (PRSD) programmes as required by the SLT; and to D. secure and monitor resources allocated to ensure equality and effectiveness of pupil experience. Within the remit of generally helping pupils to achieve success: E. to carry out general teacher duties. KEY TASKS: A1 To teach Religious Studies up to A level standard using varied and innovative teaching strategies. A2 To draw up suitable teaching and learning programmes (schemes of work and assessment) in line with the requirements of the appropriate statutory bodies and to review them annually. To construct a Departmental Handbook to include Departmental Structure and Organisation, Methodology, Assessment & Reporting, Self-Evaluation, Departmental Procedures, Inventory and Schemes of Work. To review the file annually and to ensure it is kept up to date. A3 To lead and develop teaching and learning in Religious Studies that will further pupil progress.

3 A4 A5 A6 A7 A8 A9 A10 A11 A12 B1 B2 B3 B4 B5 B6 B7 B8 B9 B10 C1 C2 C3 C4 C5 C6 To implement the School s homework, assessment and discipline policies and to ensure their successful implementation within the Department by monitoring individual teacher s delivery. To promote and organise enrichment activities including competitions, events, exhibitions and trips to raise the profile of the Department within the School and to foster enjoyment and satisfaction in the study of the subject by pupils. To organize and promote annual fund raising events in the school (e.g. Christian Aid). To prepare and conduct prayers and readings and to lead acts of worship at annual School events. To maximise pupils involvement in the production of attractive and useful wall and other displays. To implement all school and departmental policies. As directed by the Principal, to teach an additional subject which best meets the needs of the School. To promote that aspect of the School s ethos relating to cross community work and furthering the School s Equality, Inclusion and Diversity programme. To teach Citizenship, Employability, Personal Development as requested by the Principal. To set, annotate and mark appropriate homework, classwork, tests and examinations; and to maintain a well ordered and up-to-date mark book/ computer record of all work set and marks recorded. To monitor, evaluate and review the whole school delivery of Religious Studies annually. To implement a set of standardised common assessment tasks within the Department and utilise these marks in order to monitor and track progress against individual pupil targets. To make use of agreed school statistical analysis procedures to review pupil and staff performance and to set annual attainment targets. To produce a three year Development Plan and an annual Action Plan for the Religious Studies Department and to present this to all members of the department as well as to the Principal and the link SLT member. Within Religious Studies to ensure the requirements of the Key Elements and Whole Curriculum Skills & Capabilities of the NI KS3 Curriculum are met. To provide pupils with regular constructive feedback and positive reinforcement on all aspects of their performance. To report to parents through at least two written reports annually per year group, or one written report and three report cards per year group, as stated by the Principal. To report to parents through Parents Meetings, Open Nights and Consultation Interviews. To attend Parents Meetings, Open Nights and Consultation Interviews in order to support members of the department and to ensure the effective deployment of staff and resources. To maintain an up-to-date knowledge of the courses being taught. To review pedagogy regularly in order to ensure the most effective and appropriate style to improve pupil performance. To manage and lead a team of teachers of Religious Studies. To chair departmental meetings at a frequency agreed with the Principal. To manage the work of any technical staff assigned to the department. To monitor, evaluate and review the work of the department s staff annually and to undertake PRSD assessments/observations as requested.

4 C7 C8 C9 C10 D1 D2 D3 To ensure appropriate staff development and training to increase staff confidence and competence in teaching their subject. To attend and participate in the MMT Academic meetings. To be responsible for the induction of new staff, student teachers and the training of any non-teaching staff within the department. In conjunction with the Principal to ensure the employment of appropriate substitute teacher cover for long term absences and to ensure that the substitute teachers receive proper induction. To requisition materials as required and provide an annual up-to-date inventory to the Principal. To ensure the Health and Safety of all pupils and staff within the department. To organise the care and maintenance of the department s equipment and accommodation. GENERAL TEACHER DUTIES E1 To carry out duties as detailed in the Teachers (Terms and Conditions of Service) Regulations (NI) E2 To carry out all duties in a manner in which they comply with: a. current Health and Safety legislation. b. the requirements of the Children s Order. c. the School s security requirements. d. the requirements of Grosvenor Grammar School s Policy Documents. e. the requirements of the Education Authority and the DENI. E3 To act as a Form Tutor to an assigned Form/Tutor group and to carry out related duties in accordance with the general job description of a Form Tutor. E4 To carry out a share of pupil supervisory duties in accordance with published rosters. E5 To participate in appropriate meetings with colleagues, parents and pupils. E6 To implement all School Policies and procedures. E7 To play an active part in furthering the School s Ethos as a multi-cultural, inter-denominational community promoting such values as care, tolerance and co-operation. E8 To undertake any reasonable duties as requested by the Principal or her appointed deputy. E9 To help with the organisation and delivery of some School extra-curricular activities outside the area of Religious Studies. NOTES: Applicants should give detailed information of modules, courses and subjects studied as part of their qualifications, together with the number of years each was studied. Applicants should also give details of experience of teaching, indicating length of experience of teaching the GCSE & A level specifications. TERMS AND CONDITIONS: These duties are not necessarily comprehensive and are subject to annual amendment by the Principal, after consultation with the post holder. In the event of these duties not being performed to the satisfaction of the employing authority the matter will be dealt with in accordance with any disciplinary procedures agreed by the General Committee of the Teachers Salaries and Conditions of Service Negotiating Machinery. The disciplinary action may include removal from the scale appropriate to the above appointment. NOTES:

5 a. The interview panel of Governors reserves the right to enhance the criteria to facilitate the shortlisting and selection process. b. Shortlisting will be carried out only on the basis of the information contained on the application form. c. Shortlisted applicants will be required to make a short presentation. SCHOOL INFORMATION: Founded in 1945, Grosvenor Grammar School ( the School ) is multi-cultural, nondenominational and co-educational. It has been situated in the Castlereagh area since The School provides a high quality education to all pupils, enabling them to participate in a range of activities, to enjoy their schooldays and to obtain the best examination results of which they are capable. The vast majority of pupils pass on to universities throughout the United Kingdom and Ireland, including Oxford and Cambridge Universities. The School is characterised by a pleasant atmosphere in which pupils are encouraged to develop all their capabilities. The curriculum gives emphasis to academic, social, aesthetic, moral and physical development and pupils are enabled to grow in self-confidence throughout their years in the School. The welfare and progress of each pupil and constructive home-school links are encouraged and maintained through a team of Heads of Year and Form Tutors, allied to a flourishing parent association and professional counsellors. Acceptance of a place in the School is taken as acceptance of the School s Discipline Policy and as a statement of agreement to abide by the School Rules. Its prime position and extensive grounds have made the School attractive to pupils from many urban, suburban and rural primary schools, mainly in East & South Belfast and North & Mid Down areas. This is a particularly exciting time for the School, as we moved into our new school buildings in April 2010 on our 34 acre site. This completed our building programme which started with the opening in November 1999 of the 4.5m Ken Reid Building, our Science & Technology block. The 18.5m new school, including a further 1.2m for Furniture and Equipment, is part of a PPP project constructing a number of schools across the Education Authority Belfast Region. The new facilities now provide our pupils with the most exceptional and up-to-date equipment across all teaching spaces including interactive whiteboards and tablets, data projectors, video conferencing equipment and access to the use of a virtual learning environment. There are three sandbased rugby pitches, two synthetic hockey pitches, three synthetic cricket wickets, a 400m running track, Fitness Suite, Sports Hall, Lecture Dance Studio, purpose built Art Suite, Drama Studio, Home Economics Suite, Music Suite, Careers Suite and Sixth Form Centre. All teaching spaces are equipped with a state-of-the-art heat exchanger and natural air flow system which, along with the environmental friendly lighting, ensures that they are conducive to teaching and learning. Our new world-class facilities will undoubtedly enrich the pupils experience of education in this wonderful school for many years to come. There are 63.7 full-time specialist teachers, three foreign language assistants and numerous peripatetic instrumental tutors, both private and from the Belfast School of Music. On entering the School, pupils are placed in one of six classes, following common courses in English, French, Spanish, German, Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Home Economics, Art, Technology and Design, History, Geography, Music, Mandarin, Drama, Religious Education, Physical Education, Information Technology and Learning for Life and Work. A short residential experience is offered to all pupils in Year 8.

6 In Year 10, consultation involving pupils, parents/guardians and careers staff is followed by selection of eight, nine or ten subjects at GCSE from a list of twenty-five. After GCSE, most pupils enter Senior School to take Advanced Level courses in three or four subjects, from a list of twenty-seven. Work Experience and Job Shadowing opportunities increase at this stage, as do extra-curricular activities in the recreational, leisure, vocational and voluntary service areas. The School has very strong musical, dramatic and sporting traditions. It is proud of its success in the choral and instrumental spheres, and of its musical links throughout the world. It is equally proud of the emphasis it places on the wide range of games, societies and other activities led by the teachers. Inter-school competition and co-operation are encouraged. The School is highly involved in cross-community work. It has a strong European and World outlook with a number of international link schools and has an excellent record for its charitable work. Notable achievements and successes in recent years include top places in the Northern Ireland and UK examinations; achieving Northern Ireland Specialist School status; Silver Investor in People Award; ICT Mark Accreditation; Charter Mark Award; British Council International School Award and the first post-primary school in Northern Ireland to receive the European Environmental Green Flag Award. Transport has been arranged to assist those who live in Ballygowan, Comber, Crossnacreevy, Derryboye, Moneyreagh and the Belmont/Stormont, Dundonald, Cairnshill/Four Winds and Strandtown areas of the city. The School is also easily accessible by public transport from Belvoir, Carryduff, Killinchy, Saintfield and most areas of East and South Belfast. The School holds high expectations for its pupils and encourages them to aspire to rewarding careers and to participate in the wide range of extra-curricular activities on offer in the School. Parental aspirations are of paramount importance and the School complements these by constant and regular communication. NB Notes of guidance are attached. The closing date for receipt of applications is 2PM ON TUESDAY 14 JUNE CANVASSING WILL DISQUALIFY

7 EDUCATION AUTHORITY BELFAST PERSON SPECIFICATION POST: Head of Religious Studies Grosvenor Grammar School Qualifications/ Experience Knowledge Skills ESSENTIAL hold a post-primary teaching qualification as approved by the Department of Education (NI) hold an honours degree (2:2 or above) in a relevant subject be qualified to teach religious studies to A level have a minimum of 2 years teaching experience in a postprimary school to lead and develop teaching and learning in religious studies that will further pupil progress to be able to teach religious studies up to A level standard using varied and innovative teaching strategies to be able to monitor, evaluate and review the whole school delivery of religious studies to be able to make use of agreed school statistical analysis procedures and to be able to review pupil and staff performance and to set annual attainment targets DESIRABLE hold an honours degree (2:1 or above) which has a high academic content in the curricular areas most taught in religious studies A level hold a grade (A-C) in religious studies at A level (or Irish or Scottish Highers) have qualifications, training and/or experience to offer an additional subject, which at the time of appointment, best meets the curricular needs of the school have qualifications, training and/or experience to assist with Grosvenor Grammar School weekend extracurricular Team Games or Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme expeditions or Army Cadet Force or Fencing or School Drama productions have taught religious studies to A level for a minimum of two years

8 organisational skills computer literate communication skills confidentiality ability to lead and develop a team ability to use own initiative Personal Qualities inter-personal skills approachable ability to work under pressure to strict deadlines flexible Other Requirements

9 TEACHERS (TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT) REGULATIONS (NORTHERN IRELAND) 1987 SCHEDULE 3 Regulation 5 TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT OF A TEACHER Exercise of general professional duties 1. A teacher who is not a principal shall carry out the professional duties of a teacher as circumstances may require:- (a) if he/she is employed as a teacher in a school under the reasonable direction of the principal of that school; if he/she is employed by a board on terms under which he is not assigned to any one school, under the reasonable direction of that board and of the principal of any school in which he/she may for the time being be required to work as a teacher. Exercise of particular duties 2 (a) A teacher employed as a teacher (other than a principal) in a school shall perform, in accordance with any directions which may be reasonably given to him/her by the principal from time to time, such particular duties as may reasonably be assigned to him/her. A teacher to whom paragraph 1 refers shall perform, in accordance with any direction which may reasonably be given to him/her from time to time by the board or by the principal of any school in which he/she may for the time being be required to work as a teacher, such particular duties as may reasonably be assigned to him/her. Professional duties 3. The following duties shall be deemed to be included in the professional duties which a teacher may be required to perform:- Teaching (1) (a) planning and preparing courses and lessons; (c) teaching, according to their educational needs, the pupils assigned to him/her, including the setting and marking of work to be carried out by the pupils in school and elsewhere; assessing, recording and reporting on the development, progress and attainment of pupils;

10 Other activities (2) (a) promoting the general progress and well-being of individual pupils and of any class or group of pupils assigned to him/her; (c) (d) (e) (f) providing guidance and advice to pupils on educational and social matters and on their further education and future careers including information about sources of more expert advice on specific questions, making relevant records and reports; making records of and reports on the personal and social needs of pupils except in instances where to do so might be regarded as compromising a teacher s own position; communicating and consulting with the parents of pupils; communicating and co-operating with such persons or bodies outside the school as may be approved by the employing authority and in the case of a controlled school, the Board of Governors; participating in meetings arranged for any of the purposes described above; Assessments and reports (3) providing or contributing to oral and written assessments, reports and references relating to individual pupils and groups of pupils except in instances where to do so might be regarded as compromising a teacher s own position; Performance review (4) participating, if required, in any scheme of staff development and performance review; Review (5) (a) reviewing from time to time his/her methods of teaching and programmes of work; Further training and development participating in arrangements for his/her further training and professional development as a teacher; Educational methods (6) advising and co-operating with the principal and other teachers (or any one or more of them) on the preparation and development of course of study, teaching materials, teaching programmes, methods of teaching and assessment and pastoral arrangements;

11 Discipline health and safety (7) maintaining good order and discipline among pupils in accordance with the policies of the employing authority and safeguarding their health and safety both when they are authorised to be on the school premises and when they are engaged in authorised school activities elsewhere; Staff meetings (8) participating in meetings at the school which relate to the curriculum for the school or the administration or organisation of the school, including pastoral arrangements; Cover (9) Supervising and teaching any pupils whose teacher is not available provided that; (a) (c) in schools with an average daily enrolment greater than 222 pupils a teacher other than a supply teacher shall not be required to provide such a cover after the second day on which a teacher is absent or otherwise not available or from the first day if the fact that the teacher would be absent or not otherwise available for a period exceeding 2 days was known to and agreed by the employing authority in advance; in schools with an average daily enrolment of 222 pupils or less a teacher other than a supply teacher shall not be required to provide such cover after the first day on which a teacher is absent or otherwise not available or from the first day if the fact that the teacher would be absent or not otherwise available for more than 1 day was known to and agreed by the employing authority in advance; in schools with a complement of 1, 2 or 3 teachers and in nursery units in primary schools, a teacher other than a supply teacher shall, notwithstanding heads (a) and, not be required to provide such cover. Public examinations (10) participating in arrangements for preparing pupils for public examinations and in assessing pupils for the purposes of such examinations: recording and reporting such assessments and participating in arrangements for pupils presentation for and supervision during such examination; Management (11) (a) contributing to the selection for appointment and professional development of other teachers, including the induction and assessment of probationary teachers; co-ordinating or managing the work of other teachers; (c) taking such part as may be required of him/her in the review, development and management of activities relating to the curriculum, organisation and pastoral functions of the school;

12 Administration (12) (a) participating in administrative and organisational tasks relating to such duties as described above, including the management or supervision of persons providing support for the teachers in the school and the ordering and allocation of equipment and materials; (c) subject to the provision of Article 22 of the Order, attending assemblies; registering the attendance of pupils and supervising pupils, whether these duties are to be performed before, during or after school sessions. Working time 4 (a) A full-time teacher, other than a teacher employed in a residential establishment, shall be available for work on 195 days in any year of which not more than 190 days should involve teaching children in a classroom situation. (c) (d) (e) (f) (g) A teacher, other than a teacher employed in a residential establishment, shall be available to perform such duties at such times and such places as may reasonably be specified by the Principal, or where he/she is employed by a board on terms under which he/she is not assigned to any one school by the Board or the Principal of any school in which he/she may for the time being be required to work as a teacher, for 1265 hours in any year exclusive of time spent off school premises in preparing and marking lessons and time spent travelling to and from the place of work. A teacher may not be required to teach as distinct from supervise children in a classroom situation for more than 25 hours in any week in a primary or special school and 23.5 hours in any week in a secondary school. Unless employed under a separate contract as a midday supervisor, a teacher shall not be required to undertake mid-day supervision. Subject to paragraph (f) all teachers shall be required to have a break of at least 30 minutes between the hours of 12:00 noon and 2.00 pm. Teachers in nursery schools and in nursery units in primary schools shall be required to have a break of at least 30 minutes between the hours of 12:00 noon and 2.30 pm. For the purpose of this paragraph a year means a period of 12 months commencing on 31 July and a week means a period of 7 days commencing on a Sunday.