Head of Geography Department at Education Authority Northern Ireland

Omagh, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom -

Full Time

Start Date

Immediate

Expiry Date

17 Dec, 25

Salary

0.0

Posted On

18 Sep, 25

Experience

5 year(s) or above

Remote Job

Yes

Telecommute

Yes

Sponsor Visa

Skills

Leadership, Management, Communication, Organizational Skills, Teaching, Curriculum Development, Fieldwork Coordination, Assessment, Teamwork, Problem Solving, Motivation, Strategic Thinking, Interpersonal Skills, Planning, Evaluation, Support for Special Educational Needs

Industry

Education Administration Programs

Description

OMAGH ACADEMY GRAMMAR SCHOOL Head of Geography Department: Job Description Job Title: Head of Geography Responsible to: The Principal through the Vice Principal (Curriculum) General: To provide effective leadership and management and thereby build and maintain an effective teaching team, which continually enhances the high quality of learning, teaching and achievement within the Department. Leadership 1. To inspire department members by personal example and hard work. 2. To lead and manage the human resources of the Department, including teaching, non-teaching and support staff, both in terms of deployment of staff and day-to-day support. 3. To create a vision, sense of purpose and pride in the Department. 4. To co-ordinate the production and maintenance of the department handbook, and to implement, monitor and evaluate all of its policies and documentation. 5. To lead and be responsible for the process of continuously monitoring, evaluating and improving the high quality of learning and teaching in the Department. 6. To be responsible for maintaining discipline within the Department on a day-to-day basis when required. 7. To play a major role as a middle manager in the development of all aspects of the School, including its policies and their implementation. 8. To assist in the maintenance of good staff relations and ensure that adequate channels of communication are maintained. 9. To develop and maintain effective methods of communication with the Principal, SLT, SMT, and other staff, pupils, parents, governors, external agencies and the wider community (including business and industry). 10. To identify and applaud areas of success for individual teachers and the department as a whole. 11. To promote Geography within and beyond the school community. 12. To help create an effective team by promoting collective approaches to problem-solving and curricular/department development, e.g. consult when writing the Departmental Development Plan and produce resources as a team. 13. To chair and produce the agenda for effective department meetings. To ensure minutes are made, kept secure and others informed as appropriate. 14. To attend meetings of Heads of Department and represent the views of department colleagues at such meetings. 15. To oversee the implementation of school assessment and target setting policies, and make effective use of data to monitor and evaluate the achievement of pupils in the department. 16. To initiate/maintain/oversee the provision of co-curricular and extra-curricular activities relevant to the Department, e.g. the use of resources after school or during lunch-breaks or a club etc. Curricular/Departmental Development 1. To contribute towards continuity and progression within the whole school curriculum. 2. To oversee the creation of a Departmental Development plan, together with its implementation and the part it plays in whole school development. 3. To oversee the process of Departmental self-evaluation, target setting and action planning. 4. To oversee the development of comprehensive standardised departmental schemes of work which include a range of teaching and learning styles providing a rich and consistent experience for pupils, including the use of ICT, and to ensure that a variety of assessment methods are incorporated at key points to facilitate formative assessment and to enable accurate judgements on pupil progress. 5. To develop departmental strategies for the pupils’ spiritual, moral, social and cultural development, including relevant aspects of Learning for Life and Work. 6. To monitor and evaluate the learning and teaching within the Department and to take the initiative in identifying strategies to support consistency of practice and to be a lead practitioner in the departmental team. 7. To develop departmental strategies and procedures for learning and teaching including those related to the provision for pupils with special educational needs. 8. Oversee the development and implementation of pupil voice practices within the Department and use feedback to inform learning and teaching strategies 9. To work with the LSC to ensure IEPs are used to set subject-specific targets, and to match curricular materials and approaches to pupil needs. 10. To co-ordinate and organise appropriate visits/trips related to the Geography curriculum. 11. To ensure that appropriate internal examinations are set and marked. 12. To ensure that Departmental pupil data is entered into the school system in accordance with tracking and reporting schedules and to monitor pupil data with a view to intervening and supporting pupils where required. 13. To promote the subject, eg at Open Nights, in publications and online, and to provide pupils with information to help them make option choices. Stock/Resources/Budget 1. To oversee the allocation and management of resources within the Department. 2. To maintain an inventory of all stock items and to oversee the annual stock audit. 3. To carry out stock disposal in accordance with Department and School policies. 4. To store resources in such a way as to enable quick and easy access by all staff (and pupils where appropriate). 5. Manage the department budget to provide for the needs of the pupils and provide value for money. 6. To ensure that all equipment and accommodation used is kept in best condition. Liaison/Communication 1. To meet regularly and work with the SLT for professional support and to develop effective departmental management. 2. To oversee and monitor the accuracy of predicted grades, exam entries and dates, and to work effectively with the Examinations Officer. 3. To act as the initial person for others to contact regarding all issues relating to the subject. 4. To liaise with members of the pastoral team regarding pupil progress/behaviour as required. 5. To liaise with colleagues to provide a smooth transition between schools and phases for all pupils. 6. To liaise with other curriculum co-ordinators in order to develop integrated schemes of work, e.g. Numeracy, Literacy, SEN, ICT and Learning for Life and Work. 7. To liaise with and assist, where necessary, other departments in the development of cross-curricular activities. 8. To inform staff about new developments and ideas related to the teaching of the subject. 9. To co-operate with the management of Health and Safety and the Inspection process. 10. To manage the provision of information to parent/carers and other staff about curricular choices, and choice of teaching groups for individual pupils and groups of pupils. 11. To provide timely, accurate and helpful responses to parent/carer enquiries. 12. To manage the Department’s contribution to the school prospectus, magazine, newsletter, website, social media platforms and any other relevant media. 13. To liaise with relevant external agencies. Professional Development and Support 1. To provide or organise in-service training for the department staff (teaching and support) as appropriate. 2. To have day-to-day responsibility for the monitoring, support and assessment of trainee and newly qualified teachers. 3. To assist in the short-listing and interviewing of new members of the department. 4. To be responsible for the induction of staff new to the Department. 5. To advise the appropriate staff on the allocation of classes within the timetable. 6. To assist staff (teaching and support) who may experience behaviour management problems with pupils, and to be available to provide support on a daily basis. 7. To identify development opportunities for staff within the Department and through external agencies or courses. 8. To maintain a high level of awareness on current initiatives within the subject area and to disseminate relevant information. 9. To delegate tasks in a way that maximises the use of available talent, experience and enthusiasm and provides development opportunities for all staff. 10. To use the Performance Review Staff Development cycle to assist in enhancing the professional practice and aspirations of colleagues. 11. To be concerned for the personal and professional welfare of all teaching staff in the department. 12. To keep personally up-to-date with developments and new ideas related to subject knowledge and teaching and learning within the Department. To undertake any other duties that might reasonably be expected of a Head of Department, as directed by the Principal. SECTION 2 – HEAD OF DEPARTMENT DUTIES SPECIFIC TO GEOGRAPHY To undertake any other duties that might reasonably be expected of a Head of Department, as directed by the Principal. SECTION 2 – HEAD OF DEPARTMENT DUTIES SPECIFIC TO GEOGRAPHY Coursework to be responsible for the management and internal moderation of all coursework ensuring that deadlines are adhered to put in place support procedures/mechanisms for pupils experiencing particular difficulties keep up to date re changes to format or requirements Fieldwork to be responsible for the planning and organising of a comprehensive fieldwork programme. This includes both day trips and/or residentials and across all year groups, but most importantly mandatory trips for GCSE and A-Level classes to arrange transportation for trips ie ordering of buses etc. to liaise with field centres and landowners to ensure access/timing/staffing ratios etc. and smooth running of the trip to be responsible for all matters of Health and Safety on fieldtrips and carry out risk assessment procedures communicating with parents re. fieldtrip arrangements and issuing and monitoring Permission to Travel Forms - paying particular attention to medical conditions and dietary requirements acting ‘in loco parentis’ when on trips to be aware of and deal promptly with any behaviour/discipline issues which may arise during such out of school curricular activities to ensure arrangements are put in place for pupils who may have some physical disability ie cognisance of inclusion to inform ‘in-house’ school systems of staff, pupil names and numbers etc. out of school eg – cover arrangements, registration, staffroom lists, canteen, caretaker etc. leave contact details, departure and return times etc in school office to be familiar with EA guidelines on Fieldwork Safety Procedures and Guidance as published on their website to ensure emergency procedures are in place in the event of accident to work collaboratively within the Geography Department to support new staff inexperienced in fieldwork, and share good practice commitment that underpins the belief that pupil experiences are of first priority. 7. Review and Development of Management Activities/Administration 7.1 a) Contributing to the selection for appointment and professional development of other teachers, including the induction and assessment of probationary teachers; b) 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. 7.2 a) Participating in administrative and organisational tasks related 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. b) Subject to the provisions of Article 22 of the Order, attending assemblies; c) Registering the attendance of pupils and supervising pupils, whether these duties are to be performed before, during or after school sessions. Points to note · No job description can ever fully encompass the complexities of any post and it is expected that the post-holder will be adaptable and proactive in his/her role. · This job description may be reviewed and amended in the light of the developing needs of the school. It is not a comprehensive statement of procedures and tasks but sets out the main expectations of the school in relation to the post holder’s professional responsibilities and duties. · Teaching Staff who accumulate 4 Teaching Allowances are members of the Senior Management Team. PERSON SPECIFICATION NOTES TO JOB APPLICANTS You must clearly demonstrate on your application form under each question, how, and to what extent you meet the required criteria as failure to do so may result in you not being shortlisted. You should clearly demonstrate this for both the essential and desirable criteria, where relevant. You must demonstrate how you meet the criteria by the closing date for applications, unless the criteria state otherwise. The stage in the process when the criteria will be measured is outlined in the table below. Shortlisting will be carried out on the basis of the essential criteria set out in Section 1 below, using the information provided by you on your application form. Please note that the Selection Panel reserves the right to shortlist only those applicants that it believes most strongly meet the criteria for the role. In the event of an excessive number of applications, the Selection Panel also reserves the right to apply any desirable criteria as outlined in Section 3 at shortlisting, in which case these will be applied in the order listed. It is important therefore that you also clearly demonstrate on your application form how you meet any desirable criteria. SECTION 1 - ESSENTIAL CRITERIA The School is seeking to appoint a well-qualified and experienced teacher of Geography with the leadership and management qualities necessary to lead a successful and vibrant department. He or she will be capable of developing good relationships with pupils, parents and colleagues, and of achieving educational goals through teamwork. Enthusiasm and the ability to motivate colleagues and pupils are considered particularly important, as is a commitment to promoting the position of Geography within and beyond the curriculum. Candidates should possess effective communication skills, together with good organisational ability. The successful applicant will be able to articulate a clear vision for developing teaching, learning and assessment within Geography. The following are essential criteria which will initially be measured at the shortlisting stage and which may also be further explored during the interview/selection stage. You should therefore make it clear on your application form how, and to what extent you meet these criteria. Failure to do so may result in you not being shortlisted. Factor Essential Criteria Method of Assessment Qualifications/ Professional Membership Hold a teaching qualification which meets the requirements for recognition to teach in grant-aided schools in Northern Ireland by the date of taking up duty Hold a degree or equivalent Level 6 qualification or teaching qualification which has prepared the applicant to teach Geography as his/her main subject by the date of taking up duty Shortlisting by Application Form Experience Demonstrable experience of at least three years of teaching Geography to A-Level and GCSE Level within the last five years in a post-primary school Demonstrable experience of organising and overseeing Geography fieldwork, including mandated GCSE and/or A-Level fieldwork Demonstrable experience of setting targets, evaluating pupils’ progress, and reporting on pupils’ progress so as to effect improvement Shortlisting by Application Form Knowledge Demonstrable and current knowledge of subject specific teaching approaches Shortlisting by Application Form Skills Demonstrable well-developed and effective planning and organisational skills in the areas of time management, chairing meetings, managing resources, communication skills, and promoting a stimulating learning environment Shortlisting by Application Form Other Be registered with the General Teaching Council for Northern Ireland (GTCNI) before taking up post Pre-employment Check SECTION 2 - ESSENTIAL CRITERIA The following are additional essential criteria which will be measured during the interview/selection stage. Factor Essential Criteria Method of Assessment Experience Have experience, knowledge and understanding of the process of Departmental self-evaluation and implementing action plans Interview Knowledge Demonstrable current experience, knowledge and understanding of the curricular requirements of Geography as part of the Northern Ireland Curriculum Knowledge and understanding of approaches to assessment in order to promote effective teaching and pupil progress Interview Skills / Abilities Demonstrable understanding of the ways in which children learn and how individual needs may be assessed and met Have the ability to lead and motivate others, working collaboratively with colleagues to develop resources and Schemes of Work, valuing their contributions and managing sensitive matters effectively Effective communication and interpersonal skills Ability to work collaboratively to promote positive relationships with pupils, colleagues, parents and the wider community Ability to work as an effective member of a team, and to motivate self and others Enthusiastic and dynamic leadership The ability to deal with challenges and see them through to completion An efficient and effective management style which inspires confidence The ability to think strategically, show initiative and be proactive The ability to lead and manage people to work towards a common goal The ability to solve problems and make decisions The ability to understand and support colleagues and pupils Interview Values Orientation / Identification with School Ethos Evidence of how your experience and approach to work reflect the School’s Values/ethos. You will find information about our Values/ethos here https://www.omaghacademy.com/ Interview SECTION 3 - DESIRABLE CRITERIA Some or all of the desirable criteria may be applied by the Selection Panel in order to determine a manageable pool of candidates. Desirable criteria will be applied in the order listed. You should make it clear on your application form how, and to what extent you meet the desirable criteria, as failure to do so may result in you not being shortlisted. Factor Desirable Criteria Method of Assessment Qualifications and Experience Demonstrate by qualification or experience the ability and willingness to make a significant contribution to the School's co-curricular and extra-curricular provision Have experience of promoting Geography amongst pupils as a subject to be enjoyed and explored outside the classroom, including activities and trips for pupils beyond the mandated fieldwork for GCSE and/or A-Level The ability to teach another subject Shortlisting by Application Form DISCLOSURE OF CRIMINAL BACKGROUND The Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups (Northern Ireland) Order 2007 defines working directly with children or young people or in specified places as ‘regulated activity’. In the event that you are recommended for appointed to a post that involves ‘regulated activity’, the Education Authority will be required to undertake an Enhanced Disclosure of Criminal Background. Please note that you WILL be expected to meet the cost of an Enhanced Disclosure Certificate. Details of how to make payment will be sent to you at the pre-employment stage. Further information can be accessed at NI Direct or the Department of Justice. APPLICANT GUIDANCE NOTES To view the applicant guidance notes, please click here. To learn about the many great benefits of joining the Education Authority, click here The Education Authority is an Equal Opportunities Employer

Responsibilities

The Head of Geography Department is responsible for providing effective leadership and management to enhance the quality of learning and teaching within the department. This includes overseeing curriculum development, managing resources, and promoting the subject within the school community.