Head of Politics

A Head of Politics is required for September 2023 due to retirement of the current post holder. The post would suit an ambitious and inspirational individual with a passion for Politics to lead the department with vision and drive.

The applicant will have a good relevant degree, and a teaching style that will both reflect and enhance this thriving department’s lively approach to teaching Politics. An ability to also teach History would be an advantage.

The Department is located on the ground floor of the Lovell Block, an attractive modern building, in which there are five History/Politics classrooms, a Seminar Room and a Resources Room. All classrooms are well equipped. We have an extensive History/Politics departmental Library that supplements the excellent section in the main School Library and ever-growing digital resources.

All members of staff are expected to play a full part in the Co-curricular activities of the school, whether in sport, theatre, music or art. The pastoral side of the school is very strong and over half the staff are involved in some way with house duties.

Canford has its own salary scale and offers an excellent benefits package. On-site accommodation may be available.

The responsibility of the Head of Department is to facilitate excellent pupil outcomes by leading and managing their department in support of the school’s vision, aims and ethos.

The responsibility of the Head of Department is to facilitate excellent pupil outcomes by leading and managing their department in support of the school’s vision, aims and ethos.

**Heads of Department are accountable for**:

- Teaching and Learning
- Staff Leadership, Management and Development
- Planning and Strategy
- Administration
- Marketing and Admissions

**Heads of Department will**:
**Teaching and Learning**
- **Learning Culture**
- Develop a distinct and positive learning culture within their department.
- Promote and facilitate excellent outcomes for all pupils in public examinations.
- Establish high standards and clear expectations within their department that inspire and motivate both pupils and teachers.
- Promote and model best practice in the classroom.
- **Enrichment**
- Devise strategies to develop and foster intellectual curiosity within and beyond the exam-based syllabus.
- Organise departmental trips, events and speakers when appropriate.
- **Assessment and Tracking**
- Assess and monitor pupil progress, within their department, in such a way that it can inform school wide assessments and that strategies are in place to ensure that assessment informs learning.
- Analyse external exam performance to identify trends, strengths and areas of weakness including the creation of exam results reports for the Headmaster and Deputy Head Academic.
- **Intervention**
- Implement appropriate intervention strategies.
- Appropriately record and communicate concerns and interventions clearly with parents and relevant staff.

**Staff Leadership, Management and Development**
- **Leadership**
- Seek to inspire and motivate all members of their team, leading by example to create a positive, productive and dynamic working environment.
- **Management**
- Build strong, productive, relationships within their team and across all departments and the wider school community, by communicating clearly, sensitively and appropriately.
- Have responsibility for the appraisal, or contributing to the appraisal, of all staff within their department.
- Play a full part in the recruitment of new staff to their department.
- Identify, record and, in conjunction with SLT recognise excellent performance within their department.
- Identify, record, and in conjunction with SLT, challenge and address underperformance within their department.
- Have responsibility for the departmental induction and support of new members of staff and NQTs.
- **Development**
- Promote and nurture a culture of reflective practice and continuous professional development within their departments.
- Foster an open classroom culture by observing their team on a regular basis and encouraging them to observe each other.
- Prepare for the Departmental Review process and respond to subsequent advice.
- Ensure that members of their department are offered support and guidance to help develop their careers including directing them to appropriate external inset.
- Plan and hold regular department meetings.
- Plan effective use of all other protected department time such as at the start of term and during allocated Staff Development Hour slots.

**Curriculum and Planning**
- **Strategic Planning**
- Have responsibility for strategic planning within their department, in conjunction with the school’s strategic vision, systems and processes: to include the production and monitoring of all appropriate planning documents.
- **School-wide**
- Participate in the shaping and implementation of the academic policy of the school by contributing to meetings and working groups as required.
- Coo