CURRICULUM LEADER for ENGLISH at KS3

TLR 2b

Job Description

The role of the Curriculum Leader for English at Key Stage 3is to be responsible for the quality of the Teaching and Learning in English at this Key Stage and in that capacity to provide high-quality leadership and management. In addition, the Curriculum Leader, as a TLR post-holder, will make a wider contribution to the development of Teaching and Learning throughout the School.

The Curriculum Leader for English at KS3 receives a Teaching and Learning Responsibility payment because he or she:

  • plays a key role in the development of Teaching and Learning in the English Department and where appropriate in the whole school
  • exercises a teacher’s professional skills and judgement in fulfilling that role
  • is leading, managing and developing the KS3 English curriculum area
  • has an impact on the educational progress of students in addition to those in his or her own assigned classes
  • is involved in leading, developing and enhancing the professional practice of other staff

The professional areas of responsibility are set out in greater detail below:

Strategic:

-draw up in collaboration with key colleagues in the English Department the Development Plan for English at KS3 and maintain this plan

-exercise oversight and co-ordination of English at KS3

-promote provision and opportunities for all students and staff

-work in close partnership with all members of the English Department and other colleagues

-ensure an active process of self-evaluation within the English Department at KS3 and beyond

-contribute actively to the continuing improvement of the quality of Teaching and Learning

-nurture and develop relevant links and partnerships beyond the School with other educational institutions, employers and business and the wider community which may be of practical benefit to the students and staff of the School.

-ensure through leadership, advice and support the continuing development and dissemination of best practice

-report on a regular basis to the Head of Department who in turn reports to the link member of the Leadership Team

Curriculum:

-ensure that English at Key Stage 3 is at the forefront of good curriculum practice and abreast of current curriculum development and thinking by regularly assessing and reviewing curriculum content and teaching methods

-monitor and evaluate the qualityof Teaching and Learning within the Key Stage

-establishand maintain clear policies and practices for assessment, accreditation and recognition of achievement, target-setting, monitoring and evaluation

-promote the development and use of Information Technology

-ensure effective arrangements for continuity and progression throughout the School with particular emphasis on the primary to secondary and KS3 to GCSE transition points

-develop, implement, maintain and review schemes of work, including assessment methods and homework policy

-ensure effective liaison with other curriculum areas of the School and contribute to the wider development of the School

-ensure an effective response to the needs of all learners within the English Department at KS3, including those with Special Educational Needs, the Gifted and Talented, learners with a first language other than English and those who may experience disadvantage which is a barrier to their learning.

-contribute to whole-school curriculum development and planning and review

Personnel:

-lead, manage, advise and support all colleagues working in English at KS3, including teachers, support staff and student teachers, ensuring through the propagation of best practice that the highest of professional standards are maintained at all times

-advise colleagues on their continuing professional development and training needs

-contribute to Performance Management and appraisal of staff as may be required

-delegate appropriately

Administration, Organisation, Communication:

-plan the management of resources for teaching and learning, budget accordingly and oversee the ordering of materials and equipment

-organise English team meetings and ensure that records are kept

-organise KS3 English examinations and assessments and contribute to the efficient administration of public examinations

-exercise care of the English teaching areas, including equipment, materials and display

-ensure effective communication, including the completion of reports and reviews and the transmission of information to students, staff, parents, other members of staff and the Leadership Team as may be required

-ensure due attention to Health and Safety requirements in relation to daily practice and to visits and exchanges

-prepare for Inspection or visits by Assessors, Verifiers, Moderators etc.

General requirements:

-contribute actively to the promotion of the understanding and appreciation of English throughout the School

-contribute actively to the high reputation of the School and the well-being of those who work and study in it

-contribute to the wider and extra-curricular life of the School

-work at all times within the policies of the School and the Local Authority and the Conditions of Service for Teachers

-undertake other duties which may reasonably be required by the Headteacher

Accountability:

The Curriculum Leader for English at KS3 reports in the first instance to the Head of Department.

Mrs Beverley Jackson

Headteacher

February 2009

Key Stage 3 English
Job Description Specific Details
  • Monitor the development of schemes of work for Years 7,8 & 9 and maintain rota
system for sharing resources
  • Ensure that all colleagues are aware of any changes to NC requirements and that they understand how the schemes of work are organised
  • Keep informed of developments in teaching and learning strategies to share with colleagues and update schemes of work
  • Keep updated on latest texts available
  • Ensure that all Year 9 teachers are updated on SATs requirements for a given year (e.g. the Shakespeare set sections)
  • Make sure that sufficient past papers for SATs are centrally available
  • Arrange a common assignment for year 7 & 8 and exam practice for Year 9
  • Co-ordinate the marking and recording of assessments in line with departmental policy
  • Liaise with departmental assistant to keep a check on stock and condition of stockroom
  • Monitor the system for cover work
  • Run lunchtime detentions for LowerSchool
  • Use departmental meetings to share good practice
  • Attend KS3 meetings, liaising with KS3 Manager and core KS3 coordinators to plan booster days, revision classes etc. and discuss whole school issues, e.g. rewards, sanctions etc
  • Attend pyramid meetings and liaise with primary schools to arrange smooth transition for Year 7
  • Observe lessons, sample students work and arrange for moderation of KS3 English work
February 2009

English Department

Post-holders will support departmental leadership and management by providing assistance to the Head of Department to:

  • Process exam results and if necessary request a report or remark
  • Analyse exam results and consider any necessary reaction
  • Update statistics
  • Liaise with parents
  • Review targets and monitor under or over performing students
  • Monitor departmental budget
  • Draw up and evaluate departmental action plan
  • Develop extra-curricular workshops, clubs, or groups according to the interests of the students
  • Consider timetable issues
  • Examine development and inset issues within the department
  • Create effective behaviour management strategies
  • Ensure rooms are kept tidy with interesting display work and relevant visual aids where possible

February 2009

GENERIC PERSON SPECIFICATION for TEACHING STAFF

KINGEDWARDVIISCHOOL

Candidates shortlisted for appointment should be able to demonstrate:

Personal Qualities:

  1. High intellectual and academic calibre combined with openness and flexibility
  1. High level inter-personal skills
  1. Excellent ability to communicate clearly in the spoken and written word
  1. Strong personal organisation
  1. A liking for and understanding of young people
  1. Energy, vitality and charisma
  1. Resilience and determination
  1. Motivation, ability, ambition and vision to contribute to the whole life of the School

Knowledge and Understanding:

  1. The role of the teacher and the key processes of teaching and learning
  1. Insight into what makes young people “tick”
  1. Requirements at KS3 and GCSE and where appropriate GNVQ/ AVCE and GCE AS/A2 in the relevant curriculum area
  1. Current major issues in the relevant curriculum area and in Education more generally
  1. The practical application of ICT to teaching and learning

Experience and Qualifications:

  1. A Good Honours Degree and a Teaching Qualification

In addition the following experience or qualifications have often been found to be valuable:

  • Further professional study and qualification such as Higher Degree or diploma
  • Experience of voluntary or paid employment outside teaching, including living in countries outside the United Kingdom
  • Additional qualifications such as First Aid, Counselling, Mountain Leadership, Sports Governing Bodies etc.

January 2009

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