Job description: Deputy Head for Teaching & Learning

Responsible to: Head of College and Head of School

Job Purpose

Under the direction of the Head’s of College and School, the Deputy Head for Teaching and Learning will be responsible for:

·  Assisting in the day to day running of the Academy.

·  Contributing to the strategic direction of the Academy.

·  Assisting in the creation of policies and procedures for the Academy.

·  Oversee all areas of learning and teaching at The Academy with a focus on providing high quality learning opportunities.

Principal Tasks

Management of Academy’s Education Department

1.  Ensure the smooth operation of the Academy on a day to day basis, with tasks including: briefing staff and leading team meetings; arranging timetables for both students and staff; planning cover for absent colleagues, teachers and teaching assistants; arranging duty rotas; leading assemblies and facilitating visits.

2.  Be a member of and contribute to the effectiveness of the School’s Senior Leadership Team (SLT).

Teaching and Learning

1.  Lead the development of outstanding, innovative teaching and learning.

2.  Support the Head’s of College and School in the management and organisation of relevant groupings of students to ensure effective teaching and learning takes place and that students’ personal development needs are met.

3.  Communicate the Academy wide vision for Teaching and Learning.

4.  Ensure that inventive use is made of resources, including new technologies.

5.  Develop specific learning events/ initiatives.

6.  Communicate key information relating to teaching and learning to parents.

7.  Ensure that high standards are maintained and to aim to continually improve the quality of teaching and learning across all subjects and curriculum areas.

8.  Ensure that the meaningful assessment of students is carried out, recorded and reported.

9.  Use performance data to evaluate students’ progress and set appropriate targets for improvement.

10.  Ensure all students have equal access to the curriculum according to the Academy’s policies.

11.  Have a 50% teaching commitment.

12.  Carry out teaching duties in accordance with the Academy's schemes of work and National Curriculum.

13.  Support the Head’s of College and School in the monitoring of the quality of teaching and children's achievements including the analysis of performance data.

14.  Share data, outcomes and planning regarding Teaching and Learning with school/college improvement partners. ;

Student Discipline and Welfare

1.  Ensure that high standards of student behaviour are maintained via the implementation of the discipline and pastoral policies of the school

2.  Ensure that appropriate supervision of students is maintained at all times

3.  Ensure that high standards of students’ care, support and guidance are maintained

4.  Have a responsibility for order and discipline within the School in the absence of the Head of School

Management responsibilities

1.  Line manage appropriate staff in order to ensure the delivery of an effective and efficient service.

2.  Deploy and manage own team and allocate particular duties to them in accordance with their job description. Some of these duties may be delegated to a senior Teacher or another member of staff.

3.  Assist the Head of College and Head of School in the effective recruitment, deployment of staff and staff cover arrangements.

4.  Work closely with the Head of College and Head of School to be responsible for the supervision and training of newly appointed staff during their induction periods and that newly qualified staff receive adequate support.

5.  Supervise and participate in arrangements for the appraisal and performance management of staff.

6.  Ensure that organisational systems for appraisal and performance management are adhered to and that these are underpinned by supportive professional development.

7.  Alongside the SLT and Human Resources identify when and where staff require support plans (as part of the Academy Capability procedure) to improve their practice and implement these.

Quality Assurance

1.  Drive the Academy’s quality agenda in order to enrich students’ learning experiences and significantly enhance success rates.

2.  Ensure that quality assurance and improvement systems are fully operational and that quality improvement and development plans are fit for purpose which will ensure that the Academy’s provision achieves outstanding grades and continuous improvements with good outcomes for all learners.

3.  Support the Heads of College and School in the production of the Academy’s Self Evaluation and through the associated processes and plans to develop a consistent, integrated approach to quality which promote self-reflection, accurate and rigorous self assessment with a focus on achieving results.

4.  Support the Heads of College and School in developing and managing tracking and performance management systems which will lead to raising achievement for all students.

5.  Coordinate and support staff in the preparation, and monitoring of self-assessment and improvement planning processes and to ensure that there is cross-academy compliance with and training to support quality assurance and improvement procedures.

6.  Manage quality enhancement mechanisms which are understood and owned by all staff and which have a significant, direct impact on continuous improvement and learner outcomes

7.  Ensure high quality information is used to inform planning, performance management and decision making in order to drive improvement across the Academy.

8.  Lead on strategies to ensure that data on learner outcomes and learner satisfaction are used effectively to improve and monitor quality and to ensure the rigour and reliability of Academy’s success data and value added data.

9.  Lead and implement Quality scrutiny, monitoring methods and impact targets to narrow or remove differentials in the achievements of particular groups of learners in relation to equality and diversity.

10.  Ensure that matters relating to both Equality and Diversity and safeguarding are reflected in Academy planning and quality systems and curriculum, and lead on the Academy Equality and Diversity strategy, policy and implementation.

11.  Work closely with the education SLT to ensure that the impact of the Equalities Action plan is systematically monitored. To report on the impact of the Action Plan to Governors and Trustees.

12.  Oversee the collection, collation, analysis and reporting on student feedback and to work closely with the Heads of School and College in the coordination of lesson observations, peer review, student progress reviews, internal and external verification, course performance reports, value-added data analysis and self assessment.

13.  To support the Head’s of College and School in overseeing the Annual Review and Annual report procedures for Academy students ensuring each student is actively involved in reviewing and setting their own targets and aspirations for the future.

14.  Co-ordinate the surveys from students, Parents and Local Authority and to ensure the outcomes lead to sustained improvement within the Academy.

15.  I would remove point 14 but needs the addition.

16.  Be first point of contact for Awarding Bodies as Centre Quality Nominee.
Ensure effective QA processes are in place for each programme of study (through liaison with teaching staff, lead teachers and exams officer) in line with Awarding Bodies' requirements.

17.  Co-ordinate Awarding Body monitoring visits as required.

18.  Liaise with teachers/SLT as to the effectiveness of study programmes and work with key staff to implement new programmes as required.

Professional Practice

1.  Support the Head’s of College and School in developing positive working relationships with and between all staff and provide and sustain motivation.

2.  Assist the Head’s of College and School in all areas of responsibility and undertake any additional responsibilities which might from time to time be determined.

3.  Lead groups of staff in development activities, delegate appropriately and evaluate outcomes.

4.  Lead and organise whole Academy/phase events, activities, performances and assemblies.

5.  Set and maintain high expectations and standards in all aspects of the Academy’s provision.

6.  Arrange, lead and chair meetings.

7.  Work closely with other staff, including HLTAs, TAs, Deaf Instructors, SALTS, Physiotherapists, Occupational Therapists and others, in order to provide a coherent and effective learning environment.

8.  Ensure the compliance of staff with the requirements of the Health and Safety at Work Act and the Academy Health and Safety policy and procedures.

9.  Work within the Code of Practice relating to Special Educational Needs.

10.  Supporting the Head’s of College and School in the effective discourse of the annual review process.

Academy Ethos and Development

1.  Support the vision, ethos and policies of the Academy and promote high levels of achievement in all areas.

2.  Play a key role in the self-evaluation of the Academy’s provision and support the Head’s of College and School in setting targets for improvement.

3.  Support the creation and implementation of the school improvement plan, and take sole responsibility for appropriately delegated aspects of it.

4.  Support all staff in achieving the priorities and targets which the Academy sets for itself, and provide them with support and guidance in implementing these.

5.  Support the Head’s of College and School in the administration and operation of the Academy’s performance management policy.

6.  Support the evaluation and effectiveness of the Academy’s policies and developments.

7.  Support the Head’s of College and School and Trustee-Governors in the appointment, deployment and development of staff to make the most effective use of their skills, expertise and experience and to ensure that all staff have a clear understanding of their responsibilities.

8.  Support the Head’s of College and School in developing links with parents, other schools, educational institutions and the wider community, including business and industry, in order to enhance teaching and learning and student’s personal development.

9.  Work with the Head’s of College and School in establishing priorities for expenditure and monitoring the effectiveness of spending and usage of resources with a view to achieving value for money.

10.  Provide information and advice to the Head’s of College and School and support proper accountability processes throughout the school.

11.  Report to the Governors in relation to various aspects of learning and teaching

12.  Support and advise the board of Trustee-Governors and Head’s of College and School by attending full and sub-committee meetings as requested.

13.  Undertake additional responsibilities which might from time to time be determined.

Liaison with others

1.  Liaise professionally and effectively with the wide range of agencies involved with students and their families to ensure positive and productive outcomes for students.

2.  Ensure that parents are well informed about the curriculum, its targets, student's attainment and their part in the process of improvement.

3.  Support Head’s of College and School in developing links with other schools, educational institutions and the wider community, including business and industry, in order to enhance teaching and learning and student's personal development.

Other Duties

1.  To participate in annual performance appraisals and undertake relevant staff development.

2.  To be responsible for the health and safety of self and others (in accordance with the Academy’s Health & Safety Policy).

3.  Providing cover in other areas as required.

4.  To carry out any other appropriate duties requested by the Chief Executive, Head of School and Heads of College.

5.  To be responsible for promoting and safeguarding the welfare of children and young adults responsible for (or come into contact with) in accordance with the Academy’s Child Protection Policy & Procedures.

This job description may be amended at any time following discussion between the Head’s of College and School and the post holder and will be reviewed on an ad-hoc basis.

The above list is indicative and not exhaustive. The Deputy Head for Teaching and Learning is expected to carry out all such additional duties as are reasonably commensurate with the role.

I accept this job description as a definition of the key responsibilities and duties of the post of Deputy Head for Teaching and Learning.

I appreciate that the above list is not indicative and exhaustive and that additional duties as reasonably commensurate with the role may be required of me.

Signed...... Date......

Print name......

Person Specification: Deputy Head for Teaching & Learning

Essential / Desirable
Qualifications
Degree or equivalent professional experience. / *
Teaching qualification. / *
Teacher of the Deaf (TOD) qualification. / *
Knowledge of current issues in relation to learning difficulties and disabilities. / *
Knowledge of current education legislation and its impact on further education. / *
Awareness of current teaching and learning strategies. / *
Knowledge of relevant regulations and standards. / *
BSL qualification at level 3 or the ability and commitment to work towards it. / *
Experience / Skills
Experience of successful leadership and management within a school or other educational setting. / *
Ability to provide professional leadership and management of a staff team and contribute to the work of other teams to secure high quality teaching, effective use of resources and improved standards of learning and achievement for all deaf learners with behaviour social and emotional needs across the school. / *
Experience of senior management within a school environment. / *
Recent experience of Pre-16 education curriculum in within a school environment. / *
Leading staff in the planning, development and monitoring of the curriculum. / *
Experience of liaison with senior staff and professionals in external agencies. / *
Experience in working with students with learning difficulties and disabilities. / *
Experience of working at pre-entry introductory and foundation levels. / *
Experience of finance and budget management. / *
Competent in dealing with staff performance management. / *
SKILLS AND ABILITIES
Strategic Curriculum planning. / *
Management of staff resources across the whole school. / *
Development, implementation and monitoring of quality procedures. / *
Understanding of strategies for raising achievement. / *
Project planning within required timelines. / *
Ability to employ a wide range of behaviour management strategies / *
PERSONAL QUALITIES
Ability to work co-operatively with others at all levels of the organisation. / *
Supportive of staff in the implementation of new initiatives. / *
Ability to inspire, motivate and encourage students and staff. / *
Willing to share and demonstrate good practice across the organisation. / *
Demonstrate an understanding and commitment to Equality & Diversity. / *
The ability to form and maintain appropriate relationships and personal boundaries with children and young people / *
Excellent written and oral communication skills. / *
Excellent presentation and inter-personal skills. / *
Excellent time and task management skills. / *
Ability to work under pressure and to deadlines. / *
Ability to use data effectively in setting targets. / *