Job Description: Head of Science /
St Mary’s School Ascot is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
1. Title. Head of Science
2. Location. St Mary’s School Ascot, St Mary’s Road, Ascot, SL5 9JF.
3. Background. St Mary's School Ascot is a leading Roman Catholic girls' boarding school set in 55 acres of beautiful grounds in the heart of Berkshire. We are a friendly, stable and caring community, proud of our academic and sporting achievements and dedicated to bringing out the full potential of each of our 390 pupils. We are committed to full boarding, with spaces for a few day pupils living nearby. We offer a stimulating range of extra-curricular activities which take place in the evenings and throughout the weekend. For further details see the website: www.st-marys-ascot.co.uk
4. The Department. Science teaching takes place in five purpose-built laboratories housed in a separate building; all of these laboratories have interactive whiteboards. There is also a science tutorial room, spacious preparation rooms and teacher work areas. The department has excellent technicians and is well resourced with equipment, teaching aids, textbooks and ICT hardware and software. Each member of the department has his/her own laptop computer, provided by the school.
The science course in Year 7 has an even spread of topics between Biology, Chemistry and Physics. In Years 8 and 9 pupils are taught by specialist subject teachers. The National Curriculum is used as the basis of our courses in Years 7 and 8. One teacher for each class takes the role of co-ordinator from Years 9 to 11 except the triple science sets and is responsible for overseeing reporting on the pupils’ progress in science.
Approximately 45% of pupils take the Triple Award Edexcel IGCSE. The remainder take Edexcel IGCSE Double Award. Biology, Chemistry and Physics are offered at A level (OCR) and all three sciences are very popular choices.
We encourage girls to further their interest in science by joining science and technology clubs and by reading relevant publications. We also arrange special activities during National Science, Engineering and Technology Week. The St Mary’s science teachers form a closely co-operating, friendly and supportive group. We aim for the highest levels of teaching and our administration relies heavily on the use of ICT.
5. The Appointment. The appointment is from September 2015 and is full time.
Responsibilities as Head of Department:
The Head of Department has responsibility for the complete range of educational provision and outcomes within his/her subject area, the administration and development of the department, delegation within the department and oversight of all delegated responsibility. The Head of Department is responsible for:
· promoting Science within the school
· keeping informed of current developments in Science
· managing the aspirations of able and gifted pupils including a programme for Oxbridge, medics and veterinary applicants
· encouraging pupils to aspire to science related careers
· organising external speakers, visits and fieldtrips which relate to the Science curriculum
· encouraging pupils of all abilities and liaising with the SENCO as appropriate
· attending regular Heads of Department meetings
· representing the department at Open Mornings
· leading on the production of the Department Development Plan
· attending relevant courses in the interests of staff development and supervising the provision of INSET
· chairing and organising Science Department meetings
· liaising with other departments
· ensuring that all members of the department meet deadlines for report writing and are up to date with paperwork for inspection
· conducting staff appraisal following guidelines in the Staff Employment Manual
· observing lessons and monitoring assessment within the department
· monitoring NQTs and reporting to the Director of Studies
· carrying out contingency planning in case of long term absence of staff
· organising the KS3 scheme of work for Science with the teachers of Science and determining the order in which GCSE, AS and A2 level units of work will be taught
· producing and marking internal and 13+ examinations for Science
· conducting 16+ entrance interviews for Science and to completing the necessary paperwork for the Registrar
· entering students for external exams in Science, reviewing specifications periodically and attending exam board meetings
· reporting to the Head Teacher and Director of Studies on public examination results
· assisting with recruitment of science staff
· liaising with the appropriate member of staff re timetabling
· promoting ICT as a learning and administrative tool throughout the department
· planning and development for the department on a short, medium and long term basis
· maintaining an up to date departmental handbook containing details of all departmental procedures and policies
· managing the departmental budget and effective allocation of resources
· ordering resources and keeping records of budgets in Science and charges to students
· organising resources in Science including texts, periodicals, software and online resources
Additional Duties:
· All members of staff are involved in extra-curricular activities
· All staff are on duty on two weekends and two evenings a term
· All members of staff attend parent/staff meetings on Friday afternoons
· All members of staff attend six full days of INSET per year at the beginning of term
· Most members of staff can expect to take charge of a tutor group
· All members of staff attend the annual Open Day and any other out of school social function as required by the Headmistress.
6. Person Specification. The successful candidate will be a well-qualified teacher of Science to A level and Oxbridge with a proven track record who is ready to move into a position of responsibility. S/he will have a real love of Science and be able to inspire both the pupils and her/his staff by sharing this passion with them. S/he should be keen to make the maximum use of ICT within lessons. We are looking for a keen scientist to build upon the success of our excellent public examination results and to motivate pupils to take science subjects at the best universities. S/he should be able to manage a team effectively and know how to get the best from each teacher in the department. We are looking for a person with vision, drive and sound judgement.
7. A Catholic School. Nearly all pupils and about 50% of the staff are Roman Catholic. It is not a requirement of this post that applicants should be RC but all staff at the school are expected to be sympathetic to the religious and boarding character of the school.
8. Conditions.
Salary: Salary is paid according to the St Mary’s scale.
10. Applications. A letter of application, completed application form and the names, addresses and telephone numbers of three referees (including the current or latest employer) should be sent by 12 noon on Friday 20 February 2015 to: Mrs Mary Breen, Headmistress, St Mary’s School, Ascot SL5 9JF.
First interviews will be held at the school on Monday 2 March 2015.
ST MARY’S SCHOOL ASCOTCHILD PROTECTION POLICY
/Introduction
This policy was updated in October 2014 and complies with:
DfE Statutory Guidance Keeping Children Safe in Education April 2014
Working Together to Safeguard Children March 2013
This policy is published in the School Staff Employment Manual, the School Handbook and on the St Mary’s School Ascot website in accordance with ISI regulations.
In all matters relating to child protection the School will follow the procedures as laid down by the Berkshire Local Safeguarding Children Board’s: Child Protection Procedures as last revised November 2013. These procedures and Working Together to Safeguard Children 2013 are published and frequently updated on a dedicated web-site at http://proceduresonline.com/berks.
Mrs Elizabeth Hewer, and in her absence Mrs Virginia Barker, is the designated person responsible for co-ordinating action within the School and liaising with other agencies. Both these senior members of staff have status and authority to take responsibility for child protection matters, have received training in child protection and inter-agency working and are familiar with ‘Working Together to Safeguard Children 2013’. All teaching, residential, pastoral, support, peripatetic and ancillary staff, and all other adults working at the School are required to familiarise themselves with the procedures described in this policy.
Mrs Oonagh Berry is the school governor with an overview of child protection procedures within the school. As well as being involved in discussions pertaining to child protection matters with the designated person she reviews and checks the single central register on a termly basis.
Aims and Objectives
The aim of the child protection policy at St Mary's is to safeguard and promote the welfare, health and safety of our pupils at St Mary's Ascot by fostering an honest, open, caring and supportive ethos. The welfare of the pupils is of paramount importance. As a full boarding school we fully recognise and are committed to the responsibility we have under section 87(1) of the Children Act 1989 to safeguard and promote the welfare of each pupil and to protect and support them in all academic pursuits and all boarding situations.
Our policy has three main elements:
Prevention of harm: by creating and maintaining a positive school atmosphere with excellent pastoral support, stimulating teaching of a varied curriculum and vigilance by all staff and particularly within the boarding environment.
Protection from harm: by following agreed procedures as laid down by Berkshire Local Safeguarding Children Boards - Child Protection Procedures, last revised November 2013, by ensuring that appropriate staff are properly recruited, trained and are supported to respond sensitively and appropriately to child protection concerns.
Support: by giving appropriate support to pupils and staff if incidents concerning child protection issues occur.
It is important to differentiate between safeguarding children who have suffered or are likely to suffer significant harm where cases should be reported to Children’s Social Care immediately; and those who are in need of additional support from one or more agencies. The latter could include cases of self-harm or eating disorders and should lead to inter-agency assessment using local processes, including the use of the “Common Assessment Framework (CAF)” and “Team around the Child (TAC)” approaches.
We recognise that high self-esteem, confidence, supportive friends and a clear line of communication with a trusted adult help all children especially those who may be worried or anxious. St Mary's, therefore, promotes an ethos where pupils feel secure and are encouraged to talk and are listened to.
Pupils are reminded in assemblies taken by the Headmistress or Deputy Headmistresses or the School Council, in House meetings, tutor groups, the Skills for Life programme and in their study diaries to whom they are able to talk. That may be their Head of House, their tutor, their residential member of staff, the School Chaplain, their teachers, their house captains, their tutor monitor, School prefects, the Independent Listener, the School nurses or the School doctor, the Headmistress or the Deputy Headmistresses. They are encouraged to find a person they trust. Pupils are kept aware of the Anti-Bullying policy which encourages them to speak about issues worrying them. Pupils are also made aware of adjusting their behaviour, where necessary, in order to reduce risks. This includes educating pupils, through regular internal and externally provided ICT safety talks, about the safe use of electronic equipment and access to the Internet.
The school also values and promotes effective relationships with parents and colleagues from other agencies.
Ensuring Safe Staff
St Mary’s ensures the implementation of safe recruitment practices (see the Recruitment and Selection Policy and the DBS Procedures). Statutory procedures for checking the suitability of staff and volunteers to work with children are always followed including enhanced criminal records checks with the DBS, barred list checks, prohibition order checks and compliance with Independent School Standards Regulations.
All staff including the Headmistress, part-time staff and voluntary staff are made aware of this policy and receive training which includes which signs to look out for and appropriate record keeping. Refresher training for staff is provided regularly, with the designated persons receiving training every 2 years. As part of their induction programme newly appointed staff receive training in child protection issues including this Child Protection Policy and its Code of Conduct for Staff, and are issued with and required to read Part 1 of Keeping Children Safe in Education. All child protection training is given by one of four members of staff: Mrs Elizabeth Hewer, Mrs Virginia Barker, Mr Giles Brand, and Mrs Nicola MacRobbie, all of whom have themselves received training in child protection matters and inter-agency working provided by the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead and who are familiar with the Guidance ‘Working Together to Safeguard Children’.
Assurance is obtained that appropriate child protection checks and procedures apply to any staff employed by another organisation and working with the School’s pupils on another site.
Training for Senior Pupils
As part of their induction programme the head girls, and upper sixth and lower sixth prefects also receive training on the action to take if they receive any allegations of abuse from other pupils.
Procedures for dealing with allegations of abuse
Allegations of abuse may be against a member of staff, a volunteer, or against another pupil or pupils, and these procedures apply in all cases.
If a member of staff is made aware of an allegation of abuse, or if knowledge of a possible abuse comes to his/her attention it is his/her duty to listen to the child, to provide re-assurance and to record the child's statements, but not to probe or put words into the child's mouth.
On hearing an allegation of abuse or complaint about abuse directly from a child, a member of staff should limit questioning to the minimum necessary for clarification. Leading questions should be avoided. No inappropriate guarantees of confidentiality should be given; rather the informant should be told that the matter will be referred in confidence to the appropriate people.
The member of staff should make and submit an accurate written record and inform the Headmistress and the designated person immediately so that appropriate agencies can be informed within 24 hours and the matter resolved without delay. The designated person will contact the LADO (local authority designated officer) for advice or direction.