Appointment of Head of Modern Languages - Berkhamsted ...

Appointment of
           Head of Modern Languages

       AIM HIGH WITH INTEGRITY – BE ADVENTUROUS – SERVE OTHERS

Berkhamsted Schools Group | Appointment of Head of Modern Languages   1

The School

Berkhamsted School is situated in the historic Hertfordshire town of Berkhamsted, a prosperous
community surrounded by Chiltern countryside and within easy reach of London. With Her Majesty
the Queen as the School’s patron, Berkhamsted is a leading Independent School for pupils aged 3 to
18 years, the foundation of which dates back to 1541 (when John Incent, the Dean of St Paul’s
Cathedral, successfully applied to King Henry the VIII for a license to purchase a piece of land for a
‘freescole’).
In 1888 a Girls School was founded in Berkhamsted under the same governing body, and the Boys’
and Girls’ Schools merged to form a diamond school in 1997. The Prep School was also integrated at
this stage, and the School became Berkhamsted Collegiate School.
In 2011 the School merged with Heatherton House, a small independent day School for girls in
Chesham Bois, and became the Berkhamsted Schools Group. Operating as a satellite Prep School
Heatherton provides a feed of Girls to the Berkhamsted Girls School every year. In 2012
Berkhamsted Schools Group acquired Haresfoot, a small proprietary prep school in Berkhamsted.
This site now houses the Berkhamsted Pre-Prep and Berkhamsted Day Nursery Limited, and
Berkhamsted Prep School takes children from age 7-11.
Berkhamsted is the only School in the Herts, Beds and Bucks region, and one of only a small number
of Schools in the country, to offer a ‘diamond’ structure that combines the best of both single-sex
and co-educational teaching. Boys and Girls are taught together until the age of 11 (Berkhamsted
Pre-prep and Prep), separately from the age of 11-16 (Berkhamsted Boys and Berkhamsted Girls),
before coming back together again in a joint sixth form (Berkhamsted Sixth).

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The Opportunity
We are seeking an inspiring, enthusiastic and well-qualified languages graduate to lead this forward-
looking and committed department from September 2019. The successful candidate will have the
ability to teach two of the three main languages that we offer at Berkhamsted (French, Spanish and
Mandarin). This is a superb opportunity to lead a talented and growing team.

The Department
The Modern Languages department currently consists of fourteen staff, all of whom have the ability
to teach two languages. On entry to the Senior School in Year 7, pupils study two languages of their
choice from French, Spanish, Mandarin or Latin, and follow these choices for the duration of Key
Stage 3. The study of a language to IGCSE level is optional but a large proportion of students choose
to continue with their language learning. We currently offer French and Spanish at both IGCSE and
A level, Mandarin at GCSE level and German at A level.

For several years, the department has enjoyed excellent examination success at both IGCSE and A
level. In 2018, 80% of students gained an A* or A at IGCSE and equally impressive results were also
seen at A2. The enthusiasm for languages at Berkhamsted is reflected in the numbers that continue
to study languages at university.

We are seeking a dynamic, enthusiastic Head of Modern Languages who has an excellent rapport
with young people and can motivate and inspire both colleagues and students to reach their full
potential. In turn, you will be supported by a professional team with excellent resources. The
successful applicant for this post will be expected to contribute to the trips within the department
and be prepared to help with the numerous visits and events that currently exist.

In addition to teaching duties and to the specific responsibilities of the post, it is expected that
members of the teaching staff will contribute fully to the life of the School through participation in
the pastoral, co-curricular and extra-curricular activities programmes, which form an integral part of
a teacher’s role in this top independent school.

Outline Job Description
The Head of Modern Languages is required to show leadership in securing standards of excellence in
teaching and learning and play a key role in developing school policy and directing the strategic vision
for Berkhamsted School. The post holder will also provide the vision for the department and link key
objectives into the School Development Plan. They are expected to monitor, support, appraise and
motivate other members of the department, setting high professional standards in all aspects of work
with targets for professional development and improvement. It is the Head of Department’s
responsibility to make decisions or give advice, but it is hoped that this can be done within a framework
of consultation and co-operation, so that other staff in the department gain experience and training
for responsibility.

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General Responsibilities

    1. Curriculum - the strategic direction and development of modern languages within the
       context of the school’s aims and policies which guides subject policies, plans, targets and
       practices:

   a) Keeping abreast of developments in modern languages, teaching methods etc. and attending
      meetings and CPD courses by arrangement with the Principal and Vice Principal; making use
      of any opportunities for inter-departmental initiatives and co-operation.

   b) Promoting the department in the wider community.

   c) Formulating the aims of the department; planning schemes of work for the department within
      the School’s Curriculum Policy; producing, reviewing and updating the departmental
      documents, practice and policies as necessary; evaluating new syllabuses.

   d) Overseeing and co-ordinating applications, staffing and the leadership of educational visits
      within the department.

   e) Being familiar with all the subject requirements for Public Examinations and ensuring proper
      preparation of the pupils for them.

   f)    Liaising with the Examinations Officer and the Deputy Head (Academic Performance) in
         arrangements for Public and Internal School Examinations.

   g) Being available and contactable either in person or by email/phone during the examination
      results periods to advise staff, parents and pupils on examination performance and university
      entrance.

Staff – leading and managing staff to ensure all those with involvement in the teaching or support of
the subject receive the leadership, support, challenge, information and professional development
necessary to sustain staff motivation and secure improvement in teaching:

    a)     Liaising with the Principal and Vice Principal on the recruitment and appointment of new
           members to the department.

    b)     Providing induction for and guidance of new staff in syllabus, resources, procedures for
           marking, reporting etc.; ensuring effective supervision of probationer teachers within the
           department.

    c)     Ensuring that ‘good practice’, in terms of both teaching and learning, documentation and
           professionalism is shared and upheld throughout the department.

    d)     Ensuring the professional development of all members of the department through in-
           service training, professional organisations and active involvement in wider school activities.
           Identifying the training needs of all members in the department and liaising with the CPD
           co-ordinator.

    e)     Encouraging and developing innovative approaches to learning, including online resources.

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f)      Evaluating the performance of teaching staff and others within the Department as part of
          the formal Staff Appraisal process, providing assistance with the development of their
          careers.

  g)      Co-ordinating the programmes for lesson observation and work scrutiny in the
          departments.

  h)      Organising regular departmental meetings and ensuring good communication within the
          department and that all are up to date with identified issues, plans made, actions taken
          within an agreed timescale.

  i)      Where necessary, setting work for pupils if a member of the department is absent and
          liaising over cover.

  2. Resources – ensuring the efficient, effective and safe deployment of Staff and Resources and
     identifying appropriate additional resources for the modern languages and department:

  a) Liaising with the Principal, Vice Principal and Deputy Head (Curriculum) over the annual
     staffing allocation and matters of staff welfare and development.

  b) Preparing estimates for departmental budgets and major equipment at the appropriate time.
     Managing the departmental budget effectively and informing line managers of any issues. Liaising
     with the member of SMT responsible for ICT regarding resources, installation and support.

  c) Creating and deploying learning resources effectively; ordering textbooks and other material
     within budget provisions and keeping an account of departmental expenditure.

  d) Checking on stock and resources and taking steps to ensure against unreasonable loss, wear
     and tear.

  e) Monitoring the implementation of the School Health and Safety policy within the department,
     ensuring a safe working environment in line with the Policy for both staff and pupils.

  f)   Providing and monitoring appropriate risk assessments.

  g) Ensuring that all out-of-school activities are in line with the School Health & Safety Policy and
     Guidelines.

  3. Pupils – securing and sustaining effective teaching of modern languages, evaluating the quality
     of teaching and standards of pupils’ achievements, setting targets for improvement:

a) Aiming to raise expectations and get the best out of pupils with varying needs and abilities.

b) Ensuring that every pupil receives the best teaching and learning experience while in the
   department.

c) Encouraging interest in the modern languages and participation in appropriate activities and trips
   abroad.

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d) Encouraging high standards of work, drawing attention to achievement through classroom
    displays, exhibitions for Open Days, public performances, website info etc.

 e) Designing, setting and managing homework, so that it is a valuable extension of class activities
    and helps pupils to develop independent learning skills. Ensuring formative and summative
    assessment is meaningful and work set by the department is marked accurately and returned
    promptly.

 f)       Contributing to pupils’ core skills of literacy, numeracy and I.T. capability; contributing to pupils’
          spiritual, moral, social and cultural development.

 g) Assisting with the admission and induction of pupils into the school where appropriate.

 h) Using data to recognise and nurture the quality of practice within the department and in
    promoting pupils’ progress.

 i) Ensuring reports are individualised and meaningful, providing a valuable form of communication
          and self-reflection.

The skills and attributes essential to the Head of Department’s role

           Leadership skills, attributes and professional competence: the ability to lead, manage and
            motivate people to work as individuals and as a team towards a common goal.

           Decision making skills: the ability to solve problems and make decisions.

           Communications skills: the ability to make points clearly, listen accurately and understand the
            views of others.

           Time-management: the ability to plan time effectively and to organise oneself well.

           Administrative skills.

           Management skills.

Process
The closing date for application is 24 February 2019.

The School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people
and expects all staff and visitors to adopt a child centred and coordinated approach to child
protection and safeguarding. The successful applicant will be required to apply for an Enhanced
Disclosure check by the Disclosure and Barring Service. Berkhamsted Schools Group is a registered
charity dedicated to education: 310630.

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How to apply                       T

Closing date for applications is 24 February 2019.

An application form is available on our website.

Please include with your application:
       the completed application form which can be found on our website;
       a full CV;
       a covering letter, addressed to the Principal – Mr Richard Backhouse, of not more
        than two pages (total)

Completed application forms should be emailed to recruitment@berkhamsted.com

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