Job Description
The post holder will be responsible to the Headmaster for fulfilling his/her teaching duties and
responsibilities within the school, as well as contributing to the broader side of school life.
The Role:
To lead the Upper School English Department (Years 5–8) and to have
academic oversight of Lower School literacy teaching (Years 1–4).
To make a significant contribution to the wider life of the school, and to take
on the role of a Form Tutor to support our pastoral system.
Key Responsibilities of the Role:
A summary of the key responsibilities and attributes expected from applicants
Curriculum:
• To continually review and update the current syllabus in the subject.
• To keep up to date with current thinking and developments in the subject,
especially Scholarship requirements, Common Entrance and the
National Curriculum.
• To deliver a Scholarship Programme for those pupils sitting Scholarship
papers to secondary schools.
• To allocate children to appropriate sets in Years 7 and 8.
• Advise and oversee planning within the Department through
collaborative discussion.
• To ensure that the use of iPads in the Department is effective and is
enhancing children’s learning.
• Attend curriculum meetings as organised by the IAPS network of schools, and
be prepared to host such meetings.
• To set examination papers which are appropriate to the material covered.
Liaison:
• To liaise with the Head of the Lower School and Pegasus Early Years and the
Heads of Key Stages 1 & 2 in order to be aware of the teaching of English
throughout the school.
• To advise the SLT on teaching allocations within the Department.
• To communicate with the Learning Development Centre regarding the progress
of pupils on the LDC register.
• To attend Heads of Department Meetings and hold regular Departmental
meetings and pass on the minutes to the Deputy Head Academic.
• To participate in meetings with parents and colleagues at school which relate to
the administration, organisation and curriculum of the Department.
• To organise regular whole school events such as visiting authors or a Book
Week so as to ensure continued enthusiasm for the subject throughout the
school.
Leadership:
• To carry out regular observations of colleagues in the Department and give
constructive feedback.
• To carry out regular work scrutiny of English throughout the school.
• To provide leadership and give advice and assistance to all teachers of English
throughout the school.
• To organise and direct the Librarians in their duties.
• To be responsible for coordinating display work as required, ensuring that it
meets a high standard and is changed at regular intervals.
Facilities and resources:
• Control and monitor a budget as advised by the Finance Department and ensure that the budget is spent effectively on resourcing the
Department.
• To be responsible for the rooms and equipment as allocated to the Department.
Information and reporting:
• To continually review the Department’s strengths and weaknesses through Department Development Plans, meetings and Department
Reviews.
• To ensure that the Departmental Handbook is kept up to date.
• To monitor, moderate, record and report on the development, progress and attainment of pupils as required.
• To ensure the maintenance of high standards of feedback, progress and achievement through regular work scrutiny.
• To take responsibility for contributions from the English Department to the weekly newsletter.
• To undertake any other administrative duties in respect of your employment as required by the Headmaster.
The Candidate
Essential:
Qualifications & Knowledge:
• Relevant university degree
• Qualified Teacher Status (QTS)
• Experience of teaching within the British
education system
• Evidence of reflective practice and
commitment to Continuing Professional
Development (CPD)
• Knowledge and interest in current
educational developments
• Understanding of special educational
needs
Skills & Abilities:
• Genuine passion for teaching English
• Capacity to lead and inspire the
Departmental team
• Experience of curriculum management
(planning, implementing, reflecting)
• Ability to use assessments and data
effectively to inform teaching
• Ability to create a stimulating and
engaging learning environment
• Ability to teach challenging lessons that
are adapted to cater for the needs of all
pupils
• Strong digital literacy and ICT
competency
Personal Qualities
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to
communicate effectively with all members of
the school community
• High levels of personal organisation
• Ability to show initiative and flexibility
• Understanding and appreciation of The Banda
School’s ethos and values
• Willingness to be fully involved in the wider life
of the school
• Commitment to the School’s pastoral system
and an appreciation of an all-round education
• A clean Certificate of Good Conduct or
International Child Protection Certificate (ICPC)
• The ability to safeguard and promote the
welfare of the pupils
Desirable
• Experience of teaching the Common Entrance
specification
• Previous middle leadership experience and/or
experience of being a line manager
• Experience of leading professional
development
• Experience of using iPads (or other tablets)
and Virtual Learning platforms to support
teaching and learning
The Person
• Possess a degree or equivalent teaching qualification.
• Have experience of working in British Curriculum Schools.
• Possess the desire to be fully involved in all aspects of the life in a leading preparatory school.
• Have the capacity to lead and inspire the departmental team.
• Possess a love of English teaching to children of all abilities and a passion for the
development of academic excellence in this subject.
• Be able to build good relationships with parents and families.
• Be able to build good relationships with colleagues.
• Be able to create a stimulating and engaging learning environment.
• Be able to use initiative, show flexibility and be adaptable.
• Be pro-active, dynamic and a self-motivated member of The Banda School team.
• Be punctual and use time appropriately.
• Be a good communicator with adults and children.
• Show good organisational skills.
• Show a competent level of written English.
• Be experienced in using ICT in teaching and record keeping.
• Familiarity with iPads is an advantage.
• Present a clean Certificate of Good Conduct or International Child Protection Certificate
(ICPC).
• Safeguard and promote the welfare of the pupils.
• Keep up to date with educational developments and be committed to continual personal and
professional development.