Head of English
Glenalmond College
Perth and Kinross
- Expired
- Job type:
- Full Time, Permanent
- Apply by:
- 23 April 2024
Job overview
We are looking to appoint a Head of English for a September 2024 or January 2025 start. The successful candidate should be able to teach up to A-level/Advanced Higher in English and be registered or eligible to be registered with GTC Scotland.
The English Department has an enviable track record at Glenalmond, where a passionate team of teaching staff come together to encourage pupils to reach their full potential. The department has a very high profile in the school, and our numbers Higher and A-level are high. Our exam results are excellent, with positive value added across all qualifications every year. We offer CIE IGCSE in English Language (0500) and English Literature (0475) and OCR A Level English Literature as well as Higher English. The department has 4 full-time teachers. The department aims to bring the subject to life beyond the classroom: a number of trips, competitions and extra-curricular activities are run by members of the team, and candidates will be expected to run and contribute to such events/activities.
Package Description
We offer:
- A competitive salary
- Fee concessions are available for staff children who attend Glenalmond and there are various reciprocal arrangements with local Prep schools
- Teacher's pension scheme
- Free staff lunches during term time and complimentary refreshments during hours of work
- Employee assistance programme
- A great working environment as part of a developing team and the possibility of opportunities for the role to grow.
Main Responsibilities
The Role
- To develop and provide strategic planning for the provision of English which incorporates the pursuit of excellence, aspiration and participation, whilst supporting the overall strategic objectives of the College
- To allocate the teaching timetables for all members of the department.
- To take responsibility for all aspects of teaching and learning in the department within and beyond the curriculum, including being available in August to provide guidance to pupils regarding their public examination results
- To inspire the teachers in the department and to lead them by example by engaging in professional learning and keeping up to date with the latest pedagogical developments
- To be responsible for all aspects of internal and external examination entries
- To be responsible for the writing and delivery of schemes of work and curriculum plans with! schemes ! of work being regularly revised
- To write mid-term and end-of-term reports as well as oversee the quality of the reports of members of staff in the department.
- To mark and report upon any entrance examinations for prospective pupils.
- To inspire and lead all departmental staff so that all pupils are motivated and are given opportunities to develop their creative talents in a positive, innovative and effective working environment
- To conduct academic Professional Review meetings for all members of the department.
- To oversee the management of budgetary requirements of the academic budget, ensuring the school pursues value-for-money solutions to the needs of the pupils and aims and objectives of the school, liaising with the Bursar as appropriate
- To submit an annual English Improvement Plan and update the department’s handbook.
- To assist in communicating pupil achievements and results in assemblies, end-of-term notes and/or information required for marketing purposes
- To ensure the school Health & Safety policy requirements are implemented at all times including conducting full and complete risk assessments and attending Health and Safety meetings
- To teach an academic timetable of iGCSE, Higher and A-level courses as stipulated by t! he examination boards. Teaching also takes place on Saturday mornings (except leave out weekends which occur twice per term).
- To participate fully in the culture of the school which will include pastoral duties, boarding house duties, form tutor duties, extra-curricular responsibilities and other school duties. This includes Saturday afternoon extra-curricular responsibilities.
- To ensure that all departmental documentation is collated and securely managed with Data Protection in mind and available for inspection when required
- To monitor pupil attendance and academic performance
- A willingness to be committed to a boarding school ethos; the successful applicant will be expected to take a tutor group and to assist with evening duties in a boarding house, normally one evening per week.
The Ideal Candidate
Personal and Professional Qualities Sought
- A proven track record of excellence in the delivery of English
- A candidate who will be able to work collaboratively and productively with staff from other disciplines when required.
- A qualified teacher of English with a passion for the subject.
- Ability to lead and inspire others
- Excellent communication (oral and written), interpersonal and listening skill! s
- Excellent planning and organisational skills
- An in-depth understanding of life in a Boarding School
- Demonstrable experience of pastoral care provision
- The ability to represent the school to parents, external agencies and professional bodies
- A willingness to embrace continual, personal and professional development.
About the school/organisationGlenalmond College is an inspiring place to live and work. The community atmosphere and warmth of welcome are matched by the commitment and professionalism of our staff, who are key to the success of the school.
Glenalmond welcomes boys and girls, aged 12 to 18, as boarders or day pupils. Most of our pupils are British, but we also have a number of pupils from up to 16 different countries around the world. There are up to 400 pupils at Glenalmond College, an almost even balance of boys and girls.
Glenalmond offers a rigorous model of education with intern ational currency. A curriculum of breadth an! d depth, ! balancing a core of facilitating subjects with a variety of options to inform, challenge and ignite passions and recognise developments in technology.
Our purpose at Glenalmond is to help make the world a better place. That aim hasn’t changed at all since our foundation way back in 1847, and we share Ralph Waldo Emerson’s definition of success:
“To laugh often and much…to appreciate beauty…to find the best in others, to leave the world a bit better…to know even one life has breathed easier because you lived.”
About Glenalmond College
The College is built on the south bank of the River Almond, from the north bank of which rise the Grampians. It is about 50 miles north of Edinburgh and 10 miles from both Perth and Crieff.
The College Buildings, grouped round a cloistered quadrangle, comprise the Chapel, Hall, Library, houserooms and studies, study bedrooms, classrooms. A separate block houses additional classrooms, a purpose built Science Centre and a Theatre. A few yards away are the Art School and the Design and Technology Centre. Next to these are the Music practise rooms.
The Sports Complex consists of squash courts, a strength and conditioning suite, an indoor sports hall and a heated indoor swimming pool, fitness suite and an indoor .22 range.
Houses. There are 4 houses for boys and 3 houses for girls. The organisation of all the Houses is the same, each having accommodation for resident Housestaff. Senior boys and girls have study-bedrooms or studies of their own.
Religion. The College is an Episcopalian foundation and has a splendid Chapel. However all denominations are welcomed.
Admission. Boys and girls enter the College between the ages of 13 and 14 via the Common Entrance Examination or Entrance Scholarship papers. Pupils leaving Primary Schools may qualify by tests and examinations for junior entry at rising 12. Girls and boys may also qualify for entry into the Lower Sixth, or at other points during their school career.
Curriculum. In the first 3 years all pupils take a wide range of subjects up to the GCSE with English, Mathematics, a modern language and the 3 Sciences as core subjects. Greek, Spanish, German, Art, Drama, Music, Design/Technology, History, Geography, Latin, Computer Science, Physical Education are optional subjects to GCSE and beyond. Each pupil is guided by a tutor.
The Sixth Form provides specialist courses in Arts and Sciences leading to GCE A-Level and also a selection of SQA Higher Levels. Lectures from outside speakers on social, economic and cultural subjects of topical interest take place regularly.
Economics, Business Studies, Theatre Studies, History of Art, and Politics are now fully established in the Sixth Form.
Careers. Over 90% of pupils qualify for entry to university; some go direct to professional careers, industry, the Services, etc. Great emphasis is placed on careers guidance: careers talks, visits and advice along with a well-stocked careers room assist pupils in their choice. Most pupils take careers aptitude tests at age 16.
Art, Drama and Music. Music plays a central part in the life of the school: there is an Orchestra as well as smaller String, Woodwind and Brass Groups. A large Choir and Choral Society perform at the College, in Perth and in Edinburgh. The Concert Society arranges recitals and concerts at the College; frequent visits are made to concerts in Perth and elsewhere. There is a Pipe Band.
The Drama and Art departments flourish, in conjunction with the well-established Design and Technology Centre. Art, Music as well as Design/Technology form part of the normal curriculum and can be taken at GCSE and A level.
Games and Recreations. Rugby, Hockey and Lacrosse are played in the Michaelmas Term and there is a wide variety of activities to choose from in the Lent Term including Football. In Summer Term the sports are Cricket, Athletics, Shooting, Tennis and Golf. Shooting on the Miniature Ranges takes place during the two winter terms. There is a large indoor heated Swimming Pool and pupils are trained in personal survival and Lifesaving. There are also Squash Courts, Tennis Courts, a private Golf Course, and two full-size all-weather pitches for hockey and tennis.
During the Summer, pupils have the opportunity to explore the hills and the neighbouring countryside.
Combined Cadet Force. There is a contingent of the Combined Cadet Force which has strong links with the Armed Forces and the Royal Regiment of Scotland (Black Watch Battalion) in particular. The ceremonial dress, as worn by the Pipe Band for example, is the Highland dress with the Murray of Atholl tartan.
Army and Air sections, with a Pre-Service section for Junior Pupils, are organised on the basis of the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award. Shooting and Adventure Training figure prominently; pupils may also be engaged on Conservation, Community Service Work or Mountain Awareness Group.
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