Head of English

At St Margaret's, teachers benefit from a close-knit community and a calm and purposeful learning environment where children and young people are ambitious and keen to progress. The successful candidate will be remunerated at the appropriate point on the Principal Teachers’ Scale. Subject to satisfying eligibility criteria, the successful applicant will be automatically enrolled into the Scottish Teachers’ Superannuation Scheme, but will have the right to opt out. Daughters of staff who attend the school will be eligible for a 30% remission on school fees after one year’s service. St Margaret’s has an Employee Assistance Programme which offers free and confidential advice on both work and personal issues.

Applications are invited for the post of Head of English. This position will offer an exciting leadership opportunity for a dynamic, well-qualified, experienced, and forward-looking teacher. The successful candidate will be an English graduate with a proven track record of excellent teaching, an inclusive approach, and commitment to fostering a love of learning in all pupils. In addition to bringing ambition and vision for the learning and teaching of English, the Head of English will be ready to contribute with enthusiasm to the wider life of the school. The successful candidate will also work closely with colleagues in the junior school to ensure coherence and progression throughout the literacy curriculum. The department is lively and thriving. English results in SQA examinations have been very strong over a number of years, attesting to the department’s high standards and innovative practice. St Margaret’s pupils regularly go on to study English at university. Candidates should be GTCS registered or eligible for registration. Shortlisted candidates will be asked to teach a lesson, which will be observed.

Responsibilities

• To prepare and maintain schemes of work.
• To prepare pupils for internal and external assessment.
• To mark and moderate pupils' work.
• To provide a stimulating learning environment for pupils.
• To write reports.
• To maintain pupils' records.
• To provide consultation for pupils and their parents.
• To participate in the school’s professional learning programme.
• To develop and implement teaching and learning strategies in line with school policy.
• To cover for colleagues as required.
• To attend parents’ evenings.
• To take part in school open days.
• To contribute to the positive ethos and extra-curricular life of St Margaret’s School.

Head of English Role

• Heads of Department play an essential role in the leadership, management, and organisation of the school with a particular focus on the delivery and development of learning and teaching.
• They are accountable to the Deputy Heads, one of whom will be the departmental liaison member of the Senior Leadership Team and the Head.
• To set an example to the department in all areas of professional life, seeking to maintain high personal standards and keeping abreast of developments in the teaching of English and literacy.
• To plan, implement, and review the senior English curriculum within national guidelines, liaising closely with junior school teachers to ensure continuity and progression in the literacy curriculum across the school.
• The leadership of the department in the co-ordination and preparation of its schemes of work and in the effective deployment and presentation of its resources and facilities.
• The leadership of departmental quality assurance in order to ensure the highest possible standards of teaching, assessment, tracking, and reporting.
• To prepare in consultation with colleagues an annual departmental development plan linked to the school development plan.
• The timetabling arrangements, where these pertain, within the department.
• The carrying out of specific administrative tasks associated with the organisation and co-ordination of all internal and public examinations in English, including the setting, marking, and assessing of papers/coursework.
• To inform the Head of developments in English and examinations, and of the possible implications these may have for St Margaret's School.
• The preparation and submission of the annual budgetary requirements for the department.
• To make positive contributions to Heads of Department meetings and whole school initiatives.
• To support and mentor colleagues within the department in their own professional development.
• To ensure that a varied and stimulating programme of English extra-curricular activities is offered to pupils, and the organisation and co-ordination of such trips, visits, and outside speakers as may add enrichment to the day-to-day teaching in the department.
• To work closely with the admissions office in the setting and assessment of entrance papers as required.
• To liaise closely with the marketing office providing content for print and social media; to ensure that the English pages of the school website and other publications promote the work of the department to current and prospective families.
• To liaise closely with the senior leadership team in the organisation of the senior school library and in co-ordinating the work of the library prefects.