Head of Science Faculty, Switzerland

Posted: 14 November 2019

Job Description Head of Science Faculty

Responsible to Director of Learning

Aiglon College is an international boarding school based in the Swiss Alps with a worldwide reputation for providing a challenging holistic education in an inspiring setting within a safe, caring and supportive framework. The School is CIS accredited,and caters for 375 students aged 9-18 representing 64 nations. Students prepare for IGCSEs and the IB Diploma Programme.

Heads of Department and Heads of Faculty are expected to make a significant contribution to the ethos of Aiglon and be a strong ambassador for the school. The expectation is that staff will be positive and contribute enthusiastically to the life and work of the school. Heads of Faculty are responsible through the Director of Learning to the Head of School for sustaining and improving the quality of education offered to the students in the school.

The science faculty is a thriving team of one part-time and 12 teaching and technical staffin the Science Department . We are a friendly, collegiate team who enjoy sharing ideas and best practice. Our schemes of work include a significant emphasis on lab activities and student-led inquiry; we have access to modern apparatus and data-logging equipment, ensuring that students develop scientific skills and an appreciation of the scientific method, in addition to knowledge. The department is based in a suite of well-equipped laboratories located within a modern chalet-style building.Students are taught the three separate sciences by subject specialists from year 9 onward. Most students are prepared for Edexcel Double Award Science IGCSEs at the end of year 11, before selecting one or two science subjects in the IB Diploma Programme.

The Head of Science will be a quality science graduate with the ability, drive and inspiration to lead a flourishing department. The position of Head of Science encompasses the overall management of all four science departments and the teaching of science in the Junior School. The holder of the post is assisted in the co-ordination of these departments by the Heads of Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Environmental Systems and the Junior Science Co-ordinator. The appointed person will be expected to teach across the full age and ability range, up to and including IB Higher Level. The ideal candidate for this position will be a flexible,hard-working team-player, with a passion for science, a good sense of humour, and a proven track record of supporting students to achieve excellent examination results.

Personal Specification

A Head of Department is expected to:

1. Demonstrate leadership and responsibility , by motivating and enthusing staff and students, giving direction and showing initiative and drive while demonstrating good judgement
2. Work effectively with other people , by allocating and delegating work fairly, treating people respectfully, empathetically and equally in order to develop good working relationships
3. Get the job done , by delivering what is required within deadlines and to a high standard
4. Manage resources effectively , in particular demonstrating strong time management skills, but also effective management of equipment, ICT facilities, information and the departmental budget
5. Communicate clearly , by getting across the message effectively, listening carefully and responding to feedback
6. Look the part , by maintaining a professional and business-like appearance.
7. Foster a positive professional climate through constructive, empowering behaviours with a positive mind-set
8. Act as a role model to students, exemplifying a positive attitude in line with the school’s Guiding Principles.

This job description is additional to the basic duties outlined in the Aiglon College contract of employment in accordance with the school’s policies and guiding principles, and under the direction of the Head of School. A summary of the key accountabilities is included below.

A – PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS AND EXPECTATIONS

• Carry out teaching duties and exercise responsibilities in line with the Guiding Principles of Aiglon;
• Treat all members of the community, colleagues and students, with respect and consideration. Treat all students fairly, consistently and without prejudice;
• Set a good example to students in terms of appropriate dress, standards of punctuality and attendance;
• Read and adhere to the various policies of the school as expressed in the School Handbook and other agreed documentation, and support the ethos of the school by upholding the behaviour code, uniform regulations and other expectations;
• Be available to work on campus in good time to complete all necessary preparations and meetings before the start of term;
• Take personal responsibility for professional development (both pastoral and academic) and participate in staff training when provided, in line with the continued professional development programme of Aiglon;
• Take responsibility for encouraging members of their department to take responsibility for their own professional development (both pastoral and academic) and ensure all in the department participate in staff training when provided, in line with the CPD programme of Aiglon;
• Reflect on personal and school practices in pursuit of continuous improvement. Participate in appraisal and self-evaluation activities and ensure the appraisal system is adhered to and completed within the department;
• Attend departmental meetings and full school meetings to discuss student progress;
• Ensure departmental meetings are held regularly;
• Ensure all department members are aware of and adhere to departmental deadlines, policies and procedures;
• Undertake pastoral and other duties as prescribed within school policies;
• Ensure that all deadlines are met as published in the school calendar and as directed by the Head of Department/Deputy Heads;
• Undertake professional duties that may be reasonably assigned, including cover and exam invigilation and ensure members of their department also undertake these duties;
• Attend Assembly/Meditation on at least two mornings a week when averaged over any term and be prepared to give a Meditation once each term;
• Be proactive and take responsibility for matters relating to health and safety;
• Support the school through regular attendance at various events in the School Diary (these maybe religious, spiritual, sporting or cultural).

B – TEACHING AND TUTORING

• Teach an average of 20 academic lessons per week, in accordance with departmental schemes of work and programmes of study;
• Liaise with relevant colleagues on the planning of units of work for collaborative delivery;
• Ensure their department is working in collaboration with Aiglon’s programme of support for students with specific learning difficulties, as directed by the Head of Learning Support or the Director of Learning;
• Ensure all members of their department take account of students’ prior levels of attainment and baseline data and use these to set targets for future improvements;
• Set work for students absent from class for health, disciplinary or co-curricular reasons and ensure this is carried out by department members;
• Where appropriate, prepare students thoroughly for public examinations including the marking and moderation of coursework and ensure this is also carried out by members of the department;
• Engage with and promote the use of ICT and the development of appropriate ICT skills both within the curriculum and in wider school life and ensure this is also carried out by members of the department;
• Maintain good discipline by adherence to the advice given to colleagues in the Student Handbook and elsewhere, and by the Head of Department and Deputy Heads, and monitor to ensure that good discipline is replicated throughout the department;
• Set high expectations for students’ behaviour by establishing a purposeful working atmosphere in lessons and in the boarding environment and monitor that this is occurring throughout the department;
• Set appropriate and demanding expectations for students’ learning, motivation and presentation of work, in line with agreed school policies and monitor that this is occurring throughout the department.
• If appropriate, act as a tutor in an assigned Boarding House, exercising best practice in pastoral care and providing guidance and encouragement to students, as directed by Houseparents and Deputy Heads. This will include the need to attend scheduled meetings at the Houseparents’ or Deputy Heads’ discretion and meet with students outside of formal meeting times;
• Assume House duties. At present, house duties usually involve the following, but these may be revised by the Head of School should circumstances so re quire:
  o a regular weekday lunchtime and evening duty
  o weekend duties on 1 in 3 weekends (approximately 10 or 11 per year)

C – ASSESSMENT, RECORDING AND REPORTING

• Ensure all members of the department maintain notes and plans of lessons undertaken and records of students’ work;
• Ensure all within the department mark, monitor and return student work within a reasonable and agreed time span providing constructive oral and written feedback and clear targets for future learning as appropriate and keep records of students’ performance as required by the Departmental marking policy or the Director of Learning
• Complete student formative and summative assessments in line with policy and as specified in the published calendar, including the House feedback system and monitor that this is occurring throughout the department;
• Ensure all members of the department are familiar with and apply procedures for identification and assessment of special educational needs, E.A.L requirements and other learning support issues;
• Ensure all members of the department provide mark reading information and write detailed reports on students at the end of each term as required
• Ensure all members of the department attend parents’ meetings as designated in the school calendar.

D – CO-CURRICULAR DUTIES

• Contribute to the Activities and CAS programme on a weekly basis in consultation with the Activities and CAS Coordinator;
• Participate in the Expeditions programme, including the Winter and Summer Long Expeditions in consultation with the Head of Expeditions and Deputy Head. Participation in expeditions is encouraged for all staff, and appears on the weekend Duty Rota.
• Contribute to the annual Aiglon Discovery Trips (ADT) in consultation with the Deputy Head.

E – COMMUNICATION AND MEETINGS

• Attend meetings when required;
• Ensure that communication is timely, relevant, respectful and pertinent;
• Assist where necessary with the school’s promotional initiatives;
• Preserve and promote the good name of Aiglon in all dealings with the wider public.

F – DEPARTMENTAL LEADERSHIP

• Monitor and develop the quality of teaching and learning within the Department and regularly visit classrooms to experience student learning.
• Ensure that the Department meets the curriculum requirements for the School and promote the Guiding Principles for Learning.
• Ensure that requirements of examination boards are met, and students are entered for public examinations, submitting appropriate coursework and ensuring that students are suitably prepared for examinations;
• Set and mark appropriate entrance and scholarship examinations, within specified deadlines;
• Ensure, in consultation with the Director of Learning the effective deployment of staff and classes within the Department;
• Participate in the appointment of new staff, and support new staff entering the Department;
• Support staff undertaking CPD, induction, and development activities;
• Ensure the Departmental handbook is updated annually and includes reference to objectives for the year ahead, which tie into the school’s overall objectives, and an analysis of external examination results and value-added statistics;
• Ensure academic targets are set for students within the department;
• Prepare departmental budget requests for both operational and capital expenditure, within specified deadlines;
• Monitor and control the departmental expenditure, within agreed budgets, and ensure compliance with all finance policies and procedures;
• Be aware of any statutory requirements that affect the Department, including health and safety requirements, and ensure that the Department complies with these requirements;
• Ensure the effective communication between Departments and Departmental staff, school committees, School Council and the Junior School;
• Promote the effective use of the library, ICT and other resources within the Department and School;
• Ensure that the Department is fully prepared for any inspections and accreditations;
• Oversee the organisation of cultural visits and field trips, where appropriate
• Advise students about appropriate university and career options beyond school;
• Perform any other duty that the Head of School from time to time may reasonably request.

At the Head of School’s request, an employee may agree to take on an increased commitment to House or other duties in lieu of the standard Expeditions requirements (as outlined above) or vice-versa. Such arrangements are entirely at the Head of School’s discretion. Job descriptions may, over time, be subject to change and amendment.

Proposed Timeline for the appointment –

A. Wednesday November 27th 2019 – Deadline for applications.
B. Thursday 28th November to Saturday 30th November – Candidates are longlisted.
C. Tuesday 3rd December – Wednesday 4th December – Long list interviews
D. Monday 9th December – Final interviews at Aiglon.

PERSON SPECIFICATION – HEAD OF SCIENCE FACULTY

We welcome applications from teachers, expeditioners and boarding staff who care about young people, their learning and their development; from potential staff who love being in the company of students and go out of their way to spend time with them; from staff who are always prepared to go that step further and see working in a boarding school environment as a vocation.

We wish to appoint staff who enjoy being part of the wider school community and give generously and willingly of their time and teachers are expected to make a significant contribution to the ethos of Aiglon, being positive and contributing enthusiastically to the life and work of the school.

Successful Aiglon staff are enthusiastic, experienced, committed, reflective,
dynamic and willing to try new ideas. They have varied and diverse interests and passions that are evident both in and out of the classroom setting.

 

Essential qualities, characteristics and attributes 

• Appropriate degree, with internationally recognised teaching qualification and qualified teacher status.
• Previous experience working with students for whom English is not their first language
• A passion for teaching and a commitment to education in the widest sense
• Familiarity with IGCSE/GCSE and IB Diploma teaching
• Adaptable and flexible to change ● MA / further qualification relating to educational pedagogy
• Hard working, enthusiastic and compassionate
• Experience of managing a number of different Science subjects
• A passion for education and making a difference
• Excellent communicator
• Effective team leader/member
• Drive and determination
• Ambition
• Energy, enthusiasm, sense of humour
• Excellent leadership skills, with the ability to motivate, inspire and support pupils and colleagues
• Ability to build effective relationships with pupils, parents and staff
• Ability to communicate effectively to a range of audiences
• Ability to work under pressure, priorities, manage time effectively and meet challenging goals
• Student focussed and a highly effective communicator
• A high level of professionalism and commitment to the well-being of both students and fellow colleagues
• At least five years successful teaching within the Science Department
• Excellent record of student performance in public examinations (academic and performance exams)
• Leadership experience
• Experience in managing whole school and large scale productions and events
• Proven track record in raising standards and achievement
• Experience of delivering INSET
• Significant record of contribution to extra curricular activities
• Experience of implementing and monitoring rigorous procedures around the health and safety of students in Science environments
• Aiglon is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. All shortlisted applicants will undergo child protection screening appropriate to the post.

Highly desirable qualities, characteristics and attributes 

• Ability to use online management tools such as Google and Managebac
• Familiarity with data logging software
• Familiarity with a skills based curriculum
• Commitment to develop as a classroom practitioner with evidence of recent involvement in relevant professional development.