--- Working conditions ---

- Teaching allocation: 10 teaching periods (two classes on the same preparation).

- Line management: up to 10 staff.

- Reports to: Academic Coordinator.

The Head of Department (HoD) provides strategic and operational leadership for a subject department, ensuring consistently high-quality teaching and learning, coherent curriculum design, and strong assessment practice aligned to California Common Core (where applicable) and Advanced Placement (AP). This is a teaching HoD role with a 50% timetable (10 teaching periods: two classes on the same prep). The HoD reports to the Academic Coordinator and leads a team of up to 10 staff, driving departmental improvement through clear vision, evidence-informed practice, and professional collaboration.

Job Details:

Responsibilities:

--- Key Responsibilities ---

1) Department leadership and culture

- Articulate and implement a clear departmental vision, aligned with the school’s mission and academic priorities.

- Build a professional culture of high expectations, shared practice, collegial accountability, and continuous improvement.

- Lead and manage departmental routines and systems, including meetings, action planning, and follow-through.

- Promote a positive, inclusive learning environment that supports student wellbeing and achievement.

2) Curriculum design, alignment, and coherence

- Lead vertical alignment across grade levels to ensure coherent progression of knowledge and skills.

- Lead horizontal alignment across course sections to ensure consistency in pacing, rigour, and learning experiences.

- Oversee curriculum documentation, including scope and sequence, unit planning, and resource development.

- Ensure department planning reflects the requirements and best practices of California Common Core and AP courses (as relevant to the department).

3) Assessment philosophy and practice

- Establish and refine a clear departmental assessment philosophy (formative and summative balance, feedback principles, academic integrity).

- Ensure assessment design is valid, reliable, and appropriately challenging; lead moderation and standardisation.

- Use student performance data to identify trends, plan interventions/extension, and evaluate curriculum impact.

- Support consistent grading and reporting practices that are transparent and aligned to school expectations.

4) Teaching and learning excellence

- Teach two classes (same preparation) and model exemplary classroom practice.

- Coach and support colleagues through observation cycles, instructional feedback, co-planning, and shared reflection.

- Lead departmental professional learning focused on improving student outcomes and strengthening pedagogy.

- Support the implementation of effective differentiation for diverse learners, including EAL and students requiring additional support.

5) Technology integration and innovation

- Lead the department in developing a coherent approach to technology integration that enhances learning and supports subject-specific pedagogy.

- Promote effective use of digital tools for planning, assessment, feedback, and learning analytics where appropriate.

- Support staff to adopt technology responsibly and consistently, aligned to school policies and safeguarding expectations.

6) Staffing, development, and accountability

- Line-manage up to 10 department members in accordance with school appraisal/performance processes.

- Contribute to recruitment, induction, mentoring, and retention of high-quality staff.

- Identify strengths and development needs within the department; support targeted professional growth.

- Ensure departmental responsibilities are distributed effectively and equitably.

7) Wider school contribution

- Work closely with the Academic Coordinator and colleagues to support whole-school academic initiatives.

- Communicate effectively with parents and students regarding curriculum, assessment, and progression.

- Contribute to school events, enrichment opportunities, and academic planning as required.

- Uphold all school policies, including safeguarding and child protection, in line with international best practice.

Qualifications:

--- Person specification ---

~ Essential ~

1. Recognised teaching qualification and eligibility to work in an international school context.

2. Successful experience as an effective classroom teacher with evidence of strong student progress.

3. Strong understanding of curriculum and assessment in a Common Core and/or AP context (as relevant to the subject).

4. Demonstrated capacity to lead curriculum alignment (horizontal and vertical) and improve consistency of practice.

5. Ability to develop and articulate a clear departmental vision for technology integration and assessment philosophy.

6. Strong interpersonal and organisational skills, including the ability to lead meetings, set priorities, and follow through.

7. Commitment to inclusion, student wellbeing, safeguarding, and professional standards.

~ Desirable ~

1. Previous middle leadership experience (HoD/Subject Lead/Grade Lead or equivalent).

2. Experience teaching AP and supporting students toward strong AP outcomes.

3. Experience leading moderation/standardisation and using data to drive improvement.

4. Experience mentoring, coaching, or supporting teacher development in a structured way.

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