Head of Department - English

Purpose of the role
• Provide professional leadership and management of Upper School (US) English in order to secure high quality
teaching, the effective use of resources, and improved standards of learning and achievement for all students
• Model and promote best practice in the teaching and learning of English
• Monitor and evaluate all aspects of the work of English and to respond appropriately to emergent issues, ensuring that students are supported in their learning journey

Overall Responsibilities
• Promote high standards in all aspects of school life, particularly in student progress
• Actively support the values, vision, ethos, culture and policies of the school
• Inspire and motivate students, teachers and other school employees
• Comply with the professional duties of the Harrow staff Code of Conduct
• Contribute to a school culture which is positive, purposeful and professional
• Engage positively in the school Appraisal process and performance management arrangements
• Are committed to safeguarding and to promoting the welfare of children and young people
• Are committed to fully engaging in the bilingual context of the school; through lessons, cultural events, boarding, and general collegiality

Teaching and Learning
• Lead the English Department in all areas of business including, but not limited to, curriculum planning,
assessment, QA, staff development, exam entries, student data tracking and interventions.
• Be an outstanding role model, setting high personal expectations of the teaching of English, curriculum
planning, professionalism, professional development, and administration
• Promote a positive ethos ensuring that all students are stretched and challenged, enjoy and value academic
subjects
• Attend and participate in English network meetings with other professionals to enhance curriculum practice
• Write curriculum information for parents and school or marketing documents that are required
• Promote student independence, leadership and voice within the curriculum
• Ensure that all internal examinations are set, conducted and marked in a manner consistent with external
examination expectations
• Develop agreed schemes of learning, understand the requirements of examination syllabi, and meet
assessment deadlines
• Promote planning and practice focusing on learning for achievement where active learning strategies engage
and motivate students
• Ensure that AfL strategies are used effectively to support the progress of learners and to review provision
• Monitor student progress (including use of data) and action subject-appropriate interventions
• Promote cross-curricular dimensions and the development of cross-curricular functional skills: literacy,
numeracy, and digital literacy
Close Personal Tutoring
Tutors are best placed to ensure that students receive an excellent stand

Close Personal Tutoring
Tutors are best placed to ensure that students receive an excellent standard of care, guidance and support during their time
at Harrow Haikou. In conjunction with the practices and responsibilities laid out in the academic professional staff
handbook, it is the tutor’s responsibility to be approachable, engaged and informed with regards to their tutees. Tutors
should be the first point of contact for both their tutees and parents and, as such, will facilitate the support or guidance for
the tutees using up-to-date tracking and monitoring data. CPT will include:
• Any, and all, discussion regarding the academic and personal development of students at Harrow Haikou involving
members of staff, students and parents.
• Discussions or intervention with students between tutors, teachers or the Pastoral Leadership Team (PLT).
• Formal reviews between tutors, teachers or the PLT of each student’s personal academic profile with the aim of
supporting academic achievement.
• Correspondence from tutors, teachers or the PLT to parents discussing each student’s personal academic profiles
and leadership awards.
• Regular correspondence with parents.
• Weekly tutor time programme.
• Holistic Studies (HS) schedule, planning, and implementation.
• House events, support and guidance.
• Support the House Parent Representative in their duties

Welfare and Discipline
• Monitor the work of class/form students, providing guidance, advice and admonishment.
• Write and maintain relevant records for individual student files and write reports.
• Lead Personal Development (PD) tutorial sessions.
• Communicate and consult with parents.
• Participate in, and document, meetings for any of the purposes above.
• Participate in the maintaining of high standards of behaviour and uniform of students in the classroom and in all
school locations and activities.
• Follow Harrow Haikou policies with regard to the health and safety of students both on and off the school
premises when students are under the school’s jurisdiction.
• Take a pastoral interest in students in curriculum and Enrichment Activities and around the school environs so
that they feel noticed, valued and cared for.
• Carry out supervision duties as required to ensure safety and development of both Day and Boarding students

Collegiality
• Attend meetings designed to share information necessary for the smooth running of the school and the successful
delivery of its programmes.
• Take responsibility for mentoring new teachers, particularly those with whom a functional relationship exists.
• Supervise students during non-period time as determined by the duty rota.
• Supervise classes on behalf of colleagues as determined by the cover schedule.
• Behave at all times in a manner befitting a role model for the students of the school and in a manner that brings
only respect to colleagues and the reputation of Harrow Haikou.

Communication
• Effectively align the subject to the school vision and values
• Promote an ethos of teaching in the subject matching Harrow expectations and aligned to the teaching
standards document
• Support the Cover Supervisor with arrangements for classes when staff are absent
• Analyse, evaluate and respond to student performance and contextual data in the subject
• Contribute to Department meetings effectively with relevant agenda items and supporting development
• Ensure effective communication/consultation with parents and carers including information about
supporting their child at home
• Liaise with Examination Boards, Awarding Bodies, and other relevant external bodies
• Communicate subject specific information (where appropriate) across the school e.g. calendared events

Other Responsibilities
• Undertake other reasonable duties as requested by members of the Senior Leadership Team and any
duties that the Head Mistress / HoUS deems necessary for the effective operation of the school

Requirements
Education, training and qualifications
• Appropriate degree, with UK PGCE, or other teaching qualification giving QTS
• Working knowledge of the National Curriculum of England including KS3, IGCSE/GCSE, and A Levels
as appropriate
• Evidence of relevant and challenging continuing professional development
Knowledge and experience
• Minimum two years’ teaching experience
• Be aware and up to date in all relevant safeguarding polices and practice
• Knowledge and experience of how to use of ICT effectively in promoting student learning
• Recent and consistent involvement in extracurricular activities
• Previous experience or knowledge of working with students for whom English is not their first
language
• Experience of teaching CIE / Pearson English Language, English Literature, and English as a Second
Language GCSE

Personal qualities
• Respect for all members of a school community, irrespective of position, gender, age and ethnic
background
• Passionate about teaching and a strong commitment to holistic education
• The ability to inspire students through a genuine passion for learning and a desire to lead them
towards outstanding academic outcomes
• A positive and solution-focused attitude to working life
• Highly motivated, ambitious and collaborative
• Demonstrate empathy, humility and genuinely care about children, taking the time to listen and
motivate them


Other
• A clean enhanced Disclosure and Barring Services check or police check (for applicants who
have never worked in UK) and no question regarding suitability to work with children