Job Overview

Do you want to be part of a large English department that works together as a team to help students succeed and make the learning fun and enjoyable?

Hautlieu School has an exciting opportunity for a new Head of Faculty of English.  This is a unique opportunity for a Head of Faculty who wants to focus on working with academically motivated students to achieve their very best in the IGCSE and A Level examinations. 

All students at Hautlieu sit both the IGCSE English Literature and English Language courses, and we also offer all three English subjects at A Level.

This is a full-time, permanent position starting from 1st September 2025.

If you are interested, please contact Ros Martin, Deputy Headteacher on 01534- 736242 or r.martin@hautlieu.sch.je to find out more about the role.

Hautlieu School is a very successful, high achieving co-educational school catering for 14-18 year old students of recognised academic ability within state of the art facilities.  We are committed to providing an environment which nurtures, supports and develops student learning in the achievement of high levels of academic success.  We offer a wide range of GCSEs and A level courses.

The post holder will be expected to contribute to the full curriculum provision within English, and be prepared to receive appropriate training where required.

The post holder’s responsibilities will be regularly reviewed in line with the changing requirements of the school.

Scope

This job description covers the Faculty of English which includes other departments within the faculty.  There are over 10 teaching staff in the Faculty, and the Head of Faculty will lead the Department of English as well as the Faculty as a whole, including overseeing the work of the KS4 and KS5 Co-ordinators of English.  The line manager for the Head of the Faculty of English is an Assistant Headteacher, as part of the Senior Leadership Group.  The Faculty structure is reviewed on a regular basis and may be subject to change as required.

The Role

Leadership, pro-activity and vision are required by the Head of Faculty for the designated Departments to establish a strong identity, an ethos of collaborative planning and a shared vision for the development of high quality learning and curriculum provision.

In leading the Faculty of English the post-holder will further grow the passion for learning that our students have and build on the commitment and skill of our teachers in these key curriculum areas.

The range of responsibilities attached to the post will provide significant opportunities to develop whole school leadership experience and would ideally suit someone with the energy and ambition to move into Senior Leadership in due course.

The primary responsibilities of the post of Head of Faculty of English are to:

• lead and develop learning in the Faculty of English to ensure the highest levels of student success.
• lead and develop the Faculty of English staff.
• lead the subject area of English.
• lead and develop the Faculty of English to ensure optimum performance and effectiveness in all areas.
• lead the self-evaluation review of the faculty and contribute to other subject/whole school reviews as required.
• oversee the Walkthrus progress within the faculty, including conducting lesson visits as appropriate.
• monitor use of resources to ensure cost effectiveness and efficiency.
• contribute to whole school improvement to ensure exceptional service to students, parents and other stakeholders.
• be a member of the ‘Heads of Faculty’ group and take an active role in the leadership of wider curriculum issues in and out of school.
• undertake a whole school leadership role.

Principal Accountabilities

• Lead and monitor learning within the Faculty of English to ensure a personalised and differentiated approach for the progress of each student.
• Lead, implement and review the annual self-evaluation of the Faculty of English.
• Keep fully abreast of all subject developments within the Faculty and undergo appropriate advanced training to support these developments.
• Monitor curriculum provision & development within the Faculty and advise the Assistant Headteacher accordingly.
• Convert school strategy into action through the production and monitoring of an annual Faculty Development plan and Department Development plans.
• Monitor and review Schemes of Learning across the Faculty.
• Lead, monitor and review the implementation of school policies within the Faculty.
• Innovate and lead curriculum initiatives to improve learning.
• Ensure student attainment, progress and pace of learning is tracked.  Ensure systems are in place for regularly reviewing tracking data.  Use tracking data to enhance the learning and teaching students receive.  Use tracking data to set individual student targets and class targets.
• Contribute to the development of literacy and numeracy skills across the school.

Principal Accountabilities continued

• Ensure examination preparation and entries for students are accurate and within the school’s deadlines.
• Monitor and manage all Faculty contributions to written reviews, reports and references for students as appropriate.
• Advise new students and parents on the suitability of courses and co-ordinate the transition between GCSE, A Level and beyond.
• Establish and maintain links with partner schools and develop active partnerships with local businesses and other educational institutions to enhance the opportunities available to students.
• Ensure Departments have a full programme of enrichment in the curriculum and via extra curricular activities.
• Facilitate, along with the school Gifted and Talented Coordinator, a comprehensive and engaging Gifted and Talented programme.
• Monitor and review teaching effectiveness through Performance Review.
• Advise the Assistant Headteacher on the training needs of those within the Faculty team.
• Monitor and review the training programmes of teachers to ensure INSET and CPD is fit for purpose.

Principal Accountabilities continued

• Monitor and review budgetary and resource management within the Faculty of English to ensure good practice and value for money.
• Lead and develop through the Faculty staff an approach to Health and Safety in line with the current best practice.
• Manage the efficient use and provision of Faculty of English facilities to promote learning.
• Ensure displays within classrooms and Faculty of English areas are well presented, relevant and contemporary.
• Be proactive in the promotion of the Faculty of English internally and externally through frequent media releases, use of the website and school newsletter and internal announcements.
• Attend and contribute to the Head of Faculty Meetings to ensure effective flow of information to and from the Faculty of English.
• Ensure an effective flow of communication between members of the Faculty of English team and also from and to the whole team.

Principal Accountabilities continued

• Contribute to the school assembly programme by ensuring a minimum of one Faculty of English assembly per academic year.
• Attend appropriate INSET training on new or developing courses including GCSE and GCE Programmes.
• Promote the very best professional characteristics across the school by leading through example and having high expectations of staff and students.
• Create excellent student - teacher relationships through engaging approaches to learning but have in place robust strategies to support students in their approach to learning.
• Carry out the duties described in the Teachers Task.  (Appendix 1)
• Undertake any other tasks as may be reasonably requested by the Head Teacher.

The Department for Children, Young People, Education and Skills is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and requires all Teachers to share this commitment.

Qualification / Experience Required

• A good Honours Degree in English.
• PGCE or BEd in Secondary Education.
• Considerable knowledge and understanding of the latest developments and use of ICT within teaching and learning.
• Proven examination success at GCSE and A Level
• Previous experience of leading an English Department either as a Head of Department, Key Stage Co-ordinator or equivalent.
• Considerable knowledge and understanding of the teaching and learning requirements within the Faculty of English.
• Considerable knowledge and understanding of the latest developments in education theory and practice.
• Experience of leading and supporting enrichment activities and off-site visits.

Specific Skills

• The ability to deal with the immediate whilst focusing on the future.
• Energy, vision and enthusiasm to lead the school in this area.
• Self motivated and proactive.
• High level presentational skills in addressing students and parents.
• Excellent teaching skills.
• Proven organisational and communication skills.
• The ability to work hard under pressure, prioritise and meet deadlines.
• Strong leadership skills or the will to develop leadership skills further.
• The ability to manage and motivate a large team.

Personal Attributes

• A passion for learning and a desire to develop the whole student.
• Commitment to provide students with an education of the highest standard.
• Willingness to be involved in staff teams across the school.
• Awareness and understanding of the nature and needs of a selective school.
• Willingness to organise and contribute to enrichment activities and educational visits.
• The ability to communicate the school’s vision across the Faculty and to introduce strategies to make it a reality.
• Modelling professional behaviour and high expectations of staff and students.

The Teacher's Task

The DfESC and the representatives of the Teacher’s Unions have agreed the following statement of the Teacher’s Task in order to define more clearly the nature of teachers’ employment. It is their view that in this important work of educating Jersey’s children it is imperative that both teachers and Headteachers recognise the duty they owe to those children and the community. To this end the teacher is expected to maintain a professional commitment to their task and the Headteacher is pledged to a responsible and humane interpretation of this agreement.

Definition of the Teacher's Task

The following provides a definition of the Teachers’ Task:

1. Teach effectively to meet the needs of all pupils and to ensure discipline and safety within the school community.

2. The DfESC is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and requires all teachers to share this commitment.

3. Plan, prepare, evaluate and modify as necessary personal teaching methods, work programmes and teaching materials in accordance with the DfESC curricular policies and school schemes and standards.

4. Mark and maintain records of pupils’ work in accordance with DfESC and school policies.

5. Promote the general progress and welfare of pupils in classes or groups or individually as part of the school’s pastoral and counselling arrangements.

6. Assess and record pupils’ personal and social needs, development, progress and attainment.

7. Provide or contribute to oral or written assessments and report on individual pupils and groups; consult and inform parents, co-operate with appropriate outside agencies in accordance with DfESC and school policies.

8. Contribute to and participate in corporate planning, self evaluation, in-service training and professional development in assigned areas of the curriculum and pastoral arrangements; participate in related staff meetings and school events.

9. Advise colleagues, co-operate with them on teaching programmes, methods, equipment and materials within assigned areas of the curriculum ensuring that appropriate administrative tasks are undertaken.

10. Contribute and participate in the school’s pastoral, tutorial and guidance arrangements and undertake an appropriate share of the organisation and conduct of parental consultation and staff meetings.

11. Contribute as required to the appointment, induction, professional development and assessment of junior colleagues, including new entrants to teaching.

12. Accept an appropriate share of the administrative and organisational tasks within the school, including providing support for teachers, undertaking additional curriculum or pastoral responsibilities or holding senior posts.

13. Ensure the safety and good order of pupils by carrying out an appropriate share of supervisions whenever pupils are authorised to be on school premises or elsewhere when the school is in session.

14. Undertaking an appropriate share of all collective responsibilities including substitution for an absent colleague subject to guaranteed non-teaching time.

15. Supervise support staff as required.

16. Order and allocate appropriate equipment and materials in accordance with DfESC and school policies and schemes.

17. Co-operate as required with teachers in other schools and colleges on curricular, pastoral and administrative matters.