Job Description

Job Title: Deputy Head (Academic)

Job Purpose: As a member of the core Leadership Team, the Deputy Head (Academic) plays a key role in developing, implementing and reviewing the school’s academic and curriculum policies, ensuring that the school’s strategic vision is realised.

Summary of Role:

The Deputy Head (Academic) is responsible for the academic life of the Senior School, overseeing curriculum design, assessment and reporting and academic outcomes. They line manage and support Heads of Department (HoDs) and other key members of academic staff, oversee the academic timetable, staffing and subject choices and lead the Senior Academic Management Team (SAMT).  The Deputy Head (Academic) attends the Governors’ Education Committee meetings (and other Committees by invitation).

Reporting Line:

The Deputy Head (Academic) is responsible to the Headmistress for the leadership and management of all aspects of the academic life of the Senior School. The post holder works closely with the other members of the core Leadership Team, who include the Bursar, the Senior Deputy Head and the Head of the Junior School, to develop the whole school strategy and report on academic developments.  The Deputy Head (Academic) works closely with the Assistant Head Teaching & Learning and Director of Digital Learning and Technology, who are members of the Senior Leadership Team, and liaises with the Junior School Deputy Head (Academic) to ensure work on the school’s academic priorities is aligned.  

Management responsibilities:

  • Line manage and be available to support Heads of Departments (HoDs) on academic and staffing issues as required
  • Line manage the Head of SEND, the Exams Officer and the Head of Careers and Higher Education
  • Line manage the Cover and Exams Administrator/Assistant to the Deputy Head (Academic)
  • Manage the work of the timetabler, librarian, Extended Learning (MA) Coordinator, Project Qualification Coordinator and EAL Coordinator
  • Work closely with the academic Assistant Heads (Assistant Head Teaching & Learning and Director of Digital Learning and Technology)
  • Liaise with the Junior School Deputy Head (Academic) on academic matters and developments

 

Main duties and responsibilities:

Academic Leadership

  • Oversee the School’s academic strategy, in line with agreed educational priorities, in liaison with the Headmistress and core Senior Leadership Team
  • Attend the Governors’ Education Committee, reporting on results and significant academic matters
  • Set the agenda for and chair meetings of HoDS and SAMT each half term
  • Be a member of the wider Senior Leadership Team, representing the interests of the academic life of the School
  • Take lead responsibility for promoting an ethos of academic ambition in line with the vision of Girls Enjoying Success
  • Develop a Senior School curriculum that supports the school’s strategic objectives for Channing 2035
  • Implement and monitor a quality assurance process which ensures that the quality of teaching and learning is consistently excellent, in conjunction with the Assistant Head Teaching and Learning
  • Lead on the development, implementation and review of academic data, assessment and reporting processes, in conjunction with the Director of Digital Learning and Technology
  • Plan the academic staffing requirements for the school, balancing the needs of the timetable against the budget, and support the Headmistress in the recruitment and deployment of teaching staff
  • Work with the Bursar to recruit and deploy support staff where related to academic departments
  • Liaise with the Registrar, the Head of Sixth Form and the Head of Year 7 and Secondary Transition on relevant aspects of Senior School admissions (e.g. organisation of Open Mornings, interviews, selection).

Academic Management

  • Ensure that curriculum planning, development and delivery meets the needs of all students in the Senior School
  • Design the annual reporting and assessment calendar and be responsible for its communication to staff and parents
  • Line manage the work of the Exams Officer, including overseeing alternative assessment evidence applications, public examination reviews and appeals
  • Work with the Director of Digital Learning and Technology and the Data Manager to produce ALIS, YELLIS and MidYIS data and analysis, along with termly reporting data and analysis
  • Collate Year 11 and Year 13 predicted grades and produce exam results prognosis for Governors
  • Manage the production of all curriculum information for pupils and parents, including updating the GCSE and A level prospectus and presenting at options evenings
  • Attend and speak at parents’ evenings and prospective family open events as required
  • Oversee Parents’ Evening logistics
  • Write weekly Academic Matters update for colleagues and HoDs
  • Support HoDs in their department development and staffing planning and public exam results analysis, attending the annual exam review and DDP meetings with the Headmistress and individual HoDs
  • Foster a positive culture of professional reflection and the sharing of excellent practice, including internal training and development through HoDs meetings as well as promoting academic-focussed CPD such as GSA and HMC cluster groups and exam board training
  • Liaise with the Professional Coordinating Mentor (PCM) regarding the progress of student teachers and ECTs in the school
  • Act as ISQAM mentor for Senior School colleagues undertaking the qualification
  • Oversee the production of the Senior School academic timetable, to include use of accommodation, by the timetabler
  • Line manage the Cover and Exams Administrator and Assistant to the Deputy Head (Academic) to ensure that there is appropriate daily cover in place for absent staff and co-ordinate supply cover as needed
  • Work with the Senior Deputy Head to allocate Heads of Department to SLT colleagues for the annual Professional Review process, carrying out the process for individual staff as required and working with HoDs to develop their skills in this area
  • Respond to concerns raised by parents, pupils and staff 
  • Work with the Senior Deputy Head and Head of the Junior School to prepare the school for the academic aspects of ISI inspection
  • Stay up to date with wider educational developments, including attendance at the HMC Academic Deputies Conference and GSA Senior Leaders conference

General duties of all SLT Members

  • Lead by example, providing inspiration and motivation, and embody for the pupils, staff, Governors, parents and wider community the vision and purpose of the school
  • Provide a professional role model for others, clearly demonstrating effective teaching, classroom organisation and high standards of achievement, behaviour and discipline; demonstrate personal commitment to quality and excellence
  • Forge happy, productive working relationships across the Staff Room and be sensitive as to where support is needed 
  • Promote and safeguard the welfare of the young people in the school for whom we are responsible
  • Undertake an appropriate programme of teaching in accordance with the duties of a standard subject teacher as outlined in the general teacher job description and be part of the SLT duty rota before and after school
  • Act as the SLT representative at a variety of school events, including attendance at Governors’ suppers 
  • Take assemblies in the Junior and Senior School as required
  • Support the Headmistress in the recruitment, induction, deployment, motivation, development and appraisal of teaching and support staff to make the most effective use of their skills, expertise and experience. Ensure that all staff have a clear understanding of their roles and responsibilities.
  • Work with the Director of Communications, Marketing and Development in support of the marketing and communication strategies of the school
  • Work with the Bursar to establish priorities for expenditure in all areas of responsibility and monitor the effectiveness of spending and use of resources to ensure value for money
  • Deputise for other members of the SLT, including the Headmistress, where necessary or requested, including to be available to deal with whole school matters during holidays, on a rota basis, by arrangement with the Headmistress or Senior Deputy Head

 

  • You may also be required to undertake such other comparable duties as the Headmistress requires from time to time
  • This job description should be seen as enabling rather than restrictive and will be subject to regular review