Head of English Department

Description

Asia Pacific Schools is one of the most respected and established schools in the Klang Valley, serving about 1,700 children across the International Curriculum and Malaysian National Curriculum. Our vision is for our students to be the best versions of themselves through Amazing Learning that will shape the future. We aim to realise this vision through developing ambition and self-belief alongside faith in hard work. Asia Pacific Schools (APS) is extremely pleased to be part of International Schools Partnership (ISP), a dynamic network of 60+ schools in 16 different countries committed to an organisational learning culture of ‘getting better’. Asia Pacific Schools promotes equality and is an equal opportunity employer that prohibits discrimination and harassment of any kind. We are committed to diversity and inclusion, as well as providing employees with a work environment that is free of discrimination and harassment. Key benefits:
• A culture of engagement and trust, where staff contributions are recognised and valued.
• A passionate and motivated team of professionals who put children at the heart of decision-making.
• An embedded whole campus commitment to professional development and a commitment to serving others.
• A peer network of like-minded teaching colleagues and support from non-academic staff.
• Access to expertise, best practice sharing and learning opportunities across countries and cultures.
• A commitment to employee well-being. This is a two-year contract with an option to renew at the end. We also offer:
Competitive salary.
Pension fund contribution to an Employee Provident Fund (EPF).
Fee discount for children of employees.
Hospitalisation and surgical benefits for self, non-working spouse, and dependents up to the age of 24 in full-time education.
CPD opportunities - in-house, external, ISP learning websites, etc.
Flight and shipping allowance at the beginning and end of the contract.
Annual leave passage to home country after initial year and every year thereafter.
Paid leaves (e.g., medical, hospitalisation, compassionate, etc.).
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ASIA PACIFIC INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL We are seeking to hire a Head of Department, English (Expat role) for commencement end August 2023 or early September 2023 or January 2024. Reporting to: Principal, International School Purpose of Role
To lead learning through a supportive and trusting environment within the department. Innovation and creativity are developed at every level by encouraging collaboration, reflection, effective time management and communication. This in turn will allow positive progression of both the team and the curriculum. ISP Principles
Begin with our children and students. Our children and students are at the heart of what we do. Simply, their success is our success. Wellbeing and safety are both essential for learners and learning. Therefore, we are consistent in identifying potential safeguarding issues and acting and following up on all concerns appropriately. Treat everyone with care and respect . We look after one another, embrace similarities and differences and promote the well-being of self and others. Operate effectively. We focus relentlessly on the things that are most important and will make the most difference. We apply school policies and procedures and embody the shared ideas of our community. Learn continuously . Getting better is what drives us. We positively engage with personal and professional development and school improvement. Key Responsibilities
● To lead the team with enthusiasm developing the pedagogical needs of all, sharing good practice through coaching and mentoring as appropriate, to build on the strengths and develop the weaknesses of all. To promote and monitor professional development within the department accordingly, to allow students to be fully engaged in the learning process.
● To regularly monitor, reflect and improve upon department policies and procedures - to include staff absence, reporting and meeting times, setting appropriate targets as necessary, working within the school aims and values and in line with current international good practice.
● To work collaboratively with programme coordinators to keep updated with curriculum requirements and assessment procedures, and disseminate relevant information to the team.
● Working alongside their line manager, all team members, including new staff, are regularly monitored and supported through the school's appraisal system, offering appropriate support and guidance to ensure high common standards are maintained at all times.
● To lead on the effective use of data to enable all team members to identify and then provide appropriate intervention to students who are either underachieving or recognised as more able, enabling effective learner outcomes for all.
● To ensure resources are appropriately assigned to aid the learning of all individuals, by managing the department budget, in line with school policy, to provide a continual stimulating teaching environment. Key Performance Indicators
- To manage the department's budget and ensure annual ordering of educational materials, in line with the department’s curriculum needs.
- Lead the mapping, design, building, updating and review of the department curriculum.
- Moderation of assessments across the department, regularly moderating students work, in line with the school’s assessment policy.
- Identify underachieving pupils, through effective use of available data, and ensure that appropriate intervention is conducted and monitored, ensuring parents are kept informed.
- Attend, contribute and on occasion lead head of department (HoD) meetings.
- Engage in regular professional development to improve own leadership skills.
- Lead regular department meetings to support the development of learning within the department.
- Lead the department appraisals, including the promotion of peer coaching and looking for learning.
- Manage the physical environment of the department to showcase the learning of students.
- In partnership with the Secondary Leadership team support students in the department with behaviour concerns, developing department inclusion strategies in line with the school positive behaviour policy.
- In partnership with the SEN team, support students in the department with learning difficulties.
- Manage the departments reporting process in conjunction with school policy.
- Take responsibility for promoting safeguarding and well-being protocol in the department, reporting concerns where appropriate.
- Support the induction of new staff into the department. (Please note that this Job Description sets out the main duties associated with the stated purpose of the post. It is assumed that other duties of a similar level/nature undertaken within the section are not excluded because they are not itemised. The duties of this post could vary from time to time as a result of new legislation; changes in technology or policy and in that case appropriate training may be given to enable the post holder to undertake this new/varied work.) OTHER EXPECTATIONS
• Fully and positively participate in the school’s performance appraisal scheme in order to develop and enhance personal and service performance
• Undertake any other reasonable duties requested/assigned as required by SLT or Line Manager, especially with regard to the school’s administrative function
• Ensure adherence to school policies including those relating to Safeguarding, Race Equality, Equal Opportunities, Code of Conduct and Health & Safety. Skills, Qualifications and Experience
• Possess a bachelor’s in education majoring in English or an academic degree with a post-graduate certificate in education (PGCE), or for UK candidates, QTS through the school-based route with a degree.
• Minimum three (3) years’ full-time teaching English.
• Computer literate with good interpersonal communication skills.
• Strong command of English is essential.
• In-depth knowledge and understanding of the ICGSE or GCSE syllabus required.
• Proven leadership and management skills. Person specification
• Patient, responsible, and passionate about teaching.
• A team player and flexible to meet the needs of the department.
• Promote and safeguard the welfare of children and young people for whom they are responsible for with whom they come into contact.
• Driven by wanting to improve quality and develop the school.
• An effective and experienced communicator to a variety of audiences.
• Ability to commence employment end August 2023 /early September 2023, or January 2024. ISP Leadership Competencies
You consistently demonstrate and role-model the ISP Leadership Competencies in all that you do. 1. Collaboration. Takes an active part in leading their school or region; is cooperative and a genuine team player, developing positive, supportive relationships with colleagues to solve problems and maximise opportunities. 2. Learning & Getting Better. Continually demonstrates personal commitment and passion for learning and getting better using evidence and feedback; supporting others in their continual learning, development and growth. 3. Innovation Leadership. Is good at creating an environment where ideas for learning initiatives and services are generated and is able to motivate and inspire others through the process of creation through to completion. 4. Outcome driven. Can be counted on to find solutions. Is consistently looking to exceed goals and is focused on KPIs. 5. Resilience. Can deal with setbacks and challenges calmly and effectively. 6. Community Focus. Is committed to meeting and exceeding the needs and expectations of our students and their families. 7. Integrity & Ethical Management. Has the ability to work ethically and with integrity; helps others feel valued; upholds and models the ISP Vision, Purpose and Principles. 8. Leading & Inspiring Others. Supports, encourages and inspires students, colleagues and teams so that they give their best. 9. Understanding People. Is a very good judge of talent, can objectively articulate the strengths and motivations of people inside or outside the organisation. 10. Influencing & Communication. Consistently informs, influences and inspires students, parents and colleagues through timely and effective communication. 11. Agile. Responds and adapts to changing circumstances; manages and solves problems by providing solutions in a climate of ambiguity. 12. Strategic, Commercial & Financial Awareness. Has the ability to apply understanding of the business and industry to improve effectiveness and profitability. 13. Planning & Decision Making. Makes decisions on the best course of action and then plans, organises, prioritises and balances resources to achieve the desired outcome. 14. Diversity & Equity. Has the sensitivity, awareness and skill to understand the values, behaviours, attitudes and practices across cultures that supports all children and adults to learn and work effectively. ISP Commitment to Safeguarding Principles
ISP is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All post holders are subject to appropriate vetting procedures and satisfactory Criminal Background Checks or equivalent covering the previous 10 years’ employment history. How To Apply
Interested candidates are invited to send in a letter of application including the reasons for applying together with a comprehensive CV, a recent passport-size photograph and contact details of two referees (one of which must be from your current employer) to email Early application is encouraged as we reserve the right to appoint as soon as a suitable candidate has been identified.