Job Overview
More Information
- Address China
Shanghai | Academic | Huili School Shanghai
JOB TITLE
Head of Primary English and Discovery Learning
DEPARTMENT
Academic
SUPERVISOR
Assistant Head of Primary: Teaching and Learning
OBJECTIVES
The Head of English and Discovery Learning is responsible for working alongside
the Assistant Head of Primary: Teaching and Learning, to embed the program of
inquiry within the school; incorporating authentic cross-disciplinary learning
between language, science, history, geography, international mindedness, design,
technology and innovation, health and wellbeing, English, the Arts and other
subjects where authentic learning links can be created. This school leader will have
extensive knowledge and experience in the delivery and leadership of inquiry and
concept-based learning.
The Head of English and Discovery works in collaboration with colleagues across
the school to ensure the provision of a written, taught and assessed curriculum that
clearly outlines and achieves essential learning within the Primary School; a
curriculum that seamless links with EY4 and Grade 6. Curriculum design will engage
students; challenging them and inspiring them to appreciate subject knowledge and
skills and their application.
The Head of English and Discovery Learning will work within the Primary School
Academic Leadership Team to realise the school’s vision and mission; with a focus
on enabling success with the co-teaching model, support for research based
bilingual learning approaches, and embedding a concepts-based approach to
learning. Curriculum design will engage students; challenging them and inspiring
them to develop life-long learning skills.
BASIC INFORMATION
____________________________________________________
OBJECTIVES
The Head of English and Discovery learning is supported in their work by an extensive
team: the RWI (Read Write Inc) coordinator and other English/Discovery Learning
Coordinators who are positioned to lead within each grade level. With their assistance,
leadership of all Grade Level English and Discovery Learning collaborative planning
sessions are attended and guided with input from a member of the English/Discovery
leadership team.
In addition to dedicated English/Discovery planning sessions at each grade level, the
Head of English and Discovery Learning and their team members are supported in their
endeavors by the Grade Level leaders; thus enabling necessary cross curricular
planning with other subject teachers and the needed opportunity for Chinese co
teachers to contribute to the planning for and successful co teaching of Discovery
Learning lessons.
The Head of English and Discovery Learning will support and inspire team members in
the delivery of high impact lessons and use data to inform responsive teaching
approaches and reflective practice.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:
To develop the school’s curriculum and evidence-based teaching practices
Heads of Subject are outstanding and lead teaching practitioners who know
their subject content, how to teach it and how to effectively communicate this
with others. Heads of Subject:
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:
• lead initiatives within the school to evaluate and improve knowledge of
subject content
• demonstrate exemplary teaching of their subject and advocate for the use of
effective, research-based learning and teaching programs
• utilise comprehensive content knowledge to improve selection and
sequencing of content into coherently organised learning and teaching
programs
• conduct regular reviews of teaching and learning programs using multiple
sources of evidence including student assessment data, feedback from
parents, staff and colleagues, and input from other subject leads
• establish effective methods of assessment of students’ work, analysing the
results and implementing changes to teaching and learning as a result
• keep up-to-date with subject developments outside the school and bringing
them to the attention of colleagues
• provide advice and guidance about future developments in curriculum,
pedagogy, staffing and resourcing
• offer active liaison with colleagues in the Junior High and Nursery to ensure
alignment of curriculum and timely sharing of information in respect to
assessment and student progress
• provide considered input into the storage of curriculum documentation on
Managebac
• guide the writing of academic reports on students by staff in the department
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:
To lead and inspire others
Heads of Subject provide effective leadership of staff and therefore build and
maintain a collaborative teaching team focused on the continual enhancement
of each other’s practice and the attainment of high academic standards for
students. Heads of Subject:
• teach demonstration lessons for colleagues to share best classroom practice
• set high expectations and lead colleagues to set and pursue challenging
professional goals
• lead colleagues to plan, implement and review the effectiveness of their
learning and teaching schemes of work and programs
• mentor and coach colleagues to review, modify and expand their repertoire
of teaching strategies
• foster, by example, a spirit of academic inquiry within the department
• provide an effective induction programme for new members of the
department
• arrange for the observation of teaching as a matter of good practice and to
provide learner focused feedback
• arrange and lead whole of school CPD sessions according to need and
school priority
• facilitate highly effective collaborative team meetings
• distribute leadership responsibilities to create a sense of teamwork within the
department and aid professional development
• assist with the school’s appraisal process
• devise and lead the provision of effective and ongoing professional learning
opportunities for those within the department
• ensure that staff are aware of pupils with learning, medical, social or other
difficulties and provide appropriate support
• assist in managing cover when staff are absent
• support and mentor teachers in their timely and effective reporting of
information to parents through the various channels for communication that
the school supports
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:
To contribute to the broader life of the school
Heads of Subject demonstrate and share their own interest in their subject,
foster an enjoyment for learning among pupils and ensure that the curriculum is
based on rigour and scholarly challenge. Heads of Subject:
• ensure there are commensurate co-curricular programs to support, extend
and inspire students at all levels
• ensure that there are opportunities for student’s achievement and work to be
shared with the broader school community
• ensure that students take part in subject specific competitions both within the
school and in wider China so to stretch their skills beyond the regular syllabus
• contribute to and/or leads the provision of subject celebrations
• run workshops to inform parents of practice to enable strong support for
students at home
• contribute willingly and respectfully at primary leadership meetings, playing a
significant role in ensuring the development of impactful teaching and learning
practices within the school
• commit to and actively collaborate with other primary school leaders; sharing
and seeking insights across departments and sections of the school
• understand, model and explicitly plan for the enhancement of pupil’s global
citizenship
To devise and review learning programs in order to meet learning needs
of students
Heads of Subject lead their department in the evaluation of teaching
effectiveness to ensure learning success for all students. Students are
supported in their learning to not only meet Grade level expectations but to
ensure that they are progressing at a rate commensurate with their potential.
Heads of Subject:
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:
• mentor colleagues so that they can encourage students to pursue challenging
goals
• foster high expectations of students and high standards for the completion of
their work
• engage the department in reviewing students’ work and the results from
common formative assessment to provide feedback to students
• strengthen shared practice and implement intervention planning
• lead and evaluate moderation activities that ensure consistent and
comparable judgements of student learning to meet curriculum and school
requirements
• coordinate student performance evaluation using internal and external student
assessment data to improve teaching practice and provide timely interventions
• evaluate and revise reporting and accountability mechanisms in the school to
meet the needs of students
• communicate effectively with parents in relation to areas such as student
placement within classes and outcomes of assessment
• ensure the implementation and monitoring of assessment and feedback
strategies are of the highest standard and have a direct impact on improving
teaching practice and ultimately student outcomes
• actively engage with welfare and support matters concerning students
• uphold the school’s commitment to the provision of an inclusive education
To undertake administration of the department and support a school
culture focused on learning
Heads of department lead their department to ensure effective communication,
organisation and resource management required to maintain the smooth and
effective running of the day-to-day operations of their department. Heads of
departmentKEY RESPONSIBILITIES:
• hold and lead collaborative planning meetings, maintaining records of
discussion and actions
• produce an annual report for the Head to inform school development planning
• produce reports for the Academic Review subcommittee as needed
• write, in collaboration with team members, the annual department development
plan ensuring its implementation
• write, in collaboration with team members, the department’s intervention plan
ensuring its implementation
• provide oversight of teaching spaces to promote visibility of student learning
• keep accurate inventories of fixed assets in the department
• where appropriate, manage ancillary staff
• manage the departmental budget effectively
• uphold and contribute to the development of school academic policies and
processes
• keep a comprehensive online presence of up-to-date departmental resources
• respond constructively to requests from other functions within the school and
across the Wellington group of schools for advice and assistance, such as the
admissions department, marketing department and the like
• ensure that displays in and around the department’s teaching area are
stimulating, helpful to pupils and indicative of the high standards the school
expects
• assist with recruitment and induction as needed
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:
• Holder of Bachelor Degree or above, teaching certificate
• Majored in English or related
• Native English speaker
• Support Huili Values
DEMONSTRATED VALUES:
All staff are expected to uphold the School’s values by:
• safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children
• supporting and promoting the School’s culture, reputation and strategic objectives
• complying with the School’s Code of Conduct and other policy and regulatory
requirements
• building relationships with students, staff and parents based on respect, trust and
shared purpose
• behaving ethically and with appropriate confidentiality and sensitivity
• modelling punctuality and adherence to organisational deadlines
THE SUCCESSFUL ROLE-HOLDER MUST HAVE:
• Excellent written and spoken English and effective interpersonal communication
skills (native English speaker)
• Excellent technological literacy across a range of applications
• A relevant tertiary degree and teaching qualification
• Proven experience to develop innovative academic pathways to achieve
outstanding academic results for all students
• The ability to work collaboratively with other members of staff
• An applied understanding of concept-based learning
• The ability to be committed to having high expectations for all students
• Effective administrative and organisational skills.
• Effective communication and interpersonal skills.
• Excellent subject knowledge • Commitment to the full life of an independent school
• Strong pedagogical knowledge and understanding
PREFERRED EXPERIENCE AND APTITUDES:
• International and bilingual school experience
• Minimum of two years teaching experience
• Previous experience in leading an academic department in a
• Primary School setting
Please submit CV and cover letter, together with an application form
(available to download from www.wellingtoncollege.cn/careers) in English and email to
jobs.hss@huilieducation.cn
Please note that any application with missing materials will not be considered.
Wellington College Shanghai is totally committed to safeguarding the welfare of children
and young people and expects the same from its employees. All new staff will be subject
to enhanced pre-employment clearance, including identity checks, criminal background
checks, qualifications checks and employment checks to include an exploration of any
gaps in employment.
To apply for an advertised post, please click APPLY
to complete the online application.
to complete the online application.
