Head of Physics Department

Head of Physics Department (Job Reference: )Primary Location : Antrim-Belfast-Bloomfield Collegiate SchoolContract Type : PermanentDuration of Contract/Contract End Date : N/AStatus : Full-TimeHours per Week : Full timeWorking Pattern : Monday - FridayGrade/Scale : Teacher Main Pay Scale, M2 - UPS 3 £32,916 - £50,876 per annumAllowance(s) : Teaching Allowance 2 as per the DE Teachers' Pay and Allowances circularAnticipated Interview Date(s) : TBCAdditional Information: Successful candidate should be available for staff training from 18th August 2026.The Head of Physics will initially work alongside the previous Head of Department whose is relinquishing the role to devote more time to her role as Senior Leader. Heads of subjects provide professional leadership and management of their subject area to secure high quality teaching, effective use of resources and ongoing development of learning and achievement for all pupils.As part of the school's middle management, they play a key role in the school's strategic planning. Each Head of Department is supported by a member of Senior Leadership Team who acts as an immediate Line Manager and Mentor. The following are key areas of responsibility:Strategic Direction and Development of the SubjectTo support efficient and effective teaching and learning as a whole school strategy in order to contribute to whole school improvementTo contribute to the self evaluative school model including completing a departmental self evaluation on a yearly basis as required by the PrincipalTo be responsible for devising, monitoring and evaluating appropriate action plans to support the School Development Plan in achieving whole school improvementTo analyse internal and external examination results, identify areas for development and report these annually to the Principal and Vice Principal and recommend to the department and Senior Team strategies for dealing with any weaknesses and for promoting further the strengths of the departmentTo contribute to the target setting process by establishing agreed, appropriate, targets for pupils and staff both within the department and by regular discussion with the Senior Teacher (SIS & Data) and Vice PrincipalTo keep the Departmental Handbook under review and ensure that an up to date copy is available for all staff in the department as well as for senior staff at the start of each academic yearTo communicate and cooperate with other departments, including sharing good practiceTo establish, with colleagues, agreed aims and objectives for the department which must be consistent with the aims and objectives of the schoolTo establish departmental policies in line with School PoliciesTo monitor the implementation of all departmental policies and review them regularlyTo monitor and review the appropriateness of the curriculum for each pupil and to ensure that there are strategies in place to provide additional support for pupils with special educational needsTo ensure that a range of courses, suited to the needs of the pupils is offered.To draw up, with colleagues, schemes of work which make clear the content of the courses, the learning objectives and the assessment procedures to be followedTo ensure that relevant schemes of work are reviewed annually, followed by all members of the department and made available to the Vice PrincipalTo ensure that there is consistency and internal standardisation within the departmentTo prepare and circulate agendas for department meetingsTo chair regular department meetings and to act as a channel of communication and consultation on department and curricular matters between the Principal and Leadership Team and other members of the departmentTo ensure that department meetings are accurately minuted and the Vice Principal is provided with minutesTo represent the department at Subject Leaders meetings and to provide feedback to department colleaguesTo play a full part in decision making relating to whole school issuesTo keep abreast of current developments in the curriculum and in examination specifications by attendance at relevant in-service courses, encouraging departmental colleagues to do likewise and to ensure that there is an efficient and agreed system of reporting backTo liaise and develop creative links and constructive working relationships with other subject departments and with other schools and external agencies as appropriateTo inform the school's Examinations Officer of all entries (and any changes) for the public examinations in the subject(s)To be a member of relevant ad hoc working parties in which whole school policy is developed, monitored and reviewed and guidelines for good practice are establishedTo develop effective links and constructive working relationships with the Pastoral team which includes the Senior Leader (Pastoral), LSCO and the Heads of YearTo ensure that relevant subject material is made available on the school's websiteTeaching and LearningTo lead colleagues in the process of regular evaluation of the work of the department in terms of teaching, learning and standards of achievement and thus identifying areas for improvementTo monitor teaching standards and teaching methods within the departmentTo ensure that appropriate teaching and learning strategies are employed at all levels of the school to challenge all pupils to achieve as highly as possibleTo ensure and monitor in the department, effective development of pupils' individual and collaborative skills to enable them to become independent, creative and critical thinkersTo ensure that subject specific support is available for any pupils requiring additional assistance and liaise when appropriate with LSCO or other key personnelTo advise pupils at certain times of option choices and at any other times when help is needed for university applications and/or careers guidanceTo develop and integrate the use of Information and Communications Technology, Communication and Using Mathematics within the teaching of the subject at all levels of the schoolTo promote the skills of literacy and numeracy within the department in line with the whole school approachTo set standards and act as a role model for pupils and other staff in the teaching and learning of the subjectTo ensure that assessment of pupils' work (classwork, homework, coursework, tests, examinations) is undertaken regularly, that the assessment is valid, moderated and used to inform, develop and enhance teaching and learning in line with school policiesTo be responsible for the oversight of setting, marking, assessing and moderating the department's internal assessments and any elements of external examinations as may be necessaryTo ensure that learning in the subject is enhanced where possible by development of extra curricular activities, special events or projects connected with the work of the departmentTo monitor pupil attainment and to liaise with pupils/parents as appropriateLeading and managing staffTo promote the professional development of staff within the departmentTo support effectively all those on Initial Teacher Training, working as a Beginning Teacher or at the Early Professional Development Stage of their careerTo assume responsibility for the induction, supervision and support of non-teaching staff where this is appropriateTo encourage innovative and imaginative curriculum work within the departmentTo oversee the writing of reports and other communications within the department, as appropriate and as requiredTo arrange the department contribution to any prospective pupil occasions eg Open Night and contributions required for any school literature eg curriculum booklets and prospectusTo show support and concern for the welfare and wellbeing of staff in the departmentTo build and further develop the team of subject teachersTo observe, on a regular basis, members of the department at work in the classroom, to provide relevant feedback on effective practice and to take action to improve further the quality of teachingTo support members of the department with disciplinary problems eg general behavioural problems, work, homework, courseworkTo arrange for devolved responsibilities and delegated tasks as appropriate to members of the departmentTo monitor and evaluate devolved responsibilities and delegated tasksTo participate in, according to the guidelines approved by the Board of Governors, the agreed Professional Review and Staff Development process, PRSD, including acting as a Reviewer, for members of the departmentTo encourage appropriate access for members of the department to in-service training opportunities both within school and outside school that will enhance teaching and learning and allow development of an increasing awareness of whole school issues and to ensure that all members of the department receive appropriate feedback from colleagues who have attended INSETTo liaise with Senior Team Link as appropriateEfficient and effective deployment of staff and resources- To advise the Principal on human resource needs in the department - To assist the Board of Governors in the selection of new members of staff for the department as requiredTo identify timetable and staffing requirements in consultation with the Vice Principal, to liaise with the Vice-Principal and Principal to deploy staff to ensure the best use of subject expertise and to support the professional development of colleaguesTo conduct an audit of resource needs within the context of the overall School Budget and the department's Development Plan and present to the Principal/Vice Principal annually an analysis of departmental needs in the form of a bid for departmental fundingTo cooperate and liaise with the Vice Principal in the administration of departmental spendingTo provide relevant information for the Principal or Vice Principal at any time, if required, regarding departmental priorities . click apply for full job details