Haberdashers Monmouth School for Girls Head of Sixth Form Job Description September 2013 The post of Head of Sixth Form has become vacant due to the retirement of Mrs Katharine MacDonald after 30 years of distinguished service at HMSG. Reporting to The Headmistress, as a member of the Senior Management Team The Deputy Head in matters concerning pupil conduct, pastoral welfare and well-being, extracurricular and school management The Director of Studies in all academic and teaching and learning issues Core Purpose The Head of Sixth Form is a strategic and supportive member of the Senior Management Team, embracing the school s vision and ethos and the potential of the sixth form as a unique model of post-16 education, in cooperation with Monmouth School. They play a lead role in its development as a scholarly, innovative, high performing, and pupil-focused leader in the provision of post-16 education in the independent sector. They will effectively manage the development of the sixth form to raise standards in pupil aspirations and outcomes. The Head of Sixth Form plays a key role in ensuring the effective and efficient management of HMSG. They are responsible for the quality of the provision of post-16 education with particular regard to A Level qualifications, PSHE, Enrichment, extra-curricular opportunities and service to others. They are responsible for creating and sustaining a distinctive sixth form ethos and for effective monitoring, tracking and review of pupils progress, in all spheres. The Head of Sixth Form attends and contributes to Heads of Year, Pastoral and Heads of Department meetings. They meet weekly with the Deputy Head and the Director of Studies and regularly with the Headmistress to report and consult on girls, activities, dates, trends and all issues of interest relating to the Sixth Form. They offer their full support to the extracurricular functions of the school (plays, concerts, charity events, fixtures etc.) irrespective of the particular year group involved. Through their own professional conduct the Head of Sixth Form sets the highest standards.
Special Responsibilities 1. To shape a vision, ethos and direction for the Sixth Form, setting out very high expectations and with clear focus, contributing to whole-school planning and leadership 2. To inspire, motivate and influence staff and pupils, taking a leading role in maintaining the highest standards of teaching and learning in the Sixth Form 3. To organise and oversee the implementation of Sixth Form rules and policies 4. To deal with serious disciplinary cases 5. To supervise the application of the UCAS system in the school and ensure that the School s UCAS references are of a high calibre and communicated to each student with care and precision 6. To implement a PSHE programme which meets the needs of students, ensuring skills including: lifelong learning, improving own learning, active citizenship, working with others, developing communication and health and emotional well-being 7. To take responsibility for the running of the Joint School Council between the three schools in Monmouth. Attend meetings and oversee its initiatives 8. To oversee and supervise the Prefect selection procedure 9. To support the headmistress in the Sixth Form Admissions procedure and interview students playing an active role in recruitment and marketing Leadership 1. Guide, advise, develop and oversee the work of Heads of Year 12 and 13 2. To lead a Sixth Form Management Team consisting of Assistant Head of Sixth Form, Head of Careers & HE Guidance and Heads of Years 12 and 13 to ensure the smooth running of the Sixth Form 3. Present the views of Sixth Form Tutors and Heads of Year 12 and 13 and report back from all areas of consultation (including meetings with Management, Headmistress, Deputy Head, Heads of Houses, Teaching Staff and Boarding Staff) 4. Establish good communications within and between the Year Groups 5. Encourage members of the Sixth Form team to receive the appropriate Staff Development 6. Maintain sound discipline within the School s agreed procedures 7. Act as appraiser when required 8. To attend promotional opportunities to advertise the Sixth Form at HMSG and work with the PR Department and Head of Sixth Form at Monmouth School to look for new opportunities and ways to maintain and encourage high calibre students to the school 9. Organise review meetings for pupils with Form Tutors when reports and targets are reviewed, interviewing pupils as appropriate
School Leadership 1. Support the aims of the School, as outlined in the mission statement and three-year plan 2. Contribute to the well-being and development of the School through the supervision of pupils, guidance of teachers and the offering of advice to various committees and the Senior Management Team 3. Attend meetings of Heads of Year, Pastoral Committee, Joint Steering Committee and other committees as required 4. Give support to Whole School initiatives, events and activities 5. Demonstrate the highest professional standards, at all times, in conduct, appearance, written and verbal communication and in discussion with all stakeholders and members of the public 6. Promote, develop and drive forwards the cooperative Sixth Form relationship with Monmouth School, working closely with the Head of Sixth Form at Monmouth School Welfare and Development of Pupils 1. Support the organisation of the induction of new Sixth Form pupils and monitor the settling in of new girls 2. Liaise with Boarding Staff and Housemistress to enhance the life of Sixth Form Boarders 3. Encourage the participation of all pupils in the life of the school and acknowledge their achievements 4. Provide informal counselling for individual pupils as appropriate 5. Be available for pupils and staff at set times 6. Support the organisation of Sixth Form events, discos and balls as required 7. Ensure the development of the whole child (academic; physical; moral; spiritual; social; emotional and intellectual) 8. To ensure that all of the above applies to boys from Monmouth School who are educated at HMSG and that lines of communication are open, honest and efficient
Monitoring Academic Progress 1. Monitor the academic progress of pupils and act on evidence of under-achievement relative to ability 2. Support and encourage initiatives to stretch the more able students 3. Liaise with the Special Needs Co-ordinators to help provide support for pupils who encounter learning difficulties 4. Liaise with subject departments about curriculum and homework issues and about the progress of individual pupils 5. Monitor the organisation of internal report system for the Sixth Form in accordance with School policy 6. Keep a record of termly grades to track progress of pupils using Achievement/Effort/Progress grades 7. Use value-added and other data to monitor pupil achievement 8. Ensure the continued improvement of results at post-16 Reporting to Parents 1. Support the organisation and completion of reports by Tutors to parents in accordance with school policy 2. When necessary, supervise the completion of records 3. Be available for parents, conducting interviews where necessary with another member of staff 4. Be available at Parents Evenings including for Year 11 5. Check reports and write the senior member of staff comment when applicable Attendance and Punctuality 1. Oversee the registration policy and punctuality of all Sixth Form pupils 2. Take action to ensure full pupil attendance 3. Inform the Deputy Head of all important matters relating to the Sixth Form 4. Oversee and implement the Education Maintenance Allowance
Conduct of Pupils 1. Monitor behaviour of pupils and standard of uniform, punctuality, attendance, manners, honesty etc. 2. Ensure the highest standards of academic discipline 3. Ensure full commitment to extra-curricular, enrichment, house and charitable activities Personal 1. Keep up-to-date with contemporary developments in education and teaching 2. Endeavour to attend relevant in-service courses and meetings 3. Provide, by personal example, leadership and guidance, high professional standards for the Sixth Form 4. Be proficient in the use of ICT and willing to embrace new technologies 5. Demonstrate exemplary written communication and ensure that any written communication from the sixth form is flawless, reflecting the high standards of the school 6. Work with optimism, good humour and total dedication