The Economics and Business Studies Department The Master of Wellington College invites applications for the post of Head of Economics and Business Studies starting on 1 September 2012 Introduction to the Department The department currently consists of nine staff and will expand further next year. Our classrooms are based in one location around a communal hub which facilitates a friendly and purposeful atmosphere. The department currently runs a programme of visiting speakers, a Business Conference, and a termly inter-school extension programme. The following is taken from the department handbook and gives a taste of our aims as a department. Principles and Aims Students to achieve high grades in their examinations. Lessons are to be a positive, learning experience. This is achieved by conveying to the students the teacher s enthusiasm for the subject, by a willingness to digress, by group discussion, by avoiding the marginalisation of students and varied delivery methods. Learning to learn. It is vital that the department prepares students for their onward journey from school, for most involving university. This is achieved by an increasing emphasis on independent learning, discussion-led learning and continuous discussion within the department about learning. Distinctive Characteristics of the Department We currently only teach Senior School students which insulates the department from Lower School curriculum pressures. This engenders a more adult environment which marries with the aims above. The teaching team is committed to exploring new ways of delivering the subject material and challenging our students to be innovative. This is an ongoing process. The teaching team contains a considerable breadth of experience both international and from outside teaching. Curriculum We currently offer Economics at A Level following the Edexcel specification and IB at both Standard and Higher Level. In Business Studies we teach A Level, following the AQA specification, and IB Business Management (higher level only in 2011).
2 Results In 2011 the Economics and Business Studies department achieved the following results: A2 Economics 94% A*-B IB Economics 88% 7-5 A2 Business Studies 94% A*-B In the current year 12, we are teaching 129 students AS or IB Economics and 41 students AS or IB Business. This makes us the largest Upper School department. Department Structure Historically, there has been either a Subject Head of Business Studies to oversee the scheme of work and administration of the Business Studies courses offered or an assistant Head of Department to help with extension and resources. It is anticipated that one of these roles will remain and be reviewed periodically as the needs of the overall department changes. Current Head of Department For more information about the department, do not hesitate to contact: Ed Venables ebrv@wellingtoncollege.org.uk
3 Job Description The vacancy arises as the current Head of Department has been appointed as a Housemaster at Wellington. Wellington College is becoming one of Britain s most academic and innovative schools. It provides an immensely exciting educational environment and we are looking for people of outstanding imagination, intellect and passion to join us as we aim to both develop excellence in our own pupils and forge new directions in education. This year already, six members of staff have been promoted to senior leadership roles in other schools. Job Specification As Head of Department, the successful applicant for this post will be expected to: lead a vibrant, committed and professional team of teachers; enhance the excellent reputation and results of the Department at Wellington College; devise and execute an inspiring strategic development plan for the Department; review, maintain or develop schemes of work for the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programmes and A Levels; undertake or fairly delegate all the necessary administration of academic courses, including examination and coursework processing; lead the extra-curricular life of the Department, through extension programmes, preuniversity seminars, competitions, trips, open days, prep school events etc.; enhance the quality of teaching and learning in the Department and College through sharing resources and good practice, lesson observation, collaborative teaching, mentoring and active participation in continuing professional development; guide the professional development of staff in the Department; develop the physical facilities and resources of the Department; plan and monitor budgets to meet the requirements of the Department and College; set individual targets and programmes for all students studying the subject; act as the point of contact for all those wishing to pursue any university studies and careers linked to the subject; attend Heads of Department meetings; report to SMT via the Deputy (Academic). As a teacher, the successful applicant for this post will also be expected to: teach both Business Studies and Economics; teach a standard timetable allocation for a Head of Department (currently around 30 one hour lessons over a twelve day timetable cycle); safeguard and promote the welfare of children; support the College s aims and objectives for teaching and learning. Person Specification The right person for the job will: have academic leadership experience in schools or demonstrate clear leadership potential; have outstanding academic qualifications, subject knowledge and passion; be capable of delivering dynamic and effective lessons to the full ability range of pupils in the College; demonstrate a positive and authoritative rapport with senior and junior pupils; have highly effective communication skills for dealing with pupils, parents, teachers, and support staff; be organised, energetic and self-directed;
4 have a sharp and progressive vision of the subject and of teaching and learning in a successful and dynamic school; be committed to boarding school life and willing to engage in a range of extra-curricular activities. Beyond the Classroom All teachers appointed to Wellington are expected to contribute fully to the extra-curricular and pastoral life of the College. As tutors, teachers are allocated to a boarding or day house and are responsible for monitoring and enhancing the academic and pastoral welfare of a group of pupils within that house. That involves meeting the pupils regularly both individually and as a group, liaising between teachers and parents, taking evening supervision duties in the house, and being involved generally in the house community. The College expects its teachers to contribute whole-heartedly to other aspects of school life by drawing upon their own interests and enthusiasms. The richness of the school depends upon teachers who, for example, coach games, direct plays, support and organise society meetings, and take pupils on trips to concerts and the theatre locally and in London. A full seven-day-a-week boarding school such as Wellington must obviously look after and cater for the pupils entrusted to it at weekends. Applicants should be aware that Wellington teaches on Saturday mornings and expects teachers to participate enthusiastically in the activities that are offered to pupils during weekends, including sport, social events, chapel services, musical rehearsals and many other things. Remuneration and Accommodation There are approximately 100 full-time teachers at Wellington all of whom are specialist teachers in their own subjects. Wellington is an exciting, rewarding environment in which to teach and work. For those with talent, ambition and commitment, Wellington College provides the means for the development of a successful and satisfactory career in a place with a real sense of community. It is a condition of Wellington s contract of employment that for the better performance of duties teachers accommodation must be close enough to allow full participation in the life of the College, which includes evening and occasional weekend activities and duties. Teachers may live in school accommodation where available or, by agreement with the Master, in private residence nearby. In the latter case, a higher salary will be paid. Wellington College has its own salary scale which is above that for the state sector and reflects the commitment required to the total life of the school. New members of staff enter the scale at the point appropriate to their age and experience. The post is superannuable under the Teachers Pensions Scheme.
5 Appointment, Induction and Probation All appointments are probationary for the first year. In practice, newly appointed teachers will be given a clear indication of their progress during their first term, and an unequivocal decision about their future employment will be made at the latest by the end of their second term. All new teachers will have the benefit of guidance by an experienced and trained mentor whose role it will be to help them through the first few terms of their employment. The school believes in, supports and resources an extensive system of professional development and training, and all teachers are expected to participate in it throughout their careers. All appointments are subject to a satisfactory medical examination, to be undertaken at the school s expense, and those appointed will be required to provide documentary evidence of all qualifications claimed. All appointments will be subject to a satisfactory Enhanced Disclosure from the Criminal Records Bureau. Applicants should note that the College, in addition to requiring two satisfactory references, follows what is now regarded as best practice to ascertain the reasons for the termination of any previous employment in all cases where a candidate has worked with children; in practice this means asking each of those employers for a brief reference. Wellington s appointment, induction and probation procedures satisfy the statutory requirements that allow NQTs to achieve QTS and register with the DfES and the GTC. We are ready to appoint unqualified teachers, and where appropriate we participate in the government s Graduate Teacher Programme (GTP) to enable them to acquire QTS while they work. Applicants for teaching posts at Wellington will be asked to provide evidence to validate the content of their curriculum vitae. Confirmation of appointment depends upon a satisfactory outcome to the usual statutory checks. Applications Applicants are invited to submit their letters of application to the Master with a completed application form (a CV may also be added) and the names, addresses and telephone numbers of two referees, one of whom at least should be a current employer or, for new graduates, a university supervisor, to: The Human Resources Manager Wellington College Crowthorne, Berkshire, RG45 7PU, UK Please visit our website on www.wellingtoncollege.org.uk for further information about the school. Head of Department For more information about the department, do not hesitate to contact: Ed Venables ebrv@wellingtoncollege.org.uk