Job Description and Requirements

Head of MYP Departments, Grades 7–10

Heads of MYP subject areas are responsible to the Head of Middle School, through the Academic Deputy Head, for the effective management and delivery of the programme in their subject areas and for the management and allocation of departmental teaching staff and resources, in accordance with the school’s guiding statements, policies and procedures.

While the responsibility is primarily at school level, Heads of MYP subject areas are expected to be familiar with the PYP and Diploma Programmes and share responsibility for ensuring the articulation of the whole school curriculum.

Qualifications and Skills:

• Hold a degree in related fields.
• Ideally hold a teaching qualification from a reputable university.
• Have a minimum of five years of relevant experience in teaching the subject.
• Have excellent communication skills.
• Have excellent organisational skills.
• Have very good IT skills.
• Have excellent interpersonal skills.

Responsibilities:

• Ensure high professional and academic standards within the department, providing leadership and support for all staff members.
• Support and mentor new members of staff, ensuring they have a thorough understanding of the school and IB programmes, systems, standards and practices.
• Appraise department staff in accordance with school procedures, including implementing the underperformance plan where needed.
• Promote student learning and engagement across all areas of the school’s programmes.
• Cooperate with the Head and the Academic Deputy of the Middle School on improvements to the delivery of the curriculum by the department.
• Coordinate with the MYP Team on the implementation of the programme.
• Ensure that all students are explicitly taught ATL skills according to the agreed skills for the department.
• Cooperate with the Personal Project Coordinator on the work of students undertaking their Personal Projects
• Promote interdisciplinary work and the use of ICT within the departmental programme.
• Coordinate with the Learning Support team to ensure that appropriate provisions are made for students.
• Ensure that the department provides support lessons for students during support time.
• Ensure a balance between the international nature of the IB programme and the national nature of the school.
• Ensure all school and IB deadlines are met by the department.
• Ensure teachers are using ISAMs effectively, by following up on submissions and ensuring consistency among teachers.
• Ensure that all documentation is regularly reviewed, including accurate and up-to-date records of student achievement and progress against the MYP criteria.
• Ensure that articulation between the PYP, MYP and Diploma programmes meets the learning needs of the students.
• Oversee the implementation and continuous development of the MYP curriculum in their subject area, as well as ensure that the elements of the MYP are embedded in the curriculum.
• Keep up to date with changes and developments in the MYP programme communicated to the school by IB by accessing My IB and communicating with the MYP Coordinator.
• Ensure that the assessment tasks set by the department are in accordance with the subject specific criteria set by IB, are authentic and give every student the opportunity to demonstrate his/her skills, knowledge, understanding, and attitude related to the subject area.
• Ensure that internal standardisation among the teachers in their departments is taking place.
• Effectively manage the department budget and resources
• Ensure the physical subject area is well-maintained and of a professional standard, including ensuring bulletin boards are updated on a regular basis.
• Ensure the students’ reports are of a professional standard, are consistent and specific to each student, by checking and proof-reading every report in a timely manner.
• Lead departmental meetings to discuss issues pertaining to their departments and send minutes of these meetings to the Head of the Middle School
• Communicate effectively and in a timely manner with the various stakeholders in the school community.
• Represent and promote the department’s views, interests and activities within the school in a positive and professional manner.
• Teach such classes as may be allocated within the terms of contract.
• Undertake such additional responsibilities as may be allocated by the Principal, or Head of Middle School, within the terms of contract and the Conditions of Service

Reporting Relationship

The Head of Department reports directly to the Head of School for carrying out their duties and responsibilities.