Junior School Teacher

ROLE DESCRIPTION

Job Purpose: To contribute to providing an excellent education for all the school’s pupils by teaching with expertise and enthusiasm, offering support to the learning of individual pupils and contributing to the school’s pastoral system.

To support the Head and the SLT in the implementation of all aspects of school and GDST policy in order to maintain the aims and ethos of the school and the GDST as a whole.

To embrace and demonstrate the characteristics set out in the GDST Professional Teacher Standards: to be Caring, Effective, Engaged, Confident, Creative and Reflective practitioners.

To demonstrate GDST values and high standards of professional conduct at all times.

Accountabilities (in addition to those normally required of a qualified teacher):

1. Teaching and learning

Having regard to the curriculum, plan and teach challenging, well-organised lessons and sequences of lessons, informed by secure subject knowledge, specifically by:

• Using an appropriate range of teaching strategies and resources, including e-learning, which meet students’ needs and expectations and are designed to raise levels of attainment.
• Building on the prior knowledge and attainment of earlier learning in order that students meet their learning objectives and make sustained progress.
• Developing ways to encourage, challenge and inspire students to apply new knowledge, understanding and skills and deepen them further.
• Using language appropriate to students, introducing new ideas and concepts clearly, and using explanations, questions, discussions and plenaries effectively.
• Managing the learning of individuals, groups and whole classes effectively, using teaching techniques appropriate to suit the stage of the lesson and the needs of students.
• Maintain an up-to-date working knowledge and understanding of a range of teaching, learning and behaviour management strategies, including how to personalise learning to provide opportunities for all students to achieve their potential, incorporating these in the planning and delivery of lessons.
• Assessing, recording and reporting on the development, progress and attainment of students.
• Advising and co-operating with the Head of department and other teachers on the preparation and development of courses of study, teaching materials, teaching programmes, methods of teaching and assessment and pastoral arrangements.
• With reference to students’ individual learning objectives, planning, setting, supporting and assessing classwork, homework and other out-of-class assignments and coursework for examinations, where appropriate and reasonable, to sustain students’ progress and to extend and consolidate their learning.
• Contributing as appropriate to the development of schemes of work and adhering to schemes of work when planning and teaching.
• Knowing and implementing the assessment requirements and arrangements for the subjects/ curriculum areas they teach, including those relating to public examinations and qualifications.
• Organising the classroom and learning resources and creating displays to encourage a positive learning environment;
• Participating with the line manager in using GDST and national statistics to monitor the progress of students and raise levels of attainment.
• Providing students, colleagues, parents and carers with timely, accurate and constructive feedback on students’ progress, attainment and areas for development.
• Working collaboratively across the department, school and the GDST network.
• Managing students’ behaviour constructively by establishing and maintaining a clear and positive framework for discipline, in line with the school’s behaviour policy.
• Participating in arrangements for preparing students for public examinations and in assessing students for the purposes of such examinations.

2. Pastoral

Work with colleagues to create a positive culture of student welfare and behaviour, including taking an active role in pastoral matters, by:

• Supporting and contributing to the school’s responsibility for safeguarding and promoting the welfare and well-being of students.
• Being aware of school safeguarding procedures and taking appropriate action within these procedures when necessary, working with colleagues and external agencies and services.
• Maintaining good order and discipline among the students and safeguarding their health and safety both when they are authorised to be on the school premises and when they are engaged in authorised school activities elsewhere.
• Acting as Form Teacher.
• Liaising with appropriate Head of Year, attending pastoral meetings when necessary.
• Leading and participating in Assemblies.

3. Marketing and external links, including public occasions

Contribute to the positive promotion and marketing of the school and the GDST in the local and wider community, where possible, by:

• Actively participating in educational outreach and promoting the key stage, phase or department within the school community to encourage students’ interest in the subject area or school.
• Promoting the whole school in a variety of different contexts, including attending marketing events where appropriate, and in interactions with parents and prospective parents and students.

4. Management and administration

Undertake administrative and organisational tasks related to the duties of teaching and to ensure the smooth running of classes and the department by:

• Contributing to the professional development of other teachers and support staff, including the induction and assessment of new teachers.
• Coordinating or supervising the work of those who provide support for teachers in the department (i.e. technicians or teaching assistants), where required.
• Taking part as required in the review, development and management of activities relating to the curriculum, organisation and pastoral functions of the school.
• Ordering and allocating of equipment and materials where required.

5. Training and development of self and others

Maintain an up-to-date knowledge and understanding of all aspects of teaching and pedagogy by:

• Reviewing own methods of teaching and programmes of work.
• Evaluating own performance and being committed to improving own practice through appropriate training and professional development.
• With the line manager, engage actively in any process of appraisal or performance review for self and for those supervised.

All teaching staff are expected to:

• Work towards and support the school vision and the current school objectives outlined in the School Development Plan.
• Maintain high professional standards of attendance, punctuality, appearance, and conduct. Demonstrate positive and courteous relations with students, colleagues, parents and any external personnel.
• Adhere to school and GDST policies, as amended from time to time, and as set out in GDST Council Regulations, GDST HUB and GDST circulars.
• Contribute towards organising, participating in or delivering on the school’s programme of co- curricular activities.
• In accordance with GDST policy, provide cover for absent colleagues by supervising and so far as is practicable, teaching students.
• Participate in meetings at the school which relate to the curriculum or the administration or organisation of the school, including pastoral arrangements, or for any purpose as reasonably decided by the Head.
• Carry out lunchtime duties – supervising students at lunch, as reasonable.
• Attend all relevant parents’ meetings, which may take place in the evening.
• Support students and colleagues by attending some school productions, functions, trips and events as appropriate, and contributing, where possible, to the wider life of the school.
• Carry out such other associated duties as are reasonably assigned by the Head.

This job description should be seen as enabling rather than restrictive and will be subject to regular review, in consultation with the recognised trade union.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Skills required

• Ability to teach Key Stage 1 & 2 curriculum Essential
• Ability to use a range of teaching strategies in order to meet the needs of all pupils Essential
• Sound behaviour management skills and discipline, both inside and outside the classroom Essential
• Dedication to promoting subject or key stage within the school and marketing within and outside school Essential
• Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing, with colleagues, school-based staff, governors, GDST and external bodies Essential
• Excellent interpersonal skills, able to work effectively and harmoniously with others (including pupils, colleagues and parents) Essential
• Excellent organisational and time management skills with the ability to prioritise and work to deadlines Essential
• Ability to work on own initiative and react to competing demands Essential
• Ability to maintain confidentiality Essential
• Confident user of ICT to aid administration and learning Desirable

Knowledge Base

• Experience of working in a successful department in a Junior School Desirable
• Knowledge of latest developments within teaching Desirable

Qualifications/Attainment

• Well qualified graduate Essential
• Qualified teacher status Essential
• Proven track record of academic success within the subject area or phase or NQT equivalent Essential

Experience

• Experience of working in across the Junior School curriculum Essential
• Proven experience of successfully contributing to or running co-curricular clubs and activities Desirable
• Experience of working within a successful team Desirable

Attitude/Approach

• Enthusiastic, positive and hard working Essential
• A passion for education Essential
• Commitment to the safeguarding of children and young people Essential
• Ability to inspire, motivate and support pupils Essential
• Flexible and approachable attitude Essential
• Ability to solve problems, make sound judgements and take decisions Essential
• Ability to work under pressure, on own initiative, accurately and with attention to detail Essential
• Commitment to the improvement and development of own teaching and performance Essential
• The drive and stamina to provide excellent opportunities for all girls in the school Essential
• Willingness to play a part in the overall developments of the school Essential
• Commitment to maintaining the caring and supportive ethos of the school Essential