Description ISP Head of Science Role Profile Purpose of Role Star International School Mirdif is a bespoke British Curriculum School situated in the Mirdif Community of Dubai offering EYFS, Primary and Secondary Education. We are looking to appoint a Head of Secondary Science who has the enthusiasm, commitment and energy needed to work in a rapidly growing and improving school. The role is for an immediate start. ISP Principles Begin with our children and students. Our children and students are at the heart of what we do. Simply, their success is our success. Wellbeing and safety are both essential for learners and learning. Therefore, we are consistent in identifying potential safeguarding issues and acting and following up on all concerns appropriately. Treat everyone with care and respect. We look after one another, embrace similarities and differences and promote the well-being of self and others. Operate effectively. We focus relentlessly on the things that are most important and will make the most difference. We apply school policies and procedures and embody the shared ideas of our community. Learn continuously. Getting better is what drives us. We positively engage with personal and professional development and school improvement.
ISP Head of Science Key Responsibilities
At Star International School, Mirdif we offer:

• Children who are well motivated and have a superb attitude to learning;
• A fabulous staff team, a highly supportive group of parents and governors, who together, create a strong school community
• A great environment for learning with excellent resources and facilities.
• Appropriate research led working practices and a keen focus on staff well-being
• An Innovative risk-taking attitude to teaching and learning with trust placed in our teachers
• A growing school community with a wide range of opportunities for professional growth and development

• 
  Set high expectations which inspire, motivate and challenge pupils:

• Establish a safe and stimulating environment for pupils, rooted in mutual respect
• Set goals that stretch and challenge pupils of all backgrounds, abilities, and dispositions
• Demonstrate consistently the positive attitudes, values, and behaviour which are expected of pupils

• Promote positive progress and outcomes with/for pupils through:

• Accountability of pupils\xe2\x80\x99 attainment, progress, and outcomes
• Awareness of pupils\xe2\x80\x99 capabilities and their prior knowledge, and plan teaching to build on these
• Guidance of pupils to reflect on the progress they have made and their emerging needs
• Knowledge and understanding of how pupils learn and how this impacts on teaching
• Encouraging pupils to take a responsible and conscientious attitude to their own work and study

• Demonstrate good subject and curriculum knowledge through:

• Sound knowledge of the relevant subject(s) and curriculum areas, foster and maintain pupils\xe2\x80\x99 interest in the subject, and address misunderstandings
• Critical understanding of developments in the subject and curriculum areas
• Demonstrate an understanding of and take responsibility for promoting high standards of literacy, articulacy and the correct use of Standard English, whatever the teacher\xe2\x80\x99s specialist subject

• 
  Plan and teach well-structured lessons:

• Impart knowledge and develop understanding through effective use of lesson time
• Promote a love of learning and pupil\xe2\x80\x99s intellectual curiosity
• Set homework when appropriate and plan other out-of-class activities to consolidate and extend the knowledge and understanding pupils have acquired
• Reflect systematically on the effectiveness of lessons and approaches to teaching
• Contribute to the design and provision of an engaging curriculum within the relevant subject area(s)

• Adapt teaching to respond to the strengths and needs of all pupils through:

• The ability to differentiate appropriately, using approaches that enable pupils to be taught effectively
• A sound understanding of how a range of factors can inhibit pupils\xe2\x80\x99 ability to learn, and how best to overcome these
• Awareness of the physical, social and intellectual development of pupils, and know how to adapt teaching to support pupils\xe2\x80\x99 education at different stages of development
• A clear understanding of the needs of all pupils, including those with special educational needs; those of high ability; those with English as an additional language; those with disabilities; and be able to use and evaluate distinctive teaching approaches to engage and support them

• Make accurate and productive use of assessment:

• Assess the relevant subject and curriculum areas, including statutory assessment requirements
• Make use of formative and summative assessment to secure pupils\xe2\x80\x99 progress
• Use relevant data to monitor progress, set targets, and plan subsequent lessons
• Give pupils regular feedback, both orally and through accurate marking, and encourage pupils to respond positively to the feedback

• Manage behaviour effectively to ensure a good and safe learning environment:

• Have clear rules and routines for behaviour in classrooms, and take responsibility for promoting good and courteous behaviour both in classrooms and around the school, in accordance with the school\xe2\x80\x99s behaviour policy
• Have high expectations of behaviour, and establish a framework for discipline with a range of strategies, using praise, sanctions and rewards consistently and fairly
• Manage classes effectively, using approaches which are appropriate to pupils\xe2\x80\x99 needs in order to involve and motivate them
• Maintain good relationships with pupils, exercise appropriate authority, and act decisively when necessary

• Represent areas of knowledge, understanding and skills to students
• Lead by example in the highest regard for truth, justice, equality of opportunity, human rights, benevolence and compassion
• Engage and motivate students to achieve at levels that are beyond their expectations and previous limits
• Use excellent subject knowledge, pedagogic and interpersonal skills to enthuse students and enable students to experience amazing learning
• Make full use of ICT and the new technologies to enhance the quality of teaching and learning for students of all ages and attainment levels
• Plan lessons taking full account of students\xe2\x80\x99 individual learning needs, as well as their individual learning styles, preferences and capabilities
• Encourage and enable all students to become effective, confident and independent life-long learners
• Maintain excellent professional relationships with colleagues by making a wider professional contribution to the continuing improvement of the school
• Plan and deliver a programme of learning opportunities and activities to enrich and enhance the taught curriculum
• Co-operate with colleagues to establish and maintain fair and consistent disciplinary practices in the classroom, around the school and on school trips, and taking active measures to protect students from all forms of abuse, including racist or sexist abuse, bullying, and any kind of corporal punishment
• Communicate open and professionally with parents on a regular basis about the attainment and progress of their child
• Model good practice of academic practices
• Contribute actively to department discussions in academic meetings
• Contribute to and plan after-school activities as required
• Actively support the school partnership with the community e.g. attending school / community events which may occasionally occur at weekends or in the evening i.e. school concerts etc.
• Play a leading role in cultivating a school ethos founded on our 3 Pillars; Learning for Self, Learning for Change, Learning for All
• Contribute to the development and provision of the highest quality of education at Star International School Mirdif
• Make sure that young people of all abilities and backgrounds fulfil their potential
• Promote a positive ethos across the school based on the school vision/values and a commitment to ensuring the wellbeing of students, staff, and the wider school community
• Other responsibilities as reasonably requested

Teaching

• Plan and prepare schemes of work and complete planning documentation
• Teach with consistent effectiveness the students in her/his classes, taking full account of all students\xe2\x80\x99 individual educational needs
• Set and mark work to be carried out by the students in school, online, at home and elsewhere as appropriate
• Promote the intellectual, moral, spiritual, cultural, physical and personal abilities and aptitudes of the students in her/his classes and provide guidance and advice to students on educational and relevant social and other matters
• Make records of and reports on the personal and social needs of students
• Take part as appropriate in whole school development and share and promote best practice

Assessment, recording and reporting

• Assess, record and report on the development, progress and attainment of the students in her/his classes
• Provide or contribute to oral and written assessments, reports and references relating to individual students or groups of students
• Guide students to set targets to improve on their previous \xe2\x80\x98best\xe2\x80\x99 and give regular feedback to students to support next steps in learning

Continuing Professional Development

• Keep under review her/his methods of teaching and programmes of work
• Be pro-active and take accountability for own development
• Participate in arrangements for her/his further training and professional development as a teacher

Curriculum Development

• Advise and co-operate with the Principal and other colleagues on the preparation and development of courses of study, teaching materials, teaching schemes, methods of teaching and assessment and pastoral arrangements
• Take responsibility for specific subjects
• To embed UAE heritage and culture within the curriculum

Skills, Qualifications and Experience Education: Relevant teaching qualification: minimum of a BEd or BA/BSc + PGCE/QTS Experience:

• 3 years of teaching experience in a British school either internationally or in the UK.
• Experience of delivering IGCSE/GCSE Science
• 2 years leadership experience as a Head of Science

Competencies:

• Excellent working knowledge of the latest UK practice and the new National Curriculum of England
• Familiarity with the national curriculum for England
• Excellent IT skills, communication skills, and command of the English language, in spoken and written form
• A collaborative team-player with excellent personal skills.
• Classroom and behavior management
• Knowledge and understanding of the Dubai KHDA framework

Attributes:

• Collaborative team player, inspirational speaker, empathetic listener
• Integrity and confidentiality
• Internationally minded
• Emotional intelligence
• Intercultural awareness, creative
• Online and classroom teaching experience
• Flexible and a can-do attitude

Whilst every effort has been made to explain the main duties and responsibilities of the post, each individual task undertaken may not be identified. Employees will be expected to comply with any reasonable request from a manager to undertake work of a similar level that is not specified in this job description Employees are expected to be courteous to colleagues and provide a welcoming environment to visitors and telephone callers.
ISP Commitment to Safeguarding Principles ISP is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All post holders are subject to appropriate vetting procedures and satisfactory Criminal Background Checks or equivalent covering the previous 10 years\xe2\x80\x99 employment history.