The Assistant Head (Academic) will work in partnership and consultation with the Deputy Head (Academic) to oversee learning and teaching at Hampton, both on-site and for resources held online.
The successful applicant will have a high degree of digital literacy but will act upon evidence-based pedagogy. Their understanding of how to teach highly intelligent and aspirational young people in an effective and inspiring way, will be matched by a desire to keep their own and their colleagues’ pedagogical skills and knowledge as up-to-date as possible. Our Assistant Head (Academic) will be expected to incorporate the best digital innovations (both those already implemented at Hampton and ideas from other educational settings), to evaluate their efficacy, and to ensure that they are integrated across academic departments in a consistent manner. They will work closely with our Information Technology department to integrate successful digital learning strategies into our existing educational provision.
This is rare opportunity to become part of the Senior Leadership Team (SLT) at one of the country’s most socially diverse, high-achieving and joyful independent schools. We see it as of paramount importance to appoint the right person to join a highly motivated, collegial and happy SLT, which currently comprises the following: The Headmaster, four Deputy Heads, three Assistant Heads, the Bursar, and the Deputy Bursar. Other senior colleagues, for example the Development Director and Head of Admissions and Marketing regularly join SLT meetings to discuss relevant agenda items.
Additionally, the appointed candidate will be a member of the leadership team for the Hampton School Trust, which includes Hampton and Hampton Pre-Prep & Prep. This group meets regularly and involves those mentioned above as well as the Hampton Pre-Prep and Prep Headmaster.
The advertised post will suit an innovative, enthusiastic and dynamic teacher with a proven record of excellence in school leadership, probably at middle management level, along with outstanding administrative and communication skills. The appointee must subscribe fully to Hampton’s distinctive ethos, and understand how academic study, pastoral care and co-curricular activities contribute equally within it.
Our SLT meets regularly and members are involved in strategic planning, marketing and recruitment as well as general School operations, management and leadership. SLT members are required to be flexible in responding to situations outside their defined remit, although there is clarity of responsibilities and delegation. The specific duties of the successful candidate within the team will depend on their strengths and aptitudes, but are likely to include those outlined below.
The successful candidate will work collaboratively with the Deputy Head (Academic) to ensure that Hampton’s academic provision remains exceptionally strong, stimulating and innovative.
The post will suit an innovative, enthusiastic and dynamic person with a passionate interest in enhancing the exceptional academic standards of the School and ensuring that Hampton retains its very strong position within the competitive London day school scene.
The specific duties of the successful candidate within the SLT will vary according to their particular strengths and aptitudes. However, they are likely to include (but may not be limited to) the following:
•Supporting the Deputy Head (Academic) and Deputy Head (Staff and IT) with collecting and collating option choices, and with timetabling
•Working with the Deputy Head (Academic) on setting academic targets, tracking and reviewing pupil and departmental progress
•Providing strategic leadership on academic matters relating to learning and teaching
•Actively encouraging and nurturing a passion for academic scholarship among pupils and colleagues
•Actively encouraging and nurturing a culture of continuous professional development and innovation
•Researching and identifying ways to enhance and develop the quality of learning and teaching across the School
•Ensuring that policies relevant to learning and teaching are understood and implemented across academic departments
•Promoting, developing and monitoring the quality of learning and teaching across all academic departments
•Liaising with Heads of Department on the implementation of learning and teaching initiatives
•Working with individual colleagues on educational initiatives to help develop learning and teaching
•Working with pupils to ascertain their views on the efficacy of learning and teaching initiatives
•Maintaining familiarity with recent research and educational literature; informing the SLT and the wider School community about these
•Conducting lesson observations and lesson visits as required
•Leading and coordinating departmental pupil work audits
•Offering advice and support to new teaching staff colleagues, including specific support and feedback as appropriate
•Working closely and meeting regularly with the Hampton Pre-Prep and Prep Headmaster and other senior prep colleagues over the Academic curriculum at Hampton Prep, with a particular emphasis on 11+ transition
•Responsibility for writing and reviewing relevant sections of the School Development Plan
•Responsibility for maintaining, reviewing and updating any relevant sections of the School’s ISI Self Evaluation Form; ensuring that the School is fully prepared for ISI inspection in their areas of responsibility.
In collaboration with Deputy Head (Academic) and Deputy Head, the successful candidate will work with Hampton’s IT Department to:
•Seek to embed excellent practice regarding the use of digital technology to enhance learning and teaching
•Have oversight of the School’s VLE (SharePoint) and technologies that support learning
•Conduct an annual audit and assessment of digital learning at Hampton
•Ensure resources are regularly updated to meet the demands of a dynamic technological world
•Lead/organise excellent professional development sessions, with a focus on the practical application of digital technology to enhance learning and teaching
Safeguarding and e-Safety
•Contribute to the safeguarding of pupils via the effective management of the School’s e-Safety and digital safeguarding policies and procedures, in collaboration with the Designated Safeguarding Lead and e-Safety Officer
•Assist with reviewing and updating the School’s online and digital learning practices/e-Safety policies
Other
•Assist The Headmaster with the recruitment and appointment of members of the Common Room
•Conduct teaching staff professional development reviews, capability and disciplinary procedures
•Work with other members of SLT on the annual review, formulation and implementation of the School Development Plan
•Regular informal observation of day-to-day learning and teaching around the School through visits to departments and discussions with teaching staff and pupils (each member of SLT is linked to two or three academic departments)
•Attendance at meetings of Governors’ committees by invitation of the Chair
•Participation in annual weekend Governors-SLT strategy days
•Any other reasonable tasks required by The Headmaster in association with a SLT role.
Please note that the above list of responsibilities is non-exhaustive and the Assistant Head job description is subject to periodic review by The Headmaster.
The key areas of responsibility and accountability for each SLT member are set out in the annually reviewed and updated SLT chart. This is published in the Common Room and on the School's VLE.
A teaching timetable (details to be discussed upon appointment, but likely to be circa 50%) is envisaged and no specific specialist subject is sought. The above responsibilities are in addition to the duties outlined in the School’s standard job description for a Teacher. These responsibilities are also subject to the general duties and responsibilities contained in the Contract of Employment and letter of appointment.
The Assistant Head (Academic) reports directly to The Headmaster and as a member of SLT will be involved in the formulation of Hampton School Trust strategy in conjunction with the Governing Body.
