Head of Spanish
Permanent from 1 September 2026
The Board of Governors wishes to appoint a full‑time permanent teacher as Head of Spanish effective from 1 September 2026.
The School currently offers Spanish at KS3, KS4 and A‑level and the staffing complement in the department (including the HoD) is 1 full‑time teacher and 2 part‑time teachers (approximately FTE 1). There is a strong tradition of high‑quality teaching in Spanish at Glenlola, with excellent external examination results obtained at GCSE, AS and A2 levels. The person appointed will be expected to demonstrate high quality teaching at all key stages, and have outstanding leadership, administrative and interpersonal skills. Full competence in ICT is necessary.
The role of Head of Department is critical in driving improvement and ensuring high standards of pupil achievement. Successful Heads of Department achieve two important goals. They develop conditions that are highly conducive to student learning, and they create a culture of learning among the staff that supports creativity, change and improvement.
Duties/Responsibilities
The person appointed will be responsible to the Headmaster, for the quality of teaching and learning delivered to pupils in Spanish throughout the School. He/She will be required to deliver the approved specifications and programmes of study and keep abreast of revisions and developments in the subject.
Under the direction of the Headmaster and, where appropriate, Dr Spence (Vice Principal), the member of staff fulfilling this role will have the following duties and responsibilities:
* 1. Curriculum
o To lead the delivery of the curriculum within the department.
o To keep departmental staff informed of new developments in the subject areas.
o To review regularly the department’s programmes of study and teaching methods and oversee the introduction of appropriate changes.
o To maintain up‑to‑date Departmental Handbooks, course specifications, schemes of work and other necessary resources used by the department.
o To co‑ordinate arrangements for appropriate assessment of pupils, including controlled assessments and school examinations.
o To ensure that appropriate work is provided for classes when normal teaching staff are not available.
o To prepare a Departmental Report & Departmental Development Plan (including action plans) annually for the Headmaster.
o To develop appropriate strategies for Literacy, Numeracy and Key Skills.
o To oversee the review, development and delivery of effective teaching methods/practices on an ongoing basis.
o To liaise with Dr Spence (Vice Principal) regarding the requirements of the Northern Ireland Curriculum and Entitlement Framework.
* 2. Pupils
o To place a strong emphasis on pupil achievement.
o To maintain high expectations and to ensure that these are clearly communicated and understood.
o To maintain a genuine focus on the individual, promoting a caring ethos within the department.
o To monitor pupil progress using a range of data on an ongoing basis, identifying underachievement and ensuring that appropriate strategies are employed to bring about improvement where necessary.
o To ensure that pupils are as far as possible placed in appropriate courses and groups.
o To deal in the first instance with disciplinary matters which arise within the department.
o To liaise with form teachers, careers staff etc to provide appropriate advice and guidance for pupils.
o To encourage pupils to become involved in extra‑curricular activities related to the work of the department.
o To show concern for pupils and the relationships which exist between them.
o To encourage pupils to take an interest in and responsibility for their subject learning, departmental facilities and overall school environment.
o To be responsible for monitoring and evaluating the performance of pupils within their subject area(s).
o To liaise with Departmental staff to ensure that all pupils have equal opportunities in relation to their educational experiences.
o To ensure that the Departmental homework policy is reviewed periodically and adhered to.
o To ensure that an effective system of rewards and referrals operates.
o To work with Departmental staff to implement an effective system of recording and reporting pupils’ achievements.
o To attend meetings of consultation in relation to pupils.
* 3. Staffing
o To undertake a role as the leader in the department, building an innovative and forward‑looking team with a focus on pupils’ learning and achievement.
o To lead by example, developing and maintaining a culture of trust in which good practice is shared.
o To set and maintain high expectations for staff and to ensure that these are clearly communicated.
o To monitor and maintain standards of teaching and learning within the department on an ongoing basis.
o To establish clearly, after discussion with departmental staff the aims, objectives and protocols of the department and to review them periodically.
o To co‑ordinate the work of the teaching staff in the department.
o To promote, build and maintain positive relationships with Departmental colleagues.
o To assist in the appointment of new staff and make recommendations to the Headmaster on departmental needs and personal requirements.
o To supervise and support departmental teaching staff, including student teachers.
o To encourage the professional development of departmental staff, by appropriate allocation of teaching and other duties within the department and by recommending suitable INSET courses, ensuring that CPD is classroom focused and in line with the overall aims of the School and Departmental Development Plans.
o Where appropriate, to assist in the appointment, deployment and supervision of ancillary staff.
* 4. Resources
o To be responsible for the management of all resources within the department.
o To monitor and advise on the use and care of rooms allocated to the department.
o To oversee the use and care of equipment and materials allocated to the department and to advise on the acquisition of alternative and additional resources.
o To deploy teaching resources and materials at appropriate levels for the range of classes in Junior, Middle and Senior School.
* 5. Communication
o To meet regularly with departmental staff – formally and informally – to promote discussion and establish consensus on major features of departmental policy.
o To ensure that teaching and learning is a regular theme for discussion at departmental meetings.
o To ensure that the minutes of departmental meetings are communicated to the Headmaster.
o To represent agreed departmental policy at Heads of Departments Meetings, Parents’ Meetings etc and in discussion with the Headmaster and Vice Principal.
o To liaise closely with other departments on areas of common or complementary interest eg, NI Curriculum.
o To liaise with Dr Spence (Vice Principal) and the Timetabler in the preparation of the timetable.
o To make arrangements for suitable departmental representation at Open Night.
* 6. Other
o To employ effective self‑evaluation as a means of achieving high standards within the department.
o To plan strategically on the basis of current developments in education.
o To be meticulous and detailed in their planning.
PERSON SPECIFICATION
NOTES TO JOB APPLICANTS
* You must clearly demonstrate on your application form under each question, how, and to what extent you meet the required criteria as failure to do so may result in you not being shortlisted. You should clearly demonstrate this for both the essential and desirable criteria, where relevant.
* You must demonstrate how you meet the criteria by the closing date for applications, unless the criteria state otherwise.
* The stage in the process when the criteria will be measured is outlined in the table below.
* Shortlisting will be carried out on the basis of the essential criteria set out in Section 1 below, using the information provided by you on your application form.
* Please note that the Selection Panel reserves the right to shortlist only those applicants that it believes most strongly meet the criteria for the role.
* In the event of an excessive number of applications, the Selection Panel also reserves the right to apply any desirable criteria as outlined in Section 3 at shortlisting, in which case these will be applied in the order listed. It is important therefore that you also clearly demonstrate on your application form how you meet any desirable criteria.
SECTION 1 - ESSENTIAL CRITERIA
The following are essential criteria which will initially be measured at the shortlisting stage and which may also be further explored during the interview/selection stage. You should therefore make it clear on your application form how, and to what extent you meet these criteria. Failure to do so may result in you not being shortlisted.
Qualifications / Professional Membership
* Hold a teaching qualification which meets the requirements for recognition to teach in grant‑aided schools in Northern Ireland.
* Hold a degree or equivalent Level 6 qualification which has prepared the applicant to teach Spanish as his/her main subject.
* Qualifications must be obtained at the closing date for completed applications.
Experience
* Minimum of 3 years’ demonstrable experience of teaching Spanish at Key Stage 3 to achieve positive learning outcomes.
* Minimum of 3 years’ demonstrable experience of teaching Spanish at Key Stage 4 to achieve positive learning outcomes.
* Minimum of 3 years’ demonstrable experience of teaching Spanish at Key Stage 5 (A5 and A‑Level) to achieve positive learning outcomes.
* The ability to teach French at KS3 level.
* Demonstrable experience of using a range of teaching strategies to meet the learning needs of pupils.
* Demonstrable experience of using digital media/technology to enhance teaching and learning.
Other
* Be registered with the General Teaching Council for Northern Ireland (GTCNI) before taking up post.
* Pre‑employment Check.
SECTION 2 - ADDITIONAL ESSENTIAL CRITERIA
Knowledge
* Knowledge of Northern Ireland Curriculum.
* Knowledge and understanding of Safeguarding and Child Protection policy/practice.
* Knowledge of the SEND Code of Practice.
* Knowledge of a range of teaching strategies to meet the learning needs of pupils.
* Knowledge of Information Technology systems such as digital classroom tools/media and the use of tablets/mobile technologies.
* Knowledge of current assessment methods to inform teaching.
Skills / Abilities
* Effective teaching and classroom management skills to inspire and challenge pupils to raise achievement.
* Proven ability to provide a supportive, inclusive learning environment.
* Ability to work collaboratively to promote positive relationships with pupils, colleagues, parents and the wider community.
* Ability to work as an effective member of a team, and to motivate self and others.
Values Orientation / Identification with School Ethos
* Evidence of how your experience and approach to work reflect the School’s Values/ethos.
SECTION 3 - DESIRABLE CRITERIA
Qualifications and Experience
* The ability to teach French to KS4/GCSE level.
* Demonstrable experience of using a range of effective classroom approaches to provide support and challenge children and young people of all abilities, including those with Special Educational Needs.
* Demonstrable experience of monitoring pupil progress, performance, target setting and intervention.
DISCLOSURE OF CRIMINAL BACKGROUND
The Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups (Northern Ireland) Order 2007 defines working directly with children or young people or in specified places as ‘regulated activity’.
In the event that you are recommended for appointed to a post that involves ‘regulated activity’, the Education Authority will be required to undertake an Enhanced Disclosure of Criminal Background. Please note that you WILL be expected to meet the cost of an Enhanced Disclosure Certificate. Details of how to make payment will be sent to you at the pre‑employment stage.
Further information can be accessed at NI Direct or the Department of Justice.
APPLICANT GUIDANCE NOTES
To view the applicant guidance notes, please click here.
To learn about the many great benefits of joining the Education Authority, click here.
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