Head of Department (Applied Science) (HASJ26)
Application Deadline: 23 February 2026
Department: Applied Science
Employment Type: Permanent - Full Time
Location: St Helens, England
Description
All staff must make a positive contribution to:
* the Catholic ethos of the College
* the College Equality & Diversity Policy;
* the pursuit of excellence and the highest standards of quality in all aspects of College life;
* their own professional development, in accordance with the needs of the College.
The person appointed would be expected to:
* Provide strategic and operational leadership for the subject to secure excellent quality, outcomes and compliance.
* Lead on qualification/specification planning and change (e.g., AAQ), oversee teaching, assessment and internal verification, and ensure a consistently high‑quality learner experience in line with College values and policies.
* Be a dynamic and experienced manager able to provide curriculum and operational leadership to a team delivering high quality provision
* Have extensive successful experience of curriculum development and team leadership
* Contribute to interventions and student tutorials
* Make positive contributions to the Mission of the College
* Be flexible, enthusiastic and able to motivate both staff and students to realise their full potential
* Contribute to other aspects of College life as appropriate
Responsibilities
All aspects of the Department and those subjects and courses assigned to it, specifically:
Leadership
* To lead by example in setting high standards and expectations for staff in the department
* Provide clear and effective communication to staff in the department
* Development and dissemination of Schemes of Work, materials for teaching/learning and assessment systems.
* Lead by example in the classroom by promoting high quality teaching and learning. Induction and guidance of staff within the Department.
* Advising the Senior Leadership Team and Achievement Board / Academic Board on strategic, curriculum, staffing and resource issues.
* Keep up to date with academic developments associated with the Department.
* Promoting the Mission & Distinctive nature of the college within the Department
* To play an active role in supporting the wellbeing of staff within the Department
* To engage with both supportive and challenging conversations with staff as and when required.
Management
* Convening and chairing regular Departmental meetings.
* Attending meetings convened by the Curriculum Lead or member of the Senior Leadership Team.
* Allocation of duties and tasks within the Department, e.g.:
* Stock/record checks, requisition(s), tutorial arrangements, filing/household management, development of teaching and other materials, maintenance of Departmental records
* Development of Departmental policies.
* Liaison with the Examinations Office to ensure that students are entered for appropriate examinations according to Examination Board guidelines.
* Working with the Curriculum Lead, MIS department and Assistant Principal (Staffing and Catholic Ethos) to ensure the efficient and effective staffing, timetabling and rooming of all classes.
* Establish and review criteria for admissions
* Be involved in decisions relating to student admissions, including borderline decisions, monitoring target numbers and advising on individual cases
* To ensure that the right students are on the right course during the admissions process and student induction period.
* Ensure effective marketing of the Department.
* Responsibility for Health & Safety within the area / department, ensuring that the department complies with appropriate guidelines.
* Promote Equality & Diversity within the Department.
Quality Assurance
* Reviewing the progress of students within the Department to identify high and low achievers in order to take appropriate action.
* Ensuring that staff within the Department carry out their role to agreed College guidelines.
* Completing the area Self-Assessment Review and attending meetings as part of the College Quality Assurance cycle.
* Implementing actions agreed as part of the above process.
* In consultation with the Curriculum Lead, to ensure the rigorous quality assurance of the department including any lesson observations, learning walks, focus groups and work scrutiny.
* Promotion of appropriate professional development of staff.
* Undertake performance management meetings with staff in-line with college processes
General
* Carrying out the roles of Subject Tutor as required.
* To attend meetings and complete mandatory training in accordance with the colleges meeting/training schedule
* To assist at the colleges Open Evenings / Consultation Evenings
* Each member of the College will take reasonable care for the health and safety of himself/herself and persons who may be affected by his/her acts or omissions at work.
* To undertake any other duties as may be assigned commensurate with the grade and overall responsibility level of the post and as changing circumstances may require.
Contract and Salary Information
Closing date: 12 noon on Monday 23rd February we reserve the right to close this vacancy before this date.
Start date: August 2026
Contract: Established, Full time
Salary: £33,465 to £51,714 per annum, plus an additional allowance of £4,064 to £5,418 per annum depending on experience
Golden Hello: We are offering a golden hello payment for this role.
Additional Information: You may be eligible for a levelling up payment.