The Director of Teaching and Learning (DTL) is a full member of the School’s Senior Management Committee (SMC), working closely as part of the senior academic team with the Deputy Head Academic (DHA), and reporting directly to the Head Master.
Strategically, the DTL will work with SMC on the planning for, and implementation of, the introduction of girls into the Fifth Form (Year 9) from 2028.
Day-to-day, the DTL principally supports the academic progress of all pupils, working with SMC, Housemasters, Heads of Department and the Learning Development Department. The DTL is also committed to the continued development of excellent teaching and the sharing of best practice, and so an additional key role is to support and manage teaching staff professional development.
In addition to the duties outlined in this job description, the DTL will have a teaching commitment of up to 40% (maximum 12 ppw).
Monitoring and management of Teaching and Learning Teaching
* To encourage teachers’ active engagement with professional studies and oversee initiatives to enhance teaching and learning.
* To arrange and co-ordinate academic INSET days and liaise with Harris Westminster Sixth Form on the possibility of shared INSET.
* To create in-school CPD opportunities for staff.
* To facilitate mutual observation amongst teaching staff.
* To undertake regular learning walks, lesson observations and departmental work scrutiny and offer support and training where required.
* To observe all new teaching staff in their first year of teaching.
* To monitor classes where further support or intervention may be required.
* To review annually the reporting schedule as well as teachers’ Report and Order Sheet writing.
* To work with HR and the Director of People on the overview of the teaching staff appraisal schedule.
* To keep up-to-date with the ISI framework and standards, with a particular focus on Section 2 quality of education.
Learning
* To shadow pupils from different year groups throughout the year as well as individual pupils, where appropriate.
* To meet with Housemasters termly to review the academic progress of pupils.
* To engage with Housemasters/Heads of Year/Heads of Department where further intervention is required.
* To collate and analyse MIDYIS/screening data and academic tracing with the Head of Pupil Tracking and Deputy Head (Academic).
* To monitor the academic progress of pupils identified as likely not to meet the Sixth Form matriculation threshold and to update the Under Master and Deputy Head (Academic).
* To oversee the Library to ensure that it is a place for effective learning, to encourage initiatives to promote academic and information literacy, and to support the Library staff team.
* To manage Supervised Study programs.
The Learning Development Department
* To lead the department and line manage members of the department.
* To advise on the performance of SEND candidates at all admissions meetings.
* To communicate with and support new SEND pupils and their parents in the Welcome Pack and induction meetings.
* To track and monitor impact of support for and performance of SEND pupils.
* To liaise with parents on access arrangements, screening and assessment in partnership with the SENCO.
* To arrange assemblies and resources for tutorials to develop strong skills of metacognition, executive function and effective study habits across the school.
* To recruit staff/additional staff for the department as necessary.
* To liaise with the Head of Examinations and the Deputy Head (Academic) regularly on SEND pupils and exam access arrangements.
* To develop and keep refreshed an understanding of SEND issues and regulation.
* To update policy documents with the assistance of the SENCO and the EAL Lead.
* To report to the Governing Body and Education Committee termly.
Digital Support and Innovation
* To work with the Head of Digital Strategy to continue to develop a digital strategy for learning.
* To keep up to date with developments in EdTech and AI.
* To keep up to date with developments in MS 365 and Firefly.
* To support staff and pupils with digital literacy.
Professional Development Courses
* To keep up to date with courses on HMC, ISC, BSA, and ASL websites, researching pastoral and academic courses, and disseminating to staff, where appropriate.
* To manage CPD requests and the CPD budget.
Professional Development Initial Teacher Training
* To liaise with teacher training providers such as the IOE, NML and Future Academies.
* To manage the whole-school experience of all trainees, plan schedules with colleagues accordingly and complete all necessary paperwork.
* To observe trainees termly and conduct regular meetings.
* To keep up to date with courses on HMC, ISC, BSA, and ASL websites, researching pastoral and academic courses, and disseminating to staff, where appropriate.
Early Career Framework
* To understand the regulation and liaise with IStip and other EDF providers.
* To support subject mentors.
* To observe ECTs half-termly and offer feedback.
* To review assessment documentation.
* To offer appropriate and regular ECT professional studies training.
In addition, the Director of Teaching and Learning attends meetings of the following:
a) SMC
b) Housemasters’ Committee
c) Heads of Departments’ Committee
d) Governing Body committees and working groups, as required
e) Welfare Committee
Other duties as a member of the Senior Management Committee
* To be involved with the appointment of staff, in particular with the process of interviewing candidates (having undergone Safer Recruitment training).
* To contribute to the biennial academic department reviews by SMC.
* To undertake sensitive investigations (complaints, disciplinaries) as requested by the Head Master and/or Under Master.
* To be an authoritative presence around the School throughout the day.
* To attend School functions whenever possible, to support pupils and staff in their endeavours.
* To represent the School at external meetings as requested by the Head Master.
* To liaise with the SMT of the Under School as appropriate.
Review and Tenure
* The Director of Teaching and Learning is reviewed every year by the Head Master in keeping with the cycle of professional development.
* The maximum tenure for the Director of Teaching and Learning responsibility is for 12 years, being initially for seven years with further extensions of three and then two years at the Head Master’s discretion. The member of staff will then revert to a normal teaching schedule in their chosen subject.
Please refer to the below person specification.
Equal Opportunities
We are an equal opportunities employer. We therefore encourage candidates to apply irrespective of age, disability, marriage or civil partnership status, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion and belief, gender identity, sex or sexual orientation.
Safeguarding and Child Protection
Westminster School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. Applicants must be willing to undergo child protection screening appropriate to the post, including checks with past employers and the Disclosure and Barring Service.
Required for: September 2024 or January 2025.
Location: Dean's Yard, Westminster School
Contract: full-time, permanent
Salary: Westminster has its own salary scale, and new members of staff are placed at a point relevant to their qualifications and experience. Details of salary will be discussed at interview with those candidates who are short-listed.
The role also has an associated responsibility allowance.
Accommodation may be available for the successful candidate, which will be discussed with them on appointment.
The deadline for applications is midday, Wednesday 15th May. Interviews will take place w/c Monday 20th May 2024.