Head of Humanities (Secondary)
About This Role
RGSPP is on the lookout for an innovative and dynamic Head of Humanities (Secondary) to spearhead the creation and implementation of top-notch humanities education across KS3–KS5, while strategically overseeing the transitions from Primary to Secondary.
Key Responsibilities
1) Strategic Leadership & Department Management
• Inspire and lead the Humanities Department, fostering excellence, collaboration, and innovation across Geography, History, Business, and related subjects.
• Design and manage the KS3–KS5 Humanities curriculum, ensuring it meets British educational standards (IGCSE, A-Level, and suitable international benchmarks) within the Cambodian context.
• Prepare termly reports for the department and an annual strategic development plan; hold, chair, and document regular departmental meetings.
• Participate in Heads of Department meetings, promoting coherence across phases and managing the Primary to Secondary transition for Humanities.
• Supervise teaching allocations, setting/grouping, and timetabling to optimize student outcomes and enhance teacher effectiveness.
• Encourage cross-curricular initiatives (e.g., STEM–Humanities projects, Global Perspectives, PSHE/citizenship) and whole-school efforts related to sustainability, enterprise, and culture.
2) Curriculum, Assessment & Data
• Develop and implement engaging, sequenced Schemes of Work for KS3–KS5 across Geography, History, and Business (and other humanities subjects as applicable).
• Keep abreast of national and international curriculum changes; adapt content and teaching methods to align with parent expectations and local trends.
• Oversee assessment, tracking, and reporting systems; utilize data insights to guide differentiation, interventions, and strategic planning.
• Organize and coordinate entries for public examinations (IGCSE/A-Level or equivalent) and manage internal assessments (design, setting, invigilation, marking, standardization, moderation).
• Ensure fieldwork (e.g., geographical investigations, historical site studies, business enterprise visits) is well-planned, risk-assessed, and integrated into study programs.
• Provide clear information regarding Humanities courses for internal and external publications (prospectus, options booklets, website), ensuring it is accessible for students and parents.
3) Staff Development, Coaching & Quality Assurance
• Mentor newly qualified, newly appointed, and part-time staff; ensure effective induction, support, and retention strategies are in place.
• Conduct lesson observations and developmental feedback cycles; promote best practices in inquiry pedagogy, assessment, and classroom management.
• Lead professional development (CPD/INSET) initiatives and cultivate a coaching culture that shares innovative teaching strategies, digital tools, fieldwork methodologies, and resources.
• Play a role in performance management, teacher check-ins, appraisals, and probation reviews; encourage action research and professional networking.
4) Pastoral, Inclusion & Student Well-being
• Foster student engagement and a passion for Humanities through inclusive, dynamic lessons and enrichment opportunities.
• Implement effective differentiation for a diverse range of learners, including those with SEND, EAL, and high-achieving students; work in collaboration with inclusion and pastoral teams.
• Encourage discussions around ethical and global issues, nurturing students' critical thinking, cultural awareness, and responsible citizenship.
• Provide targeted academic support (clinics, revision workshops, coursework guidance) for examination cohorts and students requiring additional assistance.
• Maintain a safe and respectful learning environment that aligns with RGSPP’s values and behavioral culture.
5) Co-Curricular, Enrichment & Competitions
• Lead whole-school Humanities enrichment activities: debate clubs, Model United Nations (MUN), research seminars, essay competitions, enterprise challenges, and fieldwork.
• Organize engaging events such as guest speaker sessions, history/geography weeks, problem-solving days, and inter-House competitions.
• Establish partnerships with local and international organizations to provide authentic experiences (museums, NGOs, businesses, universities).
• Promote participation in national and international competitions related to History, Geography, Business, and global issues.
6) Operational Leadership & Compliance
• Maintain precise departmental records (assessment data, progress tracking, schemes, policies, fieldwork plans, risk assessments).
• Ensure that learning environments adhere to high safety and compliance standards; lead Health & Safety for humanities activities, trips, and fieldwork.
• Collaborate with operations and procurement teams to ensure adequate resources (textbooks, atlases, maps, GIS subscriptions, archives, case studies, business simulation licenses, digital tools).
• Assist with assemblies, duty coverage, scheduled events, and emergency procedures as required.
• Contribute to compliance and accreditation processes where Humanities documentation is necessary.
7) Financial Responsibility & Budget Oversight
• Plan, submit, and manage the departmental budget, ensuring resources are allocated cost-effectively across subjects and key stages.
• Supervise the procurement and upkeep of humanities resources, including textbooks, fieldwork equipment, GIS licenses, databases, simulation software, assessment materials, and specialized tools.
• Work with procurement and operations to ensure timely and compliant purchasing, vendor communication, inventory management, and lifecycle planning for hardware/software.
• Monitor the effectiveness and utilization of purchased resources; adjust expenditures based on student outcomes, teacher feedback, and strategic priorities.
8) Marketing, Admissions & Community Engagement
• Aid in student recruitment and transition by highlighting Humanities learning and outcomes to prospective families.
• Assist with open days, information sessions, taster lessons, and marketing materials; contribute to school publications and online platforms.
• Build connections with feeder schools and external organizations to promote excellence in humanities and outreach efforts.
• Engage parents through workshops, communications, and home–school partnership initiatives.