Head of Lower School at Banda School

The Head of Lower School works closely with the Head of Pegasus Early Years and the Headmistress, to whom s/he is responsible, in order to ensure the effective and efficient management of all aspects of the School. The Head of Lower School has overall responsibility for the day-to-day running of Years 1 - 4 and enjoys considerable autonomy. He/she will be a member of the Senior Leadership Team and it is essential that there is a close liaison and an excellent working relationship between all three Heads.

The Head of the Lower School is expected to provide dynamic leadership of the department, maintaining the highest possible standards and inspiring a team of committed  staff. He / she constantly strive to ensure that pupils receive the very best all-round education in order that they, in turn, can achieve their full potential.

Responsibilities associated with the post:

• Lead, develop and inspire an excellent, committed, forward-looking teaching and support staff;
• Enthuse and inspire pupils with the joy of learning and the thrill of exploration;
• Work collaboratively with the Head of the Early Years and the Head to provide a quality all-round education for pupils in the local community;
• Teaching and Learning
• Teaching and learning are at the heart of the School and the Head of Lower School must embrace and underpin this philosophy. He / She is expected to have a teaching commitment and should be a highly effective practitioner. In addition, the Head of Lower School should help to generate and promote a culture of positive reflection and innovation, drawing on good practice and inspiring teachers to develop their own skills. He / She should be conversant with modern methodologies and latest best practice and should be able to make informed judgements on what works best for teachers and children.
• Consultation
• Consult with the Head on:
• The formulation of aims and objectives of the Lower School
• Whole School Policies and Handbooks
• Recruitment at all levels
• Matters concerning Health and Safety
• Preparation for Inspection
• Other appropriate matters as directed
• Structure of Management
• The Head of Lower School plays an important role in the whole-school management of The Banda. He/ She must meet weekly with the Head as part of the Senior Leadership Team and is expected to take part in whole-school working groups as appropriate.
• Appointment and Management of Staff
• In consultation with the Head, take full responsibility for the selection and appointment of teaching staff in the Lower School
• Deploy and manage all teaching staff and allocate particular duties to them in a manner consistent with their conditions of employment and job descriptions
• Evaluate the standards of teaching and learning, ensuring that proper and appropriate standards of professional performance are established and maintained
• Supervise and administer the School’s system of performance management – observations and appraisals.
• Ensure that all staff have access to advice and training appropriate to their need, in order to support and promote professional development
• Pupils
• Determine and implement effective policies for the recruitment of pupils
• Ensure that the progress of pupils in the Lower School is monitored and recorded appropriately
• Ensure that there is an effective policy for pastoral care and that this is implemented
• Determine measures to be taken to promote good discipline amongst the pupils in order to ensure high standards of behaviour and the proper respect for authority. Where this is less than expected, ensure that measures are taken to rectify this
• Ensure the maintenance of good order and discipline at all times where pupils are present on the school premises and during ‘off site’ activities
• Curriculum
• In consultation with the Director Teaching and Learning:
• Determine, organise and implement an appropriate curriculum, having regard to the needs, experience, interests, aptitude and stage of development of the pupils and the resources available to the Lower School
• Ensure that all pupils have access to a broad range of enrichment opportunities, including sporting and extra-curricular activities, to supplement the taught curriculum
• Public Relations and Relations with Parents
  Make arrangements for parents to be given regular information about the school curriculum, the progress of their children and other matters pertaining to the School 
• Organise and attend meetings, events and functions as are necessary to promote positive and effective relationships between staff, pupils and parents 
• Promote the interaction of the School with the wider community
• Address concerns and enquiries on a regular basis
• Resources, Premises and Administration
  In consultation with the Bursar and the Head: 
• Allocate, control and account for those financial and material resources of the School which are under the control of the Head of Lower School 
• Assist the Bursar in making arrangements for the security and effective supervision of the Lower School grounds and buildings and their contents
• Ensure that maintenance needs are reported promptly
• Create and maintain an effective administration system for handling all aspects of the Head’s duties and the efficient administration of the Lower School

It should of course be noted that the above job description is not exhaustive, and that other duties and responsibilities may be expected, consistent with the efficient and effective discharge of the post of Head of the Lower School.