Head of Physics

General Information

The High School of Glasgow is a vibrant, caring and high-achieving co-educational day school for pupils between the ages 3-18, which has been part of Glasgow's story since the 12th century. We aim to create a happy andnurturing community in which each individual is enabled to develop their all-round potential from the academic to sport, the expressive arts and beyond. Our young people are encouraged to develop a sense of responsibility and to pursue excellence in all their activities and opportunities.

Drawing upon our Christian background and being a school community open to all faiths and none, our ethos promotes the importance of positive relationships, seeking to foster an atmosphere of mutual tolerance and support, traditional values and a concern for others. We benefit from excellent resources, modern purpose built accommodation and having our playing fields on campus. High School pupils take a positive and enthusiastic approach to the opportunities before them and demonstrate great fun, creativity and energy in all aspects of their school life. In the end we wish to see them develop into well-rounded, confident, articulate and caring young people who will seek to make a difference in life.

The School was founded at Glasgow Cathedral in the 12th century, became the Grammar School of Glasgow under the control of the Town Council in the 15th century and was renamed the High School of Glasgow in 1834. In 1894 the Glasgow High School for Girls was founded. When education in Glasgow was reorganised in the 1970's, the Glasgow High School for Girls became a comprehensive school and lost its identity and the High School of Glasgow was closed. The new, independent, co-educational High School came into being in 1976 on the day after the closure.

The School is housed on two sites approximately two miles apart on the north side of the city. There are 690 children at the Senior School, 332 at the Junior School and a total of 490 girls and 532 boys. The Rector has overall responsibility for the whole school; there is also a Head Teacher at the Junior School. The modern buildings at the Senior School are set on extensive playing fields at Old Anniesland while the Junior School is situated in Bearsden in buildings which have been modernised and extended.

Junior School Developments have included a special area for pre-school kindergarten, a suite of rooms for Primary 1 and 2 children, refurbished Primary 4 and 5 classrooms and Art room, and at the Senior School a drama studio, a grandstand, containing a refectory and a multi-gym fitness centre, a new Information and Communications Technology building, a new state of the art Science Extension, opened in 2008 as well as refurbished sporting facilities including five rugby pitches and two artificial hockey pitches, the most recent being an international standard water-based pitch as part of our on-site 23 acres of playing fields. In November 2017 a new Health and Wellbeing Centre was opened.

Since 1976, the High School has established itself in a manner that its supporters could barely have expected in the 1970s. Over £12m has been raised through a combination of resources, appeals and individual donations. Very few schools can have received such support from its former pupils, parents and well-wishers and we benefit from a very positive school and alumni community. Through the High School of Glasgow Educational Trust we are able to support annually between 60 and 70 senior school pupils with bursaries who would not otherwise be able to attend the school.

The High School has established itself as one of the leading independent schools in the country with a high demand for places and an outstanding academic record.

Children who are happy, respected, secure and encouraged will do well, they will thrive. They will be open to getting involved, working hard and making the most of the opportunities and challenges around them. They will be open to doing their best in every circumstance and to developing a sense of responsibility for themselves and for the needs of others and the wider world. Here at the High School we are firmly wedded to the belief that to nurture the whole child the values and ethos described above must be provided for within an atmosphere of tolerance, care and positive relationships. These values underpin all aspects of our daily life across classrooms, corridors, expressive arts, sport and beyond. They also allow our young people to have the opportunity to experience an all-round rich and supportive learning environment in which they can develop their potential to the full and are encouraged to aspire for excellence in all they do.

Head of Physics

We are seeking a dynamic, enthusiastic and inspirational Head of Physics to lead our highly successful Physics Department from August 2018. This vacancy has arisen due to the retirement of Mr Arthur Baillie after 28 years of exceptional service to The High School.

The Science Department consists of twelve teachers and two technicians. Three full-time teachers are Physics specialists. There are nine Science laboratories and lessons are taught in modern purpose-built Physics laboratories opened in 2008. All three Sciences have their own dedicated laboratory for Advanced Higher practical work. All pupils study Integrated Science in Transitus (Primary 7) and First Year. In Second Year the separate sciences are taught in rotation in nine-week cycles, as far as possible by subject specialists.

The Department's academic record is excellent. In 2017, 97% of Physics candidates achieved passes at National 5 level, 86% at Grade A. At Higher, 100% of candidates achieved grades A-C, 69% at Grade A, and at Advanced Higher 100% of candidates achieved grades A-C. In session 2017-2018, out of year groups of approximately one hundred pupils, 68 are studying National 5 Physics in Third Year and 74 in Fourth Year, 46 are taking Higher Physics and 11 Advanced Higher.

The successful applicant will be a committed and enthusiastic Physics teacher with high standards of professionalism and will be willing to make a contribution to the extra-curricular life of the School. For example, there is a very popular Electronics Club with activities for pupils at the Junior end of the Senior School.

The salary for the post is aligned to the SNCT Principal teacher Scale with the addition of the High School allowance of 6% above the National Scale. The successful applicant may, if desired, participate in the Scottish Teachers' Supperannuation Scheme and the School will pay the employer's contribution. The appointment will begin on Thursday 23 August 2018.

Candidates must be registered with the General Teaching Council for Scotland (GTCS) from August 2017.

Application forms can be downloaded from the School website at http://www.highschoolofglasgow.co.uk and emailed to vacancies@hsog.co.uk by noon on Wednesday 14 March 2018.

Interviews will be held towards the middle to end of March.

The Role of Head of Department

Heads of Department occupy a vital place in the leadership, management and organisation of the School. They have delegated to them certain leadership and management remits and they are accountable to the Rector or their liaison member of the Senior Management Team. As members of the Board of Studies, which normally meets monthly, Heads of Department are expected to contribute to the policy making process within the School and to make an important contribution to its ethos and high levels of teaching and learning.

In broad terms the duties of Heads of Departments, additional to those set out above, are defined as follows:-

(a) Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation

• 1) Define the aims, priorities and targets of the department.
• 2) Oversee the preparation and implementation of detailed schemes of work, ensuring the use and development of appropriate teaching methodologies across the department.
• 3) Monitor and evaluate all aspects of the work of department, with particular emphasis on the quality of teaching and learning, the learning environment and the planning and developing the curriculum.
• 4) Produce an annual review of the work of the department and an annual report on SQA results.
• 5) Prepare, in consultation with colleagues, an annual departmental improvement plan linked to the School Improvement Plan (SIP).

(b) Department Management and Administration

• 1) Ensure the efficient allocation of classes, the completion of departmental returns and the preparation and control of the departmental budget.
• 2) Chair weekly departmental meetings discussing all matters relevant to the smooth running of the department.
• 3) Prepare, and update regularly, a departmental handbook.

(c) Assessment

• 1) Formulate a departmental assessment policy consistent with School procedures, practice and policy.
• 2) Advise, when required, on presentation for external exams and complete all relevant administration as required.
• 3) Oversee the completion of School reports by the department, ensuring that, in every case, they are completed expeditiously.

(d) Staff Development

• 1) Advise and guide department members, particularly probationers or student teachers, and whenever possible give staff the opportunity to take on responsibility and leadership.
• 2) Deal with professional problems where appropriate and help staff gain satisfaction from their work.
• 3) Ensure all department members keep abreast of current educational developments and encourage their own professional and personal development.
• 4) Participate in the selection, appointment and review of departmental staff.
• 5) Encourage continuity of education between Junior and Senior Schools.

Heads of Departments will also undertake other duties as the Rector may reasonably request.