FARLINGAYE HIGH SCHOOL Maths, Computing and Arts Specialist School
Full time Permanent Teacher of History MPS
INFORMATION FOR APPLICANTS
HUMANITIES FACULTY Introduction
Thank you for your interest in this post as Teacher of History at Farlingaye High School. Our Faculty consists of a hard working, well qualified and friendly group of teachers who together strive to make their subjects relevant, lively and exciting. We are proud of the way we work together as a team, sharing good practice, writing schemes of work together in departments and supporting each other. We are at the forefront of developing the use of new teaching and learning strategies to enhance student progress, which makes the department a very stimulating and enjoyable place to work and learn. I am sure that any new member of the team, who is willing to share ideas and make a positive contribution, will be made to feel welcome and enjoy working with us.
At Farlingaye, we are proud of the role History plays in the curriculum. Our students find the subject stimulating and enjoyable as witnessed by the excellent take up at GCSE and ‘A’ level and by impressive exam results. A significant number of our students go on from Sixth Form to take History at university and other subjects related to their studies. History teaching at Farlingaye is successful and has a good reputation within and beyond the school. In November 2011, an Ofsted subject inspection graded the History Department as outstanding in every category.
Together with Religious Education, Geography, Psychology, Government & Politics and Sociology, History forms part of the Humanities Faculty. Individual subjects are important in their own right, but faculty identity is strong. The Humanities Faculty accommodation and facilities are good with subject specific classrooms and excellent ICT provision.
The members of the Faculty offer a wide range of skills, interests and experience. Most staff teach in more than one subject area of the Faculty or beyond. The range of interests and personalities in the Humanities team ensure that we enjoy a stimulating and lively working atmosphere. Colleagues work together well at department, faculty and school level and enjoy a high degree of personal and professional support. Visitors often comment on the positive and friendly atmosphere in the school and on the hard work of staff. We strive to help students to achieve their full potential and take pride in the progress the school continues to make.
It is hard in this document to capture all the things you may want to know about Farlingaye, the Humanities Faculty and the History Department. If you would like further information, please telephone the school. I will be happy to talk to you.
We are offering an opportunity to an enthusiastic teacher to enhance their career within a dynamic team. The current developments in KS3, 4 and 5 make this an exciting time to join the faculty. If you feel that Farlingaye is a school where you could make a contribution and would like to hear more then do not hesitate to contact me, or Sue Hargadon, Headteacher, to talk about the post further.
Nick Webb Head of Humanities Faculty
Members of the Humanities Team
Some insight into the range of Faculty responsibilities is given below
Nick Webb Head of Faculty Overall faculty responsibility Head of Geography Nick joined Farlingaye in September 2000 as Head of Geography and took responsibility for the Faculty in 2007.
Kelly Beasant Teacher of Religious Education Kelly is in her seventh year of teaching, having joined as an NQT. She has also been an Assistant Year Co-ordinator in the 6th Form.
Debbie Clarke Teacher of Sociology and RE Debbie has been at Farlingaye for 10 years, joining as an NQT and works part-time (0.8).
Sara Curtis Head of Psychology Sara started in 2010 and joined us from Sir John Leman School in Beccles. She is a member of the School’s Leading Edge team.
Jo Dunk Teacher of History and Government & Politics Jo joined Farlingaye four years ago and is in her seventh year of teaching, having previously taught at a middle school near Bury St. Edmunds.
Carl Fitch Teacher of Psychology Carl has been at Farlingaye for 8 years. He joined as an NQT and is now an Assistant Year Learning Coordinator and has oversight of PSHE. Carl also works as an AQA A2 Sociology examiner.
Briony Gooding Teacher of History Briony joined the History Department as an NQT in September 2013. She is also an Assistant Year Learning Co-ordinator.
Geoff Harris Teacher of Geography Geoff joined the school in September 2000. He is also a Year Learning Co-ordinator for Year 10.
Shaun Harris Teacher of Psychology and Sociology Shaun re-joined Farlingaye after a few years teaching in other local schools. He is an examiner for AQA.
Cathy Laird Assistant Headteacher Cathy is the Humanities Faculty LT link.
Nicola Teacher of History and Government & Politics Hetherington Nic has been at the school since July 2008 when she joined as an NQT. She is part of the School’s Leading Edge team.
Paul MacDonald Teacher of History and SEN Paul joined the school in September 1999 as an NQT. He has been a Year Learning Co-ordinator since September 2009.
Sophie Mawson Teacher of Religious Education Sophie, currently in her eighth year of teaching, joined Farlingaye in 2010 from a school in Enfield. She Co-ordinators and runs our Year 9 Diploma and is an Assistant Year Learning Co-ordinator.
Richard Noble Head of Religious Education Richard joined the school as Head of RE in September 2007. He moved to Suffolk from Sussex.
Clare Pestell-Love Teacher of Geography Clare joined the school in July 2006 as an NQT. She moved to the Humanities Faculty in September 2008. She is an examiner for OCR GCSE Geography.
Hannah Plumb Teacher of Geography (TiC KS3 and 4 Geography) Hannah is currently in her sixth year of having completed her teacher training at UEA. Hannah is also responsible for G&T provision across the Humanities Faculty.
Charlotte Ring Teacher of History Charlotte joined school in 2014 after having completed her NQT year at a school in Essex.
Oliver Saunders Head of Sociology Ollie has been at the school since September 2008. He moved to us from Copleston High School in Ipswich. He is a senior examiner for AQA AS Sociology.
Kate Smith Teacher of History Kate joined the school originally in September 2005 as an NQT. After a short spell in other schools, she re-joined Farlingaye as a member of the History department in September 2011.
Pete Smith Teacher of History Pete re-joined Farlingaye in September 2014 as Deputy Headteacher after a move from another Suffolk school where he was an Assistant Headteacher.
Lisa Snoxell Head of History Lisa joined Farlingaye in 2011 after completing two years teaching at a school in Surrey. She also helps to coordinate Gov & Politics.
Ruth Thurlow Teacher of Geography and RE Ruth is in her ninth year of teaching. She joined Farlingaye in July 2007 as an NQT. Ruth is an examiner for OCR GCSE Geography and is an Assistant Year Learning Co-ordinator.
Harriet Wickson Teacher of Psychology Harriet joined the school as an NQT last year.
Lisa Dale Humanities Faculty Admin Assistant Lisa has been at Farlingaye 10 years and assists several faculties with displays, filing, and other key administrative tasks.
Aims and Vision of the Humanities Faculty:
“In Humanities we aim to develop an enthusiastic, progressive and challenging learning environment for all students, by providing interesting and stimulating lessons and using a range of engaging teaching & learning styles, both inside and outside the classroom. We will enable students to investigate and understand the world’s past and present, in order to make them better citizens and decision-makers for the future.”
The Faculty seeks to employ the Humanities to:
develop and extend students’ understanding of the world and its diversity; make a significant contribution to students’ spiritual, moral, social and cultural development; help students to understand their roots as individuals and as members of larger social groups, whatever their ethnic and cultural background; help students to come to terms with their own hopes, fears, beliefs and achievements by seeing them in the wider context of the hopes, fears, beliefs and achievements of other people past and present.
In doing so the Faculty is able to contribute to the work of the school as it strives:
to create a caring and working atmosphere which will enable students to reach their full potential --- in preparation for their role in a changing society; to encourage co-operation, mutual respect and sensitivity towards others regardless of their race, gender, age or class and to develop concern for the environment.
Whilst the National Curriculum and exam syllabuses set particular objectives for particular courses, these objectives are common to all courses taught in the Faculty:
to develop students’ knowledge and understanding of a body of information, concepts and skills drawn from the Humanities (RE, History, Geography and the Social Sciences); to develop students’ ability to employ information, concepts and skills effectively and appropriately; to promote questioning and reasoned discussion about values and attitudes.
Curriculum
At KS3, all students follow a common Humanities programme, consisting of discrete lessons in RE, History and Geography; RE has 1 x 100 minutes per fortnight, both History and Geography have 2 x 100 minutes per fortnight.
The current KS3 scheme of work is being reviewed. At the moment at Farlingaye, Years 7, 8 and 9 study a distinct theme each term:
Year 7 Medieval Realms The development of Castles The Tudors Year 7 cross curricula project
Year 8 The English Civil War The Industrial Revolution Slavery and Civil Rights in America Protests (‘Chartists’ and ‘Women and the vote’)
Year 9 The First World War The Second World War Life in Nazi Germany
All staff are encouraged to develop and share teaching resources. Visiting speakers and a programme of visits to History are an integral part of the KS3 curriculum.
At GCSE, History is a popular choice. Currently we have 150 students in Year 11 and 178 students in Year 10 following the OCR SHP GCSE course. We plan to remain with OCR when the specification changes come into effect in September 2016.
GCSE Year 10 (new) The People’s Health c.1250 to present The Norman Conquest 1065-1087 History Around US
GCSE Year 11 (current course) Modern World controlled assessment – Terrorism The American West
GCSE Year 11 (new) The Making of America, 1789–1900 Living under Nazi Rule, 1933–1945
In the Sixth Form Psychology, RE (Philosophy & Ethics), History, Government & Politics, Geography, and Sociology are offered at AS/A2 level. At Sixth Form level, all Humanities subjects have 6 x 100 minutes per fortnight.
History is a hugely popular choice in the Sixth Form. Currently, we have 33 students across 3 teaching groups in Year 13, and 52 students across 3 teaching groups in Year 12 following the A level course. The AQA Syllabus has just been introduced at A Level this year and will also be followed at A Level next year. We follow these modules:
AS: Unit one: The Tudors: England, 1485–1547 Unit two: Revolution and Dictatorship: Russia & the Soviet Union, 1917-29
A Level: Unit one: The Tudors: England, 1485–1603 Unit two: Revolution and Dictatorship: Russia, 1917–1953 Unit three: Historical investigation (American Civil Rights)
Accommodation, Facilities and Resources
The Humanities Faculty occupies its own purpose-built block consisting of classrooms, an ICT area, and a team room for the Humanities staff. Psychology is taught in our Learning and Resources Centre, which is next to the Humanities Block.
At Farlingaye, resources are allocated to faculties and from there to individual departments. Allocation is by formula with regard to student numbers and the number of lessons taught. History teachers have access to a wide range of teaching materials, both commercially and ‘in house’ produced. At KS3 and GCSE a number of texts are used to support the delivery of the curriculum with teacher produced resources. At ‘A’ level, students make use of a library of texts. The History Department has an extensive DVD and textbook library. All staff are allocated laptops and all Humanities rooms have data projectors. There are several interactive whiteboards in the area. The development and enhancement of Teaching and Learning is a continual key focus of the school and the faculty, and all staff are expected to develop a wide range of teaching styles and strategies in their lessons.
History Improvement Plan Outcomes: May 2015- 2016 Achieved through: Targets for summer 2015 (2014-2015) Good and outstanding teaching consistently across the academic
Key: New idea, Recent & developing idea, Old idea & continuing GCSE A*-A% for 2015= 16% year Comprehensively planned lessons with a range of effective teaching Outcome is on-going narrowing 3LOP gap between dis-advantaged Igcse A*-A%= 64% students and all students: GCSE A*-C% for 2015= 64% and learning strategies included to drive student progress towards learners meeting and exceeding their MTGs. Monitoring– I will ensure all report data is monitored and report Igcse A*-C = 80% Comprehensive revision guides. back to the department with a particular focus on narrowing the AS A/B% for 2015= 50% gap. We will then discuss ideas and strategies to move this A vast range of revision sessions will be offered. These were forward. A2 A/B% for 2015= 50% differentiated (where possible) and focused on exam skills. 1 on 1 discussions– I am going to aim to pull students out of Well designed courses that allow for ample time for exam lessons to discuss their attainment if their results show they are 2 or more grades below their target grade. Targets for summer 2016 (2015-2016) preparation Revision guides provided for disadvantaged students GCSE A*-A% for 2016= 47% Attendance at relevant courses and feedback to the department. Greater use of the FLG for support materials Igcse A*-A% for 2016= 46% Development of the strategies used for monitoring of coursework at GCSE and A2. Regular feedback to parents when needed GCSE A*-C% for 2016= 77% Igcse A*-C% for 2016= 80% Review of A2 coursework modules to offer greater support to help Develop homework provision at KS4 and 5 and look at offering maximise attainment. more differentiated homework. AS A/B% for 2016= 49% Disadvantaged CHALLENGE One new member joined the History Department at Easter as GCSE targets 2015: A*-C=68%; A*/A=34% Students maternity cover (for KSM). JDU has been mentoring him as am GCSE targets 2016: A*-C=68%; A*/A=16% NQT. Changes necessitated by maternity level impact. This will need to be looked at during the next academic year. It is hoped that movement can continue to be kept to a minimum for staff. STAFFING Some of the History Department will be teaching outside of the department next year, teaching Geography and RE. They will History Today for A Level extra reading (£250.00) Faculty RESOURCES be supported by the heads of subject. Development Plan AG There is a new A Level History specification next year which will Due to the new A Level specification and the introduction of require new resources as we will be teaching different content Government and Politics, staff will be teaching new topics for (Russia– new textbook for the unit is £24.99– considering asking the first time. It would be beneficial for staff to attend CPD on students purchase these due to financial restraints and the TEACHING AND this where possible. difficultly with getting them returned) and skills. LEARNING Staff in the department will continue to attend CPD and will be The History department will also be offering an A Level in COMMUNITY AND EVERY CHILD MATTERS encouraged to attend as many as possible. Government and Politics which will require a range of new PARTNERSHIP LINKS resources (core text is £24.99 - due to financial restraints considering asking students to purchase the text.) CM/RH/SH/IP We are still reviewing the KS3 SOW to include a more thematic approach which focuses on local, national and international History. Continue to develop use of the interactive whiteboard and Through the faculty’s G&T coordinator, students undertake training for this. Continue to promote uptake at GCSE and A Level. who fall into this category will be identified so Budget will be tight this year so we will need to focus on that they can be stretched and challenged We will be reviewing the different GCSE specifications available for September reusing resources where we can. effectively within lessons and have the 2016 and starting to develop new SOWs in preparation. opportunities to work on broader The department takes part in the year 7 cross curricula project in Humanities. We will also The controlled assessment unit for the OCR GCSE changes each year in line issues/projects within the wider community be involved in the year 9 diploma. with this linking to the Dora Love project. with the controlled conditions form of assessment. This year we have continued to develop our links with local universities and have worked The department will be keen to be involved in helping to review the shape with UCS on Woodbridge in WW1. We have housed a collection of photographs H&S issues within classrooms will remain important. created by the universities on the Zeppelin Raids and have organised an assembly Posters outlining the anti-bullying procedure & and nature of the yr9 Diploma again next year. on this. what to do if students need to talk to staff will From September 2015 the A Level specification for History is changing. We be A cross curricular project with UCS and the ICT department was delivered to year 8 on be publicly displayed, along with the continuing to focus on developing the new SOW for this. WW1 in October. We will be seeking to develop these links over the coming year. emergency drill instructions. Next year will see the first cohort of year 12 sitting the Government and The department is continuing to develop its use of Twitter to engage with school the Courses and individual lessons will continue to be school and wider community. planned with ECM and PLTS as important Politics exam. We will need to develop and adapt resources for this. Continue to forge links with local schools doing the same new GCSE and A Level considerations e.g. active learning group Continue to develop A*-A at GCSE and performance of students on C/D specifications. strategies boarder line using intervention when necessary.
Exam Results
Key Stage 4 A*/A A* - C All 38% 76% 2013 Girls 30% 83% Boys 26% 71% All 39% 68% Girls OCR 46% 75% 2014 Girls iGCSE 52% 88% Boys OCR 26% 62% Boys iGCSE 35% 71% All 40% 82% 2015 Girls 43% 85% Boys 36% 78%
A Level A*/B A-E All 44% 100% 2013 Girls 50% 100% Boys 31% 100% All 51% 100% 2014 Girls 27% 100% Boys 84% 100% All 68% 98% 2015 Girls 71% 100% Boys 59% 94%
THIS POST
This post is a full time main scale permanent appointment from September 2016 to teach History. There will be an expectation that the successful candidate will also teach another humanities subject. The person appointed will be assured of considerable support; we are a very successful, enthusiastic, hardworking faculty who are keen to share ideas and the principle of mutual professional support is paramount. We are fortunate in having a good catchment, with supportive parents. The SLT and pastoral structures are very effective and consistent.
All new staff are offered a mentor and we operate a line management system with the Head of Faculty for curriculum matters and the Head of Year for pastoral matters. All staff are ultimately responsible to the Headteacher.
The following taken from the job description for a main scale teacher. We apologise if it sounds a bit formal, but it does show what is expected.
The general responsibilities of a permanent MPS post include:
to teach as directed by the Headteacher; to work at the direction of the Headteacher and the Head of Faculty to enable the efficient delivery of the curriculum identified through Schemes of Work and in line with the National Curriculum; to promote attainment at the highest level of all students through effective teaching; to maintain accurate and appropriate records of students’ learning and achievements in line with other schools and faculty agreed policies; to regularly set and mark homework, classwork and coursework in line with the agreed school policy; to write regular reports to parents in accordance with the agreed school policy; to provide subject information to parents and attend parents’ meetings and respond to parents’ enquiries as required by the Headteacher and Head of Faculty; attend Open and Information Evenings as required by the Headteacher within the agreed school’s time budget allocation; attend appropriate meetings and in-service training within the agreed school’s time budget allocation; to undertake faculty responsibility as reasonably directed by the Head of Faculty; to maintain in good order teaching room/area and resources for learning, including text books, student materials and equipment; to promote and celebrate achievement by students through the implementation of the school’s rewards policy and effective use of display; to maintain effective discipline through implementation of the school’s agreed procedures; to take part in the school’s appraisal scheme; to inform Head of Faculty or SML of concerns that may affect Health & Safety of school population; to implement all agreed school policies.
All new staff will be tutors and will undertake the following:
to attend year team and other relevant meetings; to act as a form tutor, where required thereby following the agreed procedures laid down in the School’s Pastoral Care and Guidance document (relevant section attached); to be available for the marking of registers; to promote the attainment of all students within the relevant tutor/year group; to maintain effective discipline and the agreed uniform code through implementation of the school’s agreed procedures.
LESSON
If you are invited for interview, you will be asked to teach the following lesson:-
TIMING: 40 minutes
STUDENTS: approx. 27 Year 8 mixed-ability students
TOPIC: An introduction to ‘Living under Nazi Rule, 1933–1945’. (New OCR SHP GCSE unit)
The lesson will be taught in a standard classroom with a whiteboard. A data projector will be made available. We also have DVD players. Reasonable photocopying will be reimbursed. Please phone the school prior to your interview if you require any other equipment. If you have any queries about the lesson, please contact Lisa Snoxell, Head of History [email protected] or Nick Webb, Head of Humanities [email protected] .