Head of Home Economics and Health and Social Care - Post Primary

Job Title

Teacher - Post-Primary

Reports To

Principal

Professional Duties of a Teacher

• Exercise of general professional duties (Regulation 5). A teacher not a principal shall carry out duties as circumstances may require:
  • When employed under reasonable direction of the principal.
  • When employed by a board not assigned to one school, under the direction of the board and the principal of any school where the teacher may be required to work.
• Exercise of particular duties:
  • When employed in a school, perform any duties reasonably given by the principal.
  • When referred to paragraph 1(b), perform any duties reasonably given by the board or the principal of any school where the teacher may be required to work.
• Planning:
  • 1.1 Planning and preparing courses and lessons.
  • 1.2 Teaching according to pupils’ educational needs, setting and marking work to be carried out by pupils in school and elsewhere.
  • 1.3 Assessing, recording and reporting on the development, progress and attainment of pupils.
• General:
  • 2.1 Promoting the general progress and well‑being of individual pupils and of any class or group of pupils assigned to the teacher.
  • 2.2 Providing advice and guidance to pupils on educational and social matters and on their further education and future careers, including information about sources of further expert advice on specific questions, making relevant records and reports.
  • 2.3 Making records of and reports on the personal and social needs of pupils, except where this might be regarded as compromising the teacher’s own position.
  • 2.4 Communicating and consulting with the parents of pupils.
  • 2.5 Communicating and cooperating with persons or bodies outside the school approved by the employing authority and the Board of Governors.
  • 2.6 Participating in meetings arranged for any of the purposes described above.
• Assessment/Reporting: Providing or contributing to oral and written assessments, reports and references relating to individual pupils and groups of pupils, except where this might be regarded as compromising the teacher’s own position.
• Staff Development/Professional Development:
  • 4.1 Participating, if required, in any scheme of staff development and performance review.
  • 4.2 Reviewing from time to time his/her methods of teaching and programmes of work; participating in arrangements for further training and professional development.
  • 4.3 Advising and cooperating with the Principal and other teachers on the preparation and development of courses of study, teaching materials, teaching programmes, methods of teaching and assessment and pastoral arrangements.
• Discipline/Health and Safety:
  • 5.1 Maintaining good order and discipline among pupils in accordance with the policies of the employing authority and safeguarding their health and safety both when they are authorised to be on the school premises and when they are engaged in authorised school activities elsewhere.
  • 5.2 Participating in meetings at the school which relate to the curriculum for the school or the administration or organisation of the school, including pastoral arrangements.
• Public Examinations: Participating in arrangements for preparing pupils for public examinations and in assessing pupils for the purposes of such examinations; recording and reporting such assessments; and participating in arrangements for pupils’ presentation for and supervision during such examination.
• Review and Development of Management Activities/Administration:
  • 7.1 Contributing to the selection for appointment and professional development of other teachers, including the induction and assessment of probationary teachers; co‑ordinating or managing the work of other teachers; taking part in the review, development and management of activities relating to the curriculum, organisation and pastoral functions of the school.
  • 7.2 Participating in administrative and organisational tasks related to duties described above, including the management or supervision of persons providing support for the teachers in the school and the ordering and allocation of equipment and materials.
  • Attending assemblies; registering attendance of pupils and supervising pupils, whether these duties are performed before, during or after school sessions.
• Work Schedule:
  • 8.1 A full‑time teacher is available for 195 days in any year, not more than 190 of which involve teaching children in a classroom situation; available for 1,265 hours in any year exclusive of time spent off school premises preparing and marking lessons and travelling between work sites.
  • Maximum teaching hours: no more than 25 hours in a week in a primary or special school and 23.5 hours in a week in a secondary school.
  • Break requirements: at least 30 minutes between 12:00 pm and 2:00 pm; nursery schools have a 30‑minute break between 12:00 pm and 2:30 pm.
  • Staff cover: guidelines for covering pupils when their teacher is absent, with limits based on school enrolment.

Qualifications and Experience

• Hold a teaching qualification recognised in Northern Ireland to teach in grant‑aided schools.
• Hold an honours degree (2:2 or above) in a relevant subject.
• Be qualified to teach Home Economics and Health and Social Care to A Level.
• Hold an honours degree (2:1 or above) is desirable.
• Have at least two years’ experience teaching Home Economics and/or Health and Social Care to A Level.
• Demonstrate use of digital media/technology to enhance teaching and learning.
• Be registered with the General Teaching Council for Northern Ireland (GTCNI) before taking up the post.
• Ideal: experience in a leadership role, managing staff, overseeing operations and ensuring effective communication and coordination across departments.
• Ideal: qualifications or experience to offer an additional subject that meets the curricular needs of the school.
• Ideal: experience to assist with the school’s extra‑curricular provision.

Essential Criteria

• Qualifications/Professional Membership: as listed above.
• Experience: two or more years teaching required disciplines and use of technology.
• Knowledge: NI curriculum; safeguarding and child protection policy/practice; SEND code of practice; teaching strategies for diverse learners; IT systems such as digital classroom tools and tablets; current assessment methods.
• Skills/Abilities: effective teaching and classroom management; supportive inclusive learning environment; collaboration with pupils, colleagues, parents and community; team working and motivation of self and others.
• Values/Ethos: evidence that experience and approach reflect the school’s values (details are available on the school’s website).

Desirable Criteria

• Holding an honours degree (2:1 or above) with high academic content in the taught subjects.
• Proven leadership experience in managing staff and coordinating operations.
• Qualifications, training or experience to provide an additional subject meeting curricular needs.
• Qualifications or experience to support the school’s extra‑curricular provision.

Disclosure of Criminal Background

• The Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups (Northern Ireland) Order 2007 defines that working with children or in specified places is regulated activity.
• Applicants recommended for a post involving regulated activity will need an Enhanced Disclosure of Criminal Background; the applicant will cover the cost.
• More information can be found at NI Direct or the Department of Justice.

Equal Opportunities Statement

The Education Authority is an Equal Opportunities Employer.

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