Any secondary HoDs?

[Crackedbutstillshiny]

I'm currently a second in dept but am thinking about working towards being a head of department. My role is a bit sparse - I don't line manage, have no particular key stage to be responsible for etc so am wondering just how many skills I'm missing? What things do I need to have experience of in order to be a good HoD?

Have you mentored any trainees or NQTs? Are you responsible for any specific initiatives? Before I became HoD, I mentored new staff, led a G&T Programme, was Faculty ILT champion, Department numeracy coordinator, led some clubs relating to my discipline and taught an extra GCSE class outside of standard hours for able pupils. Other colleagues did additional things such as examining.

Ok. Out of your list Cornish:
I was mentoring NQT who quit. I'd like to say that it wasn't my influence but I did handle a situation poorly with the NQT (but after she'd handed in her notice) but it wasn't helpful we'll ignore the fact that I hadn't had any training how to deal with difficult situations or staff who refuse to do things they didn't like

I led a G&T program in another school but it's someone else's responsbility where I am currently and don't really have the opportunity to do any of those additional tasks in my school. I examine every year though, which is helpful.

Doesn't sound massively promising so far...!

Before becoming HoD I basically did a lot of while school stuff that was unpaid- year 11 intervention, staff coaching, ran cpd sessions, mentioned Teach First, ran debate club etc. I was then appointed lead of ks3 then HoD. Be prepared to put yourself out there to raise your profile whole school. Will a HoD role come up at your current school or are you looking elsewhere?

I’m not sure if the position will come up - there’s a move towards faculties and HoDs are being seeded out I think. But as no one actually discusses what’s happening, I’m a bit in the dark. The likihood is another school I think.

Things like yr11 intervention, staff training etc are done by my HoD as he’s desperate for SLT and so doesn’t really want anyone else doing them. However, I wonder if it’s worth focusing on KS3 and attainment there as that won’t be seen as treading on his toes. The reality is is that I’m worried that as there are so many gaps in what I do compared to seconds in other schools that I’ll need to leave and start again.

You need a pretty good grasp of data to be a HOD now. If KS3 seems the most likely place you could make your mark, could you offer to set up trackers for KS3 data (if one doesn't already exist) and then start doing analysis of that data (how PP/SEN/LAC pupils are doing, gender gap etc) and offering intervention sessions for any groups who are falling behind?

How come you don't LM people? Is your department small?

As a 2ic, you could have gained experience in the following areas: line managing staff, managing a key stage more likely KS3, writing SOWs, running enrichment activities and intervention, dealing with parental enquiries, mentoring trainees and NQTs, data is another big thing.
It depends on your subject, how desperate the school needs a HoD or how much they can support an inexperienced HoD so they can overlook what you are missing.

I am not ready to be a HoD yet so probably not best places to advise, however, I lead KS3 in my department and I am a little suprised that you haven't had experience of more things?

I have built experience of organising and running extra curricular activities - whole department not just my own KS, mentoring trainees, writing SoW/assessment plans, leading a team in developing assessments in KS3, organised tracking progress/analysis of data/identifying gap groups and setting up/tracking intervention.

I am looking to do my NPQML this year as well - have you done this or similar?

Could you talk to your HoD about doing some work around KS3 if there is a gap there or speak to member of SLT to look at a whole school initiative?

From what you have written, I think you might struggle to get a HoD post, but if there are no opportunities to develop in your own school, could you've sideways to another school to develop and then look for a HoD post somewhere?

So I do do: organising and running extra curricular activities - whole department, writing SoW/assessment plans, leading a team in developing assessments in KS3, and will start organised tracking progress/analysis of data/identifying gap groups and setting up/tracking intervention this year. I also lead meetings (one a half term) monitor moderation & marking across both KS and have set up peer programs for support for dept staff.

I don’t line manage as it was policy that 2nds didn’t LM but I have said that I will need to do this next yr.

I’ve just gone through threshold so will get a whole school responsibility but unsure what yet. I also asked about NPQML but was told I’d get similar training (haven’t so far).

I would also make sure you are fully on board with the exam boards syllabus/ marking criteria. Go on as many courses/ meetings as possible, I would suggest marking if you don't already.

I do mark for the exam board thankfully and plan to continue to as it does a bit for the dept.