Head of Irish
This is a permanent post from 1 September 2024 and carries 1 leadership allowance.
Responsible to: The Vice Principal in Charge of Teaching and Learning
This position carries one leadership allowance.
The successful applicant will be responsible for:
- Promoting and leading the school’s integrated and inclusive ethos, as Head of Irish, this will involve residing on the integration team.
- Leading and managing the provision of Irish across the school and leading staff.
- Ensuring that teachers’ have high expectations of students of all abilities.
- Co-ordinating Irish as a core subject for learning across the whole school and on occasion lead staff inset and assemblies.
- Overseeing the Quality of Teaching & Learning from KS3 to A level.
Departmental Development
- Drawing up, monitoring and evaluating an annual Irish Development Plan in line with the overall School Development Plan.
- Planning, implementing and reviewing the curriculum within the framework of the revised curriculum.
- Preparing and maintaining up-to-date schemes of work and policy statements.
- Liaising effectively with outside agencies such as CCEA to keep abreast of current developments in the teaching and learning of Irish and communicating these to staff.
- Encouraging and monitoring staff development within the department, identifying training needs, and supervising the work of teachers, at all levels, who are delivering Irish.
- Assuming responsibility for PRSD classroom observations and monitoring staff performance within the department.
- Liaising with other Heads of Spanish/ French Departments particularly with regard to the development and sharing of good practice in teaching and learning.
- Promote the study of Irish and learning opportunities on the College website/add to the newsletter/Voices Magazine.
Teaching and Learning
- Monitoring the quality of teaching and learning within the Irish Department.
- Ensuring that the whole school independent learning at home policy is implemented and also monitored.
- Liaising with the Learning Support Department, Careers Department and other key Departments as and when necessary.
- Promoting the uptake of Irish at Year 10 and Year 12 Options events.
- Leading the Irish Department and encouraging positive relationships by implementing the use of restorative and peace practice.
- Provide a range of extra curricular aspects which will include the annual Céilí night, a biannual trip for Junior students to Dublin and enabling our students the opportunity to attend the Gaeltacht and participate in Irish learning events.
- Managing Departmental funds and resources.
Assessment and Recording
- Co-ordinating internal and external examinations and assessments within the Irish Department.
- Keep under review the suitability of the exam board used.
- Evaluating student outcomes effectively with the Department and setting targets for students with intervention measures in place.
- Utilising the school’s tracking and assessment system to analyse and target achievement.
Whole School Development
- Ensuring the Irish Department is represented in all matters within the school related to the curriculum at Heads of Department meetings and others as required.
- Liaising with the Vice Principal in all matters concerned with the timetable and curriculum and staff recruitment.
Departmental Improvement and Quality Assurance of Irish Learning
- Set annual Department priorities, in line school improvement plan over a 3-year period and monitor twice yearly.
- Lead and ensure quality assurance of learning by evidencing annually against Department self-evaluation
- Liaise with other Heads of Department/ Schools with regard to school improvement and the sharing of good practice.
The Board of Governors reserves the right to amend or adjust this role of leadership responsibility to reflect the changing needs of the college but will do so in consultation with the leadership post holder.
The post holder will be required to act as a Form teacher.
Please number and detail each criteria in turn on your application form in section 7
Essential Criteria
1. An Honours Degree (2:2 level or above) in Irish (Irish must be the major component).
2. A secondary level teaching qualification recognised by the Department of Education by 30 August 2024.
3. A written statement of how you can support the College’s integrated and inclusive ethos.
4. Competence in the use of ICT in the classroom to improve quality of learning and teaching.
5. Experience of teaching Irish to GCSE Level in post, or on student placement.
6. Ability and/ or willingness to teach another language and/or general subjects to GCSE level.
The Board of Governors reserves the right to refine the criteria for shortlisting purposes. The subject teacher will also be required to act as a form teacher.
Applications
The closing date for completed and signed application forms is Tuesday 21 May 2024 at 1pm.
For an application form click the DOWNLOAD icon below.
Application forms should be addressed to: The HR Manager, Lagan College, 44 Manse Road. Belfast BT8 6SA.
Late or emailed/faxed application forms will not be accepted.
The Irish Department
Key Stage 3
All pupils in Year 8 study Irish as part of our integrated ethos. Key Stage 3 Irish is taught in a learning environment which fosters both confidence and respect and encourages the highest academic achievement possible for each individual student. Pupils are encouraged to recognize the acquisition of Irish as an advantage in the world of work.
All pupils have the opportunity to engage with native speakers and get involved with cultural activities through residential visits to the Gaeltacht; trip to Dublin; Gael Linn Quiz and talks from guest speakers. We aim to foster a love for Irish and an ongoing desire to enhance communication skills and linguistic competence.
Key Stage 4
GCSE Irish
Students who choose GCSE Irish follow the CCEA Specification. The CCEA GCSE Irish specification develops students’ enthusiasm for the language while increasing their confidence in the four key skills of listening, speaking, reading, and writing. The GCSE course provides a sound base for further study of Irish at a more advanced level. It also helps students make informed decisions about further learning opportunities and career choices.
Post 16 Study
A Level Irish
The A Level course in Irish builds on the knowledge, understanding and skills cultivated at GCSE. Students follow the A Level Irish CCEA Specification. It aims to enable students to develop their interest in and understanding of the language; communicate with speakers of Irish; and acquire knowledge and skills that will help them progress to further study and/or employment. At A2 the students are introduced to literature and are equipped with the necessary skills to express appreciation, develop arguments and present viewpoints.