Head of Academic

Role Overview

Ensures consistent academic quality, standards, and student progress across all year groups in the Cambridge programme. Leads curriculum, assessment, teaching quality, and data-driven improvement. Line-manages Heads of Subject.

Key Responsibilities

• Approve and quality-assure curriculum maps, SoWs, and assessment blueprints
• Own assessment policy and lead moderation and standardisation
• Lead ZERA Family Connect and target-setting frameworks
• Drive teaching and learning quality through observation and coaching
• Line-manage Heads of Subject with regular 1:1s and objective setting
• Oversee reporting cycles and parent communication standards

Processes

HA01 — Curriculum Approval & Quality Assurance

Frequency: termly (pre-term) Approval: Head of Academic Tools: curriculum map template / shared drive Coordinates with: Heads of Subject, KS Coordinator

1. Issue curriculum planning timeline and templates to Heads of Subject
2. Heads of Subject submit updated Curriculum Maps, SoWs, and assessment plans
3. Review submissions against QA checklist: alignment to Cambridge standards, progression, inclusion, assessment balance
4. Provide feedback and request revisions where needed
5. Approve final versions and confirm upload to shared drive
6. Coordinate cross-curricular literacy, numeracy, and digital literacy integration
7. File approved documents with version control

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HA02 — Assessment & Moderation Cycle

Frequency: per data cycle (typically 3 per year) Approval: Head of Academic Tools: SIS / assessment tracker / moderation forms Coordinates with: Heads of Subject, Exam Officer

1. Publish assessment calendar with baseline, formative, summative, and mock exam windows
2. Heads of Subject prepare common assessments and marking schemes
3. Administer assessments per published schedule
4. Intra-department moderation within 5 working days of marking
5. Inter-department moderation (if cross-marking required) within 10 working days
6. Data entry completed within 48 hours after moderation
7. Review data dashboards for attainment, progress, and gap analysis
8. Escalate concerns and coordinate intervention support

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HA03 — Pupil Progress Meetings (PPMs) & Family Connect

Frequency: per data cycle (within 5 working days of data release) Approval: Head of Academic Tools: data dashboard / PPM template Coordinates with: Heads of Subject, Subject Teachers

1. Release data to Heads of Subject with analysis prompts
2. Heads of Subject run departmental PPMs with subject teachers
3. Identify underperforming students and subgroups (EAL, SEN)
4. Draft intervention plans with targets, owners, and timelines
5. Head of Academic reviews PPM outcomes across departments
6. Escalate persistent gaps to SLT with recommended actions
7. Track intervention impact at next data cycle

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HA04 — Lesson Observation & Coaching

Frequency: termly (1 formal + 2 learning walks per teacher per term) Approval: Head of Academic Tools: observation form / coaching log Coordinates with: Heads of Subject

1. Publish observation schedule at start of term
2. Heads of Subject conduct learning walks and book looks (Weeks 3, 6, 9)
3. Head of Academic conducts formal observations on published schedule
4. Use rubric: planning, delivery, engagement, differentiation, assessment for learning, climate
5. Provide written feedback within 48 hours with coaching goal
6. Follow-up check on coaching goal within 2–3 weeks
7. Escalate persistent concerns to Performance Improvement Plan (PIP) with supports

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HA05 — Reporting to Parents

Frequency: per reporting cycle (aligned to data cycles) Approval: Head of Academic Tools: SIS / report template Coordinates with: Heads of Subject, Subject Teachers, Head of Pastoral

1. Publish reporting timeline and expectations to all teachers
2. Subject Teachers draft student reports by deadline
3. Heads of Subject QA reports for accuracy, tone, and actionable feedback
4. Head of Academic reviews and signs off final reports
5. Reports issued to parents on published date
6. Schedule parent meetings post-report; teachers prepare student evidence
7. Collect parent feedback and log follow-up actions

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HA06 — HoD Line Management

Frequency: biweekly Approval: Head of Academic Tools: 1:1 agenda / objectives tracker Coordinates with: Heads of Subject

1. Schedule biweekly 1:1 meetings (30–45 min) with each Subjects Lead
2. Review progress against department objectives and SIP targets
3. Discuss curriculum, data, staffing, and operational issues
4. Set or revise objectives as needed
5. Support performance conversations and development plans
6. Approve departmental budgets, resources, and procurement justifications
7. Document key decisions and follow-up actions

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HA07 — Professional Development & INSET

Frequency: termly Approval: Head of Academic, Coordinators of Cambridge Tools: PD calendar / feedback forms Coordinates with: Heads of Subject, Head of Pastoral, HR

1. Identify PD priorities from observation data, appraisals, and SIP goals
2. Design PD calendar and INSET schedule for the term
3. Coordinate delivery — internal sessions, external providers, peer learning
4. Ensure differentiation, inclusion, EAL/SEN provision covered in PD
5. Collect feedback and evaluate impact on practice
6. Log PD attendance and outcomes in staff records