Head of Department (HoD) – History

Napier Boys' High School; Hawke's Bay; On-site; NZD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Napier Boys’ High School seeks an experienced curriculum leader to join as Head of History. You will lead a high-performing department, strengthen teaching and learning, and deliver engaging history programmes that drive excellent student outcomes.

The role requires strong leadership, budgeting and risk management, knowledge of NZQA, and the ability to collaborate with staff, whānau and stakeholders while supporting school-wide priorities including literacy, numeracy and mātauranga Māori.

Qualifications

• Strong curriculum leadership and proven experience building an effective, collaborative department team.
• Excellent organisation, communication, planning and administrative skills.
• Demonstrated expertise in effective History teaching, curriculum development and assessment.
• Sound knowledge of NZQA requirements, including moderation, reporting and data use.
• Experience managing departmental budgets, equipment, resources, health and safety, and risk management.
• The ability to support staff, address departmental matters professionally, and build positive relationships with students, whānau and colleagues.
• A commitment to school-wide priorities, including literacy, numeracy, eLearning and mātauranga Māori.
• A willingness to contribute to the wider life of the school through extra-curricular involvement.

Responsibilities

• Lead a high-performing History department and strengthen teaching and learning.
• Provide engaging history programmes that support excellent student outcomes.
• Coordinate budget, equipment, resources, health and safety, and risk management.
• Support staff and build positive relationships with students, whānau and colleagues.
• Contribute to school priorities and participate in wider school life.

Skills

Curriculum leadership

Department leadership

History teaching

NZQA knowledge

Budgeting & resources

Health & safety

Stakeholder communication

Mātauranga Māori

Co-curricular involvement

Data reporting/achievement data

Job description

We’re upgrading the Education Gazette website on Monday morning. It will be unavailable for up to 3 hours from 9am.

About the role

We are seeking an experienced, innovative and highly effective curriculum leader to join Napier Boys’ High School as Head of Department – History.

The successful applicant will be an outstanding teacher who can lead a high-performing department, strengthen teaching and learning, and provide engaging history programmes that support excellent outcomes for students. Experience in teaching to Scholarship level would be an advantage but not essential.

The role requires:

• Strong curriculum leadership and proven experience building an effective, collaborative department team.
• Excellent organisation, communication, planning and administrative skills.
• Demonstrated expertise in effective History teaching, curriculum development and assessment across year levels.
• Sound knowledge of NZQA requirements, including moderation, accurate reporting and the use of achievement data.
• Experience managing departmental budgets, equipment, resources, health and safety, and risk management.
• The ability to support staff, address departmental matters professionally, and build positive relationships with students, whānau and colleagues.
• A commitment to school-wide priorities, including literacy, numeracy, eLearning and mātauranga Māori.
• A willingness to contribute to the wider life of the school through extra-curricular involvement.

We are looking for a leader who can make a genuine difference to teaching and learning and contribute to our continued focus on improving outcomes for young men.

The position attracts one permanent Management Unit (1MU) or equivalent and 1 lesson (per cycle) time allowance or equivalent (timetable dependent).

We will shortlist and interview as applications are received and may appoint before the closing date.

Since 1872, Napier Boys’ High School has been a leader in boys’ education, providing outstanding opportunities for young men within a world-class environment in one of New Zealand’s most vibrant cities.

The position commences Term 1, 2027 (27 January 2027), or by negotiation.