Certified Head of Department Course K-12
Trainer: Engy Hammam
Duration: 25 Hours
Objectives
By the end of this course, participants will be able to:
1. Understand and apply the core roles and responsibilities of an effective Head of Department.
2. Lead instructional improvement through coaching, mentoring, and professional development.
3. Develop strategic department goals aligned with school-wide vision and mission.
4. Monitor and evaluate curriculum implementation and assessment practices.
5. Build high-performing teams and manage interpersonal dynamics within the department.
6. Use data to inform decisions and track progress toward academic and behavioral targets.
7. Facilitate collaborative planning and lead productive department meetings.
8. Implement effective communication strategies with staff, school leaders, students, and parents.
9. Address conflict and provide constructive feedback to support continuous improvement.
10.Promote a culture of accountability, inclusion, and high expectations.
Outline
Module 1: Foundations of the HOD Role
• Role, Scope, and Key Competencies
• From Teacher to Department Leader
• Leadership vs. Management
• Self-Assessment: Leadership Style, Strengths & Readiness
Module 2: Instructional Leadership & Teacher Development
• Classroom Observation & Constructive Feedback
• Mentoring, Coaching and Peer Learning for Teacher Growth
• Supporting Teachers in Differentiation & Inclusive Practice ( supporting diverse instructional needs)
Module 3: Curriculum, Assessment & Instructional Planning
• Aligning Curriculum with Standards and School Vision
• Unit Planning, Backward Design & Assessment Literacy
• Leading Data-Driven Collaborative Planning
Module 4: Strategic Departmental Planning
• Writing a Vision & Mission Statement for Your Department
• SWOT Analysis and Priority Setting
• Designing a SMART Goals-Based Strategic Plan
• Creating an Action Plan with Timelines and KPIs
Module 5: Data-Driven Decision Making
• Types of Departmental Data
• Data Analysis Tools for Academic & Behavioral Trends
• Setting and Monitoring Progress Against Benchmarks
Module 6: Team Building and Staff Empowerment
• Building a Culture of Collaboration and Trust
• Setting Norms, Roles, and Department Protocols
• Conflict Management and Difficult Conversations
• Motivating & Engaging Staff
Module 7: Micro Train-the-Trainer (TTT) for HODs
• Principles of Adult Learning and Peer Training
• Designing & Delivering Micro PDs in Your Department
• Modeling Effective Facilitation Skills
• Creating Follow-Up and Feedback Loops
Module 8: Communication, Meetings, Collaboration, Stakeholder Engagement & Conflict Resolution
• Leading Engaging and Purposeful Department Meetings
• Communication with Teachers, Leaders, Parents, and Students
• Navigating Cross-Departmental Collaboration
• Tools for Transparency and Accountability- Creating a Culture of Accountability
Module 9: Leading Change with Integrity & Sustaining Improvement & Accountability
• Ethical Leadership and Decision-Making
• Sustaining Change and Building Departmental Legacy
• Personal Growth Plan for Ongoing Development
• Final Project: Presenting Your Departmental Strategic Plan
+ practicum