Head of RE(Philosophy & Ethics)

Thurston Community College

Thurston, Bury St Edmunds

Suffolk IP31 3PB

Tel: 01359 230885

Email: recruitment@thurstoncollege.org

Website: www.thurstoncollege.org

Principal: Nicki Mattin B.Ed (Hons) NPQH

Current Roll: 1572; Years 7-11: 1358; Sixth Form: 214

Permanent Role

Head of RE (Philosophy & Ethics)

 Full Time

Required to start Easter or September 2023

MPS/UPS TLR2B

+ Recruitment and Retention for exceptional candidates

The Opportunity?

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an enthusiastic, highly motivated and inspirational professional to join a forward-thinking, open-minded Humanities Team, as Head of Religious Education, Philosophy and Ethics. The Humanities and Social Science Faculty is a welcoming, supportive and vibrant team with a real sense of community.

Our successful candidate will be a dynamic and innovative practitioner who is passionate for their subject and the impact it can have on a young person’s development and all-round education.

This is an exciting time in the development of this curriculum area. It provides a real opportunity to review the current provision and implement your distinct vision for this important subject area.

We would welcome applications from existing RE/Philosophy teachers with an interest in wanting to further their career.

Who are we?

Thurston Community College is a large popular mixed comprehensive school.  It comprises of two distinct and specialist sites. Our Thurston Campus, for students from Year 7 to Year 11 is situated four miles east of Bury St Edmunds. Thurston Sixth; Beyton Campus is located in the nearby village of Beyton, offering a bespoke centre of excellence for students in Year 12 and Year 13. 

It was recently announced that the school will be part of the School Rebuild Programme. Due to our growing numbers we currently already have a building project underway which will house three new science classrooms due for completion in August 2023. 

Our purpose is simple; to inspire a love of learning, empower our College community with the knowledge and skills to help them make meaningful choices and contribute positively to the world in which we live to achieve excellence in all aspects of school life.

A new Principal was appointed in September 2021 and together with the Governing Body has set an exciting and aspirational vision for the College over the next five years. The person appointed will be a fundamental part in building on our already Good Ofsted Status (March 2018) and realising this vision to create:

1.   A stimulating, accessible and safe learning environment in which our villages and towns come together as a community which is much more than the sum of its parts.  

2.   A high performing learning organisation.

3.   A culture of high standards, which reinforces excellent behaviour, mutual respect, tolerance and understanding of what it is to be a citizen, not only of the school, but of local, national and international societies.

4.   At the heart of a wide network of partnerships that provide opportunities for mutual improvement and benefit.

We require a Leader who has:

·        A proven track record in their current role, evidenced by strong student outcomes.

·        Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.

·        A desire to develop their own leadership skills, whilst being a strong team player.

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In return we will provide:

·        An opportunity to design an engaging and challenging curriculum that inspires students to appreciate the subject content.

·        Develop RE, Philosophy & Ethics into a real strength across the school with opportunities at GCSE and A level.

·        Motivate and challenge learners of all abilities.

·        Opportunities to develop both professionally and personally.

·        An experience that will develop your leadership skills and pathway to Head of Faculty.

We offer the opportunity to:

·        Join a talented Humanities Team, dedicated to working effectively together to secure positive outcomes for our students.

●       Benefit from ongoing Professional Development.

●       Make a difference to our talented and creative students.

●       Benefit from our Employee Assistance Programme.

If you are excited by this post, its challenges and opportunities; if you relish the prospect of joining our team of committed and excellent staff we very much look forward to hearing from you.  Please visit our website for further information or if you would like to discuss this post further please do not hesitate to contact recruitment@thurstoncollege.org. 

Thurston Community College enjoys a rural location with free parking and convenient transport links to Cambridge, Ipswich and London. 

Applications will be reviewed upon receipt.

Thurston Community College is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Appointment to this post is subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check as well as other pre-appointment checks outlined in Keeping Children Safe in Education (September 2021).