Teacher of History

A talented, scholarly historian who is an inspiring and innovative teacher is required to teach History in this academically selective, coeducational day school from Year 7 up to and including Oxbridge preparation level. Applicants should be academically well qualified: it is expected that an applicant will have excellent grades at A-level, and have taken an undergraduate and possibly a research degree in History. The successful candidate will be a passionate advocate of their subject and will be enthusiastic about teaching at all levels in this 11-18 school. 

The School has in place DfE recognised arrangements for the Induction Year and the confirmation of NQT status and has considerable experience of and success in guiding entrants to the profession to qualified status. For all teachers new to Highgate, regardless of experience, there is a strong and supportive framework of induction to the School. There are opportunities to contribute to the pastoral and co-curricular life of the school, both aspects of which are valued at Highgate

The Curriculum

The department is responsible for the teaching of History in Years 7 to 13. All pupils study History in Years 7 to 9. In Year 7, pupils study Medieval Europe and consider the political, social, religious and cultural features of England and the continent over approximately four hundred years. In Year 8, they study the Reformation and the Tudor and Stuart dynasties, looking specifically at the various crises in church and government that punctuate the period. In Year 9, they study the French Revolution, the British Empire and various aspects of the First World War. A high proportion goes on to take History as one of their IGCSE options (there are currently 111 candidates in Year 10 and 110 in Year 11). We follow the Cambridge IGCSE course, opting for papers on International Relations 1919-1989, and Russia 1905-1941. In 2017 and in 2018, 99% of candidates achieved A*-A. 

At A Level, we have around 80 students currently who have all chosen between medieval, early modern and modern courses. Since September 2016 we have been following the AQA specification. In 2017-18, our candidates achieved 77% A*-A and 94% A*-B grades.

The Department

The Department aims to foster an enthusiasm for the study of History and a spirit of academic ambition and independence of thought among the pupil body. We aim to make the experience of learning History exciting and challenging through a varied use of approaches, materials and a stimulating curriculum. The eleven members of the department share a common ethos and the atmosphere is very positive, productive and supportive. Colleagues willingly share expertise and resources and volunteer for extra responsibilities when necessary. The department regularly takes pupils to conferences and places of historical interest in London and further afield. There is a History Society and a Middle School History Society, both of which are extremely vibrant and meet on a weekly and fortnightly basis respectively. The department is well equipped and resourced, it has its own office and all classrooms have interactive whiteboards. The Politics Department is free-standing, but its members can and do teach History as required, and some members of the History Department also teach Politics as required.

Teachers at Highgate enjoy a welcoming, comfortable and exceptionally well-resourced environment and are provided with significant assistance from a range of support staff. Salaries are competitive. The School pays the employer’s contribution to the Teachers’ Pension Scheme. Terms are shorter than in the maintained sector. Staff have free access to the School’s sports facilities.