Teacher of History

The Portsmouth Grammar School is a leading co-educational school located in the historic heart of Portsmouth. It values the development of the whole person, placing emphasis on both academic achievement and co-curricular involvement. The school aims to support every pupil in order that they might achieve their potential.

The school seeks to appoint a part-time teacher of History. The vacancy will be offered up to 0.6 FTE, with some flexibility appreciated on days worked across a fortnightly timetable. 

The role becomes available at the start of the summer term and therefore an April appointment is preferable. However, applications are also welcomed from candidates who can offer a September start. 

This role offers the opportunity for both new and experienced teachers to gain valuable experience in a large and very successful department. 

The current post holder is Second in Department and this additional management responsibility may be available for a suitably qualified and experienced candidate. There will be the opportunity to discuss this further at interview.

We are seeking to appoint an excellent classroom teacher with a real love of History who is able to transfer that interest easily and naturally to our pupils across all year groups, with a particular focus on Year 7 to Year 11.  The successful candidate will exude enthusiasm, energy and excellent subject knowledge, to meet the needs of all learners. The ability to teach A Level is desirable but not essential.

Informal enquiries about the role can be emailed to the Head of Department, Mr Simon Lemieux s.lemieux@pgs.org.uk

Outstanding teaching and learning at PGS are achieved by inspirational and creative teachers with excellent subject knowledge and the ability to use ICT and interactive resources to enhance learning.  Teachers’ planning is informed by assessment for learning, ensuring all pupils make very good progress in each lesson.  Our pupils are encouraged to take responsibility for their learning and understand how they can improve using constructive feedback provided by their teachers. 

The school offers excellent training and support to teachers at all stages of their career and has an outstanding reputation for induction of newly qualified teachers.

PGS teachers convey passion for their subject and seek to maximise progress by knowing their pupils well and adapting their teaching accordingly. We are always looking to develop new ideas and approaches to teaching and are keen to incorporate the particular interests of new members of staff into the overall curriculum scheme.

The successful applicant will be expected to contribute fully to the pastoral and co-curricular life of the school.  

The History and Politics Department

The History and Politics Department is a very strong department in an excellent academic school.  The department has traditionally enjoyed outstanding results in public exams.  The A*-B pass rate for A Level in History was 100% in 2021, with 46%  securing an A* and 79% an A*/A grade.  At I/GCSE the Grade 9-8 pass rate for 2021 was 80%, with 91% securing a Grade 9-7. Even in the pre-pandemic years, results have been very high with an A Level A/B percentage of over 80% and an I/GCSE Grade 9-7 pass rate of 70% (over half of those being graded 8-9) in 2019.  A large number of our sixth formers have gone on to read single or combined honours History at Oxbridge and at other leading universities. History and allied subjects such as Politics regularly comprise one of the largest subject destinations of our Year 13 leavers. Numbers are very healthy for both History and Politics in the Sixth Form. 

The History Department is a flourishing part of the school community and enjoys a high profile within it.  It currently comprises one part-time and seven full-time teachers including the Head of Department and a Second in Department.  The department is outward looking, innovative and enthusiastic in character. Several colleagues regularly publish articles in leading educational journals and/or are involved in textbook writing.  Due mainly to internal promotions, all the fulltime teachers except the Head of Department now hold significant other roles within the school at SMT or Head of Year level, but remain fully committed to their History and Politics teaching. There is a very good working relationship among colleagues, ideas and teaching materials are shared freely. 

Aspects of the Second in Department role (for suitably qualified applicants)

The Second in Department role involves supporting the Head of Department in a range of ways. A key role would be oversight of specific areas of the curriculum most likely KS3 and GCSE, deputising for the HOD on occasion at meetings etc, and assisting with lesson observations. They are also expected to model best practice themselves in the classroom, and to contribute to departmental policies on assessment and curriculum development, and to be involved in some way with a co-curricular aspect of the department.

Benefits

The school is a strong supporter of Continuing Professional Development (CPD) and its INSET programme of Professional Development Days provides staff with many personal development opportunities. Examples of school support include financial support for further education such as Masters Degrees.

Governors annually allow a small number of staff to take a half term sabbatical on full-pay in the summer term, with most expenses of the sabbatical covered.  The aim of sabbaticals is to develop further professional expertise and also to provide an opportunity for staff to reflect on other aspects of their teaching.  Sabbaticals are normally based in the UK but may also be overseas. 

Key financial benefits of employment at PGS include a generous salary structure supplemented by payment of an additional PGS Allowance.  There are many opportunities to take on additional paid responsibilities to assist in the management and operation of the school.  

The school also has a generous fee concession for the children of teaching staff.  The school supports the Cycle to Work scheme and all members of staff have free use of the school’s sports facilities which include a well-equipped Fitness Centre. The school provides a two course lunch during term, with a full evening meal provided before all parents evenings. 

The school is always looking for innovative ways to improve the working conditions and remuneration of its employees and welcomes suggestions from all staff.

How to Apply

PGS is committed to safeguarding children and the successful applicant will be subject to an Enhanced Disclosure DBS check. 

Further information is available on the website at www.pgs.org.uk under the ‘About Us’ section and any queries regarding the vacancy should be emailed to HR@pgs.org.uk. 

An electronic application would be preferable, submitted to HR@pgs.org.uk.  All applicants should complete an application form, and send a covering letter addressed to the Head, Dr Anne Cotton, together with a full curriculum vitae.  All applications should be accompanied by the names, addresses, email and telephone numbers of three referees. 

The closing date is noon 6th December 2021 and early applications are encouraged. 

Interviews will be held in school on 10th December 2021, with shortlisted candidates invited to teach an observed lesson as part of the interview day. We ask shortlisted candidates to allow a whole day for the interview process. We look forward to hearing from you.