Head of Sociology
Reigate College
Surrey
- Expired
- Salary:
- Up to £43,188 per annum
- Job type:
- Full Time, Permanent
- Start date:
- 1st September 2018
- Apply by:
- 19 March 2018
Job overview
Situated in the heart of one of Surrey’s traditional market towns, Reigate College is one of the most successful sixth form providers in the UK. Described by Ofsted as “outstanding” on every measure we are a National Teaching School, known for quality, success and innovation.
This post provides an excellent opportunity for a creative and enthusiastic teacher to lead a highly successful department. Our ideal person will have excellent subject knowledge and an outstanding track record of success, particularly relating to high grades and A Level value added. The successful candidate should be willing to share ideas and resources and cultivate innovative teaching and learning strategies with the staff in the department. This post is available from September 2018.
The Sociology department is highly successful. In 2017, 100% of students achieved a pass and 30% gained an A or B grade. Whilst the latter was a slight decline on previous years, this was against the context of the change to the linear A Level. For the past 10 years, the department has gained a positive value added at A Level.
There are currently 140 students enrolled in the first year A Level course, organised into 7 classes, with the vast majority expected to continue into the second year, which currently consists of 100 students organised into 6 classes. The students in the department are well resourced, being loaned copies of Steve Chapman’s AQA Sociology Year One and Year Two textbooks for the duration of the two year course. The department runs two trips a year: one to the Newbridge Crime Conference and the second to the Women of the World Conference, both of which are well attended by students.
The department currently teaches the AQA syllabus, studying the Sociology Education with Research Methods and Families and Households in year one, followed by Global Development, Crime and Deviance and Theories and Methods in year two.
The Department aims to provide an enjoyable and stimulating experience of Sociology, whilst meeting the requirements of the A Level specification. Students are treated as individuals, and are given support and encouragement according to their needs. The team take great pride in the friendly and mutually respectful staff – student relationships.
This post provides an outstanding opportunity for an imaginative teacher to further develop the provision of Sociology within the College, thereby gaining invaluable experience of leading and managing a team. The post would equally suit either an experienced manager or a teacher seeking their first management role. Above all, we are seeking someone with an excellent knowledge of Sociology and the ability to make the subject come alive for our students. We also want appoint a good team player who will be skillful at motivating and encouraging colleagues to try out new approaches and resources. The post holder must be confident in the use of Information Technology in all aspects of their work.
The salary for this post is up to £43,188 per annum. This is based on point A43 of the Reigate Learning Alliance Pay Scale for Teaching Staff. Candidates are asked to complete the Teachers application form and send it to the Personnel Department as soon as possible, but no later than 9.00 am on Monday 19 March 2018.
When completing their application, candidates are asked to indicate their results (A*-B grades, retention, value added), as well as particular strengths, experiences and interests that they would bring to this post itself and more generally to College life outside of their teaching commitment.
Attached documents
About Reigate College
About the College
We are a mixed, non-selective, sixth form college situated in Reigate, Surrey and provide excellent education to around 2,800 16–19-year-old students each year. Students consistently achieve fantastic results and are well-prepared for the next stage in their lives, whether that is university, employment, or apprenticeship.
We have an exceptional reputation both locally and nationally and are consistently one of the very highest performing colleges in the country with a simple mission, to provide “high quality education in a supportive community.”
Values and Vision
The College is a great place to work and study, with an active and supportive community ethos embedded into everything we do. We work closely with the local community and have a strong sense of collaboration within the staff, who set high expectations of students, but always in a fully supportive and welcoming environment.
We are inclusive and work closely with students to develop the necessary independent learning skills to be successful in life. We place a strong emphasis on preparing students for the pathway of their choice and they have the opportunity to select dedicated Tutorials in the second year that reflect their preferred options.
Curriculum
The College offers over 50 different courses including A Levels and A Level equivalents, such as BTECs. The College is placed in the top 10% for A Level value added and success rates (achievement and retention) and our BTEC results are one of the highest in the country. Our value added for disadvantaged students also outperforms the national average for advantaged students.
Supporting students is critical. Therefore, each course is allocated ‘Plus’ support sessions as part of teaching allocations. This provides additional opportunities to enhance student performance, without staff needing to give up their free time.
College Staff
The Principal, Nick Clark is supported by the Senior Leadership Team and wider Senior Management Team. We employ over 250 teaching and support staff who are committed to providing sixth form education at its best, both in terms of results and in the development of students as responsible citizens.
All new members of staff receive a mentor during their first few months of employment and are supported through a comprehensive induction and training programme. Early Careers Teachers (ECTs) receive professional support from our in-house Head of Initial Teacher Training and Development and their personal mentor.
Wellbeing
We have an extensive wellbeing support programme for both staff and students. The Director (Mental Health and Wellbeing) is assisted by a team of Wellbeing Mentors who work closely with the College community. Staff enjoy wellbeing days at the end of each term, designed to maintain a healthy work-life balance and students are encouraged to take part in some of the 50 plus extra-curricular and enrichment activities offered for free each week.
Facilities
We offer a modern, university-style campus that provides dedicated facilities for departments and students to work in. All members of staff have an allocated workspace in departmental offices, in addition to social space in the central College staffroom. The buildings and facilities are constantly being upgraded and the IT infrastructure compliments the ambition for students to spend concerted amounts of time on campus completing independent work, with almost one-to-one provision of devices for students and laptops for teaching staff.
Continual Professional Development (CPD)
The College has substantial and successful experience of training teachers and is recognised for our outstanding teacher training programme (in partnership with Brighton University), innovative teaching and learning and exceptional results.
We are part of a sixth form college consortium, S7 (http://www.s7colleges.com/) which provides excellent continued professional development opportunities for all staff.
Staff Benefits and Incentives
• On-site parking for staff
• Free use of the on-site gym
• Free staff activities including yoga, football, spinning and bridge
• Free tea, coffee, sparkling water, biscuits, and half termly treats
• Free summer and Christmas meals
• Access to Mental Health First Aider
• Free confidential counselling service through Dorking Health Care
• Termly staff socials
• Staff wellbeing days and activities
• Large, modern staff room
• Department workrooms
• The College participates in the cycle to work scheme (Cyclescheme)
• Free eye tests for employees who use video displays for more than 3.5 hours per day (Smart Employee Eyecare)
• Free vitamin C tablets
• Free annual flu jabs
• Free College drink bottle (BPA free)
• Free thermos mug
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