Head of Department for Core and Religious Studies
Hackney New School
Hackney, London
- Expired
- Salary:
- Main/Upper pay scale, depending on expereince + TLR
- Job type:
- Full Time, Permanent
- Start date:
- 1 April 2017 or as soon as possible thereafter
- Apply by:
- 30 January 2017
Job overview
We are looking to recruit a Head of Department for Core. This is a unique inter-disciplinary subject offered at the school, taught at both KS3 and KS4 exploring key ideas in the history of philosophy, literature, scientific enquiry and religion. The aim of is to offer students a foundation to understand key ideas that have shaped the world in which we live. The course at KS3 is divided into 2 separate lessons taught during the academic morning: RE and Core. At KS4 students will continue to develop debating and questioning skills, through the Core, that support a critical examination of conceptual themes central to the history and evolution of mankind. They will also follow an RS GCSE programme. The post also includes responsibility for the PSHE programme, which is delivered by the form tutors.
The successful candidate will be an outstanding classroom practitioner with experience of teaching in areas such as religious education, philosophy and ethics, politics, citizenship or the humanities. They will be ready to lead an exciting department which has an important place in the school’s foundations.
Hackney New School is an exciting new academy, which opened in September 2013. Our core vision is to provide students with access to the widest range of opportunities in life by fostering academic excellence and instilling self-belief, intellectual curiosity and responsibility towards others in society. All at HNS share the belief that an outstanding education can be provided to children from a wide range of backgrounds, if they are being challenged in all aspects of their academic and personal development.
You will be committed to ensuring every student is supported and challenged to reach their potential in all areas of their education. You are ready to move into a middle leader role but still love teaching. You will enjoy the challenge of leading, managing and developing a unique programme for all students.
CPD is a high priority at HNS and 2 hours is allocated each week to coaching staff and middle leaders.
Can you meet the challenge of being a leader in a school with:
- An extended school day
- Mixed ability teaching at KS3
- Innovative use of IT in all aspects of school life
- A “teaching morning” and “study afternoon” where students are given time to experience a range of extra-curricular activities, independent study and learn how to think for themselves
- A high expectation of academic and social achievement for all its students
- An emphasis on performance in music, sports and academic activities to develop confidence and determination
- A unique course called the “Core” which emphasises the oral debate of the history of ideas
- A growing student body year on year, which will require forward planning and strategic thinking?
If you think you can and want to know more please visit our website and read the information in the attachments below. Prospective candidates are also encouraged to contact us directly on 020 7617 7181 or via email at lesleyfalconer@hackneynewschool.org (Lesley Falconer, Headteacher)
Completed application forms should be emailed to colettecorbin@hackneynewschool.org (Colette Corbin, PA to Headteacher)
Closing Date: Monday 30 January 2017
As an equal opportunities employer we are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. We expect staff to share this commitment. An enhanced DBS check is required for all successful applicants.
Attached documents
About Hackney New School
About us
Hackney New School opened in September 2013. The school has embarked on a journey to become an outstanding school, under the new leadership of Charlotte Whelan. As the new Headteacher, Mrs Whelan has outlined a clear vision for the school where students will achieve outstanding outcomes and thrive in their personal development.
Hackney New School’s curriculum focuses on the core subjects of the English Baccalaureate, whilst also allowing students to develop in the creative subjects such as Art, Drama and Music. We were established as a school with an emphasis on Music, and this remains a part of our identity as we are endowed with excellent music facilities.
Our aim is to ensure our students develop into well rounded individuals with excellent qualifications and the skills and qualities required to contribute and participate effectively in society. We want our students to become confident, resilient and responsible citizens.
Who we are
At HNS we pride ourselves on our highly motivated teachers who are committed to providing the best education to all students. As a small school with an intake of 100 students each year, we are in the position to develop exceptional relationships between teachers and students and get to know our students as individuals,
We have a supportive staff and leadership team, where we all challenge and support each other in our respective roles. We have ten HNS Values which we don’t just pay lip service to, but are embodied in everything we do.
Our core vision is to provide students with access to the widest range of opportunities in life by fostering academic excellence and developing students to embody the ten HNS Values which will stand them in good stead for their futures. We want our students to do what’s right, try new things, be kind and work together to improve our community, amongst other key values and attributes. We expect all of our staff team to lead by example in demonstrating these values.
Work for us
We offer you an exceptional workplace to come and develop your teaching career in, with supportive colleagues and bright students who are eager to learn when presented with high expectations and the right level of challenge!
We provide the opportunity to benefit from a comprehensive CPD programme and to work in an environment with an ambitious and experienced leadership team who are determined to make HNS the best school in Hackney. Alongside the excellent CPD programme, we provide numerous opportunities for staff to develop their leadership skills and progress in their careers. We provide our staff with great support, to ensure they are confident and competent in getting the job done to the best standard.
We also focus on ensuring staff wellbeing and that all of our team are supported in their roles, providing a comprehensive induction to all new starters. Being a small school, all of our staff know each other. We hold regular staff socials and recognise the efforts of our staff through a number of means. Finally our leadership team is approachable and used to “sweeping the sheds”. They won’t ask staff to do something that they don’t do. We also offer our staff a three week Christmas break - meaning you’ve got the time to treat yourself to a long haul flight to get some winter sunshine!
We constantly look for ways to reduce staff workload, so we’ve done away with formal lesson observations and introduced a live marking initiative that cuts down on the need to lug home heavy class sets of books! We have centralised behaviour systems, which again reduce workload and let you focus on what we want our teachers to do - teach the best lessons! We have centralised lesson planning to avoid duplication of work, ensure excellence and again to cut down on teacher workload. We also have clear systems and structures for everything from behaviour to rewards, all to make life easy for our staff.
Finally we’re based in a great location in Hackney, surrounded by great bars and cafes. Ideal for a bite to eat at lunch and a drink after work. Even if you’re not quite a hipster, it’s a trendy location and an easy commute given that our state of the art buildings are located on the canal basin in Haggerston and only a minute walk away from Haggerston Overground Station.
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