Head of History
Bristol Cathedral Choir School
Bristol
- £25,714 - £41,604 per year
- Quick apply
- Expired
- Salary:
- CST Main Pay Scale, £25,714-£41,604 (MPS1-UPS3) plus an R1 allowance of £2,870
- Job type:
- Full Time, Part Time, Permanent
- Start date:
- 1st September 2022, or as soon as possible if available to start sooner
- Apply by:
- 8 February 2022
Job overview
Our mission at Bristol Cathedral Choir School is to harness the power of our community, so that we all learn, grow and develop into the best versions of ourselves. This is because at BCCS we are: Gathered together, that all may thrive. We do this by living out our three core values in all that we say and do. These are: Kindness, Courage and Hope.
Applications are invited from charismatic, enthusiastic and suitably qualified teachers for this exciting, and rewarding post leading our History department. We particularly encourage applications from under-represented groups, as we seek to ensure our staff body reflects the diversity of our student population. It will be essential to be able to teach History at KS4 & KS5; it would be desirable for the post holder to be able to teach an additional humanities subject. We would be particularly interested in hearing from candidates who can teach Government and Politics to KS5 level. We welcome applications from those seeking a part-time or full-time position.
Bristol Cathedral Choir School is an academy that specialises in Music. The academy became part of the Cathedral Schools Trust (a Multi Academy Trust) in 2016. It serves students from all over Bristol and welcomes those of all faiths and none. We are proud of our diverse, tolerant and respectful community, which reflects Bristol’s demographic.
With a comprehensive intake, students present with a large range of additional educational needs. The proportion of students with an EHCP is well above the national average. Similarly the school welcomes a significant number of children who are looked after or previously looked after.
The Sixth Form has approximately 425 students, many of whom join in Year 12 from other schools. Levels of attainment are high. The majority of students progress to university, including Russell group institutions and Oxbridge.
The school received an overall judgement of “Outstanding” from Ofsted in January 2016 and is amongst the most oversubscribed schools in Bristol, with a trend of strong results in public examinations at both GCSE and A level.
As part of Cathedral Schools Trust, we are able to offer a coherent and high quality provision of continuing professional development. This includes a comprehensive programme for newly and recently qualified teachers, as well as catering for more experienced colleagues to support career progression.
BCCS is a special place, dedicated to meeting the needs and aspirations of all our students. We are rich in history, but forward looking. Academic and committed to educating the whole child. Unashamedly values driven, with passionate, talented and enthusiastic staff and governors, united by our mission to be ‘Gathered together, that all may thrive’. A school in the heart of Bristol, for all of Bristol. For those who share our values and beliefs, this is an exciting time to join us in our journey to transform lives through education.
The History Department
The History Department at BCCS is a small but extremely high performing department within the school. We are privileged to teach history in the heart of a significant historical site, which has been impacted by events ranging from the Reformation to the Second World War.
History is a popular subject at GCSE and we usually have three classes. Recent results have been outstanding, with 33% of students achieving grade 9, 68% securing grades 7-9 and 81.4% attaining grades 5-9 in 2019.
We are keen to ensure that the history curriculum at BCCS reflects the diverse intake of our school and have spent a significant amount of time reflecting on how this can be best achieved. As a result, we study a range of local, national and international topics which range chronologically from the eleventh to the twenty-first century. We are also fully committed to teaching history via enquiries embedded in second-order concepts and ensure that students at KS3 engage rigorously with primary sources and historical interpretations.
At GCSE level we follow the OCR B: Schools History Project specification and study the following modules: Migrants to Britain, c1250-Present; Living Under Nazi Rule, 1933-1945; The Making of America, 1789-1900; The Elizabethans, 1580-1603 and our History Around Us site study is Bristol Cathedral.
Uptake of History A Level is high and we run two classes each year. We follow the AQA specification and study the following modules: France in Revolution, 1774-1815 and The Tudors, England: 1485-1603. Our NEA gives students an opportunity to study Russia between 1855-1953. The department also offers Politics A Level, following the Edexcel specification.
Method of application
To apply please use the online application form.
Please include a letter of application in the online supporting statement section of your application. If you are willing to teach any other subject areas, it would be helpful for you to include this detail. Please state your preference for a full-time or part-time position.
Further information about the school can be found on our website ww.bccs.bristol.sch.uk
Informal enquiries may be made to the Head’s PA, Mimi Johnson, mjohnson@bristolcathedral.org.uk.
The closing date for applications is 7th February 2022
Interviews are planned for week commencing 14th February 2022
Please read further documents for further details about the role including the job description and person specification.
Please note that we will only consider applications through TES and will not consider CVs. We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults. All staff and volunteers are expected to share this commitment. The post is subject to satisfactory completion of all vetting checks including the provision of two strong references and an enhanced DBS check.
Due to the high levels of applications for roles at BCCS, we are unable to register receipt of applications. Candidates will be contacted if they are successfully shortlisted for an interview. If you have not heard from us by the interview date, unfortunately you have been unsuccessful on this occasion.
We reserve the right to appoint before the deadline for an exceptional candidate.
At Bristol Cathedral Choir School we recognise the strength in diversity. Our school has a wide range of cultural, socio economic and religious influences and we use this to ensure that we broaden our understanding of each other and the world.
Applications are welcome from all suitably qualified candidates regardless of race, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin, religion or religious belief, sex or sexual orientation, gender reassignment, disability or age, and maternity, marital or civil partner status. We particularly encourage applications from under-represented groups.
Attached documents
About Bristol Cathedral Choir School
About Bristol Cathedral Choir School
Gathered together, that all may thrive
The Cathedral School was founded in 1140 and refounded in 1542; the older buildings form part of the monastic buildings of St. Augustine's Abbey. BCCS is situated adjacent to the cathedral along Anchor Road. New buildings occupy the west side of College Square. Located in the historic heart of Bristol, there is easy access to a range educational opportunities and established links; these include the Colston Hall, Central Library, Bristol University & UWE, the Old Vic, St George’s Hall and the Watershed. The area has been the focus of Bristol’s urban regeneration via the Harbourside development and the School is at the heart of the city’s cultural quarter. Students come from all over Bristol.
The move to academy status was completed in 2008 and the new school benefited from a large capital investment with building works completed in 2010. Recent ambitious building projects, in collaboration with the LA to enhance facilities have been completed.
In 2016 the trustees established Cathedral Schools Trust. This currently includes Cathedral Primary School (situated on College Square adjacent to BCCS), Victoria Park Primary, Headley Park Primary and Trinity Academy has opened in Lockleaze. Other schools, primary and secondary, are currently in discussions to join CST.
BCCS welcomes students from all of Bristol. There is a Year 7 co-educational intake of 150 pupils and BCCS is the most oversubscribed school in the city. There are currently around 690 students in Years 7-11, growing to 750 by 2021. BCCS, in line with its admissions policy, admits a high proportion of looked after children (or previously looked after) and children with Educational Health and Care Plans (both well above national average).
The Sixth Form is established as a centre of excellence for A levels and now numbers around 400; a large number of students choose to join Year 12 from other schools in the city. The majority of students progress from the sixth form to a wide range of university courses, including Russell Group and Oxbridge.
The academy is a designated Church of England School with an inclusive ethos derived from christian values. There are no faith admissions criteria; students and staff of all faiths and none are welcome. The school has many events in the cathedral and there is a whole school assembly there each week which everyone attends. School values emphasise tolerance and respect for the beliefs of others; we are proud of the cultural and ethnic diversity that is part of our community. Students take an active part in promoting these values. There is strong commitment to charitable activities, driven by student voice.
BCCS is one of only a few state cathedral choir schools. The Music Specialism is at the heart of the academy. Ofsted referenced the exceptional range of opportunities. Over half of students receive instrumental music lessons and an even higher number take part in musical ensembles. Music making is inclusive and caters for all students. The eight choirs, orchestras, steel pans, jazz ensembles, concert bands and chamber music ensembles ensure that there is something for everybody to enjoy. Very high numbers of students choose to take GCSE and A level Music. A large number of students choose to join the sixth form because of the musical opportunities. Students progress to a range of prestigious opportunities including conservatoires and national choirs & orchestras. The cathedral choir enjoys a national reputation for excellence. All choristers from Year 7 are educated at BCCS, both rehearsing and singing in cathedral services regularly.
BCCS operates a vertical pastoral structure; students are assigned to houses and tutor groups (Years 7-11). Each student is assigned a tutor, who is concerned with the welfare and progress of each individual. There is a well-deserved reputation within the city for the quality of pastoral care, educating a significant proportion of disadvantaged students, including looked-after children.
There is a broad and balanced curriculum from Years 7-11. Attainment at both KS4 and KS5 is high and well above national averages, with outstanding progress outcomes. In 2019 38% of all GCSE grades were 7-9 (equivalent to A*-A), 84% of all students obtained 4 or above in English and Mathematics. Progress 8 was +0.35 at KS4; at KS5 results have been in the top 20% of value added measures nationally for the last three years. DFE performance measures consistently demonstrate that students make excellent progress from their starting points. BCCS was graded as “Outstanding” by Ofsted in January 2016.
To complement all the academic endeavour and achievement, BCCS offers a wide range of co-curricular activities. There is a proud sporting tradition with regular fixtures and tours, including Canada and Spain most recently.
Bristol Cathedral Choir School is privileged to enjoy the services of a committed, expert and caring staff. Staff are extremely supportive of colleagues. CPD is at the heart of the academy and staff are expected to take a proactive approach to career development. CST runs a number of well-established MA accredited programmes such as the middle leadership course with a number of other schools in the city.
We are dedicated to meeting the needs and aspirations of all our students. This is an exciting time to join a high performing school as it continues to benefit from playing a key role within Cathedral Schools Trust.
Paul Atkins
Headteacher
Bristol Cathedral Choir School
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