Head of History

St Helen’s is an academically selective independent girls’ day school of more than 1200 students aged 3-18, set in beautiful green space in Northwood, Middlesex. 

THE HISTORY DEPARTMENT

History is taught throughout the school by specialist members of staff. History of Art and Government & Politics are taught in the Sixth Form only. Teaching is allocated on the basis of expertise and time available, rather than according to any rigid structure. 

The Department is an enthusiastic team, exchanging ideas and openly discussing policies and new developments. A rigorous approach to the teaching of disciplinary concepts is particularly favoured. 

KEY STAGE 3: Schemes of work are regularly reviewed in order to meet the changing needs of the girls and to incorporate our focus on disciplinary concepts and ideas. The girls start in Year 7 with ‘Introduction in History’, which aims to develop source comprehension and explanation skills. We then follow a themed programme of study entitled ‘Living and Believing’, focusing on social history. In Year 8, pupils learn about the nature of political power and its journey from monarch to parliament. In Year 9 we focus upon the ‘Age of Empire’ which includes a depth study of the Transatlantic Slave Trade, India and the role of Imperialism in the First World War.

IGCSE HISTORY: The course is consistently popular and there are approximately 55 girls taking History as an option in each of Years 10 and 11. Girls study the Edexcel History International GCSE. The depth studies chosen are: ‘Development of Dictatorship: Germany, 1918-1945’ and ‘A Divided Union: Civil Rights in the USA, 1945-1974’. The historical investigation is ‘Russia and the Soviet Union, 1905–24’ and the breadth study is ‘Changes in Medicine, c1848–c1948’. 

A LEVEL HISTORY. The Department offers the OCR History course to students who study ‘The Early Tudors,’ The Cold War in Europe’ and ‘Civil Rights in the USA.’ They are required to complete an independently researched piece of Non-Examined Assessment.  

GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS and HISTORY OF ART are well-established A Level subjects at St Helen’s. We follow the Edexcel specifications for these subjects.

THE POST

The role will report to: Deputy Head Academic

St Helen’s is looking to appoint a Full Time Head of History to start either April or September 2023, to lead our thriving History Department. 

MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES:

Time allowance: 4 periods per fortnight

• Providing leadership and line management to the staff in the Department across all three subjects

• Developing, implementing, and evaluating the Department Development Plan in line with the whole school Strategic Plan

• Monitoring and quality assuring the work of staff in the Department to ensure high standards of learning and teaching are maintained and to give them all necessary help, support, and advice

• Developing, implementing, and evaluating departmental policies in line with whole school policies

• Ensuring the implementation of departmental schemes of work, teaching strategies, homework, marking, assessment, recording and reporting in line with whole school academic policies

• Regularly evaluating the work of the Department with the SLT Line Manager

• Providing reports on pupil outcomes, progress, and intervention strategies to the Headmistress, SLT Line Manager and Assistant Head: Sixth Form & Pupil Progress

• Organising the teaching of the Department

• Ensuring effective communication within the Department and holding regular minuted departmental meetings

• Delegating clearly defined areas of responsibility to other members of the Department

• Assisting in the assessment and selection of prospective pupils

• In consultation with the Deputy Head Academic, Head of Teacher Professional Learning and Lead Practitioner Team, to support and provide opportunities for the professional development of departmental staff and develop the team through mentoring, coaching and the annual Personal Development Plan and Appraisal process

• Preparing and managing the annual departmental budget

• Leading by example through the demonstration of high standards of teaching and professional activity

• Setting expectations for staff and pupils in the context of working practices and relationships

THE PERSON

It is essential for the successful candidate to have the following qualifications,

experience, and personal attributes:

•      An exceptional classroom practitioner and inspiring teacher

•      An honours degree in History or a History related subject

•      Leadership Skills

•      Experience of teaching History across the secondary age range to A Level

•      Demonstrable passion for teaching History to Key Stages 3, 4 and 5

•      Detailed understanding of current developments in the secondary curriculum and assessment

•     Demonstrable ability to work in a team and to work collaboratively

•     A clear motivation to work with young people

•     The ability to form and maintain appropriate relationships and boundaries with young people

•     A commitment to further professional development

APPLICATION PROCESS

Closing date: 8am Friday 2nd December 2022

Please apply as soon as possible as shortlisting/interviews will progress up until the closing date. Should a suitable candidate be appointed, we reserve the right to close the advert early. 

Due to the volume of applicants, we receive, if you do not hear from us within 4 weeks of the closing date, please assume we will not be progressing your application further on this occasion.

THE SELECTION PROCESS

Shortlisted candidates will be invited to the school where they will be interviewed by members of the Senior Leadership team, be observed teaching a lesson, have a tour of the school and meet other members of the History Department and wider Faculty.

St Helen’s school is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people, as detailed in Part 3 (Safer Recruitment) of the KCSIE 2022 guidance document. Applicants will be asked for proof of right to work in the UK and undergo child protection screening, including checks with past employers and the disclosure and barring service.

If you have any queries about this position, please contact the school at recruitment@sthelens.london