Subject Leader for Social Sciences

We are looking for a qualified teacher with subject leadership experience to join Harris Academy Sutton as Subject Leader of Social Sciences, specialising in Psychology.

You will join an open and supportive team in establishing outstanding provision within Social Sciences. This will include all programmes, systems and structures taking account of the academy's vision and values leading to outstanding teaching and learning.

CLICK HERE FOR A FULL JOB DESCRIPTION AND PERSON SPECIFICATION.

CLICK HERE TO APPLY FOR THIS ROLE.

WORKING WITH US

Join our success:

• Judged ‘Outstanding' in all categories by Ofsted (Feb 2023), more information here: https://www.harrissutton.org.uk/469/ofsted

• Progress 8 scores of +1.10 & +0.91 (2023 and 2024)

• Attainment 8 scores of 60.6, 59.9, 58.2 and 58.7 over the last four years.

• High achieving sixth form with multiple Russell Group Alumni (including University of Cambridge, Durham University and London School of Economics)

• Hugely oversubscribed in both Year 7 and Year 12, the ‘Comprehensive of Choice' in a borough with several grammar schools

Our staff

We believe that a happy and settled staff body helps drive the very best performance from our students. We are committed to a high-quality professional development programme and can draw on expertise from across the Harris Federation. As a HASU member of staff at any level you will receive the training and support that you need to carry out your role effectively and develop at a pace that suits you.

We are committed to ensuring that our staff have the right level of balance between work and home life. Our policies and procedures are aimed at allowing our teaching staff to spend as much time as possible planning and delivering lessons. We work in an award-winning building with excellent facilities.

Our students

We run a broad and diverse curriculum to a fully comprehensive intake of students.

Our focus on the core value of Integrity means that our behaviour is excellent, with staff supported by a strong and highly visible Academy Leadership Group. Detentions are run centrally, allowing teaching staff to do what they do best: plan and teach amazing lessons.

Attendance and engagement with learning is high, and centrally planned tutor time resources ensure that our tutors can engage with students whilst delivering high-quality experiences.

Our location

We are located in Sutton, with good public transport and road links. Central London (Clapham, Victoria) is 25 minutes away. Belmont station is just an 8-minute walk and Sutton station a 12-minute walk. We are on the Surrey border so journeys do not take long in fact journeys from Kent only take just over 30 minutes by car. We have safe and secure onsite parking with electric charging points.

Other benefits of working for us

• Regular dialogue about workload and how to manage it effectively

• Protected time for examiners

• Internal promotion and progression opportunities

• Staff CPD breakfasts

• Harris subject networks

• Clear communication and manageable deadlines

• High-quality staff induction programme

• Regular recognition and celebration of staff excellence

• Free on-site parking

• Exemplary student behaviour

• All SLT teach

• Fully centralised behaviour system including rapid and effective support with any student behavioural issues

MAIN AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY

The main responsibilities of your role will be:

• To establish outstanding provision within the subject area. This to include all programmes, systems and structures taking account of the academy's vision and values leading to outstanding teaching and learning.

• To be accountable for student progress and development in the subject area across KS3, KS4 and Sixth form, including meeting student achievement targets for subject areas which are agreed by the Principal and the Governing Body.

• To ensure high standards of teaching and learning across the subject area through continuously, developing and enhancing the quality of teaching and learning.

• To ensure the provision of an appropriately engaging, relevant and differentiated curriculum for students in the subject area, in accordance with the academy aims and policies, as determined by the Principal and Governing Body.

• To ensure that all school policies and procedures are implemented and applied consistently by all colleagues in the subject area.

• To effectively and efficiently manage and deploy teaching/support staff, financial and physical resources across the subject area, with the support and working alongside the MLG/ALG.

• To lead development for literacy, within subject areas, to raise standards of Literacy across the Academy.

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR

The successful candidate will:

• Hold QTS (or equivalent) and a relevant undergraduate degree, and, ideally, further qualifications and evidence of continuous self-development and updated knowledge in relevant areas

• Have a minimum of three years' teaching experience, ideally including KS5 and in multi-ethnic urban schools

• Understand the theory and practice of effective teaching and learning

• Have knowledge of National Curriculum requirements at KS3, KS4, and KS5

• Have experience of delivering high quality INSET to teaching staff within subject area, and of using coaching as a model for ensuring ongoing professional development

• Ideally, be able to show evidence of leading, supporting and managing others, both individuals and teams, ensuring high quality performance

• Be able to prove their success in raising achievement as a subject leader or classroom practitioner

• Have successful experience of processes of monitoring, evaluation and review that provide performance data that can be used to improve the quality of teaching and learning

• Have a good level of ICT skills and experience of how new technologies can be used to raise achievement

• Have recent experience of involvement in innovative curriculum development

• Have ideas of how Language, Literacy and Numeracy can be used across the curriculum to raise standards

• Have experience of embedding innovative strategies for improving teaching and learning and of managing and implementing change successfully

APPLYING FOR THIS POSITION

Thank you for your interest in this position. If you would like to discuss this opportunity, or to request a visit, please email the academy via the Why work page on harriscareers.

Before applying, please download the Job Pack for full details on the job responsibilities and person specification. This will be help you when completing your application, and throughout the recruitment process.

We encourage you to apply as soon as possible as we may interview and offer to a candidate before the closing date. Please note that we only accept applications submitted before the closing date via our careers website.

WHAT WE CAN OFFER YOU

Teacher Development

At Harris, we have curated professional development pathways that will guide you towards achieving your career ambitions. We have developed a strong culture of collaboration and best practice, with professional development and career planning at its centre. With a strong network of passionate educators, expert development initiatives and a multitude of opportunities for career progression, your journey with Harris could be the most rewarding one yet.

We offer a wide range of high quality teacher professional development programmes via the Harris Institute of Teaching and Leadership. Find out more here.

Flexible Working

We are committed to fostering a positive and supportive working environment for our staff, recognising that achieving a balance between professional and personal responsibilities is essential. We understand that each individual's circumstances are unique, which is why we offer flexible working options that can be adapted to meet the needs of both the academy and our employees.

Benefits

In addition to the opportunities for career development and progression, we also offer a competitive rewards and benefits package which includes our Harris Allowance (usually £2,000 for Inner London and £1,500 for Outer London), an Annual Loyalty Bonus, Teachers Pension Scheme, a Wellbeing Cash Plan, Employee Assistance Programme, and many other benefits. Learn more about our benefits on our website.

Safeguarding Notice

The Harris Federation and all our academies are committed to ensuring the highest levels of safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people, and we expect all our staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All offers of employment are subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, references, an online search, and where applicable, a prohibition from teaching check will be completed.

Equal Opportunities

The Harris Federation is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from all suitably qualified candidates.

We value the diversity of our staff and students, and everyone at the Harris Federation is equally valued and respected. We aim to be an inclusive employer that reflects the communities we serve. We are committed to providing a fair, equitable and mutually supportive learning and working environment.