Teacher of Politics

There’s never been a more exciting time to be teaching Politics. Trump, Johnson and Corbyn; fake news, alternative facts and a looming US election; Brexit, democracy and the electoral college.  No wonder that around 75 pupils across the Sixth Form will be studying Politics A Level at Highgate from September.  Interest in the subject has soared in the last couple of years throughout the School – our weekly Politics Society regularly attracts audiences of 40+ from years 7-13 and, in response to demand lower down the school, we started a Junior Politics Club.

Highgate is looking for an enthusiastic and inspiring teacher of Politics from September 2020, to join the Politics Department, and to be seconded, at least for two years, to the Politics Department at the London Academy of Excellence, Tottenham, our sister school as Lead Teacher of Politics. It is envisaged that the postholder will work three days a week at Tottenham, where the teaching is all A level-related, and two days a week at Highgate, where the teaching will largely be at A Level but will also encompass part of an introductory Politics course in Year 11 and a broader programme exploring British values in Year 10. 

The Successful Applicant

We are looking for someone who will:

• continue and augment our tradition of vibrant, passionate lessons rooted in outstanding pedagogy and excellent subject knowledge;

• share our aim to foster a genuine passion for politics and create active, independent learners, who are intellectually and emotionally prepared for higher education and the world of work – not just achievers of high grades;

• want to enable pupils to get involved in political activity beyond the classroom.  Currently trips are arranged to public talks and conferences and Westminster;

• be actively involved with the Politics Society and Junior Politics Club.  Politics Society meetings often broach some highly controversial topics encouraging the expression of free (respectful) speech within the School;

• assist with production of The Arbiter, a pupil-written and edited politics journal covering up-to-date political issues;

• assist with running whole school political events. For example, a mock election in 2019 gave pupils across the School the chance to engage and voice their opinions;

• raise the profile of both Politics departments and all related co-curricular activities throughout the two schools.

Applicants should be academically well qualified: excellent grades at A-level and an undergraduate and possibly a research degree in Politics or a related discipline.  There will also be opportunities to contribute to pastoral and co-curricular life. A genuine interest in the School’s academic extension programme will be an added recommendation.

Highgate Curriculum and Results

The department is responsible for the teaching of Politics in Years 12 and 13. 

Pupils follow the new Edexcel specification, which covers UK Politics, Political ideologies, and US Politics. Outcomes in A-Level Politics are excellent, and well above national averages: in 2019, our Politics cohort of 42 achieved 48% A*, 83% A*/A and 100% A*-B; in the same academic year 10 pupils applied for Politics or a Politics related degree at university, including pupils who took up places at Oxford (PPE) and Cambridge (History and Politics).

The Politics department runs a weekly programme of extension classes (often collaborating with the Economics, History or Philosophy departments) in the Lent term in order to introduce pupils to elements of Politics outside the scope of the A-level curriculum. Politics teachers also often lead Academic Forums for the school’s most able pupils in all years.  The department is well equipped and resourced, it has its own office and all classrooms have interactive whiteboards. The Politics Department is free-standing, but its members can and do teach History as required; equally some members of the History Department also teach Politics.

Whilst Politics in Highgate is not formally taught below the Sixth Form there are opportunities for those lower down the School to learn more about the subject within the classroom. Pupils in Years 10 and 11 are offered a series of taster lessons to give them a better flavour of what Politics involves and to assist them in making their A-level options. In Year 10, a number of lessons are provided by the department as part of the School’s commitment to fostering an understanding of British values. 

Politics at LAE Tottenham

Politics at LAE Tottenham is a thriving department with uptake increasing year on year. Currently around a quarter of their Year 12 students (approximately 60) study Politics. An excellent number apply to and are successful at gaining places on politics-related courses at leading universities in the UK. The successful applicant will be leading a team of experienced teachers and a department which achieves strong outcomes alongside a varied and full co-curricular programme. Applicants with strong knowledge of the US system will be particularly welcome.

General

Teachers at Highgate enjoy a welcoming, comfortable and exceptionally well-resourced environment and are provided with significant assistance from a range of support staff.  Salaries are competitive.  The School pays the employer’s contribution to the Teachers’ Pension Scheme. Terms are shorter than in the maintained sector. Staff have free access to the School’s sports facilities, including a fitness suite.

The School has in place DfE recognised arrangements for the Induction Year and the confirmation of NQT status and has considerable experience of and success in guiding entrants to the profession to qualified status. For all teachers new to Highgate, regardless of experience, there is a strong and supportive framework of induction to the School.