Teacher of Religious Education

We are looking for an enthusiastic and energetic Teacher of RE (the ability to also teach History at Key Stage 3 will be preferable) to join our close-knit, supportive and high-performing team.  The successful applicant will be part of a popular subject with a high uptake at GCSE and a department with a relentless focus on teaching and learning and raising achievement. Visits to the school, prior to application, are encouraged.

The RE department has played a key role as our school has continued to develop in recent years. The Head of Department has been in position for fourteen years while there are also two excellent teachers (one full-time and one part-time) within the team. It is a mutually supportive department, embracing diversity and allowing for autonomy.

Key Stage 3 RE is taught in Years 7 and 8, one hour per week. The curriculum includes a study of the main stories from Genesis with a focus on morality and consequences of actions; an introduction to the key beliefs and practices of Sikhism; an exploration of the themes Faith and Courage in relation to key religious individuals; Christian attitudes to a variety of contemporary moral issues; an introduction to the key beliefs and practices of Islam and the life of Jesus.

All Year 9 students study GCSE RE, two hours per week. Most continue through to the end of Year 11, however there are some who, in Year 10, have one hour per week, which is non-examined. Our department teaches AQA specification A and the two religions we cover are Christianity and Islam. This is to reflect the majority representation of religions in our school and wider community. The GCSE course is divided into two papers; World Religions and Themes. There are four topics on paper 1; Christian beliefs and teachings and Christian practices; Islam beliefs and teachings and Islam practices. On paper 2, there are six themes, of which we teach four; Life Issues; Relationships and Families; Peace and Conflict and Crime and Punishment.

Results in the RE department have been consistently outstanding for many years. Overall, GCSE RE students exceed their targets by half to a full grade and are always above national average statistics. We welcome applicants who are dynamic in their approach to teaching and who can help to build on an already successful department.

The Elton High School is a significantly oversubscribed School with a tradition of excellence. We have a history of high achievement with results regularly placing us as the highest performing school in Bury LA and amongst the top proportion of schools in the country.

Our most recent Ofsted inspection (February 2017) was a fair and accurate analysis of the fantastic progress made by the school in the past couple of years. The inspection team noted that there is "a culture of high expectations" across the school with "high quality training" enabling teachers to provide top quality lessons as a matter of routine, with staff "focused on improving outcomes for all pupils". The inspectors were particularly impressed with the climate for learning and behaviour of our students, describing Elton as "an orderly and calm place to learn" with students who "enjoy coming to school", are "proud of their school" and are "confident in their learning".

This is a full-time position on the teacher’s pay spine currently between £25,714-£41,604.

Further to this, in September 2016 we moved into a brand-new school building – the first new secondary school building in Bury for many decades, which further reinforces the excitement surrounding our school community. We are heavily oversubscribed, with over 450 first choice applications for our new Year 7 intake (200 places) in September 2020.

The progress that has been made across the school is not through chance or by accident, but is due to a relentless focus on teaching and learning, while developing the talents of an outstanding team of staff.

This is undoubtedly a fantastic opportunity to demonstrate impact in a key area, enabling Elton to realise its potential as one of the very best schools in the Greater Manchester area.

The school has excellent transport links with the M60, M61, M62 and M66 Motorways crisscrossing the area plus the Metrolink Light Rapid Transit system with a fast and frequent service from Bury centre through Manchester city centre to East Didsbury

This School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff to share this commitment.

Appointment is subject to a satisfactory enhanced disclosure from the DBS.

Please visit our website www.eltonhigh.bury.sch.uk or contact the school 0161-763-1434 for an application pack.

Closing date: 10.00am on Thursday 20 May 2021.