Teacher of Religious Education

Birkenhead School, founded in 1860, is an HMC independent day school providing education for boys and girls drawn from the whole of the Wirral, Liverpool and as far afield as Chester and North Wales. Situated in the leafy suburb of Oxton, the School enjoys excellent facilities. The main campus has a ‘village green’ atmosphere, with classrooms and laboratories looking out over the cricket square. There are ongoing and substantial investments in facilities. 

The School comprises Nursery and Pre-Prep (Early Years), Prep and Seniors and integrates their objectives and activities within a ‘One School’ concept. Birkenhead School prides itself on being a family school and this has been greatly strengthened by the opening of the Nursery in 2006. It is attractive to parents to have all their children in one school and it is a great advantage for the school to be able to establish strong, long-lasting relationships with families. 

A key feature of the School is its strength of community, which runs through the student, staff and parental bodies. The School is embedded within the wider Wirral community and has strong links with local business and charities. The School aims to inspire students both inside and outside the classroom, knowing each individual and providing them with outstanding opportunities to find their niche.

A dedicated, talented and collegiate staff body is required to achieve these aims. The School’s informal motto is Respect, Responsibility and Resilience, to which we have recently added inclusivity, compassion, integrity, humility and courage as defined School values. Birkenhead School recruits on attitude as much as the quality of an individual’s qualifications on paper.

The Department

Religious Education is led by the Head of Department, Elizabeth Grey, and offers students the opportunity to explore and learn about the beliefs and practices of the main world religions and a variety of ethical themes.

In Key Stage 3, students investigate the beliefs and practices of Judaism, Christianity, Hinduism, Buddhism and Islam in a positive, non-confessional and academic approach which helps support the open-minded, thoughtful and respectful ethos of this school. Diversity is celebrated and differences of opinion welcomed.

We have a healthy uptake at GCSE and students at Key Stage 4 study AQA RS A GCSE and look at Christianity, Buddhism and a choice of ethical themes, using the latest textbooks and Kerboodle online resources.

At A Level, students follow the Edexcel course, looking at Ethics, New testament and Buddhism with access to a variety of traditional and digital resources.

 The Role and Responsibilities

We are seeking to appoint an enthusiastic and dynamic Teacher with relevant experience to teach and tutor students primarily at GCSE and A Level, in order to ensure the highest possible standards of achievement, personal development and well-being. The post holder will continue to meet, maintain, and build upon Teachers Standards.

The role is being advertised simultaneously with a vacancy for a part-time School Chaplain. The School is equally happy for both roles to be undertaken by the one candidate if appropriately qualified and skilled. Candidates are requested to make this known in their covering letter.

Responsibilities

Teaching, marking, assessment and grading within the department, always setting the highest standards of personal organisation and administration.

 Teaching

• Take responsibility of ensuring effective preparation for students taking GCSE and A Levels by having an in-depth knowledge of the AQA (for GCSE) and Edexcel (for A level) specifications.
• Contribute to a department academic extension programme designed to stretch, challenge and inspire students.
• Meet the needs of different groups of learners in particular SEND students and those identified as potential high attainers
• Keep abreast of developments in the subject, maintaining contacts with other schools, exam boards and professional associations.
• Give timely, positive and helpful feedback to students
• Complete reports to a high standard and within specified deadlines
• Regularly assess and mark student’s work in line with School and department guidelines

 Tutoring

• Actively monitor students’ progress and provide support where necessary
• Encourage student’s self-development and personal expression through PSHEE and tutor sessions

Professional Development and Wider Contribution to the School community

• Proactively engage in continuous professional development to reflect on and improve teaching repertoire
• Participate in arrangements for the appraisal and review of own performance
• Contribute to the life of the community, particularly by leading and contributing to co-curricular activities
• Presenting the School at Parents Evenings, Open Days and other events
• Support and develop the use of ICT within the department.

Additional Elements

Teachers are expected to: -

• Adhere to the School’s Code of Conduct
• Commit to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of students
• Support and encourage the School’s ethos and objectives
• Ensure facilities, including equipment and teaching areas, are maintained in an appropriate condition.
• Demonstrate a commitment to improving and developing the school’s processes and facilities.
• Carry out such duties that may be reasonably required by your Line Manager. 

The full list of responsibilities can be found on the Birkenhead School website under Employment Opportunities.

The successful candidate will balance a determined work ethic and strong academic rigour with good humour, teamwork and perspective. All applicants should be outstanding Teachers, but also possess the wider interests and passions that will inspire students outside of the standard curriculum. All staff are expected to contribute fully to the wider life of the School and the co-curricular provision.

Hours

This is a part-time post, anticipated to be 0.5 - 0.6 FTE over 3 ½ days. An ability to teach other Humanities at KS3 would be advantageous. The post holder will be required to contribute to co-curricular opportunities and work as necessary to carry out the duties of the role. 

Candidates are welcome to contact the Head of Department, Ms Elizabeth Grey on eag@birkenheadschool.co.uk  with any questions relating to the role.

To meet our safeguarding obligations, an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check is undertaken as part of the recruitment process for all new staff. As Birkenhead School is an educational provider, it is permitted to ask whether an applicant has any convictions, cautions, reprimands or final warnings which would not be filtered in line with current guidance, as defined by The Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (2013 and 2020). It is a criminal offence for an individual who is barred from working with children to apply for a role which is classed as regulated activity.

A letter of application indicating skills and experience, together with a completed application form, including the names and addresses of at least two referees, should be sent for the attention of the Headmaster via Cheryl Wallace, Personnel Manager.

The closing date for applications: 10.00am on Monday 3rd October 2022