Subject Leader of History - August 2025 start

Reports to: Deputy Head of Secondary – Curriculum and Student Achievement

Responsibilities: Leading the History provision throughout the Secondary School, including external examinations, super-curricular and enrichment opportunities, alongside contributing to the development school strategic plan as part of the Secondary Curriculum Leadership Team. 

In addition, carrying out the role of tutor plus delivering sessions within the BST Explore and extracurricular programmes.

The History department

 The History Department consists of three teachers, each bringing their own subject specialism to the curriculum. The department works hard to create innovative and inspiring enquiries that both educate and empower our students. The department prides itself on its commitment to promoting a diverse and decolonised curriculum; one that does justice to history. As such, our KS3 curriculum reflects our unique Japanese and British context; whilst prompting an internally minded curriculum. The subject is extremely popular at IGCSE and A Level. In 2025 BST will begin the transition to IBDP for Years 12 and 13. 

The role would suit an enthusiastic teacher or current subject leader with a passion for History and the holistic development of the students and teachers within their department. Someone who understands the use of effective evidence-informed pedagogical strategies, has extensive subject knowledge to facilitate challenge for all students, shows a commitment to continued professional development and a passion for diverse and decolonised history.  

Key Areas of Responsibility

Outstanding Leadership

• To provide a clear vision and strategy for the delivery of History throughout the School
• To lead and develop teaching and learning in the History department to ensure excellent opportunities and outcomes for all students.
• To determine, organise and implement a diverse, flexible, challenging and differentiated curriculum and to ensure an effective assessment framework is implemented.
• Use relevant data to monitor progress, set targets for all students in the department.
• Monitor individual student achievement and respond accordingly.
• To ensure student leadership opportunities are prevalent throughout the department 
• To lead all members of the History department, creating and developing a positive, collaborative learning environment.
• To provide regular coaching and feedback for teachers in a way which recognises good practice and supports their progress against ‘Performance Review and Development’ objectives.
• To chair subject meetings with a focus on teaching and learning, ensuring a detailed agenda and minutes are produced and distributed in a timely manner.
• To effectively delegate tasks throughout the department, monitoring their successful completion
• To keep up to date with general and department based pedagogical approaches to teaching and learning, actively implementing them where appropriate including the delivery of CPD to those within and outside of the department.
• To ensure all department documentation is accurate, detailed and meaningful especially with regard to external accreditation.
• To develop and monitor the progress of a designated subject area development plan which makes a significant contribution to the School Improvement Plan.
• To ensure the department is well resourced and maintains the effective deployment and management of the department budget.
• To provide regular progress updates to the SSLT to ensure they are fully aware of all successes, issues and concerns in the subject areas.
• To ensure the whole school vision is clearly articulated, shared, understood and acted upon effectively by members of the department.
• To be an effective and active member of the Curriculum Leadership Team, working collaboratively to lead on areas of the School Improvement Plan.

Teaching and Learning

•  Be an exemplary teacher, clearly demonstrating effective planning, teaching organisation, and demanding high standards of attainment and behaviour in all lessons
• Use evidence-informed strategies to plan and deliver lessons that promote progress and challenge for all students
• Guide students to reflect on the progress they have made and their emerging needs
• Give students regular feedback, both orally and through accurate marking, and encourage students to respond to the feedback.
• Use relevant data to monitor progress, set targets, and plan subsequent lessons
• Monitor individual student achievement and respond accordingly
• Have a secure knowledge of the relevant subject and curriculum areas, foster and maintain students’ interest in the subject, and address misunderstandings
• Have high expectations of behaviour, and establish a framework for adhering to the schools code of conduct
• Contribute to the relevant sections of the school’s evaluation and improvement documentation
• Attend and participate in regular meetings
• Take responsibility for improving teaching through appropriate professional development, responding to advice and feedback from colleagues

Other roles

• Run, or assist in running, extra-curricular and service activities
• Deliver assigned Wednesday afternoon Explore sessions, Duke of Edinburgh or Life Skills
• Complete duties around the school in accordance with the weekly Duty Rota
• Attend, and take an active part in, residential curriculum trips as part of the BST Outdoors programme
• Be a Tutor as part of our House system.
• Make a positive contribution to the wider life and ethos of the school
• Communicate effectively with parents with regard to students’ achievements and well-being.
• Treat students with dignity, building relationships rooted in mutual respect 
• Have regard for the need to safeguard students’ well-being, in accordance with the schools provision
• Other reasonable requests made by the Head of the Secondary School and Senior Leadership Team.

How to Apply

Please see the full job description, and apply via our website directly via the following link: Subject Leader of History.

Closing date for applications: January 5th 2025

The British School in Tokyo welcomes applications from suitably skilled applicants from all backgrounds.

This post is subject to an enhanced DBS check or International Child Protection Check, and provision of satisfactory background checks for at least the past 5 years.

Further information about the school is available on the School’s website www.bst.ac.jp