Head of History and Politics

About the School - The British School of Barcelona (Castelldefels)

The British School of Barcelona (BSB) is a great school in a wonderful location. We are an HMC school and were judged by a recent BSO (British Schools Overseas) inspection to be outstanding in every area, including quality of education, safeguarding, pupil welfare and academic outcomes.

BSB is a large, very popular school for children aged 3 to 18. Our curriculum is based on the English National Curriculum, and we offer a wide range of GCSEs, A levels and the International Baccalaureate Diploma, all alongside a significant enrichment programme.

We are based in three locations, two just outside the city of Barcelona – in Castelldefels, where we have a Primary, Secondary and Pre-University campus, and in the cosmopolitan town of Sitges, where we have another Primary campus. BSB City is in the heart of the city of Barcelona itself with a Foundation campus (built September 2021), and a brand-new main campus which opened in September 2023. Over 2000 pupils from more than 74 nationalities attend the school and over 315 staff work at BSB.

The growth of the school has been accompanied by significant investment over recent years, including the building of a state-of–the art Pre-University Centre (Nexus), a full-sized 4G rugby and football pitch, dedicated STEM facilities and the new BSB City campuses.

Barcelona is a wonderful place to live, combining an amazing city with beach and mountains nearby. The quality of life is excellent with a mild climate and year-round sunshine.

The school now has an exciting opportunity for an experienced Head of History and Politics to join our fantastic team.

About Cognita

Cognita is a global leader in independent education. Founded in 2004, we are a growing community of 100+ schools in 16 countries - in Europe, North America, Latin America, Asia and the Middle East - serving more than 85,000 students. Each of our schools are proudly unique, however our collective purpose is to create an environment where everyone can, ‘Thrive in a rapidly evolving world’.

At Cognita, we know every student is unique. We nurture their distinct personalities and strengths. We support them academically, socially, and emotionally, wherever they are in the world, wherever they’re starting from. And each and every one of our schools is unique too. 

We protect what’s special about them, while offering them rich knowledge, opportunities, and best practices. And they get to be part of something bigger. We open their classrooms to the collective wisdom of over 100 schools in 16 countries, ensuring every child gets an education that’s, quite literally, world class. 

It’s an individual approach that empowers every school, teacher and student to focus on what they do best and thrive.

About the role

We are looking for a full-time, Head of History and Politics to work in our Castelldefels campus.

Both subjects are offered at IBDP and A level and the department is thriving. The successful candidate should have experience teaching either History or Politics at A level and/or IBDP.

1. As a Head of Faculty/Subject

• Develop a vision for how the subject/subjects can be developed in line with the school improvement plan.
• Lead the collaborative planning and development of the subject curriculum/oversee the collaborative planning and development of subject curricula within the Faculty.
• Develop and promote the wider programme of initiatives for subject/subjects within Faculty.
• Attend Academic Lead meetings as well as any relevant meetings
• Lead professional development conversations and appraise staff within the department, dealing with under performance in your team if required. 
• Lead department meetings, promoting the sharing of good practice.
• Lead the monitoring, assessment, reporting, review, intervention process within subject and oversee that across others subjects in Faculty. Ensure standardisation and accuracy of all reports.
• Lead the quality assurance procedure for teaching across subject teachers.
• Manage the department budget.

2. Other responsibilities 

To continue your personal development and participate in the school’s staff development programme. To engage actively with the school’s performance management programme. To attend staff meetings, open evenings, and parents’ evenings. To attend morning assemblies and staff morning briefing unless on duty. As a tutor you should support the pastoral care for your form group, seeking to help individuals’ character development. You will also be expected to contribute towards the wider leadership of BSB, helping to deliver the whole school strategic priorities. You will be expected to do anything reasonable required by the Headteacher.

To view a full description, click here.

Who we are looking for: 

• Qualification: Bachelor’s Degree with QTS or International equivalent essential. 
• Knowledge/experience: Teaching experience in Secondary School at all three key stages essential. Experience of either History or Politics IB and A Level desirable.

Benefits at Cognita

• A fantastic team of staff who are committed, supportive and collaborative. 
• The wider support of BSB, including access to high level CPD and future career opportunities. 
• The support of the Cognita network, including cross-school learning partnerships. 

All positions are offered with attractive packages including very competitive salaries, places for children in BSB, and other local benefits. Full induction and help with settling in Barcelona will be provided.

How to Apply

Complete this application before the closing date. The Closing Date for Applications is  9am Friday 24th January 2025 (Spanish time). Interviews in person in London or online during the week beginning 6th February 2025.

Working with Cognita

Cognita Schools are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff, volunteers and other third parties to share this commitment. Safer recruitment practice and pre-employment background checks will be undertaken before any appointment is confirmed.

Cognita is committed to preserving and promoting equality of opportunity in all aspects of the conduct of its business.

No member of staff or any applicant for employment with Cognita will be discriminated against, harassed or victimised because of their personal characteristics. Cognita expects all staff to comply with the letter and the spirit of its policy.

EARLY APPLICATIONS ARE ENCOURAGED, WE RESERVE THE RIGHT TO INTERVIEW AND APPOINT PRIOR TO CLOSING DATE FOR THE RIGHT APPLICANT.