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Head of History & Politics

Head of History & Politics

Downe House

West Berkshire

  • New
Salary:
DH salary scale, dependent on experience
Job type:
Full Time, Permanent
Start date:
Required from September 2025
Apply by:
18 January 2025

Job overview

We are looking to appoint an outstanding and enthusiastic Head of History and Politics to start in September 2025. As Head of History and Politics you will be the leading subject professional, managing your department with energy and expertise. You will inspire excellence in teaching and learning within your department, supporting colleagues in improving practice and delivering an excellent educational experience for pupils.

At Downe House you will join a supportive, close-knit team where professional development is valued, and colleagues share a common commitment to educational excellence. From our regular CPD sessions to seasonal gatherings, you’ll find opportunities to connect, collaborate, and grow within our welcoming school community.

We welcome applications from both experienced leaders and teachers who are looking for a new challenge in leading a department. Our pupils follow the Edexcel IGCSE specification and AQA A Level specification, so previous experience of these would be highly beneficial.

Benefits Include:

• Generous teacher pension scheme

• Life Assurance and Death in Service Benefit

• Discounted School fees

• Regular CPD opportunities

• A supportive induction programme

• Beautiful working environment in a semi-rural location

• Delicious free meals

• Modern gym and swimming pool facilities

• A variety of social occasions through the year

Downe House is a leading independent boarding and day school for girls aged 11-18, based near Thatcham, Berkshire. Our aim is to provide pupils with a wealth of academic, pastoral and co-curricular opportunities to allow them to grow into confident young women prepared to take on the world.

How to Apply

Application forms can be downloaded from our website. Completed application forms should be sent to recruitment@downehouse.net by 5pm on 18th January 2025. We reserve the right to interview/appoint before the closing date.

Applicants must have the right to work in the UK. Own transport is essential as the school is in a rural location with no public transport links.

For further details you can contact the HR Department on 01635 204712 or email recruitment@downehouse.net

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people, and any offer of employment is subject to an Enhanced Disclosure Check (DBS), satisfactory references, and social media checks.

At Downe House we promote equality of opportunity for all pupils and staff, both current and prospective, and we actively support an environment and culture that values diversity and inclusion.

Closing Date: Saturday 18 January 2025

Attached documents

About Downe House

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  • Downe House
  • Cold Ash, Thatcham
  • Berkshire
  • RG18 9JJ
  • United Kingdom
+44 1635 200286

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Visit employer website

Situated in the town of Thatcham, in Berkshire, Downe House is an independent secondary school for girls aged between 11 and 18. It is both a day and boarding school. There are around 580 students enrolled at the school, the majority of whom are boarders. Downe House School was established in 1907 in Charles Darwin’s formal home. It is located on 110 acres of land. There are 12 houses for those living on the campus. One of the houses is located in France where year eight students have the opportunity to spend a term.

Headteacher

Emma McKendrick

Values and Vision

Downe House aims to give every girl attending the school equal opportunities. The goal is for them to develop positive attitudes towards learning and become important figures in the local and global community. Children are encouraged to have excellent exam results, as well as personal development.

Ofsted report

“There is positive leadership and a proactive approach to the health and well-being of the boarders. The health centre provides an outstanding service to the whole school. The welfare of pupils is at the heart of all the work that is done and the systems that are in place to support this aim. The pupils are well protected from harm with a written child protection policy that is regularly reviewed. The headmistress is the designated person in charge of child protection and works closely in this area with other members of the leadership team. Good attention is paid to overall health and safety matters supported by robust policies and comprehensive risk assessments.”

https://www.isi.net/institutions/school/downe-house-school-6402

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