Head of Politics
West London Free School
Hammersmith and Fulham
- Quick apply
- Expired
- Salary:
- Commensurate with experience, plus a TLR or £4,190.
- Job type:
- Full Time, Permanent
- Start date:
- 6th January 2025
- Apply by:
- 6 October 2024
Job overview
Politics is a vital and vibrant subject at the West London Free School Sixth Form. We run two classes in both Year 12 and Year 13, with over 50 students studying the subject. Results are consistently amongst the strongest of our A-level subjects, with 67% of students gaining an A or A* in 2024, and 55% in 2023. We run politics trips throughout the year, and significant numbers of WLFS students go on to study politics-related subjects at university. This is a great opportunity to take on the leadership of an already successful department, take it onto its next stage. Currently, the Politics Department is run as a single teacher, but this needn’t necessarily be the case going forward. We would be interested to hear both from candidates who solely want to lead Politics as a standalone Department of one, or those who would like to combine teaching politics with other subjects.
Key characteristics of the role include:
- to impart your passion for Politics to the pupils you teach, whilst also ensuring their mastery of the subject.
- planning and delivering schemes of work for Key Stage 5 and monitoring their effectiveness.
- to monitor the progress of pupils according to the department and school assessment policy and to advise on set changes.
- to enhance the quality of teaching and learning in the Sixth Form by taking part in collaborative planning, sharing resources, mentoring and observing teachers, and participating in continuing professional development.
- to be a Sixth Form tutor, and work collaboratively with your year group team.
- to contribute to the wider school life, such as events, trips, and co-curricular clubs.
The successful candidate will have:
- strong subject knowledge, a passion for Politics, and an ability to communicate that passion to pupils;
- an ability to teach Politics at Key Stage 5 to a mixture of ability levels, including pupils with SEN;
- a proven track record of excellent Politics teaching and, where relevant, outstanding outcomes for pupils at both GCSE and A-level;
- an understanding of the ethos of the West London Free School, and a commitment to teaching a knowledge-based curriculum;
- high expectations of pupil conduct and behaviour;
- excellent team working skills;
- excellent communication skills with both pupils and staff;
- a willingness to contribute to the school’s co-curricular programme.
Attached documents
About West London Free School
- West London Free School
- Palingswick House, 241 King Street, Hammersmith
- London
- W6 9LP
- United Kingdom
The West London Free School is one of the country's pioneering free schools, renowned for academic excellence, high standards of behaviour and a wide choice of co-curricular clubs. Since our foundation in 2011, we have provided all children with a rigorous, knowledge-rich education irrespective of their background. We believe that knowledge is a good in and of itself, empowering pupils to understand and take an interest in the world around them. The education we offer is not just a preparation for work, but a preparation for life. As such, we value the knowledge of our teachers, and the passion for their subject that they bring to the classroom.
Outcomes
We offer a challenging curriculum, with a supportive environment, underpinned by fantastic teachers. Through this combination, pupils at the West London Free School excel. In 2024:
- A-level: 52% of entries were graded A* to A, and 83% were graded A* to B.
- GCSE: 51% of entries were graded 9 to 7, and 90% were graded 9 to 4. Our Attainment 8 Grade was 6.4, placing us in the top 1% of comprehensive schools in the country.
- WLFS students went on to study at some of the best universities in the UK and abroad, with four students accepted to courses at Oxford or Cambridge in 2024.
Staff experience
At the West London Free School, we aim to build a culture of sustainable success. We have a stable body of staff who feel supported and fulfilled.
- We have clear, evidence-informed, pragmatic approaches to teaching and learning, as summarised in our Seven Principles of a WLFS Lesson (see here).
- Workload is closely monitored throughout the school year, and systems are refined to be as efficient and hassle free, so that teachers can spend as much time as possible focusing on the core component of their job: teaching.
- Paperwork and form-filling is kept to an absolute minimum.
- Senior leaders see it as their responsibility to ensure all teachers can teach without disruption. School rules are non-negotiable, and poor behaviour is met by escalating sanctions.
- Our annual survey is conducted by EdSRS, and in 2023 revealed that 100% of teaching staff would recommend the WLFS to other teachers as a good place to work (84% nationally); 100% of staff responded that behaviour management of pupils is good (75% nationally); and 87% responded that the SLT are highly visible and approachable (71% nationally).
Co-curricular
As well as a knowledge rich education, the WLFS runs an extensive co-curricular programme that encourages children to develop outside the classroom. The school specialises in music and offers a range of sporting opportunities as well as general interest clubs. All staff are encouraged to share their co-curricular enthusiasm by committing one hour a week to running a school club.
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