Head of RE

We are an OFSTED outstanding school with a culture of high expectations based on our Swanlea Values. In Tower Hamlets, we are the top performing mixed school for progress at KS4, for all students’ progress at KS5 and have the best attendance and punctuality. Most of our students progress on to top universities including Oxford and Cambridge. Despite our successes, we are not complacent, and we believe that we have the capacity to further improve.

We are an over-subscribed school that has around 1300 children from Year 7 through to Year 13. Our students are proud of their school, and we have extremely supportive parents/carers and governors. We are highly committed to the development of all colleagues as evident in our comprehensive CPD programme.

Swanlea School is in one of the most deprived areas in the UK; almost 50% of our students receive the Pupil Premium. Our students may come from disadvantaged backgrounds, but they do not lack ambition for their futures, and neither do we as reflected in our no excuses culture. Our highly motivated and hard-working staff are driven by the moral imperative that our young people can achieve highly. We welcome students from all backgrounds. The school is inspired by the diversity and strength of its community, an inclusive approach to learning, excellence in education and varied, innovative approaches to teaching and learning.

We are excited to announce Swanlea School is entering the next phase of our development, and we are one of the founding schools in the ‘Weavers Federation’ with two local feeder primary schools from January 2024.

The RE department the highest performing department in an outstanding school and has a team of four specialist staff. At KS3 and KS4 RE is compulsory for all students and our GCSE results are outstanding with a Progress 8 score of over 2, putting us among the best schools nationally for RE. At A level, RE is a popular subject and our students achieve highly; the subject achieved ALPS 2 last year. This is a role that would allow an ambitious leader to flourish; the current Head of RE has been promoted to a Senior Leadership position in our school. We have a vacancy for an outstanding leader who is looking for the next stage in their career.

As you would expect, we are looking for the best. A good honours degree and qualified teacher status are essential. Naturally, you should be an outstanding teacher of GCSE and A Level RE. You will be able to demonstrate unwavering commitment to raising student progress and standards. Like us, you believe that social disadvantage is no barrier to achievement and that every student can share in the joy of education. Most importantly, you will possess integrity, good humour and moral purpose.

In return we can offer the following:

·     Working with a forward thinking, driven and experienced leadership team

·     A healthy financial outlook

·     Our teachers never cover

·     A competitive salary with inner London weighting and local government pension scheme;

·     A vibrant, warm and engaged community of children, parents, staff and governors.

·     The opportunity to work in a creative and thoughtful environment with a strong and committed team.

·     Great CPD and work/life balance

·     Working with a forward thinking, driven and experienced leadership team

·     A central location within a vibrant, diverse London Borough, with excellent transport links;

·     Outstanding facilities and resources to support teaching and learning;

·     Supportive & collegiate staff;

·     A highly regarded middle & emergent leadership programme;

·     A friendly and diverse student and staff community;

·     Discount scheme that offers savings on purchases, including grocery, eating out, entertainment, etc;

·     Season ticket loan scheme;

·     Cycle to work scheme;

·     Free eye tests and discounted eye-care scheme;

·     Subsidised staff restaurant offering breakfast, break and lunch time hot and cold food.

·     Access to confidential emotional and practical advice support services.

To apply, please send your completed application form and supporting statement (letter of application) to recruitment@swanlea.co.uk.

You can find our application form on our school website: https://swanlea.co.uk/vacancies

Closing date:    9am, Friday 11th October 2024

Interviews:       To be confirmed.            

Swanlea School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All posts are subject to a satisfactory enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check and references. The school reserves the right to carry out social media on applicants invited in for interviews. You can find our safeguarding policy on our website https://swanlea.co.uk/