Impactful Humanities Teacher
The Downs School
West Berkshire
- Quick apply
- Expired
- Salary:
- £31,650 - £49,084
- Job type:
- Full Time, Permanent
- Start date:
- September 2025
- Apply by:
- 10 February 2025
Job overview
The Downs School is looking for an inspiring, dynamic and dedicated Teacher of Humanities to join our highly successful Humanities faculty. We are hoping to find a qualified teacher who preferably has experience of teaching History, Geography, Philosophy or RE or with an aspiration to teach across the faculty. This is a unique opportunity to make a real difference to students’ learning experiences and share in our vision of ‘educating today’s students for the world of tomorrow.’ Applications from ECTs will be welcomed as well as those from more experienced teachers.
Our successful Humanities Faculty is dedicated to achieving exceptional outcomes through inspirational teaching. The faculty encompasses History, Geography, and Religious Education at Key Stages 3, 4, and 5, with Philosophy offered at KS5. All subjects are highly popular among students at both GCSE and A-Level. Our team of supportive and knowledgeable teachers are deeply committed to delivering engaging lessons that extend beyond the classroom through a variety of exciting trips, visits, and enriching experiences.
As a Teacher of Humanities, you will help create students who:
- Develop intellectual curiosity and the ability to work collaboratively
- Understand the diverse world they live in and how it came to be
- Have the tools and knowledge to critically evaluate and debate the ideas they encounter
- Are prepared to live in a world facing unprecedented challenges
- Understand how they can influence and change the world around them
- Are morally and ethically aware of their responsibilities as global citizens
In return, you’ll enjoy:
- Caring Environment: Our positive ethos prioritises staff well-being and recognition.
- Empowerment: Work alongside ambitious, dedicated colleagues who are committed to developing the whole child.
- Exceptional Students: Engage with children who love being at school, exhibit exceptional behaviour and have a strong attitude towards their learning.
- Professional Environment: Join a stimulating and collaborative workplace in a school Ofsted labelled as ‘exceptional’ in October 2024
- Professional Growth: Access extraordinary professional development and support to enhance your teaching skills.
- Flexible Work Options: We value work balance through the availability of flexible working, our ‘Time for you Tuesdays’, commuted INSETs and Employee Assistance Programme.
About Us
The Downs School and Sixth Form is a successful, oversubscribed, and popular school serving the stunning Downs area of West Berkshire. Our results, we are ranked in the top 5% of schools nationally for Progress 8, demonstrate the impact of our commitment to outstanding teaching and learning.
Application Details
We encourage early applications, as we reserve the right to close this vacancy if sufficient applications are received. We welcome pre-arranged visits to the school. Please apply via TES and for more information, visit thedownsschool.org or contact recruitment@thedownsschool.org
Closing Date : 10th February - 8am
Attached documents
About The Downs School
Welcome to our School
The Downs School & Sixth Form is a co-educational, non-denominational school set in the heart of the West Berkshire Downs near Newbury. We provide a balanced approach to the pursuit of excellence by offering an interesting, challenging and lively curriculum. Students gain academic, creative, sporting and social skills, both in and out of the classroom, ensuring a well-rounded learning experience for all. We also place a strong emphasis on the partnership between staff, students and parents and respect the trust placed upon us by parents who actively choose our school for their children.
Our Sixth Form is vibrant, welcoming, all-inclusive and purposeful. Staff, students and parents work together to create an environment in which our young people are supported to realise their full potential and achieve their personal goals.
Values and vision
Our staff are committed to excellence and achievement at all levels and we develop our students into well-rounded young adults, able to venture into a rapidly changing world with confidence and determination. These principles are summed up in our school vision ‘Educating today’s students for the world of tomorrow.’ Ofsted has judged us as outstanding in every category but we are not a school that wants to stand still. We know that there is always more to do to ensure that every child’s educational experience is rich, character building and of the highest possible standard. We are striving to beyond outstanding through our philosophy of “Learning together, learning for life.”
We work in partnership with our students who contribute to the decision-making in the school, ensuring they feel valued and confident. Despite our size, we pride ourselves on our small school feel.
Beyond the classroom
Learning extends beyond the classroom to extra-curricular activities and trips, both within the UK and overseas. Lessons are brought to life through a wide range of educational trips; from visiting theatres in London and New York for our Performing Arts students, an annual Geography trip to Iceland and exchange visits for our language students to France. Our Sixth Form students often choose to join the bi-annual skiing trip and there is the opportunity to take part in a major expedition. Past expeditions have travelled to Ecuador, Norway and India.
We also offer other opportunities including inter-house sporting competitions and a variety of lunchtime and after school sport clubs. For those interested in dance, music or drama we offer a number of house competitions through the year and the opportunity to take part in our annual productions which have included Les Miserables and Billy Elliott. We also offer opportunities in debating, public speaking, creative writing and more.
Ofsted
“Students make very rapid progress across all year groups and in a wide range of subjects. The proportions of current Year 11 students making more than expected progress from Key Stage 2 in English and mathematics are very high. Together with students’ very high levels of attainment, this represents outstanding and sustained high achievement throughout Key Stage 3 and Key Stage 4."
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