Second in Charge of History and Politics

Second in Charge of History and Politics

Full Time

Required from September 2023

Do you have a passion for life and learning? If so, our inspirational teaching team at JAGS is looking for a colleague to support the Head of the History and Politics department. Your dynamic and creative approach will help encourage and champion today’s young historians and politically engaged pupils across Years 7 to 13 in this, one of the UK’s leading independent schools.

With its distinctive heritage as the oldest independent girls’ school in London, James Allen’s Girls’ School, JAGS, provides a forward-thinking and contemporary education for over 1100 girls aged 4 to 18. Located in the London borough of Southwark, JAGS has a diverse school community and is committed to inclusive recruitment and inclusion in the workplace. Our school aims, both in and out of the classroom, are clear:

To celebrate our diverse and inclusive community 

To champion social awareness and sustainability

To empower courage, creativity and compassion in each student

To inspire aspirational and authentic lifelong learners and leaders 

To nurture respectful, resilient and kind individuals

If this matches your educational vision, then this is the perfect time to join the History and Politics department, which consists of our team of 6 teachers who all teach both subjects as well as holding roles across the wider school community. History is a thriving and popular subject at the school, the most popular of the option subjects at GCSE, and both History and Politics are among the most popular A Level choices. Beyond the classroom, we offer students the chance to explore and develop their enthusiasm for both subjects through societies and a variety of enrichment activities. Many students go on to study History or Politics related degrees at the best universities and that comes from the dynamic and enthusiastic teaching right from Year 7.

At KS4 we follow the Edexcel specification, covering the Russian Revolution and Stalinist rule, Super Power relations during the Cold War, the History and Western Medicine and the Early Elizabethan England. At A Level we deliver the Edexcel History specification, covering options 2B, Tudor breadth study, German Reformation depth study, the Making of Modern China Unit 3 option and for coursework our students focus on the American Civil Rights Movement. For Politics A Level, we deliver the Edexcel specification, covering UK Politics and Government, the core ideologies, Feminism as the optional ideology and we follow Route 3B and Global Politics for Unit 3.

Our GCSE and A Level results are outstanding, as you would expect from this highly selective school. At JAGS, however, we believe there is so much more to education than simply exam results. The department believes strongly in enrichment and extension and in all our teaching we aim to build critical thinking, confidence, independence and a love of both History and Politics.

Teamwork plays an important role within the Department: the staff love to enhance the experience of the students by sharing good practice, resources and ideas. We are looking for a well-qualified graduate to join this exceptional department who shares our vision, is passionate about both History and Politics, and who will bring their own individuality to this warm and supportive team.  

In addition, any prospective candidate must show an active commitment to the values and expectations of our school community and to the welfare of the pupils within it. The enthusiasm to assist in a strong co-curriculum is an important quality of all who work at JAGS.

We offer:

• The opportunity to join our outstanding school where public examination results consistently place JAGS amongst the leading schools in the UK 
• A community of considerate, creative and compassionate students and staff 
• A highly diverse and inclusive school community, committed to our bursary provision 
• An inspiring and enthusiastic team of colleagues across the teaching and support staff 
• Excellent facilities, including the latest resources to support learning 
• A diverse benefits package including:

• Competitive salary
• Teachers’ Pension Scheme
• Free onsite parking
• Free gym membership with discounted family rates
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Free lunches
• Free access to the Dulwich Picture Gallery
• School fee discount
• Cycle to work scheme
• Interest-free computer loans
• Interest-free transport season ticket loans

What you can offer us:

•  Excellent subject knowledge and a passion for both History and Politics
• The experience of or ability to support the Head of Department in the leadership of History and Politics
• The ability to teach History to highly able pupils across KS3 and GCSE, and History and Politics at A Level
• A talent for motivating and enthusing young learners to achieve their best
• Kindness, open-mindedness and a sense of humour
• Intellectual curiosity, enthusiasm and a personal ethos of lifelong learning
• Resilience and optimism; someone who is willing to go the extra mile in the busy life of the school
• Team-working abilities and a keenness to enable all colleagues to contribute ideas and be part of positive change
• Commitment to the well-being and safeguarding of all students and staff
• Commitment to diversity, inclusion and anti-racism in the school community

How to apply

We recognise that celebrating the full diversity of staff and students has a positive impact on all and invite applications from candidates from a broad range of backgrounds. To enable us to make any reasonable adjustments, please let us know when you submit your application whether you have any special requirements.

We welcome applications from both early career and experienced teachers from the independent and maintained sectors. The school operates its own generous and competitive pay scales and will offer a salary commensurate with experience and the nature of this role.

Please visit our website www.jags.org.uk/day-to-day/vacancies to download a JAGS application form and candidate pack.

Please note that CVs and letters sent without a completed application form will not be accepted.

For further information please contact recruitment@jags.org.uk or telephone the Recruitment team on 020 8693 1181.

Closing date:   21 March 2023

Interviews:        Week commencing 27 March 2023

Interviews may be held at any stage after applications are received. Interested candidates are advised to apply as soon as possible. We reserve the right to close this vacancy earlier than the specified deadline, if a suitable candidate is found.

JAGS is committed to the safeguarding and welfare of children and applicants must be willing to undergo child protection screening appropriate to this post, including checks with past employers, the Disclosure and Barring Service, and overseas police and regulatory authorities where relevant.