Teacher of History and Politics

The position of Teacher of History & Politics offers an ambitious and dynamic specialist an exciting and highly rewarding opportunity. The successful applicant, whether an ECT or an experienced teacher, should bring enthusiasm and passion to inspire students from Year 7 to the Upper Sixth. They should be willing to learn to teach all areas of the GCSE and A Level specifications. They will offer enthusiasm and a passion for their subject and a willingness to work alongside our dedicated and highly skilled group of subject specialists within the department. 

The History & Politics Department currently has four full-time members of staff who work closely together as a team. The Department has a philosophy that combines academic rigour with a commitment to high quality teaching and learning. At the heart of its philosophy is a commitment to an enquiry-led approach in which students analyse a wide variety of historical sources and information, in order to answer key questions. The Department uses a wide range of activities and resources, including textbook work, role-plays, group work and human timelines. A lot of work is also put into developing student's historical skills, including historical significance, interpretation and cause and consequence. 

At Key Stage 3, the focus is 'The History of Britain and its relationship with the wider world'. After an introduction to the study of history, students learn about the Norman Conquest and the medieval world. They continue with the Tudor and Stuarts, before concluding with a focus on the Twentieth Century World. Throughout the course, students are encouraged to make thematic comparisons, including warfare, empire, religion and individual rights, across the different historical periods. 

The Department follows the Edexcel specification at GCSE with students studying Medicine and Health Through Time, a depth study on Weimar and Nazi Germany and units on Elizabethan England and the Cold War. History is an extremely popular subject, with at least two sets in each year group. 

At A Level, the Department follows the OCR specification because of the range and combination of different topics available. In the Lower Sixth, the Early Tudors and Russia 1894-1941 are taught, and this is complemented with a more modern course in the Upper Sixth on Civil Rights in the USA 1865-1992. Students also complete an extended coursework essay on a topic of their choice. 

The Department also offers A Level Politics. We follow Edexcel which includes three key components: UK Politics, UK Government and Comparative Politics (USA). The topics include democracy and participation, political parties, electoral systems, voting behaviour and the media; the constitution, parliament, Prime Minister and executive; the US Constitution and federalism, US Presidency, US Supreme Court and civil rights. 

Students have regularly progressed to leading Russell Group Universities to study degrees in History and Politics over the years thanks to the support and inspiration offered by the Department staff. 

Co-curricular activities, trips and enrichment activities are part of the ethos of the Department and are seen as a crucial support in learning. The Department has a growing programme of trips to support students in their studies including visiting Hampton Court, an annual visit for all of Year 9 to the Ypres Salient as well as workshops at the Houses of Parliament, hosting speakers and attending external lectures. For additional enrichment, the Department proudly supports the Potential Higher Achiever (PHA) lecture series, encourages external competition participation and other resources, such as public lectures, books and sites of interest. 

The Department benefits from three large spacious classrooms all equipped with interactive LCD screens. There is also a departmental office with space for each of the staff to work. 

To Apply:

Email the completed application form, along with a covering letter, addressed to the Headmaster, Mr James Davies to hr@hallifordschool.co.uk

Applications must be received by midday on Monday 26 August 2024.