Head of Business
Downend School, Bristol, BS16 6XA12 days remaining to apply
Job start date
1 September 2025
Closing date
27 January 2025 at 9am
Date listed
13 January 2025
Job details
Job role
- Head of department or curriculum
Visa sponsorship
- Visas cannot be sponsored
Key stage
- Key stage 3, Key stage 4, Key stage 5
Subject
- Business studies
Working pattern
- Full time: 32.5 hours per week, Monday-Friday
Contract type
- Permanent
Pay scale
- MPR - UPR + TLR
What skills and experience we're looking for
About the role
You will lead the development of all aspects of the Business Department, including the quality of curriculum, teaching and learning and assessment. You will line manage members of the Business Department and ensure the whole team is empowered to improve and develop their own practice. You will have an up-to-date knowledge of best practice and support others in applying this in their classrooms. You will be responsible for the monitoring and evaluation of student progress and will also contribute to the wider school values and school improvement priorities.
You will be joining a department that aims to provide students with a varied and stimulating curriculum that encourages students to be inquisitive and independent thinkers. The Business department is currently composed of 3 teachers, who work collaboratively to ensure high standards of teaching and learning, subject knowledge and curriculum design. Outcomes in Business at KS4 and 5 are strong across all ability ranges. Business is an extremely popular choice at KS4, with well over 100 students choosing it each year as an option, for which we complete the Edexcel GCSE qualification. At KS5, Business continues to be a popular option, where we offer the Level 3 Cambridge Technical qualification. We currently have over 35 students studying the subject in Sixth Form.
About you
You will be an excellent teacher with high expectations of all students, including a commitment to the most vulnerable. You will have the subject knowledge, expertise and passion to teach Business to KS5 level.
You will be a team player, understanding that a common approach to certain aspects of school improvement are vital in driving up standards. You will be committed to your own and the school’s drive for continuous improvement, whilst also understanding the school’s friendly and inclusive ethos. You will therefore be personable and approachable and be able to quickly build effective relationships with students and colleagues in the School and across the Trust.
What the school offers its staff
About us
At Downend School we provide a safe, supportive and challenging learning environment that aims to inspire and empower young people to grasp opportunity; to reach their potential and excel; to develop responsibility and integrity and to respect themselves and others.
We have a strong ethos based on our core PRIDE values of participation, respect, identity, determination and excellence. We set standards high and aim to nurture young people who are well equipped to become active and positive members of the school community and to develop the knowledge and skills necessary to succeed in a time of rapid change.
Our curriculum is ambitious and well taught, using The Downend Lesson to ensure a consistent approach to classroom practice and a shared language for learning. Our classrooms are orderly and disciplined but also vibrant and exciting learning spaces where an intellectual curiosity and a life-long love of learning can be fostered.
We are also proud of the care and support we offer our students. We strongly believe in the value of creating a friendly and caring school community where youngsters feel a sense of belonging and feel valued and respected. Happy and motivated students will flourish and become successful young people. Above all, Downend is a happy school.
We can offer you:
- Confident, well-behaved students and calm and orderly classrooms, backed up with a centralised behaviour system.
- Dedicated, friendly colleagues at all levels of the school, who have a huge amount of expertise and a commitment to working in the best interests of our students.
- A clear curriculum vision and focus on evidence-based practice.
- A strong commitment to CPD and development of all staff, in order to ensure continuous improvement for individuals and the school.
- An inclusive ethos and commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion for staff, students and families.
- A commitment to the health and wellbeing of our staff
- An ECT programme described as “top quality support” leading to “ECTs feeling extremely well-supported at a range of levels” by our Appropriate Body evaluation.
- An excellent benefits package including up to 30% discount with Microsoft and Dell; discounted gym membership; cycle to work scheme and a dedicated counselling service
Commitment to safeguarding
CSET is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. We expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Successful candidates are subject to child protection screening appropriate to the post, which will include an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check for the children’s workforce and a Children’s Barred List check.
Applying for the job
Apply for the job by following the link below.
CVs are not accepted.
Upload additional documents
If you need these documents in an accessible format, please contact the school.
About Downend School
- School type
- Academy, ages 11 to 18
- Education phase
- Secondary
- School size
- 1411 pupils enrolled
- Age range
- 11 to 18
- Ofsted report
- View Ofsted report (opens in new tab)
- School website
- Downend School website (opens in new tab)
- Email address
- cset-recruitment@cset.co.uk
Downend School is an exciting and vibrant learning community where every student is supported to achieve their absolute best and every member of teaching and support staff play their part in creating this ethos. We are proud of the exciting curriculum, outstanding pastoral care and excellent opportunities for enrichment that Downend School provides.
Downend School is situated in leafy South Gloucestershire, but is less than 25 minutes away from the heart of the cosmopolitan vibrancy of Bristol City Centre. We offer the benefits not only of working in an exciting and supportive school, but also from being part of Castle School Education Trust.
School location
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