Head of History

Gumley House RC Convent School, FCJ, Isleworth, TW7 6XF

10 days remaining to apply

• Job start date

  1 September 2026

• Closing date

  12 June 2026 at 4pm

• Date listed

  2 June 2026

Job details

• Job role:
  • Teacher
• Visa sponsorship: Visas cannot be sponsored
• Subject: History
• Working pattern: Full time
• Contract type: Permanent
• Full-time equivalent salary: MPS/UPS + OLA + TLR 2B £5,869
• Additional allowances:

  MPS/UPS + OLA + TLR 2B £5,869

Head of History job summary

PURPOSE:

- To lead the teaching of History and academic success of students across all key stages. To assist in ensuring the provision of an appropriately broad, balanced, relevant and differentiated curriculum for students studying within the department, in accordance with the aims of the school and the curricular policies determined by the Governing Body and the Headteacher.

- To assist in ensuring the effective management and deployment of teaching/support staff, financial and physical resources within the department.

- To assist in ensuring the development and enhancement of the teaching practice of others.

- To assist in ensuring that Health and Safety procedures are adhered to at all times by all members of the department;

- To play a full part in the life of the school community, to support its distinctive vision and ethos and to encourage and ensure staff and students follow this example.

- To have oversight of and carry responsibility for the development of teaching and curriculum across key stage 5.

- To manage - on a day-to-day basis - the provision of identified areas in the department.

- To undertake specific responsibilities as agreed on a yearly cycle.

- To oversee and manage the intervention and revision sessions and be present at sessions run at weekends or during the holidays, to support colleagues.

1 TEACHING, LEARNING AND STANDARDS

The main accountabilities are to assist the Head of Department in:

- working with the TLR post holders within the History Department and leading curriculum development and assessment ensuring that courses provide a broad, balanced, relevant and differentiated curriculum;

- ensuring the production, evaluation and revision of schemes of work and subject syllabuses to meet the needs of individual students;

- using attainment data provided by the school to monitor the progress of students taught ensuring that effective use is made of the data to set targets for achievement in History;

- monitoring the progress of students and identify underachievement ensuring programmes of support are in place to maximise the potential of all students;

- monitoring the progress and attainment of gifted students to assist in ensuring they are ‘challenged’ in all aspects of their work;

- ensuring that individual learning targets are set for all students;

- ensuring that classroom expectations are enforced and that the school’s ‘Behaviour for Learning Policy’ is implemented;

- ensuring adherence to the school’s Homework Policy and Feedback Policy by all teachers in the department;

- monitoring and evaluating teaching and learning in accordance with the school policy, including lesson observation, scrutiny of student work and quality of marking;

- liaising with the SENDCo to assist in ensuring access and equality of opportunity for all students;

- monitoring the progress and attainment of disadvantaged and vulnerable group students to assist in ensuring the department is closing the gap;

- ensuring a prompt response to parental enquiries about individual student progress within the department;

- collaborating with feeder primary schools to assist in ensuring progression in learning;

- promoting enrichment and extra-curricular activities within the department to enhance learning.

2 IMPROVEMENT PLANNING, MONITORING AND EVALUATION

The main accountabilities are to:

- actively promote the school’s aims and values;

- assist in the preparation of an annual department improvement plan and staff development plan for the department in accordance with the school planning cycle and taking into account the school’s Strategic Plan and School Improvement Plan;

- actively contribute to the school’s procedure for self-evaluation;

- take part, as required, in the review, development and management of activities relating to the curriculum, organisation and pastoral functions of the school.

3 LEADING AND MANAGING STAFF

The main accountabilities are to:

- assist in leading, managing and coordinating the work of the History team and encourage the process of team building;

- contribute to the professional development of the History team;

- participate in relevant courses related to the role and keep abreast of current or new developments in the subject and the curriculum;

- ensure that quality cover work is provided for classes when staff are absent and support the work of Cover Supervisors/cover teachers within the department;

- assist in ensuring that all staff within the KS5 team implement school policies.

4 EFFICIENT AND EFFECTIVE DEPLOYMENT OF RESOURCES

The main accountabilities are to assist in:

- overseeing ordering, maintenance and accountability for the teaching and learning resources within the department;

- ensuring the care of rooms and other spaces, including furnishings and fittings in the department;

- ensuring the school’s Health and Safety policy is implemented and monitored in the department, including appropriate risk assessments when necessary;

- ensuring all classrooms and corridors in the vicinity of and relating to the History Department have inspiring displays of material including students’ work which is regularly updated;

- managing the department budget effectively;

- maintaining and regularly update the department inventory of equipment and audit on an annual basis.

5 OTHER ACCOUNTABILITIES ARE TO:

- play an active role in school life;

- share the responsibility with other staff/leaders for the maintenance of a learning environment and the well-being of students throughout the day and at the end of the school day, for example bus duty.

- Be a form tutor and part of a year group team, led by a Head of Year.

This post is subject to the current conditions of employment for Teachers contained in the School Teachers’ Pay and Conditions document and other current legislation.

The post holder is required to participate in the school’s Appraisal procedures.

The post holder is required to support and encourage the school’s mission and FCJ ethos and carry out all duties in the context of and in compliance with the school’s policies and procedures as agreed by the Governing Body as well as in line with the current Health and Safety legislation.

All adults employed by Gumley House School FCJ are responsible for safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children they are responsible for or come into contact with and upholding the school’s policies in respect of child protection and safeguarding.

It is understood that areas of responsibility of the job description are not necessarily a comprehensive definition of the post or an exhaustive list of all duties performed. The main duties and responsibilities are indicated above. Other duties of an appropriate level and nature may also be required, as directed by the Headteacher.

The job description is a working reference document. The management duties and responsibilities will be reviewed at least once a year, together with the job description and may be subject to modification after consultation with the post holder and without changing the level of responsibility.

The job description allocates duties and responsibilities but does not direct the amount of time to be spent on carrying them out and no part of it may be so construed.

Performance Measures

Performance will be measured against The Teachers’ Standards (September 2012) and student outcomes in relation to targets set and in addition will take note of progress with the Department Improvement Plan.

Confidentiality

The nature of your responsibility means that during the course of your employment you will see or have access to information of a confidential nature relating to the work of the school or the health or personal affairs of pupils and staff. Under no circumstances should such information be divulged or passed on to any unauthorised person or organisation.

Further information about the job

The candidate will be required to undergo a full enhanced DBS check and must be eligible to work in the UK.

Visas cannot be sponsored.

If you're interested in teaching or training to teach in England as an international citizen, we can help you understand your next steps.

Commitment to safeguarding

Gumley House School FCJ is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

All applicants will be subjected to a series of checks as outlined in Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE) publication.

Applying for the job

This school accepts applications through their own website, where you may also find more information about this job.

CVs will not be accepted for this application.

About Gumley House RC Convent School, FCJ

• School type: Academies, Roman Catholic, ages 11 to 18
• Education phase: Secondary school
• School size: 1077 pupils enrolled
• Age range: 11 to 18
• Ofsted report: View Ofsted report
• School website: Gumley House RC Convent School, FCJ website
• See more jobs: teaching-vacancies.service.gov.uk/organisations/gumley-house-rc-convent-school-fcj-isleworth

With over 180 years of experience in Catholic education, Gumley is a designated ‘World Class’ school with a long tradition of educating girls (and boys in the Sixth form) to make a difference to our world. The school was established in 1841 by Marie Madeleine d’Houet, foundress of the Faithful Companions of Jesus (FCJ) an international society of Catholic sisters working in many parts of the world. In the UK, there are five FCJ schools; each with its own identity but bound together by the tenets of the FCJ Philosophy of Education based on Ignatian principles.

Six core FCJ values of companionship, dignity, justice, hope, excellence and gentleness are at the heart of our work with young people and with each other.

Gumley is a vibrant learning community where students and staff learn and thrive together. The ethos of personal and academic excellence prepares our students to confidently achieve their education and career aspirations in the global world. Vision and innovation form our central pillar of learning.

Our Sixth Form is thriving with significant investment planned for the next two years ahead. Our students are provided with a challenging, broad and balanced curriculum, which recognises the importance of creativity and the arts as well as making sure that well-qualified specialist teachers teach maths and Science.

Gumley’s academic results reflect our tradition of achievement, the students’ high levels of ambition, parental support, as well as the challenging teaching and dedication of the staff. The vast majority of our students are accepted at their first choice university including Oxbridge, reading a wide variety of subjects. Many of our Sixth Form students attend Eton summer school each year and some also attain scholarships or high-level apprenticeships.

Our Chaplaincy seeks to inspire young people to become women and men who live in ways that will benefit others as well as themselves. To grow to be young people who will use their gifts and talents to make the world a better place. We want our Chaplain to instil in our young people and staff a love of God – through dynamic and reflective experiences which energise and communicate God’s companionship.

Our Chaplaincy will facilitate spiritual reflection, promote and encourage spiritual awareness and accompany our students as they seek to deepen their spiritual lives and grow to reach their full potential.

At the heart of our education is the belief that whole person development is paramount. Thus, we strive to provide our students with inspiring opportunities and a wide experience through extra-curricular activities.

Gumley is situated on a beautiful site with excellent facilities. This creates a peaceful uncrowded environment in which our students are encouraged to live by our motto: ‘Vive ut Vivas’ - ‘Live that you may have Life’ and grow into their best self.

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