Head of Humanities

Smith's Wood Academy, Birmingham, West Midlands, B36 0UE

12 days remaining to apply

• Start date details

  TBC

• Closing date

  17 March 2026 at 9am

• Date listed

  5 March 2026

Job details

• Job role:
  • Head of department or curriculum
• Visa sponsorship: Visas cannot be sponsored
• Key stage: Key stage 3
• Working pattern: Full time
• Contract type: Permanent
• Full-time equivalent salary: £32,916.00 - £51,356.00 plus TLR2 £14172.00

Head of Humanities job summary

We are looking to recruit a Head of Humanities. This is an exciting time to join us, and a great opportunity to be involved in the next stage of development of this strong team.

Our recent Ofsted inspection shows we have improved in all areas. Leadership, attendance and behaviour, inclusion, personal development and wellbeing were all graded ‘expected standard’ and we are committed to building on this success.  The Ofsted visit in January 2026 found that Smith's Wood Academy is the most improved school in England- after a dramatic and fast paced turnaround.

Key points from the report included that

"Staff know that their wellbeing and professional development matters deeply to leaders: They value the training that they receive and the opportunities that they have to pursue leaderships qualifications. Leaders have ensured that staff and pupils benefit from a happy and collaborative place to learn and work."

"Pupils' increasingly positive behaviour reflects the high expectations that leaders have of them."

"Pupils are calm and happy around the school. The school is a friendly, respectful community where pupils can be themselves. Pupils and staff share warm relationships. Increasingly, more pupils enjoy coming to this inclusive school. They speak positively about the support and care that they receive from staff. Pupils feel safe and well looked after."

Please see link below to the Academy Website and the full Ofsted Report. Smith's Wood Academy – Part of Fairfax Multi-Academy Trust. A comprehensive school based in Solihull, West Midlands.

The successful candidate will:

• Set high expectations which motivate and challenge students in a productive learning environment
• Promote good outcomes by students, planning well-structured lessons
• Demonstrate good subject and curriculum knowledge
• Adapt teaching to respond to the strengths and needs of all students
• Make accurate and productive use of assessment
• Fulfil wider professional responsibilities with high standards of personal and professional conduct

In return we will offer you:

• Access to support and guidance from other subject leaders across the MAT and form subject expertise within the Academy SLT
• Bespoke Continual Professional Development (in the academy and online via the National College)
• Perkbox example benefits;
• Discounts at nationwide retailers
• Gym discount
• Cinema discounts
• Employee assistance programme
• Up to 4 structured counselling sessions per year
• A MAT wide focus on staff well-being

Fairfax Multi-Academy Trust is committed to the safeguarding and welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. The successful candidate will therefore be required to undertake an Enhanced Disclosure via the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) as well as providing evidence of qualifications.

This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (2013 and 2020).

This means that certain convictions and cautions are considered ‘protected’ and do not need to be disclosed to employers, and if they are disclosed, employers cannot take them into account. Guidance about whether a conviction or caution should be disclosed can be found on the Ministry of Justice website: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/new-guidance-on-the-rehabilitation-of[1]offenders-act-1974

 

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

Fairfax Multi-Academy Trust is committed to the safeguarding and welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. The successful candidate will therefore be required to undertake an Enhanced Disclosure via the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) as well as providing evidence of qualifications.

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 Smith's Wood Academy

• School type: Academy, ages 11 to 16
• Education phase: Secondary school
• School size: 744 pupils enrolled
• Age range: 11 to 16
• Ofsted report: View Ofsted report
• School website: Smith's Wood Academy website
• See more jobs: teaching-vacancies.service.gov.uk/organisations/smith-s-wood-academy

Located in the north of Solihull and serving students from Years 7 to 11, Smith’s Wood is in a transitional state as we embark on our next phase of continued growth. One of the most improved schools for attendance in the Midlands, we’re proud of the collective spirit and high expectations that permeate our school. It’s an exciting time to join us in our mission to “enrich the lives and transform the futures” of our young people.

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