Head of Humanities

The Featherstone Academy, Pontefract, West Yorkshire, WF7 5AJ

19 days remaining to apply

• Start date details

  24.08.2026 or earlier if available

• Closing date

  5 March 2026 at 9am

• Date listed

  13 February 2026

Job details

• Job role:
  • Head of department or curriculum
• Visa sponsorship: Visas cannot be sponsored
• Key stage: Key stage 3, Key stage 4
• Working pattern: Full time
• Contract type: Permanent
• Full-time equivalent salary: MPS/UPS plus TLR 2b

Head of Humanities job summary

Head of Humanities

The Featherstone Academy, Pontefract Road, WF7 5AJ

 

We seek to appoint a Head of Humanities (with the ability to teach Geography) who is an inspiring and ambitious practitioner. We are passionate about providing every student with the opportunities to achieve their very best and we are looking for a colleague who shares this passion.

 

As Head of Humanities, you will:

·      Lead a skilled and dedicated team, offering guidance, support and examples of inspirational practice to colleagues.

·      Raise standards of student engagement, attainment and achievement in History.

·      Effectively evaluate the curriculum in History, Geography, RE, Travel and Tourism and strategically plan for its future development in-line with the Trust’s vision.

We have a reputation for high expectations for all, excellent staff/student relationships and a commitment to the personal and professional development of its staff. We believe that traditional values of discipline and respect are sacrosanct. We do not tolerate bullying, defiance or rudeness to staff and this has made for a harmonious and safe learning environment for our young people, and a supportive environment for staff. We are a happy and well-run organisation and this is an extremely exciting time to join us. Also, as a growing Multi-Academy Trust, there are always opportunities for career development and progression for ambitious and committed colleagues.

We want our staff to develop their pedagogy in a way that fits their own skills and expertise to benefit their students, but which is rooted in what we know impacts learning. We do not have a prescribed format for lessons but have a framework of excellence which underpins quality teaching.

The successful candidate will enjoy access to high quality CPD. You will also be joining a happy Trust where 95% of colleagues agreed that they enjoy working here and 92% would recommend us to a friend or colleague (taken from 2022 staff wellbeing survey).

Prospective candidates are welcome to contact Clare Thompson, PA to the Principal at: cthompson@featherstone.academy to arrange a discussion about this opportunity. 

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

Our organisation is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. We expect all staff, volunteers and trustees to share this commitment.

Our recruitment process follows the keeping children safe in education guidance.

Offers of employment may be subject to the following checks (where relevant):
childcare disqualification
Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS)
medical
online and social media
prohibition from teaching
right to work
satisfactory references
suitability to work with children

You must tell us about any unspent conviction, cautions, reprimands or warnings under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975.

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 The Featherstone Academy

• School type: Academy, ages 11 to 16
• Education phase: Secondary school
• School size: 524 pupils enrolled
• Age range: 11 to 16
• Ofsted report: View Ofsted report
• School website: The Featherstone Academy website
• See more jobs: teaching-vacancies.service.gov.uk/organisations/the-featherstone-academy

The Featherstone Academy is committed to the traditional values of discipline, good behaviour and respect. We believe these to be sacrosanct. These values have created a learning environment in which all students can succeed. This environment is supported by an imaginative and differentiated curriculum in all year groups.

The staff of The Featherstone Academy are committed to ensuring the students who attend the academy are successful and able to achieve their goals, through hard work, recognition of their individual success and a relentless drive to ensure student achievement.
The curriculum instils resilience in our students the moment they enter the school and is continuous through their time with us. Encompassed within this innovative curriculum is our belief in a growth mindset. The belief that intelligence is far from fixed or inherited but an area we can all improve if we work hard and learn from our mistakes.

We encourage our students to experiment and take risks in their learning to establish an environment where intelligent failure is just the start on the road to success.
The Featherstone Academy is a lively, community academy which thrives on the positive relationships with parents and carers that support us and their child’s learning. We have unashamedly high expectations of our staff and students and look to promote a school friendly home to nurture and challenge our students.
We are a small school with an inclusive culture and warm ethos which is recognised by all who visit. Yet we have big ambitions to be a beacon of learning, aspirations and success for our local community.

The Featherstone Academy is working as part of The Rodillian Multi Academy (RMAT) to build upon February 2017 OFSTED grading of Outstanding for personal development, behaviour and welfare, and Good overall to ensuring it continues to increase the life chances of the students of this local community.
The Rodillian Multi Academy (RMAT) is a family of schools whose aim is to throw horizons wide open for students, schools and staff. A strong focus on resilience, growth mindset and positive discipline, the Rodillian Ethos has helped to transform The Featherstone Academy – from its culture to their Ofsted ratings – as well as the lives of students and teachers.

As part of The Rodillian Multi Academy Trust we are committed to providing private school opportunities in a modern comprehensive environment. Working alongside one of the country’s leading academies we are at the forefront of school improvement.

School location

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