Head of Politics
West London Free School, London, W6 9LPThis job expired on 10 October 2024
Job start date
6 January 2025
Closing date
10 October 2024 at 7:19am
Date listed
13 September 2024
Job details
Job role
- Head of department or curriculum
Visa sponsorship
- Visas cannot be sponsored
Key stage
- Key stage 5
Subject
- Politics
Working pattern
- Full time: Our working day is 08.30 to 16.00, Monday to Friday.
Contract type
- Permanent
Full-time equivalent salary
- Commensurate with experience
Additional allowances
A TLR or £4,190.
What skills and experience we're looking for
Politics is a vital and vibrant subject at the West London Free School Sixth Form. We run two classes in both Year 12 and Year 13, with over 50 students studying the subject. Results are consistently amongst the strongest of our A-level subjects, with 67% of students gaining an A or A* in 2024, and 55% in 2023. We run politics trips throughout the year, and significant numbers of WLFS students go on to study politics-related subjects at university. This is a great opportunity to take on the leadership of an already successful department, take it onto its next stage. Currently, the Politics Department is run as a single teacher, but this needn’t necessarily be the case going forward. We would be interested to hear both from candidates who solely want to lead Politics as a standalone Department of one, or those who would like to combine teaching politics with other subjects.
Key characteristics of the role include:
- to impart your passion for Politics to the pupils you teach, whilst also ensuring their mastery of the subject.
- planning and delivering schemes of work for Key Stage 5 and monitoring their effectiveness.
- to monitor the progress of pupils according to the department and school assessment policy and to advise on set changes.
- to enhance the quality of teaching and learning in the Sixth Form by taking part in collaborative planning, sharing resources, mentoring and observing teachers, and participating in continuing professional development.
- to be a Sixth Form tutor, and work collaboratively with your year group team.
- to contribute to the wider school life, such as events, trips, and co-curricular clubs.
The successful candidate will have:
- strong subject knowledge, a passion for Politics, and an ability to communicate that passion to pupils;
- an ability to teach Politics at Key Stage 5 to a mixture of ability levels, including pupils with SEN;
- a proven track record of excellent Politics teaching and, where relevant, outstanding outcomes for pupils at both GCSE and A-level;
- an understanding of the ethos of the West London Free School, and a commitment to teaching a knowledge-based curriculum;
- high expectations of pupil conduct and behaviour;
- excellent team working skills;
- excellent communication skills with both pupils and staff;
- a willingness to contribute to the school’s co-curricular programme.
What the school offers its staff
The West London Free School offers academic excellence, attentive pastoral support and a thriving co-curricular programme, allowing pupils to become the best version of themselves. As a member of the Knowledge Schools Trust, we are driven by a common desire to overcome inequality of opportunity through education. We believe that knowledge is a good in and of itself, empowering pupils to understand and take an interest in the world around them. The education we offer is not just a preparation for work, but a preparation for life. As such, we value the knowledge of our teachers, and the passion for their subject that they bring to the classroom.
We offer a challenging curriculum, with a supportive environment, underpinned by fantastic teachers. Through this combination, pupils at the West London Free School excel. In 2024:
- A-level: 52% of entries were graded A* to A, and 83%% were graded A* to B.
- GCSE: 51% of entries were graded 9 to 7, and 90% were graded 9 to 4. Our Attainment 8 Grade was 6.4, placing us in the top 1% of comprehensive schools in the country.
- WLFS students went on to study at some of the best universities in the UK and abroad, with four students accepted to courses at Oxford or Cambridge in 2024.
At the West London Free School, we aim to build a culture of sustainable success. We have a stable body of staff who feel supported and fulfilled.
- Senior leaders see it as their responsibility to ensure all teachers can teach without disruption. School rules are non-negotiable, and poor behaviour is met by escalating sanctions.
- Our annual survey (conducted by EdSRS) revealed that 100% of teaching staff would recommend the WLFS to other teachers as a good place to work (84% nationally); 71% said that staff morale is high (47% nationally); and 87% said that the SLT are highly visible and approachable (71% nationally).
As well as a knowledge rich education, the WLFS runs an extensive co-curricular programme that encourages children to develop outside the classroom. The school specialises in music and offers a range of sporting opportunities as well as general interest clubs. All staff are encouraged to share their co-curricular enthusiasm by committing one hour a week to running a school club.
Commitment to safeguarding
The Knowledge Schools Trust is an equal opportunities employer. The Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, and applicants must be willing to undergo child protection screening appropriate to the post, including checks with past employers and the Disclosure and Barring Service. The post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the School is therefore permitted to ask job applicants to declare all convictions and cautions (including those which are "spent" unless they are "protected" under the DBS filtering rules) in order to assess their suitability to work with children.
Upload additional documents
If you need these documents in an accessible format, please contact the school.
About West London Free School
- School type
- Free School, ages 11 to 18
- Education phase
- Secondary
- School size
- 915 pupils enrolled
- Age range
- 11 to 18
- Ofsted report
- View Ofsted report (opens in new tab)
- School website
- West London Free School website (opens in new tab)
- Email address
- r.peal@wlfs.org
- Phone number
- 020 8600 0670
The WLFS is one of the pioneering schools in the country for delivering a knowledge-rich education to all pupils, irrespective of birth or background. At the WLFS, we pride ourselves on the quality of the curriculum; the excellent behaviour of the pupils; the support provided by senior leaders; and the trust that we place in staff. Our 2022 results showed that our approach to teaching is delivering results. At A-level, 45% of entries were graded A* to A, and 73% were graded A* to B. At GCSE, 49% of entries were graded 9 to 7, and 88% were graded 9 to 4. Progress 8 was 0.61. Our pupils go on to study at some of the best universities in the UK and abroad, with seven students accepted to courses at Oxford or Cambridge in 2022 alone. We look for talented and ambitious individuals who share our vision for creating an exceptional school, and are committed to ensuring that every child has access to the best possible education.
Arranging a visit to West London Free School
To arrange a visit and increase the chance of a successful application email r.peal@wlfs.org.
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