Head of Religious Studies

Mercia School, Sheffield, S7 2DY

29 days remaining to apply

• Job start date

  1 September 2025

• Closing date

  6 March 2025 at 11:59pm

• Date listed

  5 February 2025

Job details

• Job role:
  • Teacher
  • Head of department or curriculum
• Visa sponsorship: Visas cannot be sponsored
• Key stage: Key stage 3, Key stage 4, Key stage 5
• Subject: Religious education
• Working pattern: Full time: 32.5 hours per week, Monday to Friday
• Contract type: Permanent
• Full-time equivalent salary: £31,650 to £49,084
• Pay scale: MPS1 to UPS3
• Additional allowances:

  TLR2b £5,647

What skills and experience we're looking for

• Degree in religious studies or a relevant equivalent (2:1 degree as a minimum is desirable)

• Qualified teacher status

• Recent and relevant CPD

• Highly effective communication skills

• Able to use/learn and adopt traditional pedagogical approaches

• Clear commitment to and understanding of child protection matters

• Exceptional subject knowledge and knowledge of the National Curriculum

• Knowledge of current initiatives relating to achievement and inclusion

• Knowledge of relevant GCSE or A Level syllabus and assessment

• Teaching religious studies to a full range of age and prior attainment within a secondary school

• Evidence of strong pupil progress, outcomes and examination success for all

• Clear understanding of working effectively with the leadership team

• Proven record of being transparent, approachable, and accountable

• High expectations which motivate and challenge pupils

• Ability to receive and act on feedback

• Sense of humour and perspective

• Strong attention to detail

• Aligned to values of our trust and schools

What the school offers its staff

Reasons to join Mercia School:

• Outstanding School - Mercia is one of a small number of schools that is graded as outstanding. You will have access to sector-leading practice
• Team - You will join an ambitious, talented and positive team of leaders and staff.
• Support - Leaders and teachers have fantastic initial and on-going support to fulfil their roles. Senior Leaders work hard to support teachers and ensure their time is protected.
• Exceptional behaviour - Pupils at Mercia behave impeccably. We believe teachers should be able to teach and pupils should have an appetite to learn. Our centralised and consistent behaviour systems improve wellbeing for all.
• Workload - We remove all unnecessary tasks that take time away from supporting pupil learning. We have reduced data and administration tasks. Teachers have lower contact ratios compared to most schools, so they have more time to prepare great lessons. Teacher time is focussed on teaching and supporting pupils throughout the day.
• Time - We have a longer school day which is designed to support pupils and staff. Within this time all pupils receive great lessons, access a full enrichment programme and undertake homework in assisted 'self -study
• Professional Development - All staff receive an exceptional induction, and consistent on-going support and CPD. You will work alongside exceptional colleagues.
• High retention - Staff retention is high as staff are happy and proud of their school. They have a good work life balance and have a sense of belonging. We are all driven and motivated by our mission.
• Family Dining - Family dining is special. We all eat together as a family and collectively show gratitude to our community. Teachers are catered for free of charge.
• Enrichment - Teachers teach and lead pupils in their areas of interest or expertise outside of the 'normal' curriculum. Teachers offer sport, STEM, music, drama, the arts and much more. Strong relationships are built and forged in these moments.

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

Apply for the job by following the link below.

CVs are not accepted.

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.

Upload additional documents

If you need these documents in an accessible format, please contact the school.

Mercia School Recruitment Information Booklet_compressed.pdf - 1.77 MB (opens in new tab)

Mercia Head of RS February 2025.pdf - 288 KB (opens in new tab)

About Mercia School

• School type: Free School, ages 11 to 18
• Education phase: Secondary
• School size: 912 pupils enrolled
• Age range: 11 to 18
• Ofsted report: View Ofsted report (opens in new tab)
• School website: Mercia School website (opens in new tab)
• Email address: recruitment@merciatrust.co.uk
• See more jobs: teaching-vacancies.service.gov.uk/organisations/mercia-school (opens in new tab)

At Mercia School we offer an education that is traditional and academically rigorous.

It is our belief that all pupils, whatever their background, have a right to a culturally rich education.

We strive to ensure all pupils can access the very best universities in the land, or a valuable alternative.

School location

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