Head of Religious Studies

Chessington School, Chessington, Surrey, KT9 2JS

10 days remaining to apply

• Start date details

  September 2026

• Closing date

  15 May 2026 at 12pm (midday)

• Date listed

  5 May 2026

Job details

• Job role:
  • Teacher
• Visa sponsorship: Visas cannot be sponsored
• Subject: Religious education
• Working pattern: Full time
• Contract type: Permanent
• Full-time equivalent salary: Main or Upper scale dependent on experience.
• Additional allowances:

  Main or Upper scale dependent on experience.

Head of Religious Studies job summary

We are seeking to appoint a well-qualified, inspiring and ambitious Head of Religious Studies. This is an excellent opportunity to lead an increasingly popular subject at Chessington School, and to really add value to the Humanities faculty.

You will be an excellent teacher with a proven record of achieving outstanding outcomes for your students. You will have experience of raising achievement and maintaining high expectations for all students, and you will be passionate about your subject. This is a unique opportunity to join a community of staff striving to create a truly great comprehensive school.

Ideal candidates will:

Love Religious Studies in all its forms and be able to pass this passion on to our students

Be a leader that can lead strategically and deliver operationally

Lead by example and be an excellent Religious Studies teacher who inspires and engages within the classroom. Equally, you will provide a wide range of opportunities outside of the classroom

Have a track record of positive impact on student’s progress across the Religious Studies Department

Possess a strong desire to support and lead part of the Humanities Faculty, and play a key role in raising standards

Have demonstrable evidence of raising attainment and developing excellence within a team

Be passionate about developing their own practice and the teaching and learning practice of others

Communicate effectively to staff, students and parents

Lead the provision of an appropriately broad, balanced, relevant and inclusive Religious Studies curriculum which is accessible for all

Effectively manage and deploy financial and physical resources within the department to support the best outcomes of our students

The successful candidate:

will champion all of our young people

is passionate about the importance of education for all children

refuses to accept that disadvantage or SEND should limit ambition or potential is consistently an outstanding practitioner with a positive work ethic

is student centred and progress focused

stays solution based

is reflective, with a constant drive to improve

is a versatile professional who is flexible in their operational and strategic outlook

Why work at Chessington School:

Our students are wonderful. They love the school, their teachers and learning. £30 million state of the art modern facilities in an Ofsted rated ‘Good’ school Fantastic support from line managers and SLT who genuinely want to see you succeed and thrive.

Excellent opportunities for career progression and professional development in a successful family of schools within the Every Child Every Day Trust.

A school dedicated to well-being.. Increased length of October Half Term, workload reducing feedback strategies, Free gym membership, onsite childcare and more.

Please see our school video here

Here’s what our teachers say:

“I have been at this school for 9 years and I love it! It gets better and better each year without losing the supportive and caring environment” Head of Subject

I am in my ECT year. The CPD, support and commitment I get has been overwhelming. I made the right choice” ECT New Teacher

“This is the best school I have ever worked at” Deputy Headteacher

The Governing Body are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young persons and the Headteacher must ensure that the highest priority is given to following the guidance and regulations to safeguard children and young people. The successful candidate will be required to undergo an Enhanced Disclosure from the DBS.

We reserve the right to interview sooner should we receive an application from a suitable candidate.

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 Chessington School

• School type: Academies, ages 11 to 16
• Education phase: Secondary school
• School size: 676 pupils enrolled
• Age range: 11 to 16
• Ofsted report: View Ofsted report
• School website: Chessington School website
• See more jobs: teaching-vacancies.service.gov.uk/organisations/chessington-school-chessington

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