Head of Religious Studies
West Hatch High School, Chigwell, Essex, IG7 5BT27 days remaining to apply
Job start date
1 September 2026
Closing date
23 February 2026 at 9am
Date listed
26 January 2026
Job details
Job role
- Head of department or curriculum
Visa sponsorship
- Skilled Worker visas can be sponsored
Key stage
- Key stage 3
Subject
- Religious education
Working pattern
- Full time
Contract type
- Permanent
Pay scale
- TBD
What skills and experience we're looking for
HEAD OF RELIGIOUS STUDIES
Required September 2026
We are seeking to appoint an Experienced Teacher
with the additional responsibility for
Head of Religious Studies - TLR2B - £6,809
The Religious Studies Department is a highly successful and well established part of the school, recognised for its consistently strong GCSE and A Level outcomes with vibrant and engaged teaching groups across the full range of qualifications. Our KS3 curriculum is broad, diverse, and thoughtfully designed, offering students meaningful opportunities to explore different faiths, ethical issues, and wider religious and philosophical topics. We are now seeking a dynamic Head of Religious Studies to build on this strong foundation and continue driving excellence within a thriving department.
We offer the following benefits:
- Newly built sports hall with fully fitted gym available for staff use,
- Swimming pool available for staff use,
- Banked cover scheme allowing staff to build time to take some term time days off,
- The Headteacher is mindful about staff workload and wellbeing and holds regular wellbeing meetings with staff,
- Minimal marking expectations,
- Additional CPD day to allow staff to mark mock internal examinations,
- All our teachers are provided with laptops and staff are welcome to work where and when they wish outside of school hours,
- We offer a significant number of paid development opportunities within departments and also across the school.
For more detailed information please see the additional information pack.
At West Hatch we believe in building strong relationships with students and going the extra mile to support students’ successes both in and outside of school.
The Governing Body is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff to share in the commitment. This appointment is subject to an enhanced DBS check and positive references.
Further details about this post and an Application Form are available by visiting our School website at www.westhatch.net
If you require additional information, please contact recruitment@westhatch.net
Closing date: Monday 23rd February 2026 at 9am
Early applications are encouraged as we will review applications as we receive them; and applicants may be contacted before the closing date.
What the school offers its staff
We offer the following benefits:
- Newly built sports hall with fully fitted gym available for staff use,
- Swimming pool available for staff use,
- Banked cover scheme allowing staff to build time to take some term time days off,
- The Headteacher is mindful about staff workload and wellbeing and holds regular wellbeing meetings with staff,
- Minimal marking expectations,
- Additional CPD day to allow staff to mark mock internal examinations,
- All our teachers are provided with laptops and staff are welcome to work where and when they wish outside of school hours,
- We offer a significant number of paid development opportunities within departments and also across the school.
Further information about the job
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 job requires you to download an application form, you will be able to upload the application once complete.
CVs will not be accepted for this application.
Upload additional documents
If you need these documents in an accessible format, please contact the school.
About West Hatch High School
- School type
- Academy, ages 11 to 18
- Education phase
- Secondary school
- School size
- 1564 pupils enrolled
- Age range
- 11 to 18
- Ofsted report
- View Ofsted report
- School website
- West Hatch High School website
- Email address
- recruitment@westhatch.net
- Phone number
- 02085048216
West Hatch High School is a large, thriving, successful, heavily oversubscribed Academy. West Hatch is situated on the Central Line overlooking the Roding Valley with easy access to London.
A significant building programme has resulted in refurbishment in Science, a new English block, a Business and Enterprise Centre, new Music block, Maths, Drama and Dining Block, and a new Sixth form Centre. In addition there has been a new Sports Centre opened.
School location
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