Head of SMSC (including Statutory RE & PSHE)

Penair School, Truro, Cornwall, TR1 1TN

25 days remaining to apply

• Job start date

  3 September 2026

• Closing date

  20 April 2026 at 9am

• Date listed

  26 March 2026

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Job details

• Job role:
  • Teacher
  • Head of department or curriculum
  • Suitable for early career teachers
• Visa sponsorship: Visas cannot be sponsored
• Key stage: Key stage 3, Key stage 4
• Subjects: Citizenship, Health and social care, PSHE, Religious education
• Working pattern: Full time
• Contract type: Permanent
• Pay scale: MPS
• Additional allowances:

  TLR2 (£5,875.51)

What skills and experience we're looking for

We are looking for an ambitious and inspiring leader to take on the role of Head of SMSC and drive our whole‑school vision for Personal Development. This is an exciting opportunity to shape a high‑impact curriculum that empowers students to thrive in modern Britain.

As Head of SMSC, you will lead the strategic development of Religion & World Views (RE), PSHE and Citizenship, ensuring a cohesive, values‑driven curriculum across all key stages. You will play a central role in shaping students’ character, wellbeing and aspirations, while ensuring statutory requirements for RE and PSHE are fully met.

You will teach within the Humanities faculty and provide leadership across the Personal Development team, including line management of staff delivering RE, PSHE, Citizenship and Health & Social Care. This is a high‑profile role with significant whole‑school influence, ideal for someone who is passionate about developing young people and raising the profile of SMSC.

If you are a motivated, forward‑thinking practitioner with the vision to lead an ambitious Personal Development offer, we would be delighted to hear from you.

What the school offers its staff

-A collaborative, supportive team with a passion for teaching and facilitating progress

-Opportunities to discuss flexible working

-CPD: A culture based on the best evidence-informed teacher development, to help you be be the best you can be

-Staff wellbeing: Champions and mental health first aiders are on site. We have regular staff events and an active staff voice.

-Free parking

-Use of school gym equipment out of school hours

Flexible working opportunities

We foster a culture whereby we are open to discuss and consider flexible working with all our team

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.

Job Purpose

To be an ambitious and inspiring leader to drive our whole‑school SMSC vision. As Head of SMSC, you will lead the strategic development of Religion and World Views (RE), PSHE and Citizenship, ensuring a cohesive and impactful Personal Development curriculum across all key stages.

The post holder will ensure that RE and PSHE meet statutory requirements, reflect national and local guidance, and contribute meaningfully to the wider personal development of all students.

You will teach within the Humanities faculty and play a central role in shaping students’ character, values and aspirations. The role will also include line management of staff delivering Religion and World Views (RE), PSHE, Citizenship and Health & Social Care. This is an exciting opportunity to influence whole‑school culture and deliver a personal development offer that prepares students to thrive in modern Britain

Core Responsibilities:

1. Strategic Leadership of SMSC, RE, PSHE and Citizenship

• Lead the whole‑school vision, direction and development of SMSC, ensuring that Religion & World Views (RE), PSHE and Citizenship are delivered to a high standard and in line with statutory guidance.
• Drive a cohesive and impactful Personal Development curriculum across all key stages, ensuring it reflects the school’s values and prepares students to thrive in modern Britain.
• Take responsibility for “the development of students’ spiritual, moral, social and cultural development across the curriculum”.
• Ensure all policies and procedures relating to RE, PSHE, RSE and Citizenship are understood, implemented and regularly reviewed.
• Keep up to date with national and local developments in RE, PSHE, RSE, Citizenship, British Values and SMSC, advising SLT on implications for curriculum and practice.
• Raise the profile of RE, PSHE, Citizenship and SMSC across the school, ensuring consistent visibility and impact.

2. Curriculum Design & Quality Assurance

• Lead the design, review and implementation of schemes of learning for RE, PSHE and Citizenship, ensuring they reflect statutory and non‑statutory guidance.
• Oversee long‑term curriculum planning for Personal Development, ensuring coherence, progression and high expectations across all key stages.
• Ensure curriculum content reflects and responds to guidance from the DfE, Ofsted and SACRE as it is published.
• Monitor teaching and learning within RE, PSHE and Citizenship, ensuring consistently high‑quality provision and supporting staff to improve practice.
• Lead behaviour management strategy within the SMSC and Personal Development areas, aligned with whole‑school policy.

3. Teaching & Learning

• Deliver consistently good or better lessons within RE and/or PSHE as part of the Humanities faculty.
• Model excellent practice and support colleagues in improving pedagogy, adaptive teaching and assessment within Personal Development subjects.
• Ensure that RE, PSHE and Citizenship teaching promotes inclusion, equality and respect, enabling students to become “effective citizens in modern Britain”.

4. Assessment, Data & Reporting

• Oversee assessment systems for RE, PSHE and Citizenship, ensuring accuracy, consistency and meaningful feedback.
• Analyse student progress data, including for vulnerable groups (FSM, PP, SEND, CLA, EAL), and implement strategies to address underachievement.
• Ensure statutory reporting requirements for RE and PSHE are met and contribute to reporting on Personal Development outcomes.

5. Staff Leadership & Professional Development

• Lead and develop the Personal Development team, including staff delivering RE, PSHE, Citizenship and Health & Social Care.
• Provide coaching, mentoring and professional development opportunities to strengthen teaching and leadership capacity.
• Lead team meetings and contribute to whole‑school INSET, promoting high‑quality SMSC and Personal Development practice.
• Undertake performance management responsibilities in line with school policy, ensuring high expectations and accountability.

6. Wider School Contribution

• Strengthen links with external agencies, community groups and visiting speakers to enhance RE, PSHE, Citizenship and SMSC provision.
• Work closely with pastoral teams to ensure alignment between SMSC, assemblies, tutor time, Careers and the wider Personal Development offer.
• Contribute to the school’s self‑evaluation processes, improvement planning and preparation for Ofsted, particularly within Personal Development and SMSC.

General Teaching Duties

In addition to leadership responsibilities, the post holder will fulfil the professional duties of a qualified teacher, including:

• Managing student learning through effective teaching.
• Setting high expectations and ensuring progress for all learners.
• Using assessment to inform planning and improve outcomes.
• Maintaining up‑to‑date subject knowledge.
• Upholding professional standards and safeguarding responsibilities.

Person Specification:

CATEGORY

ESSENTIAL

DESIRABLE

Qualifications & Training

• Qualified Teacher Status (QTS)
• Degree in a relevant subject (e.g., RE, Humanities, Social Sciences, PSHE‑related field)
• Evidence of ongoing professional development
• Further qualifications in leadership, RE, PSHE, Citizenship or related fields
• NPQML/NPQSL or equivalent leadership training

Experience

• Successful teaching experience in RE and/or PSHE • Experience contributing to curriculum development
• Experience leading initiatives that improve teaching, learning or student outcomes • Experience working with statutory guidance for RE, PSHE and RSE
• Experience of middle leadership or subject leadership
• Experience line managing staff or leading teams
• Experience delivering or overseeing Health & Social Care, Citizenship or Careers provision
• Experience working with external agencies, SACRE, community partners or multi‑agency teams

Knowledge & Understanding

• Strong understanding of statutory requirements for RE, PSHE and RSE
• Clear understanding of SMSC and its role within the Ofsted framework
• Knowledge of effective curriculum design and sequencing
• Understanding of safeguarding and child protection responsibilities
• Understanding of how Personal Development prepares students for life in modern Britain
• Knowledge of Careers education, Gatsby Benchmarks or wider Personal Development frameworks
• Understanding of assessment models in RE, PSHE and Citizenship
• Awareness of local and national developments in RE, PSHE, Citizenship and SMSC

Leadership & Management Skills

• Ability to lead, motivate and inspire staff and students
• Ability to articulate and drive a whole‑school vision for SMSC and Personal Development
• Strong organisational and strategic planning skills
• Ability to monitor, evaluate and improve curriculum provision
• Ability to hold staff to account through effective line management
• Experience leading cross‑curricular or whole‑school initiatives
• Experience managing performance or supporting staff development

Teaching & Learning Skills

• Ability to deliver consistently good or better lessons
• Strong pedagogical understanding, including adaptive teaching and assessment for learning
• Ability to model excellent practice and support colleagues to improve
• Commitment to inclusive practice and promoting equality and respect
• Experience mentoring ECTs or supporting trainee teachers
• Experience developing teaching resources or leading CPD

Personal Qualities

• Ambitious, enthusiastic and committed to student personal development
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Ability to build positive relationships with students, staff, families and external partners
• Reflective, resilient and solution‑focused
• High professional standards and integrity
• Ability to contribute to wider school life, enrichment and community engagement

Safeguarding & Ethos

• Commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children
• Commitment to promoting British Values, equality and diversity
• Alignment with the school’s ethos, values and vision for Personal Development
• Experience contributing to safeguarding processes or pastoral systems

Commitment to safeguarding

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of our young people and we expect staff to share this commitment. An enhanced DBS check and on-line check is required for this post.

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.

About Penair School

• School type: Academy, ages 11 to 16
• Education phase: Secondary school
• School size: 1239 pupils enrolled
• Age range: 11 to 16
• Ofsted report: View Ofsted report
• School website: Penair School website
• Email address: eallan@penair.cornwall.sch.uk
• Phone number: 01872 274737
• See more jobs: teaching-vacancies.service.gov.uk/organisations/penair-school

11-16 Secondary School

Arranging a visit to Penair School

To arrange a visit and increase the chance of a successful application email eallan@penair.cornwall.sch.uk.

School location

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