Head of Sociology

Lift Kingsley, Hounslow, TW3 1AX

14 days remaining to apply

• Start date details

  September 2026

• Closing date

  24 February 2026 at 9am

• Date listed

  10 February 2026

Job details

• Job role:
  • Head of department or curriculum
• Visa sponsorship: Skilled Worker visas can be sponsored
• Working pattern: Full time
• Contract type: Permanent
• Full-time equivalent salary: £32916 - £51048 per annum

Head of Sociology job summary

Salary: MPR /UPR +TLR2b + well-being cash plan + pension scheme (TPS) + additional Lift Schools benefits

Hours: Full Time

Contract type: Permanent

Start date: September 2026

We are seeking an inspirational practitioner with the vision, drive, and expertise to lead Sociology across the School. You will take responsibility for a small but highly successful and popular department, delivering Sociology at Key Stage 4 and Key Stage 5, with strong uptake and engagement at both levels.

The successful candidate will lead on curriculum design, raise standards of teaching and learning, and champion a culture of academic curiosity, critical thinking, and high expectations within the subject. You will play a key role in ensuring students achieve excellent outcomes while developing a deep understanding of the social world around them.

As Head of Sociology, you will also contribute to enrichment opportunities, supporting students beyond the classroom through wider reading, debate, and subject-specific experiences that bring Sociology to life.

What We're Looking For:

* An experienced Sociology specialist with a strong track record of excellent classroom practice at KS4 and KS5
* A motivating and strategic leader who can lead a small team and drive continued departmental success
* Someone who can build on the popularity and strong uptake of Sociology across the school
* A commitment to inclusive practice, ensuring all students are supported to succeed
* A collaborative and flexible approach, aligned with our values and ethos

About Lift Kingsley

We are incredibly proud of our students' phenomenal achievements and the progress the school has made in recent years. At Lift Kingsley, a warm and welcoming community, students benefit from excellent teaching, strong support, and positive staff-student relationships, achieving well above national averages.

Recognised by Ofsted (Good in all areas, 2025), Lift Kingsley has transformed rapidly and has outstanding potential. At the heart of our community, we develop knowledge, ambition, and kindness, preparing students for university and beyond.

Who is Lift Schools?

We're a diverse and inclusive network of schools with one clear mission; to provide an excellent education to every child - in every classroom, every day. And we do this across each of our 58 schools. As with our students, we want our team to be empowered to do their best work, supported by the best leadership they've ever had.

We acknowledge and appreciate the exceptional efforts of everyone here in making this an incredible organisation.

We offer you:

* Career development and training: Access a wide range of statutory and developmental training to boost your career.
* Our partnership with One World powers our innovative Instructional Excellence Program. We also offer a comprehensive range of CPD programs, including Ambition Institute's Early Career and NPQ offerings, tailored to both individual and network needs.
* Generous benefits: From your pension plan to healthcare and financial support, we've got you covered.
* Lifestyle perks: Enjoy discounted gym memberships, travel deals, and even electric vehicle incentives.

The role is due to commence September 2026. This is a full time, permanent position.

Closing date: 27 February 2026

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early should we receive an overwhelming response. All candidates are advised to refer to the job description and person specification before making an application.

Lift Schools are committed to ensuring the highest levels of safeguarding and promoting the welfare of our pupils, and we expect all our people and volunteers to share this commitment. We adopt a fair and consistent recruitment process which is inline with Keeping Children Safe in Education guidance. This includes online checks for shortlisted candidates. All offers of employment are subject to an Enhanced DBS check, references, and where applicable, a prohibition from teaching check.

Lift Schools embraces diversity and promotes equality of opportunity. Job share, part-time and flexible working opportunities will be considered.

We are a Disability Confident Employer and there is a guaranteed interview scheme for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.

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.

Skilled Worker visas can 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

Lift Schools are committed to ensuring the highest levels of safeguarding and promoting the welfare of our pupils, and we expect all our people and volunteers to share this commitment. We adopt a fair and consistent recruitment process which is in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education guidance. This includes online checks for shortlisted candidates. All offers of employment are subject to an Enhanced DBS check, references, and where applicable, a prohibition from teaching check.

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 Lift Kingsley

• School type: Academy, ages 11 to 18
• Education phase: Secondary school
• School size: 980 pupils enrolled
• Age range: 11 to 18
• Ofsted report: View Ofsted report
• School website: Lift Kingsley website
• See more jobs: teaching-vacancies.service.gov.uk/organisations/kingsley-academy

Lift Kingsley is a thriving 11–18 secondary school rooted in the local community, focused on developing knowledge, ambition, and kindness. Staff at Kingsley are collaborative, well-supported, and deeply invested in our shared vision for student success.

Lift Kingsley is rated 'Good' by Ofsted in all areas and is proudly part of Lift Schools. Since 2019, the academy has made rapid and impressive progress, reflected in significant academic improvements and growing student numbers across all year groups. With a culture of high expectations and no excuses, we are unapologetically ambitious for every student.

Our mission is to deliver academic excellence through a broad, balanced and aspirational curriculum that prepares students for success—whether that’s at top universities like Oxford and King’s College, or in high-quality careers supported by our strong employer partnerships. Beyond the classroom, students benefit from a rich extra-curricular offer designed to build skills, confidence and ambition.

Our Culture
We are committed to disruption-free classrooms, where teachers can teach and students can learn without compromise. At the heart of our school is our ‘DNA’, a set of shared values that guide all we do:

Walk the Talk – We model the standards we expect
High Expectations – We never lower the bar for anyone
No Excuses – We believe every student can succeed
Outstanding Learning – Excellent teaching is our core purpose
WHY JOIN OUR ACADEMY

Who is Lift Schools?

Lift Schools is made up of 57 primary, secondary and special schools, educating more than 33,000 pupils across the country. We believe education can transform lives – and we want every child in our schools to achieve their full potential.

Our mission:

We will provide an excellent education to every child, in every classroom, every day.
With excellent leadership and teaching in every school, we will help children go on to lead successful and happy lives.
We will work with others beyond our network to benefit more children and communities.

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