Lead in Religious Studies
The King Alfred School an Academy, Highbridge, Somerset, TA9 3EE17 days remaining to apply
Job start date
1 September 2026
Closing date
22 March 2026 at 11:59pm
Date listed
5 March 2026
Job details
Job role
- Teacher
Visa sponsorship
- Visas cannot be sponsored
Key stage
- Key stage 3, Key stage 4, Key stage 5
Subject
- Religious education
Working pattern
- Full time
Contract type
- Permanent
Full-time equivalent salary
- TMS - UPS plus TLR 2.1 for Lead Responsibilities i
Lead in Religious Studies job summary
Permanent
Full time 1.0 FTE
TMS - UPS plus TLR 2.1 for Lead Responsibilities in Religious Studies
Plus various Company Benefits
Are you an inspiring educator with a passion for exploring the "big questions" and a drive to lead a core pillar of our school’s community?
The Priory Learning Trust (Somerset Business Award winner for Employer of the Year) is looking to recruit a Lead in Religious Studies to work at The King Alfred School - An Academy, rated 'Good' by Ofsted November 2022. A school at the heart of the community, where we believe it is our role to develop the next generation into successful citizens.
Our Lead will deliver high-quality, thought-provoking instruction across Key Stages 3, 4, and 5. This is a pivotal role for a practitioner who believes that RS is not just a subject, but a vital tool for navigating the complexities of the modern world.
As the Lead in RS, you will be responsible for the strategic direction of the department, ensuring our curriculum is inclusive, academically rigorous, and engaging.
As part of this role, you will:
- Lead Curriculum Innovation across KS3, KS4, and KS5: Design and deliver a high-quality, rigorous RS curriculum - from sparking foundational curiosity in world religions to mastering sophisticated A-Level Philosophy and Ethics - that prepares students for higher education and beyond.
- Drive Academic Excellence & Critical Thinking: Lead GCSE and A-Level cohorts to success by setting ambitious progress goals and fostering deep analytical skills through purposeful, well-planned, and challenging lessons.
- Foster an Inspiring & Inclusive Learning Environment: Create a positive classroom culture with high expectations for behavior, utilizing inspiring teaching and productive relationships to maintain a disciplined and focused atmosphere.
- Provide Tailored & Responsive Instruction: Identify and meet the diverse needs of all learners, including those with IEPs, by specifying clear objectives and adapting teaching strategies to ensure every student is supported and challenged.
The successful candidate will have:
- Qualified Teacher Status.
- Be an expert communicator capable of handling sensitive topics with nuance, and a leader who can champion the importance of Religious Studies within the wider school life.
- Relevant teaching experience in KS3 and KS4 (KS5 would be desired but not essential).
For a comprehensive list of responsibilities and required qualifications, please refer to the attached Job Description and Person Specification.
We pride ourselves on being a flexible employer and creating a supportive, team-focused environment that values staff wellbeing. TPLT strives to accommodate a variety of working arrangements, so we encourage you to apply.
At the Priory Learning Trust, we offer an incredible, comprehensive employee benefits package. This includes..
- The PLaTform -Access to our dedicated wellbeing centre & exclusive shopping discounts.
- Healthshield - Funded Healthcare Scheme for employees and all dependents, which provides services such as a 24/7 GP Line & Healthcare cashback.
- Discounted nursery fees for parents AND grandparents at our Academy pre schools.
- Contributory pension scheme offering generous employer contribution rates.
- CPD opportunities both internally & externally.
- A very friendly school community with dedicated, supportive & inspiring colleagues.
- Health & Fitness offers, including incredible discounts on @Worle Sports Centre and Nuffield Health, and a Cycle 2 Work Scheme.
- Flu vaccinations.
About The Priory Learning Trust:
TPLT grew from an intent to bring the power of partnership and sharing to bear and provide a first-class education to a wide range of children, from all backgrounds.
At our heart is a passion to put ‘Students First’ and deliver exceptional education; beyond outstanding for every single child. We do this with a relentless drive for academic excellence, shared moral purpose and values combined with lots of fun and happiness. We believe that happy schools are also high-achieving, successful schools.
We strive for partnerships between students, families, staff and the wider community to create exceptional student outcomes. We also ‘cherish’ our staff. We believe they are amazing and are passionate to empower them through support, training, and career opportunities. With such brilliant people all aiming for the same goals, we are able to ensure every student achieves all that they are capable of and more, regardless of their background.
Early applications are encouraged as we reserve the right to close the vacancy early.
The Priory Learning Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. All roles across the trust have a varying level of responsibility for ensuring safeguarding practice, with some roles holding significant responsibility and involving working with children on a daily basis in regulated activity. Regardless of the level of responsibility and involvement in each role, we expect all staff, visiting professionals and volunteers to share this commitment.
This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (ROA) 1974. Successful candidates will be required to provide a disclosure of any unspent convictions and cautions, as well as any spent convictions or cautions that are not ‘protected’ (i.e.filtered) under the Amendments to the Exceptions Order 1975 (2013 and 2020).
All appointments are subject to a comprehensive pre-employment checking process. This includes an Enhanced DBS check (including a Children’s Barred List check), satisfactory references, medical fitness, Right to Work in the UK, and where applicable, a prohibition from teaching/management check. In line with KCSIE guidance, we will also conduct online searches on all shortlisted candidates.
Our full Recruitment and Selection policy is available on our website.
This role involves working with children on a daily basis and is therefore in regulated activity.
Closing Date: 22nd March 2026
Proposed Interview Date: 27th March 2026
Proposed Start Date: 1st September 2026
Further information about the job
Commitment to safeguarding
The Priory Learning Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
All paid positions which involve working regularly within academies are exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. You must declare all convictions (including convictions with Absolute Discharge), cautions or bind-overs you may have, even if they would otherwise be regarded as ‘Spent’ under this Act and where applicable any disqualifications under the Childcare Act.
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.
View advert on external website (opens in new tab)About The King Alfred School an Academy
- School type
- Academy, ages 11 to 18
- Education phase
- Secondary school
- School size
- 1294 pupils enrolled
- Age range
- 11 to 18
- Ofsted report
- View Ofsted report
- School website
- The King Alfred School an Academy website
The King Alfred School – an academy and part of the Priory Learning Trust is a thriving 11-18 mixed comprehensive with 1217 students on roll serving the towns of Burnham on Sea and Highbridge.
School location
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