Teacher of Psychology

Matthew Arnold School, Oxford, Oxfordshire, OX2 9JE

9 days remaining to apply

• Closing date

  14 May 2026 at 12pm (midday)

• Date listed

  5 May 2026

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Job details

• Job role:
  • Teacher
  • Suitable for early career teachers
• Visa sponsorship: Visas cannot be sponsored
• Subject: Psychology
• Working pattern: Full time
• Contract type: Permanent
• Full-time equivalent salary: £32,916.00 - £51,043.00 Annually (Actual)

Teacher of Psychology job summary

Teacher of Psychology

Salary: £32,916 - £51,048
Start: September 2026
Interview Dates: Interviews are likely to take place during the week commencing 18th May

Matthew Arnold School reserves the right to interview applicants early and close the advert prior to the closing date, therefore we strongly encourage early applications.

The School

Matthew Arnold is a dynamic and high-performing community school on the outskirts of Oxford, seeking to appoint an inspiring Teacher of Psychology for September 2026. This is a fantastic opportunity for a passionate educator looking to begin or further develop their teaching career within a supportive and ambitious environment.

With over 1,300 students, Matthew Arnold is an oversubscribed and inclusive 11-18 school, proudly serving both urban and rural communities across west Oxford. The school has a strong reputation for academic excellence and a relentless focus on improving outcomes for all students, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds. A key driver of this success is the school’s commitment to continuous professional development. Staff are supported, challenged, and encouraged to grow, making Matthew Arnold an exceptional place to build a rewarding career in education.

The school is part of the Acer Trust, where collaboration across schools ensures shared expertise, innovation, and a commitment to making every school a great place to learn and work.

Introduction

• We offer successful and well-established GCSE and A courses.
• Matthew Arnold is highly regarded within the local community for both its academic outcomes and inclusive ethos.
• We are dedicated to improving student achievement while prioritising staff development and wellbeing.
• Our culture is friendly, collaborative, and supportive, with teachers working closely together to share best practice.
• As part of the Acer Trust, staff benefit from a wide range of cross-school professional development opportunities.
• Our comprehensive induction programme provides excellent support for Early Career Teachers (ECTs), ensuring a strong and confident start to their careers.

General Duties

Teachers are expected to carry out the professional duties as outlined in the School Teachers’ Pay and Conditions Document.

Teaching Duties

The postholder will be expected to teach any class that they are reasonably directed to teach, across the full age and ability range from KS3 to KS5, specifically Psychology at Key stage 5 plus another subject to KS3 and 4. The postholder will be expected to take responsibility for a tutor group.

Teachers must demonstrate the following:

• Set high expectations to inspire, motivate, and challenge pupils
• Promote strong progress and positive outcomes for all pupils
• Demonstrate secure subject and curriculum knowledge
• Plan and deliver engaging, well-structured lessons
• Adapt teaching to meet the strengths and needs of all learners
• Use assessment effectively to inform teaching and learning
• Manage behaviour in a positive and effective manner
• Fulfil wider professional responsibilities

Contribution to the Development of Psychology

• Contribute to the development of departmental schemes of work and high-quality teaching resources
• Support and contribute to extra-curricular initiatives and events that promote Psychology within the school and through external partnerships (e.g. OCL and Acer Trust)

Student Welfare and Development

• Take responsibility for a tutor group, supporting students’ academic progress, personal development, and wellbeing

General Responsibilities

• Follow school and departmental policies and procedures
• Engage actively in professional development and performance review processes
• Safeguard and promote the welfare of all students
• Comply with health and safety responsibilities, taking reasonable care for personal safety and the safety of others

How to Apply

Complete the application form on My New Term. For further inquiries, please contact Jeremiah at hrwest@acertrust.org.uk.

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 Matthew Arnold School

• School type: Academies, ages 11 to 18
• Education phase: Secondary school
• School size: 1250 pupils enrolled
• Age range: 11 to 18
• Ofsted report: View Ofsted report
• School website: Matthew Arnold School website
• See more jobs: teaching-vacancies.service.gov.uk/organisations/matthew-arnold-school-oxford

Matthew Arnold is a popular and successful school on the edge of Oxford with an excellent local reputation. We are focussed on improving outcomes for every student and are committed to staff development to support this.
The school is part of the Acer Trust family of schools so there is opportunity to share expertise and experiences and enjoy professional development with more than one school. Our induction programmes give strong support to NQTs.
We offer defined-benefit public sector pension schemes (Teachers Pension, Local Government Pension Scheme), a 24-hour Employee Assistance Programme, good bus links, car and cycle parking.

School location

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