Teacher of Religious Studies - Maternity Cover

Copthall School, London, NW7 2EP

6 days remaining to apply

• Start date details

  December 2026 / January 2027

• Closing date

  16 November 2026 at 12pm (midday)

• Date listed

  10 November 2026

Job details

• Job role:
  • Teacher or lecturer
• 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: Fixed term - 4 months plus - Maternity or parental leave cover
• Pay scale: Full Time / Part Time MPR/UPR

What skills and experience we're looking for

hank you for expressing an interest in the post of Teacher of Religious Studies at Copthall School.

Copthall School is a successful, welcoming and thriving secondary school in Barnet London, proudly judged as a good school by OFSTED. We are a vibrant and ambitious learning community, committed to securing the highest standards of achievement and personal development for all students.

Information about the position

Applications are invited from a dynamic, enthusiastic and student focused practitioner who will be committed to the RE Curriculum area for a period of maternity cover.

We are looking to recruit a passionate, outward looking Teacher of Religious Studies who has a track record of inspiring young people through their teaching and supporting students to make outstanding progress.

At Copthall school, we work hard to ensure all girls receive an excellent education which will open myriad opportunities for them, post-18.

We recognise the role education can play in addressing social inequalities and being a culturally diverse girls’ school, Religious Studies plays a significant part in celebrating and supporting the wide range of cultures that our students represent. Through our Religious Studies curriculum, we support our young people to better understand the world around them.

Religious Studies is popular across our school community and is taught as a core subject across Key Stages 3 and 4 as well as us offering a GCSE pathway in Key Stage 4.

The successful candidate will have experience with curriculum development, a clear understanding of national statutory expectations surrounding the content of Religious Studies in school and the ability to lead and grow the department. They should also have an infectious passion for their subject with a willingness to building partnerships across the local community.

Academic excellence, inclusivity, and strong pastoral care is what we are renowned for. We create a safe and nurturing space, and we work in partnership with a range of organisations and companies to build our students’ confidence, broaden their experiences and develop their curious minds. We believe that all students can achieve highly regardless of their starting points. Our commitment to this belief underpins all aspects of our work with students, staff and families.

What you can offer:

• Proven experience within a secondary school setting, with a track record of impact and improvement
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to inspire, motivate and influence others
• A strategic and forward-thinking approach to school improvement and educational excellence
• High levels of resilience, adaptability, and professionalism in a demanding environment
• Strong organisational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities effectively
• A commitment to inclusion, ensuring all students are supported to achieve their full potential
• A passion for education and a commitment to the ethos and values of Copthall School

Reasons to work at Copthall school:

• Two-week October half-term holiday;
• Automatic pay progression up the main teaching pay scale;
• Support you with career progression,
• Department offices;
• A fortnightly CPD programme;
• Subsidies for appropriate academic studies;
• Staff social and wellbeing events led by our staff wellbeing team
• Annual paid wellbeing day for all staff
• Large on-site staff car park and local transport links
• Secure bike shed for those who cycle to work
• Opportunity to undertake a lunchtime duty for payment and a lunch voucher
• Free subscription to the Employee Assistance Programme for individual advice/counselling;
• Free access to the Education Support Partnership for advice on work and personal matters;
• Flexible working opportunities.
• Balanced and well-planned calendar - deadlines and parents' evenings are well spaced out
• Email protocol, no expectation to reply to evening, weekend and holiday emails;
• Opportunity to participate and lead a wide variety of extracurricular activities;
• Opportunity to lead and accompany students on trips in UK and abroad;
• Working area in staff room with computers and printers;
• Free tea and coffee;
• Photocopiers at various points around the school areas;
• Use of RM Unify to reduce workload and increase collaborative sharing e.g. SharePoint, Teams, Evolve
• Receipt of personal deliveries to school;
• Induction days for all staff before starting work;
• Staff wellbeing garden and room;

What the school offers its staff

What we can offer:

• A welcoming, inclusive, and highly supportive school community
• A strong and experienced leadership team committed to staff development and wellbeing
• The opportunity to make a meaningful impact on whole-school improvement and student outcomes
• High-quality professional development
• Visits to the school prior to application are welcomed and encouraged
• A collaborative culture where innovation, creativity, and new ideas are encouraged and valued
• Motivated and aspirational students who are eager to learn and achieve
• A well-resourced school environment that supports effective teaching and leadership
• A commitment to work-life balance and staff wellbeing initiatives
• Excellent opportunities to work with colleagues across a range of specialisms and leadership areas

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

Copthall School is committed to promoting equality, challenging discrimination and developing community cohesion. We welcome applications from all sections of the community. We are committed to promoting safeguarding and the protection of children and vulnerable adults.

Applying for the job

Apply for the job by following the link below.

CVs will not be accepted for this application.

About Copthall School

• Organisation type: Academy, ages 11 to 18
• Education phase: Secondary school
• Size: 829 pupils enrolled
• Age range: 11 to 18
• Ofsted report: View Ofsted report
• Website: Copthall School website
• Email address: recruitment@copthall.barnet.sch.uk
• Phone number: 02089591937
• See more jobs: teaching-vacancies.service.gov.uk/organisations/copthall-school-london

We are an exceptionally diverse, comprehensive, inclusive school rooted in the local community which over the past five years has seen superb outcomes for our young people. We believe that all students can achieve highly regardless of their starting points. Our commitment to this belief underpins all aspects of our work with students, staff and families.

Copthall School prides itself on educating 21st century women for successful careers in STEM, human, social and health sciences, performing arts and creative industries.

Copthall is a beacon of success and has been featured regularly on a range of media platforms: https://www.copthallschool.org.uk/238/news-events. Our commitment to staff development and staff welfare is exceptionally strong and is evident in the calm and purposeful atmosphere you will find at our school. We are looking for staff who are committed to developing confident and capable learners and who are prepared to work hard for every single student.

At Copthall, all staff, whether in teaching or support roles, are highly valued and their contribution to our students is appreciated by the whole school community. The school provides an environment for staff to thrive and develop professionally, whilst enhancing the experience of Copthall students.

Arranging a visit to Copthall School

To arrange a visit and increase the chance of a successful application email recruitment@copthall.barnet.sch.uk.

School location

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