Teacher of Sociology & Politics
Oakwood Park Grammar School, Maidstone, Kent, ME16 8AH22 days remaining to apply
Start date details
Easter or September 2027
Closing date
4 December 2026 at 11:59pm
Date listed
3 November 2026
Job details
Job role
- Head of department or curriculum
Visa sponsorship
- Visas cannot be sponsored
Key stage
- Key stage 5
Subjects
- Politics, Sociology
Working pattern
- Full time
Contract type
- Permanent
Pay scale
- MPS or UPS
What skills and experience we're looking for
Are you an ambitious, enthusiastic and talented teacher of Sociology and Politics looking for an exciting opportunity to join a high-performing grammar school?
Oakwood Park Grammar School is seeking to appoint an inspirational and committed Teacher of Sociology and Politics from Easter 2027. This is an excellent opportunity to join a successful and ambitious department within a selective boys' grammar school, where students are highly motivated, academically able and eager to achieve their potential.
As a selective grammar school, we have exceptionally high aspirations for all our students. Our academic outcomes are consistently strong, and the Sociology and Politics department has an outstanding track record of achievement, delivering exceptional examination results and enabling students to progress to ambitious destinations.
We are looking for a teacher who:
- Has a genuine passion for Sociology and Politics and the ability to inspire students through engaging, challenging and stimulating teaching.
- Has excellent subject knowledge and a commitment to delivering outstanding outcomes.
- Is ambitious for students and enjoys working with highly able and motivated learners.
- Is committed to developing students' critical thinking, analytical skills and wider understanding of the world around them.
- Is an enthusiastic team player who will contribute positively to the continued success and development of the department.
In return, we offer the opportunity to work within a supportive and collaborative school community, alongside dedicated colleagues and exceptional students. You will join a school committed to professional learning, continuous improvement and providing an outstanding educational experience.
This is an exciting opportunity to become part of a department with an established record of exceptional outcomes and to contribute to the continued success of Sociology and Politics at Oakwood Park Grammar School.
To apply: Applicants should submit an Application Form and a supporting letter to the Headteacher outlining their suitability for the role. The Application Form is available on our website Oakwood Park Grammar School - Vacancies. Please email both documents to the Headteacher’s PA, abaker@opgs.org.
Deadline: 4 December 2026
Start date: Easter 2027 or September 2027
Salary: Main Pay Scale / Upper Pay Scale
Oakwood Park Grammar School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. All appointments are subject to satisfactory pre-employment checks, including an enhanced DBS check.
We reserve the right to bring forward the closing date of adverts and to appoint early should we receive a sufficient level of interest.
What the school offers its staff
We offer:
- Highly motivated, able and enthusiastic students.
- Two successful departments with a strong record of exceptional outcomes.
- A supportive and collaborative professional environment.
- Opportunities for professional development and career progression.
- A school committed to continuous improvement and academic excellence.
- A Wellbeing Charter to ensure the work-life of all staff is protected.
The post is available from Easter or September 2027, depending on the successful candidate.
Apply by the 4 December at 11.59pm using an application form and letter addressed to the Headteacher outlining suitability for the role.
If you are passionate about the Social Sciences and have the ambition and expertise to lead two successful departments, we would be delighted to hear from you.
Oakwood Park Grammar School – Strive and Serve
Further information about the job
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 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.
Additional documents
If you need these documents in an accessible format, please contact the school.
About Oakwood Park Grammar School
- Organisation type
- Academy, ages 11 to 18
- Education phase
- Secondary school
- Size
- 1100 pupils enrolled
- Age range
- 11 to 18
- Ofsted report
- View Ofsted report
- Email address
- abaker@opgs.org
Oakwood Park Grammar School is a five-form entry (usually 160 in each year) Boys’ Grammar School of approximately 1100 students, including the Sixth Form. We have a co-educational Sixth Form with a pan of 180 in each year group. Entry at 11 to the school is through the Kent Test (11+) where students sit three papers in Mathematics, English and Reasoning.
We have been on the site since 1959 and we share an attractive campus with two schools (St Augustine Academy and St Simon Stock) and a college of Further Education (Mid-Kent College). We remain committed to improving school facilities and providing high quality learning environments for our students. Our teaching and support staff are dedicated and hardworking and very loyal to the school.
Oakwood Park Grammar School has a wealth of extra-curricular activities for its students. Sport is very strong with national success in football, alongside rugby, cricket, basketball and athletics. We also cater for rowing, fencing, table tennis and climbing. Music and Drama are also popular with an annual production and brand new facilities which opened in October 2023. Other extra-curricular opportunities include robotics, debating and chess.
Academic standards are high at both GCSE and A Level. In the Sixth Form, on average, well over half of our students who apply to universities will secure offers from prestigious Russell Group universities and we regularly send students to Oxbridge colleges.
In 2024, an ungraded inspection made clear the school continues to be ‘Good’ overall by Ofsted. However, our grading of Outstanding for our Behaviour and our Sixth Form provision remains.
We are a welcoming, open school with a clear focus on developing staff, with teaching and learning at the heart of our professional development.
Arranging a visit to Oakwood Park Grammar School
To arrange a visit and increase the chance of a successful application email abaker@opgs.org.
School location
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