RELIGION & PHILOSOPHY, HEAD OF DEPARTMENT for April or September 2026 Fixed term to cover maternity leave We are looking for an enthusiastic and conscientious subject specialist to lead our highly successful Religion and Philosophy department from April or September 2026 to cover maternity leave for two or three terms. The role is an excellent opportunity for a teacher to gain leadership experience or an experienced Head of Department looking for a fresh challenge. The successful candidate's timetable will involve teaching across the age and ability range, including Religious Studies to GCSE and, Philosophy at A level. Reasonably priced school accommodation adjacent to the school may be available in September. The Religion & Philosophy Department is a thriving and friendly department. It is fortunate in having two new classrooms, both of which are equipped with interactive whiteboards. There is also a new departmental office/resource room. The first two years at Colfe's explore both religious and philosophical themes to develop pupils' critical thinking skills. Pupils are introduced to the beliefs and practices of the world's major religions, allowing them to develop a deeper understanding of people in our multi-cultural society, and in the global community. Additionally, they consider other themes such as New Religious Movements to enable them to understand the nature of religious belief in greater depth. The philosophical aspects of the course address issues in Epistemology, Ethics, Political Philosophy and Metaphysics, asking questions about the existence of God, what the mind is, and how we can know that we exist. The aim is to encourage pupils to think critically about belief and are encouraged to ask and explore questions, without necessarily seeking answers. In Year 9 pupils study Buddhism, Islam, Contemporary Philosophy and Ethics, plus arguments for and against God’s existence. Virtues such as respect, care, concern, commitment, fairness, tolerance, self-understanding and enquiry are studied, promoted and fostered. In this way, students have opportunities to grow emotionally, as well as intellectually. At GCSE, we study the AQA A specification, with a focus on Christianity and Buddhism. The themes studied include religion and life, peace and conflict, the existence of God and social justice, picking up on ideas examined lower down the school in further depth. At A-level, we follow the AQA Philosophy course, where students tackle epistemology, ethics and metaphysics. Results at GCSE and A Level have been excellent, both in terms of grades achieved and value added. The successful candidate will:
Qualifications and Experience
* have a passionate interest in both Religious Studies and Philosophy
* have excellent subject knowledge
* be an outstanding classroom teacher
* possess creativity, strong organisational abilities, and excellent interpersonal skills
* be able to teach KS3, KS4 and KS5
* join a talented and welcoming team
A copy of the generic job description for Heads of Department at Colfe's School is also attached.
Benefits
* Colfe's highly competitive salary scale
* Longer holidays than the maintained sector
* Free lunches
* Free membership of Colfe's Leisure Centre
* Free on-site parking
* Excellent professional development opportunities
* Cycle to Work scheme
* Annual flu vaccination
Application Procedure
The recruitment process will require all applicants to complete an application form, accompanied by a letter of application, current CV and details of two referees, who will be contacted prior to interview, in accordance with the School's Safer Recruitment procedures. There will be interviews and a lesson observation for shortlisted candidates. The application may be submitted either electronically, to: recruitment@colfes.com or by post, to: Mrs A Ross, Human Resources, Colfe's School, Horn Park Lane, London, SE12 8AW. Applications should be sent as soon as possible and by 9.00 am on Wednesday 10 December at the latest. Colfe's reserves the right to appoint to this post before the closing date if necessary and we would therefore very much encourage early applications.
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