Job Description
Head of Religious Studies
Outwood Grange Academy
Start Date: 01/09/2026
Salary: Main Pay Scale 1 to Upper Pay Scale 3 - £32,916 to £51,048 with TLR 2.1 of £3,527 per annum.
32.5 hours per week. Full Time with part time applications considered.
About The Role
Outwood Grange Academy is seeking to appoint a committed and enthusiastic Head of RS for lead on Religious Studies. This is a unique and exciting opportunity to influence and strengthen the Religious Studies curriculum provision in the academy. The successful candidate will continue to work as an outstanding teaching practitioner alongside leading and developing the Religious Studies curriculum. The Religious Studies curriculum is delivered by a range of different members of staff from various departments, giving the curriculum a rich and varied delivery. It includes the Citizenship, Relationships & Sex Education and Religious Studies national curriculums and is delivered across KS3 and KS4.
It includes delivery of KS4 AQA GCSE and Religious Studies national curriculum across KS3.
The Lead on Religious Studies has a remit focusing on consistent, shared best practice and high quality, personal development provision across the school. The successful candidate will provide regular communication, networking, guidance and checks to support the academy and those staff delivering aspects of the Religious Studies curriculum in developing and driving the strategic vision. The RS lead will ensure students are taught age appropriate knowledge to support their personal growth.
We are seeking an enthusiastic leader with drive, vision and commitment to Religious Studies curriculum excellence. The successful candidate will bring effective leadership expertise alongside a genuine belief in providing students with a rich curriculum offer which enhances student knowledge. Full time or part applications will be considered. An excellent knowledge and understanding of the subject is essential. You must possess the skills and determination to make a significant difference to the lives of our students and share our single goal of ‘students first’.
About The School
Outwood Grange Academy are a Good rated, 11-18 academy based in the cathedral city of Wakefield, near Leeds from where the successful Outwood Grange Family was born; a Trust that has supported 41 schools across phases in the North of England.
We have nurtured a school community that is welcoming and friendly, where students and staff can make excellent progress together, with a focus on creating a culture of success, a positive climate for learning, and increased attainment, achievement and social and emotional development.
We believe our success speaks for itself as we are well above the national average for the number of students achieving at a Grade 5 or above in English and maths GCSEs. We are also proud to have been awarded Gold Status by the Carnegie Centre of Excellence for Mental Health Award.
The successful candidate will be able to make a significant difference to the lives of our students and share our single goal of ‘Students First Raising Standards and Transforming Lives’. We positively welcome applications from all sections of the community, who love Religious Studies and have a passion to develop this in others.
* If you have any further queries regarding the role, please contact the HR team at hr@grange.outwood.com
Responsibilities
The Head of Department is responsible for communicating a clear purpose and vision while providing cohesive leadership and direction to the Department/Faculty. This leader models the Academy's values, promotes high standards through effective teaching, and is accountable for implementing the Department Development Plan/Self-Evaluation Form (SEF) to secure continuous improvement.
They develop and sustain DEEP LEADERSHIP through line management of staff, overseeing department resources and budget, reviewing syllabuses, and conducting Performance Management Reviews.
* To view the job description Click Here
Qualifications
Essential qualifications required are a Degree in the relevant subject and Qualified Teacher Status (QTS). Candidates must demonstrate a good understanding of their subject's secondary curriculum (Key Stage 3 to Key Stage 5), knowledge of current departmental issues, and understanding of school improvement and Ofsted inspection programmes. Essential experience includes leading or supporting the leadership of a department, successful teaching across all key stages, and evidence of managing/leading a new initiative.
Required skills encompass being an outstanding classroom practitioner with a clear vision, possessing outstanding relationships with students and staff, and the ability to analyze data to develop rapid improvement intervention strategies.
* To view the person specification Click Here
About Us
Outwood Grange Academies Trust (OGAT) places staff development at the heart of its strategy to deliver excellence, aiming to recruit, develop, and retain the best staff through the Outwood Institute of Education (OIE).
Benefits
What will we do for you?
* Competitive Pay & Pension: Competitive salary, automatic pay progression, and enrolment in the Teachers' Pension Scheme.
* Professional Growth: Access extensive CPD, progression to Masters level, and development via the Outwood Institute of Education and National Institute of Teaching.
* Workload & Support: Committed to a manageable workload via our Workload Charter and guarantee a minimum of two hours of CPD each week.
* Wellbeing & Flexibility: Enhanced occupational leave, flexible family policies, and access to a comprehensive Employee Assistance Programme.
Take the next step in your professional journey and apply now to access these exceptional development and system-wide impact opportunities.
* Further Information on employee benefits can be found Click Here
* To find our more about working for Outwood and to read a message from our CEO please Click Here
Note: If applying from an external job board, please click 'Apply' to access the working links on the Outwood Careers page
Please note, we reserve the right to close advertisements early, either on the advertised closing date, or sooner if required.
Safeguarding and Compliance
Outwood Grange Academies Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. All appointments are made in accordance with safer recruitment practices and the statutory guidance in Keeping Children Safe in Education. Online checks will be carried out on all shortlisted candidates, and all appointments are subject to an enhanced DBS check, satisfactory references and checks regarding suitability to work with children.
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