Job Description
Head of History (Full-Time, Permanent)
Start Date: September 2026Salary: £32,916 – £51,047 (Actual) + TLR 2BContract: Permanent, Full-TimeClosing Date: 12th April 2026Interview Date: w/c 24th April 2026Positions Available: 1
About the Role
We are recruiting on behalf of a new and rapidly growing 11–16 secondary school, currently in the early stages of its development. This is a rare opportunity to join a school at a formative point and play a central role in shaping its academic identity and curriculum offer.
The school is seeking an exceptional and forward-thinking Head of History to lead the creation and development of a rigorous, knowledge-rich History curriculum and establish a strong departmental culture from the outset.
The Role: Head of History
As Head of History, you will be responsible for building the department from the ground up—designing curriculum, shaping pedagogy, and establishing a clear academic vision for the subject.
This role would suit an experienced middle leader seeking a fresh challenge, or an ambitious teacher ready to step into departmental leadership within a supportive, high-expectations environment.
What You Will Do
* Lead the development of a coherent, knowledge-rich History curriculum rooted in powerful disciplinary knowledge
* Shape the long-term vision, ethos, and academic identity of History within the school
* Establish exemplary teaching, learning, and assessment practices
* Build, inspire, and mentor a future History team as the school grows
* Develop high-quality teaching resources, enrichment opportunities, and cross-curricular links
* Ensure History is an intellectually ambitious, engaging, and rigorous subject for all learners
* Support and mentor new colleagues, helping to develop confident and expert practitioners
What We’re Looking For
* A passionate historian with deep subject knowledge and a commitment to knowledge-rich curriculum design
* Secure understanding of historical concepts, disciplinary thinking, and chronological coherence
* A reflective practitioner with strong pedagogical understanding
* Ability to coach, mentor, and develop colleagues
* Experience designing or contributing to a rigorous KS3 curriculum (KS4 experience advantageous as the school grows)
* Ambition to establish high academic standards and a strong departmental culture
* Enthusiasm for shaping a new department within a developing school
Why This Role Is Exciting
* Opportunity to design a History department from first principles
* Freedom to shape curriculum, ethos, and teaching approaches
* Play a key role in recruiting, mentoring, and developing a future team
* Work in a research-informed environment focused on academic excellence
* Significant professional growth opportunities as the school expands
* Contribute to a culture of scholarship, curiosity, and intellectual ambition
Benefits
The successful candidate will receive a comprehensive benefits package, including:
* Generous annual leave entitlement plus bank holidays
* One wellbeing day per year
* Local Government Pension Scheme with life cover and ill-health protection
* Retail and lifestyle discount schemes
* Complimentary breakfast and lunch when working onsite
* Payment of required professional memberships
* 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme
* Healthcare cash plan and access to an online GP
* Cycle to Work and car lease schemes
* Extensive training and professional development opportunities
* A collaborative, ambitious working culture
All applicants will require the appropriate qualifications and training for this role. Please see the FAQ’s on the Teaching Personnel website for details.All pay rates quoted will be inclusive of 12.07% statutory holiday pay. This advert is for a temporary position. In some cases, the option to make this role permanent may become available at a later date.Teaching Personnel is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. We undertake safeguarding checks on all workers in accordance with DfE statutory guidance ‘Keeping Children Safe in Education’ this may also include an online search as part of our due diligence on shortlisted applicants.We offer all our registered candidates FREE child protection and prevent duty training. All candidates must undertake or have undertaken a valid enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. Full assistance provided.For details of our privacy policy, please visit the Teaching Personnel website.