About this Role
Teacher of Psychology (MAT Leave)
Salary: MPS / UPS + possible HOD allowance for interested candidates
FTE: Full-time OR part-time
Start Date: January 2026
The Department:
The Psychology Department delivers the Edexcel syllabus which we believe offers interesting and varied topics for the students. We have a large intake of sixth form students across year 12 and 13, with classes currently up to 24 students.
Successful candidates would be working in a supportive team that collaborates closely to consistently improve student performance and has a real passion for all things psychology. Students experience a variety of teaching methods and styles in the classroom where high standards are the norm.
As well as delivering the syllabus, students are offered the opportunity to go on several different trips and hear information from external speakers to help them understand how psychology works in the real world and the career opportunities that are open to them.
Person Specification:
- It is expected that the successful applicant will be able to fulfil the following criteria:
Qualifications:
- QTS and a good honours degree in a related subject (ECTs are welcome)
Experience:
- Ability to teach Psychology across KS5
Relationships:
- A commitment to students as individuals
- A sensitive attitude to students of all abilities and ages and the ability to differentiate teaching to meet the needs of the most able and those with Special
Educational needs
- An ability to create a stimulating and challenging learning environment for students
- A recognition of the importance of partnership with parents
- A supportive and co-operative approach to colleagues
Personal Characteristics:
- A commitment to the AGS ethos
- A willingness to continue learning and developing as a teacher
- A reflective approach to their own practice and to the overall performance of the department
- Hard working and adaptable
- Happy to work independently or in collaboration
- Able to carry initiatives through to their conclusion
- Friendly and approachable
- Well organised and able to meet deadlines
- Demonstrate a passion for the subject and an ability to enthuse students of all ages
- A commitment to safeguarding children’s well being
- A commitment to playing a part in the wider life of the school
Head of Department Responsibilities (Optional):
- Develop, lead and implement policies and practices throughout the school that reflect the school’s ethos and commitment to high achievement through effective teaching and learning.
- Produce, maintain and regularly review the departmental Self-Evaluation Form and development plan, including analysis of examination results & achievement data.
- Use performance data to evaluate students’ progress and, with appropriate colleagues, set targets or intervention/ improvement for groups of children.
- Use performance data to identify areas of strength/weakness in teaching and take steps to spread good practice/address weaknesses identified with relevant colleagues.
- Motivate and enthuse colleagues and encourage a shared understanding of the contribution the subject can make to all aspects of students’ lives and to the wider school vision.
- Carry out the performance management of the team, oversee any delegated responsibility for this and support the professional development of members of the team.
- Hold regular, minuted departmental meetings with a focus on improving teaching & learning.
- Support the team in managing student behaviour and setting high standards.
- Monitor the quality of provision within the curriculum area, including sampling students' work, under-taking lesson observations etc. and take appropriate steps to ensure a high standard of provision is in place.
- Ensure schemes of work and appropriate assessments are in place. This will require awareness of current trends in curriculum development, teaching techniques and the evolving demands of external examinations.
- Actively contribute to whole school priorities, curriculum planning and the formulation of the school development plan.
- Monitor the departmental budget and bid for curriculum development innovations.
- Take charge of Health & Safety issues within the Department.
- Liaise with the schools examinations officer to ensure the accurate entry of students for external examinations.
- Liaise with partner schools to ensure pupils’ progress between phases is smooth & uninterrupted.
- Oversee the effective running of an exciting extra and super-curricular programme.
Applications close at 8am on Wednesday 8th October although we reserve the right to interview early.
Thank you for your interest in the role. If you would like to talk through the role prior to application, then please do not hesitate to contact me at r.thorpe@alcestergs.com.