Hampton is one of the country’s leading, most successful and best-resourced independent schools and has been helping boys to fulfil their potential and realise their aspirations for over 460 years.
Established over 460 years ago, Hampton is one of the country’s foremost, highest-achieving and best-resourced independent schools. Our community is vibrant, dynamic and happy, making it a wonderful place to teach and learn. Members of the Common Room are talented and hugely supportive of one another and their pupils; they share their love of learning with young people who are bright, intellectually inquisitive and aspirational. Hampton is a lively, friendly and inclusive School community where we aspire to enable our boys to not only to make sense of the world, but also to want to go out and improve it. Above all, Hamptonians are encouraged and indeed expected to aspire to personal best while supporting those around them with kindness and respect.
Situated on a green-field site in a leafy suburb of South West London, we are fortunate to have 28 acres of playing fields within our spacious grounds. Pupils and staff alike benefit from first-class facilities across all areas of School life. These include a state-of-the-art 3G sportsground, a large and well-appointed Sports Hall, and the remarkable Hammond Theatre for the Performing Arts, along with an excellent library and specialist facilities for Art, Music, Science, Technology, Computer Science and Languages (Modern and Classical). Our older pupils enjoy impressive Sixth Form private study and Careers provision in The Barry Martin Centre. The Millennium Boat House, shared with our neighbouring girls’ school, Lady Eleanor Holles, has a prime location on the nearby River Thames, and provides the focal point for our popular and successful Boat Club.
Hamptonians’ examination results and university entrance record consistently rank in the top echelon nationally and indeed internationally. Nearly all Hampton leavers go on to undergraduate courses at Russell Group or equivalent universities; around 25 pupils are offered places at Oxford and Cambridge annually, and a significant number move on to global top-10 universities. We also support pupils who wish to study at universities in North America, some of whom secure academic and/or sporting scholarships. Hampton’s notably diverse, socially inclusive nature is an especially cherished part of our DNA and we as far from being a stereotypical public school as any setting in the independent sector. Currently, 7% of our boys (around 100 in total) attend on means-tested, free places, many of which are funded by a separate but closely linked educational charity, The Fitzwygram Foundation. ‘One of the most genuinely inclusive, diverse independent schools in the London area’. Good Schools Guide
A copy of the full ISI report can found on the School website and a summary booklet of the inspection team’s key findings is linked here .
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For further Information for prospective colleagues is linked here
Hampton is one of the country’s foremost academically selective independent schools and this is an excellent opportunity to join a vibrant and successful department in a happy, high-achieving setting.
This is an outstanding opportunity for an enthusiastic individiual to join an outstanding School where all our teachers passionate about their subject and help ensure every boy achieves to the best of his ability.
History and Politics require and encourage a range of skills, both general and subject-specific. We aim to develop in our teaching, the understanding of our common heritage and of the present-day world through a study of events, developments and ideas that have gone before or are current.
In History, we encourage boys to develop the ability to understand factors that have influenced the behaviour of people from different times and places and to evaluate evidence of different kinds, and to use it to structure arguments and to reach balanced conclusions. We encourage awareness of the existence of different types of historical sources and opinions, of the controversies they generate and the importance of reaching appropriate judgements about their relative value.
In Government and Politics, global and domestic politics constantly shifts and shapes our lives and is therefore a fascinating and highly relevant subject to study. Understanding contemporary events, opinions and theories will help boys to form their own views about the dynamic world of politics.
Teaching at Hampton, extends far beyond the classroom and academic success. Our exciting co-curricular programme is at the heart of School life and offers pupils countless opportunities to explore their passions, try something new and develop skills that last a lifetime.
Equity, diversity and inclusion are fundamental to our ethos and the School has a thriving partnerships programme. There is also a very strong commitment to supporting the continuing professional development of colleagues.
The post would suit a well-qualified Teacher of History with Politics with experience of teaching in a highly academic setting or an aspiring graduate or Early Career Teacher (ECT).
The School has its own salary scale and offers generous non-contractual benefits, well above the maintained sector, to attract high-calibre candidates. Accommodation may also be available for the successful applicant.
We encourage applications as soon as possible and the School reserves the right to commence or complete the interview process at any time prior to the closing date.
The History Department
History is taught as a discrete subject to all pupils in the First to Third Years (National Curriculum Years 7-9) during two 40-minute single periods per week. In the Fourth and Fifth Years, pupils who opt for History (usually between 120 and 150) follow the CIE IGCSE course on 20th Century World History, with a depth study on the USA during the 1920s and 30s, during four taught periods per week. Results are excellent: over 90% of pupils are awarded GCSE grades 9-7.
In the Sixth Form, 60 pupils currently study AQA’s A Level History course in classes of five to nine pupils. Currently, groups are taught by two different members of the department, with teachers remaining with their sets throughout the course wherever possible.
The teaching of 16th Century British and 20th Century Germany topics are shared between teachers, as is the supervision of the US Civil Rights coursework topic. Pupils are taught for seven periods per week in the Lower Sixth and nine periods per week in the Upper Sixth. The department has strong results at A-Level, with over 75% of candidates attaining A*/A and 100% achieving A*-B in 2025.
Extension classes are offered to those applying for History or related degree courses at Oxbridge. The department has a very strong track record of enabling Sixth Formers to read for History degrees at these and other Russell Group universities.
Public examination specifications:
IGCSE CIE History (20th Century World)
A Level AQA History
There are 11 members of the History Department, including one of the Deputy Heads and The Headmaster. Colleagues are friendly, collegial in approach, and generous in sharing their teaching resources and ideas.
We want to engender a love of History and a passion for the subject, whether pupils pursue it after Hampton or not. We are especially keen to equip pupils with the skills needed in a world increasingly dominated by AI, which we believe the study of History provides.
The Department benefits from a pleasant, spacious office and a number of dedicated teaching rooms in the Alexander Centre building. All members of the Common Room are provided with a laptop.
The Politics Department
Aims of the Politics Department
• Instil in our pupils a long standing fascination with politics and desire to participate actively in civil society
• Encourage our pupils to form an appreciation of what politics offers both academically and pastorally
• Develop essential knowledge and understanding of political structures, systems and theories and how they relate to everyday life as a politically active citizen
• Develop skills of analysis, interpretation and evaluation
• Thoroughly prepare pupils for external examinations and enhance their chances of securing their first choice university
Boys must develop a healthy appreciation of contemporary politics to ensure that they can illustrate theories, arguments and conceptual understanding with a range of relevant case studies. They also study comparative political theories in the Upper Sixth, looking at similarities and differences between the UK and US political systems.
It is also vital that boys remain engaged with current affairs as a high level of contemporary knowledge and awareness is expected. No prior political knowledge is required when our pupils begin the A Level course, but it is expected that boys will have a healthy curiosity about the world and a desire to understand political events at a deeper level.
Politics fits into several different subject combinations, particularly those in the humanities and social science disciplines. Boys become fully immersed in the political world through regular media discussions in class.
Politics is a very well-respected subject and we regularly have about 50-80 boys studying it at A-Level. Successful pupils will gain skills of analysis, independent thought and presentation of logical and structured argument. Politics is becoming an increasingly popular option at university. It is offered in different subject combinations at both Oxford and Cambridge and a university course in politics can help in accessing any number of careers.
There is also a chance to explore politics outside the classroom with an annual trip to Westminster for Lower Sixth and a biennial trip to Washington DC for both Lower and Upper Sixth pupils studying Politics.
Main Responsibilities
* To teach the History and Politics curriculum to an excellent standard and to promote and contribute to the overall provision within the History and Politics Departments e.g. clubs and competitions, as well as to the School’s co-curricular programmes
* To continually update knowledge regarding ‘best practice’ in the teaching of History and Politics through personal reading, research, and training
* To promote and maintain the high standards of pupil achievement and contribute to the development of outstanding teaching practice across the department
* To complete all student assessment requirements, including the regular marking of homework and coursework, as required
* To assess, record and track the progress of the students according to the expectations of the Deputy Head (Academic) and the School’s policies
* To use performance data for pupil target setting and progress monitoring
* To deliver teaching of a high standard and to work to promote and maintain standards of achievement across both Departments
* To contribute to the pastoral care of pupils as a Form Tutor and the delivery of the PSHE curriculum
* To contribute to a thriving super-curricular programme within both departments. This will include running some co-curricular and extension sessions as well as attending department trips
* To maintain standards of discipline in line with Hampton School policies
* To attend parent and pupil meetings, as required
* To work collaboratively as part of two successful departments
* To attend in whole school and departmental INSET and contribute to the evaluation and progress of the curriculum.
The successful candidate will be expected to teach up to 30 (40 minute) lessons per week, which may include a games afternoon’ and a form tutor period.
Person Specification
The successful candidate is likely to be able to demonstrate the following skills, qualifications and experience
Essential Criteria:
* Commitment to the paramount importance of the safeguarding and wellbeing of pupils
* A good honours degree in History, Politics or a related course from a leading university
* An enthusiastic commitment to all aspects of the History and Politics programmes of academic and co-curricular activities across the age range
* Excellent oral and written communication skills
* Strong IT skills (Microsoft Office) including the use of appropriate online platforms for remote learning and the ability to embrace the use of technology in the classroom (All teaching staff are supplied with a laptop computer)
* The ability to demonstrate characteristics of outstanding teaching practice
* An awareness of the demands of teaching bright students and a commitment to fostering high academic achievement in an academically selective school setting
* The ability to work effectively and collaboratively as a member of a large team
* A professional, collaborative approach that inspires confidence in pupils, parents and colleagues
* Calmness and efficiency, with the ability to work under pressure when required to do so
* Commitment to continuing professional development through attendance at INSET courses
* A keen eye for detail and a high level of administrative ability
* Willingness to contribute to the rich programme of co-curricular departmental activities and competitions
* Assiduous and willing to avoid the ‘9 to 4 approach’
* Commitment to the all-round ethos of the School, including its co-curricular activities and pastoral approach
* A willingness to organise and lead History and Politics day visits and residential trips
* An understanding of appropriate Health and Safety requirements.
Desirable Criteria
* A higher degree or experience of educational or subject-specific research
* A teaching qualification and/or some previous teaching experience
* The ability to develop and maintain effective relationships with all members of the school community and outside agencies
* An ability to offer skills in some part of the extra-curricular programme of the school
* Enjoy rising to the challenge inherent in a school environment.
Other:
* To act as Fire Marshal and First Aider as required. Training will be provided
* Any other reasonable tasks required by the Headmaster and/or Bursar in association with the above role.
Please note that there may be some changes and additions to the above, which will be discussed before implementation and changes may occur as the post develops. This document is designed to provide applicants with a “flavour” of the position and responsibilities.
Training
Where necessary, to attend INSET training or undergo other on the job training under the general direction of the Head of Department or training outside the school to increase competence, proficiency and safety awareness
Salary and Benefits
Hampton has its own generous salary scale and benefits package. Accommodation may also be available.
NQTs/ECT’s are provided with an appropriate programme of induction leading to QTS, valid across both sectors.
The Hampton School Trust Governors currently offer the following non-contractual benefits to staff, subject to any terms and conditions and the School’s eligibility requirements: death-in-service benefit insurance policy; private health care scheme (BUPA), a healthcare cash plan; enrolment in appropriate Pension Scheme, personal accident insurance, School fee remission, cycle to work scheme, lunch, sports facilities and counselling.
Hampton School is pleased to be a London Living Wage employer.
Please note that the above list is not exhaustive and non-contractual benefits are provided at the discretion of the Governors.
Candidates must have the right to work in the UK as Sponsorship is not available.
Equal Opportunities
It is the policy of Hampton School to provide equal employment opportunities for all qualified individuals and to prohibit discrimination in employment on any basis protected by applicable law, including but not limited to race, colour, religious creed, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, ancestry, national origin, age, medical condition or disability. Hampton School promotes equal employment opportunities in all aspects of employment through positive employment policies and practices.
If any special requirements are required to attend an interview, please inform the School.
Offers of employment will be made on merit and suitability of qualifications and experience, in pursuit of our policy of equal opportunities.
Safeguarding
The post holder's responsibility for promoting and safeguarding the welfare of children and young persons for whom s/he is responsible, or with whom s/he comes into contact will be to adhere to and ensure compliance with the School's Safeguarding Policy and Procedures at all times. If in the course of carrying out the duties of the post the post holder becomes aware of any actual or potential risks to the safety or welfare of children in the School s/he must report any concerns to the School's Safeguarding Designated Persons or to The Headmaster.
The School reserves the right to offer the post at any stage in the appointment process. Further details of the School are available on the website.
Please note all appointments are subject to the Hampton School Trust Recruitment, Selection and Disclosure Policy and Procedure.
The School is legally required to carry out a number of pre-appointment checks which are detailed in the School's Recruitment, Selection and Disclosure Policy and Procedure. The information you are being asked to provide in this form is required so that the School can comply with those legal obligations should your application be successful. Please note that in order to be considered for a position at the School, you must complete this application form. A curriculum vitae will not be accepted in place of a completed application form.
Hampton School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff, contractors and volunteers to share this commitment.