Job Overview
We are looking to recruit an enthusiastic and ambitious Assistant Director of Social Science to join the high-performing team at Shelley College. This is an exciting opportunity for an aspiring or experienced middle leader who is passionate about raising standards, delivering excellent teaching and learning, and supporting colleagues to achieve the very best outcomes for students.
Working closely with the Director of Social Science, you will help lead a dedicated and experienced faculty, contributing to the strategic development of the department and ensuring the consistent delivery of high-quality lessons across all Social Science subjects. You must be able to teach at least one of the following subjects: Business, Criminology, Sociology or Economics, and be willing to upskill across teaching disciplines.
You will play a key role in driving improvements in progress and attainment, developing the curriculum, monitoring teaching and learning, and supporting colleagues to continually grow and improve their practice. The role involves working alongside teachers, TLR holders, senior leaders and governors to support whole‑school priorities and help maintain high standards of behaviour, engagement and safety. You will also support the development, implementation and evaluation of departmental improvement plans, ensuring that students of all abilities have access to a curriculum that meets their needs and allows them to thrive.
At Shelley College, you will join a supportive and collaborative school community where professional development is valued, and where leaders at all levels are encouraged to innovate, reflect and grow. This role offers an excellent opportunity for someone committed to shaping the future of Social Science and making a measurable difference to students’ lives.
About Shelley College
Rated Outstanding by Ofsted, Shelley College is a proud partner academy in SHARE Multi‑Academy Trust, a National Support School, and a National Teaching School. The academy is at the centre of a close‑knit network that aims to provide the very best professional and career development opportunities for staff and an excellent education for pupils. Shelley College has a sixth‑form, which is increasingly the top choice for students across Yorkshire, thanks to the high‑quality teaching and pastoral offer, which helps every single student thrive and prepare well for the next stage in life.
Students leave Shelley College fully equipped with the life‑skills, experiences, and educational outcomes to have a happy and successful future. Our staff are friendly and supportive of one another, with a strong sense of a committed team working together.
Shelley College is located in a beautiful rural area, within good commuting distance of Leeds, Manchester and Sheffield. The academy is proud to offer:
Benefits
* A supportive and ambitious environment where all students are encouraged to go beyond what they think they can achieve and to enjoy learning, helping them to lead successful, healthy and happy lives
* A vibrant place to work which equips staff to deliver their best every day, under the strong belief that Valuing People, Supporting Personal Best is the key
* A commitment that staff are happy, engaged and well supported at work, taking pride in students’ attendance, behaviour, progress and development as well as their own
* Excellent training and guidance relevant to individual job roles, so expectations are understood and staff are motivated
* Great benefits, as an employer of choice, including outstanding CPD, supportive line management, and meaningful networking opportunities across the Trust to aid personal development
* Supportive leadership, encouraging a healthy work/life balance
* A high‑quality teaching and learning environment alongside good facilities
* A culture where children are happy, settled and confident, accessing a broad and balanced curriculum which provides a memorable educational experience for pupils and staff
About SHARE Multi‑Academy Trust
SHARE Multi‑Academy Trust comprises Woodside Green Primary, Heaton Avenue Primary, Luck Lane Primary, Millbridge Primary, Royds Hall, Shelley College, Todmorden High School, Whitcliffe Mount School and Thornhill Community Academy. A central team provides a number of services, including School Improvement, Finance, ICT, HR & Payroll, Premises & Compliance and Governance Services.
We believe in helping staff and students achieve their personal best and are keen to recruit the very best talent to our trust. More than six hundred people work hard across the trust to ensure we provide the very best education and service across all our schools, from invigilators joining us for a few hours a year through flexible part‑time work to many full‑time teaching and support roles.
There are many reasons why you will enjoy working for the trust. You will be surrounded by supportive people, working together with a common goal for all of our students, aiming to value and support all colleagues in order to help them achieve their personal best.
If you decide to join us, we will ensure you have what you need to make a positive difference in your education role. We will seek out your ideas and ask for your opinions regularly, using staff voice.
Our CPD commitment is second to none, and the training and developmental opportunities on offer will empower you to make improvements in all aspects of your role. The training you receive will help you fulfil your potential, whatever your stage of career.
For teachers and leaders, we offer fast‑tracked, first‑class developmental opportunities led by one of our academies, Shelley College, which is the Teaching School Hub for Kirklees and Calderdale. This includes National Professional Qualifications (NPQs), lead practitioner positions and trainee senior leadership positions, which build upon our middle leadership programmes.
Please contact the team at Shelley College at sharron.pendleton@sharemat.co.uk if you have any questions with regard to this vacancy or if you need any support in making an application.
For more information and to apply, please click the apply button.
Closing date: 9.00am on Monday 13th April 2026.
To be considered for an interview, you must fully complete the application form and demonstrate your ability to meet the requirements of the job by giving clear, concise examples of how you meet each criterion. Any applications that do not demonstrate how your abilities, skills and experience meet the requirements of the role or any applications that have incomplete sections, unanswered questions or ‘please see CV’ will not be taken through to the shortlisting stage.
The Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of students and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. This post is subject to enhanced DBS disclosure, and a ‘prohibition from teaching’ check will be completed for all applicants.
We are committed to Equal Opportunities and welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and characteristics.
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