Head of History

Head of History– Full Time and Permanent – April 2021 start.

Bedminster Down School - A 'Good' and over subscribed Academy in Bristol. We seek to appoint a dynamic and ambitious Head of History to join our skilled middle leadership group and talented history team.

Do you want to teach in a school with:

• A whole school behaviour policy that has stopped almost all low level disruption?
• An innovative, effective and time efficient approach to marking and feedback?
• A dedication to improving teaching through a huge amount of optional and tailored CPD?
• A  focus on the wellbeing of staff and students?

Bedminster Down School is looking to appoint a Head of History to join our school from April 2021. The school is rated as good by Ofsted, and we are looking for an enthusiastic and energetic leader and teacher to help us move towards outstanding. History is a core part of the taught curriculum for all students in KS3 and a popular option at KS4. The successful candidate will take on a role leading the team of experienced subject specialists and  teaching almost exclusively history, including a well-motivated GCSE options class. The department work collaboratively with counterparts across our trust and have developed a well-planned and resourced curriculum, you will have a real input in shaping the future direction of history in the school and across the WMAT. You will be joining a highly experienced and supportive department which is always looking to improve.

We operate a ‘Ready to Learn’ behaviour system in the school and classroom behaviour is exceptional – allowing teachers to focus on providing high quality learning opportunities. The pastoral and senior teams ensure that any low level disruption is dealt with rapidly and effectively, giving teachers the chance to spend their work time on planning and delivering lessons which will maximize progress.

We have developed new ways to assess progress and feedback to pupils; as a school and department we are putting more time into planning and differentiation and turning our backs on hours of book marking. Delivering live marking and impact marking strategies allows us to know exactly what our students need to do to progress and target appropriate work to deliver outstanding lessons.

We welcome applicants who are excited by this challenge. Our support and development of teaching is second to none. We provide staff with a wide range of professional development opportunities and work hard to support colleagues in becoming the very best teachers and leaders.

In the current state of school closure, we are keeping the application and interview process dynamic and will progress any application from suitable candidates as they apply. In place of academy based interviews, we have set up systems to ensure that alternative options are still available via video conferencing wherever possible. Understandably, visits to the school are not possible at present; however we are really keen to ensure that you have as much information to proceed with your application as possible, so if you would like a conversation about either the academy or the position please contact Matt Eagon (Vice Principal) on 07809-762145.

The closing date for applications is 9.00 am Monday 7th December 2020.

Interviews will be held t.w.b.7th December.

Applications should include:

• Completed application form, plus an accompanying letter of no more than two sides of A4 which must include;
•           your reasons for applying and
•           how your experience and skills have prepared you for this post.
•           how we will raise achievement in GCSE history - especially for disadvantaged and SEND students