Head of Religious Studies

TLR 1:1 £7,778

Required from September 2025

St Mary’s Catholic High School is an outstanding (OFSTED June 2024) and over-subscribed 11-18 mixed Academy with excellent student behaviour and outcomes.  All students are encouraged to achieve and success is celebrated at all levels.  This is an excellent opportunity to join a very high performing school.  Academic results are excellent; consistently achieving well-above average Progress 8 scores as well as impressive Attainment 8, Ebacc average point scores and outstanding A Level results.  

We are seeking to appoint a creative and motivated Head of Department to lead our successful and hard-working Religious Studies team.   

The Head of Religious Studies will work closely with the Assistant Headteacher (Catholic Life and Mission), and other departmental postholders.  Within the school there is also a Head of Chaplaincy and the Faith in Action Lead.

The successful candidate will:

• Have previous leadership experience, or the aspiration and skills to lead.
• Be an enthusiastic and well-qualified graduate who can both inspire and engage with our students.
• Be a passionate advocate for their subject with a strong knowledge of curriculum development in Religious Education, particularly in a Catholic setting.
• Be dynamic and innovative; providing professional leadership for the department to ensure high quality teaching and learning; enhancing further the excellent exam results of the Religious Studies Department. 
• An exceptional classroom practitioner, delivering lessons that motivate and inspire our students to achieve their academic and personal potential.
• Be able to lead and develop the delivery of Religious Studies across all abilities in Key Stages 3, 4 and 5.

We are able to offer you a welcoming and supportive environment led by a leadership team committed to staff wellbeing.   A programme of weekly induction sessions provides the opportunity to meet key members of staff and be introduced to school policies and procedures.  Bespoke ongoing professional development is a priority, and all staff are able to access high quality, carefully tailored training and development opportunities, including the observation of teaching and the sharing of practice. 

We are particularly keen to reflect the diverse nature of our student community in our staff; we welcome applications from all qualified applicants and strongly believe that diversity in all its forms delivers greater impact to our whole school community.

Potential candidates would be most welcome to visit the school prior to applying and if you would like to do so, please contact the Headteacher’s PA, Mrs Rachel Gilding.  (Please note that the school will be closed for half-term holiday Monday 17 to Friday 21 February 2025).

The job description, person specification and application documents may be downloaded from the list below, or alternatively please contact Mrs R Gilding, Headteacher’s PA on 01246 201191 (ext 2011) or e-mail rgilding@stmaryschesterfield.org.uk.

CVs will not be accepted - applications must be made using the school’s application form.

Closing date for applications: 9.00 am on Tuesday 25 February 2025

Please note: Applications will be considered as they are received and we reserve the right to close this position before the date specified above.  We therefore urge candidates to apply as soon as possible.

St Mary's Catholic High School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and as such expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.  This post is subject to an enhanced DBS check.